Will Billy Graham Funeral Be Shown Again

We'll be roofing Billy Graham's funeral in Charlotte on Friday and include alive updates, a live stream from the event and links and recaps from our coverage of the by week and during Rev. Graham'south life. Keep refreshing this file and stay tuned for the latest updates.

one:xxx p.1000. A solemn service

Video highlights from Rev. Graham's funeral in less than two minutes.

1:10 p.chiliad.: A worldwide message

Billy Graham'south message spread far beyond the United States, and fifty-fifty across the Western globe, said Sami Dagher, a friend of Graham and the founding pastor of a Christian church building in Beirut, Lebanon.

"He has made great bear on on the Middle East for all believers," Dagher said.

Graham did so by leading by the example of Christ, past speaking "exactly like our Lord Jesus spoke," co-ordinate to Dagher, who said he looked upwardly to Graham.

Like many people who've spoken most Graham at his funeral, Dagher said that one of the greatest things well-nigh the famed evangelist was his humility, which didn't fade fifty-fifty as his following grew.

"When he spoke about humbleness, he was a apprehensive homo," Dagher said, explaining that Graham embodied the example he hoped to gear up. "His greatness, really, was his humility.''

- Reporter Sam DeGrave

1:05 p.grand. Ned Graham speaks

Following on the heels of Graham's four other children, his youngest Nelson "Ned" Graham offered few words, in office because his siblings ran over their three-infinitesimal limits, he joked.

"I just want y'all to know that my father was Fat," Nelson Graham said, going on to explain that he wasn't talking about his elderly father's sparse-framed body. "He was faithful. He was available. And he was teachable. May we all be that way."

- Reporter Sam DeGrave

1 p.m.: Franklin speaks about his begetter

Franklin Graham, Baton's eldest son, bears his father'due south name. He has likewise taken upon himself his father's mission.

"We accept come hither today to honor a man of God," Franklin said, quickly making articulate that he planned to award his father by turning his funeral into his final cause.

Under a giant tent, speaking from backside the same pulpit his father used at his crusades effectually the world, Franklin channeled the "urgency" with which he said his father preached the gospel. He asked funeral attendees whether they would be in heaven, like his male parent, should they die today.

"My father believed in heaven," Franklin said. "He besides believed in hell."

He told the ii,000 people gathered nether the tent that there would exist no improve fourth dimension, no meliorate place, to ask God's forgiveness than at his father's funeral.

Franklin talked most how his father talked politics and sports with him equally a child. He painted the picture of a honest man, transparent in his religion and every other aspect of his life.

"The Billy Graham that the world saw on television, the Baton Graham that the world saw in stadiums was the same Baton Graham that nosotros saw at home," Franklin said. "There weren't ii Billy Grahams."

Though there may non exist ii Baton Grahams, Franklin made clear Friday that though Billy'southward new address is sky, his message and his methods volition go along to live here on World. Franklin, in respect to his begetter or just out of habit, followed his male parent'due south uncomplicated model: Preach the gospel and permit people answer.

"My begetter's greatest longing has been granted," Franklin said. "He's in the presence of God."

- Reporter Sam DeGrave

12:50 p.m.: 'Such an inspiration'

Billy Kim, president of the Far East Dissemination Company in Republic of korea, credited Baton Graham for growing the number of churches and missionaries – including his ain married woman, who became a missionary afterwards hearing Graham speak in Grand Rapids, Michigan when she was 12 years old.

"Y'all and Mrs. Graham have been such an inspiration and encouragement, and your family unit a wonderful friend in the ministry," Kim said. "Your journey has concluded on this world just may the lord requite you perfect rest in the presence of our heavenly male parent.

"Y'all have fought a good fight. You finished the course."

- Reporter Jennifer Bowman

12:45 p.grand.: Graham's youngest girl speaks

Ruth Graham, Baton Graham's youngest girl, recalled her drive to her parents' home after apace marrying another man months afterwards her divorce.

For two days, Graham said she worried well-nigh what her parents would say, and what she would tell her parents. She finally drove into the driveway of the Montreat dwelling house.

"My father was standing there, waiting for me," Ruth Graham said, pausing and holding back tears. "I  got out of the car. He wrapped his arms around me. And he said, 'Welcome abode.'"

