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William Franklin Graham, III (born July 14, 1952), best known as Franklin Graham, is a American evangelical Christian preacher and missionary.
The son of Billy Graham and Ruth Bell Graham, he was born and raised in North Carolina. Franklin Graham did not become a Christian until age 22, while in Jerusalem. In 1974, he also married Jane Austin Cunningham.
Shortly after becoming a Christian, Graham began working with Dr. Bob Pierce, founder of Samaritan's Purse, in Asia on a mission trip. Graham began his involment with Samaritan's Purse at that time. In 1979, Graham became the president of the organization after the death of Pierce.
Graham did not began conducting evangelistic events until 1989. Each year, he conducts at least five Graham Festivals around the world as an evangelist associated with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Since 1989, he has preached to more than three million people. Franklin Graham serves BGEA as president and CEO.
He spoke at the 1999 Columbine High School memorial. He also gave the opening prayer at the 2001 inaugration of George W. Bush.
Graham came under criticism for comments he made against Islam in the wake of the September 11th attacks, when he referred to Islam as "wicked, violent, and not of the same God." Further criticism came on April 18, 2003 when he travelled to Baghdad to conduct a Good Friday service in that city, nine days after it fell to American military forces.
Franklin Graham has written several books:
- "Rebel With A Cause" (1995) his autobiography
- "Living Beyond the Limits" (1998)
- "The Name" (2002)
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