Evangelist and missionary Franklin Graham was first well known as the son of evanglist Billy and Ruth Bell Graham. A native of North Carolina, he currently lives in Boone, with his wife Jane. He is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse.
While his father provided counsel to Presidents of both parties, Franklin Graham has been more politically outspoken, not shying away from criticism of Islam. Following the recent passage of North Carolina Amendment 1 which prompted the President’s open support of same-sex marriage, Graham said “President Obama has, in my view, shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage. It grieves me that our president would now affirm same-sex marriage, though I believe it grieves God even more.”
Graham’s views may be controversial to some. But he openly speaks what he believes. And through Samaritan’s Purse he puts that faith into action. Samaritan’s Purse has ministered to the poor and suffering in more than 100 countries around the world. Following in his father’s tradition, he has led evangelistic crusades around the world through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.