She added, "My begetter was not God. Simply he showed me what God was like that twenty-four hour period."

- Reporter Jennifer Bowman

12:35 p.m.: Daughter Anne Graham Lotz speaks

As a child, Anne Graham Lotz, Graham's second of v children, sat by her mother, Ruth, as she atomic number 82 family devotions and read the Bible. Graham, when he was home, would read the Bible too, but "he didn't merely read it," Lotz said.

"My daddy taught me by his example to recall well-nigh what I was reading," she said.

This became critically important later in his life. Afterwards Ruth died, Billy started asking Lotz to read the Bible, pausing every once in a while to ask questions or prompt discussion.

Today, she read from the Bible ane last time for her father.

"In that location is hope for tomorrow," she said. "This is non all there is. The best is even so to come."

Lotz elicited thanks and "amens" from the crowd when she concluded pledging to her begetter that she will have upwardly his mission, preach the gospel, and live the life of an evangelist.

"My father's decease is as pregnant equally his life and his life was very significant," Lotz said.

- Reporter Sam DeGrave

12:25 p.1000.: Graham sibling speaks

Jean Graham Ford, Billy Graham's only living sibling, pointed to their childhood home that sat behind her as she spoke at her big blood brother'due south funeral service.

"I grew upwards here in this house," she said. "Nosotros learned hard piece of work. We learned to love the Lord. We learned to pray. We learned to love the Scriptures. And that'southward never left whatsoever of us."

Ford said "heaven came downwardly and took my blood brother from me."

"You're here because y'all love him," she told the crowd. "But you don't love him like I do, and yous oasis't loved him as long as I have."

- Reporter Jennifer Bowman

12:fifteen p.grand. Thoughts on Graham

Speakers are beginning to eulogize Rev. Graham.

11:45 a.thou.: Funeral service schedule

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association released the following schedule for Graham'due south service:

Apex: Billy Graham's casket escorted to tent. Pallbearers are grandsons and husbands of granddaughters.

12:10 p.m.: Performance of "Until Then" by Linda McCrary-Fisher.

12:14: Welcome by David Bruce.

12:16: Scripture reading and invocation by Donald Wilton.

12:20: Congregational singing, led by music director Tom Bledsoe.

12:23: Family tributes past Jean Ford, Graham's sis, and children.

12:39: Performance of "Above All" Past Michael W. Smith.

12:43: International tributes by Sami Dagher and Billy Kim.

12:fifty: Operation of "Because He Lives" past Gaither Song Band.

12:55: Thanksgiving prayer by Robert Cunville.

12:56: Message by son Franklin Graham.

1:12: Congregational singing of "To God Be the Celebrity."

1:14: Endmost prayer by George Boxing Jr.

i:16: Bagpipe escort to "Amazing Grace" by Pipe Major William Boetticher

i:22: Postlude by Innes. Instructions to guests by Hamm.

xi:30 a.m.: Joel Osteen: 'He paved the way for u.s.'

If it weren't for Billy Graham, the famed televangelist Joel Osteen doesn't know where he'd be, he said Friday.

Osteen was one of many celebrities, of both the Christian and secular world, who traveled to Charlotte Friday to pay his respects for Graham. Osteen is the founder and senior pastor of Lakewood Church building, the Houston, Texas, megachurch from which he broadcasts sermons to millions of viewers each week. That feat wouldn't exist possible had Graham not lead the manner, co-ordinate to Osteen.

"He pioneered being on the airwaves," Osteen said. "I don't think we would be doing what we're doing today without him."

Osteen said he grew upwards watching Graham on the Boob tube and was inspired past the preacher'due south "life of integrity and faith." Graham was a major influence in Osteen'south ain career path, he said.

By the terminate of the day, Graham volition be interred next to his wife, Ruth, in the prayer garden on the property of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Clan'due south headquarters in Charlotte.

Osteen said he will continue to spread the message to which Graham devoted his life. Just he said that Graham has no heir credible, nor will there be. No 1 person tin can fill up the Pastor to President's shoes, Osteen said.

"There are tens of thousands of pastors who will deport out the legacy he started," Osteen said. "He paved the way for us."

- Reporter Sam DeGrave

11:15 a.m.: Buncombe honors Graham

A press release from Buncombe County:

The Buncombe Canton Board of Commissioners, on behalf of our citizens, join the world in honoring and saying goodbye to Billy Graham.  Born in Charlotte, Rev. Graham and his family were our citizens for many, many years equally residents of Montreat.

The man who met with the past 12 sitting U.S. presidents, participated in 8 presidential inaugurations and helped the nation through 911, became the 4th private citizen to lie in honor at the Capitol, post-obit Rosa Parks and two Capitol police officers who died in the line of duty.

Rev. Graham'south family said that he, the son of a dairy farmer, probably would take blushed at the outpouring of love, here at habitation, in Washington and in Charlotte.  Simply for those that have gathered over the terminal few days, his humility was a big part of why they came.  From the time Rev. Graham's ministry began in the late '40s, his straightforward message never changed – something many in line outside the Capitol said they appreciated and admired.

"If you lot just alive a uncomplicated life and love people, that'll bespeak people to Christ."

Due north.C. Rep. Mark Walker presented legislation in the Business firm of Representatives to have Billy Graham lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. "Reverend Baton Graham was the premier example of how faith, hope and love can transcend political parties, backgrounds, cultures and affiliations," Walker said. "Despite property favor and serving as a spiritual counselor to presidents, kings and queens... Graham ever remained grounded in humility... Never wavering, he inverse the world – bringing thousands of lives to salvation and eternal life."

The citizens of Buncombe County are grateful for Rev. Graham and his life well-lived.

11 a.m.:  'Full circle'

Sam Furrow was 10 years erstwhile when his mother put him in her machine and told him they were going into town to hear "this immature minister's revival."

It was 1951, and Furrow, now 76, was headed to a Baton Graham cause in Knoxville, Tennessee, Furrow's home.

"I withal remember how impressive he was, how dynamic," Furrow said at Graham'south funeral Friday. "I hope this new generation has a Billy Graham."

More than than six decades later, Furrow is back nether a giant tent again to run into Graham. Only this time, he'south behest farewell to the once-young minister to whom his mother introduced him.

"It'due south a total circle," he said. "Life takes you effectually in a total circle and brings you back to a certain point. What's inside that circle is what you've done and what other people have done for you, and Billy Graham has done such marvelous things."

- Repoter Sam DeGrave

10:45 a.m.: 'Billy was a bridge builder'

Primal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York Urban center, said the award of attending Graham'southward funeral was "2-fold: it's personal and communal.

"It's personal because Billy Graham was a towering influence in my life growing up in the '50s and 60s," Dolan said. "I watched him. I listened to him, I said, 'My, oh my, I'd like to do what he does.' I think he had an impact on my priestly vocation."

"Secondly, it's important to me communally considering I am so honored that his family would accept invited Catholic representation," Dolan continued. "Billy was a bridge builder."

To embrace Catholics in the 1940s and '50s every bit Graham did was not "always blest," Dolan said, noting that Graham led the manner on bridging that gap.

- Reporter John Boyle

ten:45 a.g.: President is on his mode

President Donald Trump is en road to Charlotte for Billy Graham's funeral, according to the White House press pool.

Traveling with the president are first lady Melania Trump, National Security Quango chief of staff Keith Kellogg, senior policy adviser Stephen Miller, deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley among others.

The motorcade arrived at Dulles at ix:52 a.chiliad., and Air Force One was rolling for takeoff a mere six minutes after.

x:xxx a.m.:  'Uncle Billy'

Carol Anne Hanks doesn't remember how old she was when she met Billy Graham. She said she's known him all her life.

"I called him Uncle Billy," she said while standing outside of his funeral tent trying to warm upwards in the sunday Friday morn.

Graham grew up with Hanks' actual uncles in the Charlotte area, and after Hanks' father died when she was nine years old, Graham stepped in to help fill the void, she said.

"Billy Graham and my two uncles put the braces on my teeth and put me through college," Hanks said.

Her ties to the Graham family run deep. Her married man, Billie, was the outset intern at the Baton Graham Evangelistic Association, she said. When The Hankses were married, Billy and Ruth Graham gave them their china as a wedding present, Carol Anne Hanks said.

Today is a bittersweet day for Hanks and hundreds of other people gathered nether a tent beyond from the Billy Graham Library.

"When I heard that he'd passed, my heart literally physically hurt for a 2nd," Hanks said. "Merely then I knew he's where he wanted to exist. It's a sad day in some respects, but it's a very happy day, also. I cant wait to see him again."

- Reporter Sam DeGrave

10:15 a.g.: Photograph gallery from funeral

We'll be calculation images to this gallery and creating others throughout the day on Friday.

ten a.m.: Gifford cherished Graham friendship, influence

Kathie Lee Gifford, a TODAY show ballast and a friend of the evangelist for 50 years, held back tears equally she spoke with reporters prior to Graham's funeral service. She said Graham was a dear friend and had him on her beginning televised Christmas special.

Graham was a "mountain of a man," Gifford said. She recalled his 95th altogether, though he was fragile and could not hear well. But she remembers his eyes focusing and recognizing her.

"I told him I loved him," she said, her vocalisation slap-up.  "And I thanked him for leading me to Jesus."

Today was non a sad day, Gifford said.

"The best mean solar day in a Christian's life is when y'all leave this world and become a better one," she said.

- Reporter Jennifer Bowman

9:45 a.m.: McCrory recalls Graham'south 'real humility'

Old N Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory said Friday morn that Billy Graham, a truly apprehensive man, would take been uncomfortable with all the hubbub surrounding his funeral.

"He was pocket-sized, he was apprehensive and still he brought a sense of quiet," McCrory said, standing outside the funeral tent. "He was actually a guy who you believed him when he said, 'I don't desire the attention on me.'"

McCrory said Graham had "real humility," dissimilar many celebrities and politicians who secretly crave attention. He also said Graham prayed for him during McCrory'south lowest points.

"He would, frankly, be embarrassed about this attention no him," McCrory said, adding that the properties of Graham's childhood dwelling house and the huge glass cross in the barn gave a sense of the rural outer Charlotte that Graham grew up in.

McCrory also said Graham's place in the annals of Northward Carolina history is secure.

"In that location's no doubt -- Billy Graham was the most influential person to e'er come up from Charlotte or North Carolina that had such an impact on non but our country, just the world," McCrory said.

- Reporter John Boyle

ix:30 a.m.: Graham's childhood home will exist part of service'southward backdrop. Hither's how it ended up in that location.

A nearly 100-year-erstwhile, two-story brick Colonial dwelling house will serve every bit part of the backdrop of Baton Graham's carefully planned funeral service.

Located next to the Billy Graham Library, Graham'due south babyhood home was originally located on the dairy farm off Park Route. Graham was raised there and was known to depict himself as a farm boy from Mecklenburg County.

When the Graham family sold the land in the early 1980s, including the home, it was set for demolition. Simply those plans were stopped past Graham's nephew, co-ordinate to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Though plans were delayed for 25 years with initial plans to move it to a religious theme park, Mel Graham moved the home, brick by brick, eventually to where it sits today.

The Billy Graham Library opened in spring 2007, its dedication attended by three U.S. presidents George H.Due west. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Next to Graham's home is the 48,000-square-pes library, styled after a dairy barn. Its entrance is a twoscore-foot-tall night drinking glass cross frame.

- Reporter Jennifer Bowman

9:fifteen a.m.: Inbound the ceremony

A brief video of attendees getting ready for the Rev. Graham's funeral.

9 a.m.: Images from Graham'southward funeral site

More tweets from Charlotte.

viii:45 a.k. Facebook Live from Charlotte

Check the Citizen Times Facebook page for a live report from Charlotte.

8:30 a.m.: All of our Billy Graham videos

Check out our collection of videos featuring the Rev. Graham and events of the past calendar week and a half.

eight:15 a.one thousand.: Get your programs

A look at the sharp funeral programs that attendees are getting.

eight a.chiliad.: Thousands to nourish funeral

Reporter John Boyle offers this preview on the invitation-only event expected to depict more than 2,000 people.

Billy Graham funeral, set for apex Friday, volition bring thousands to Charlotte

seven:45 a.yard.: Graham's grave marker

Here's what it will say:

7:xxx a.g.: A glorious day in Charlotte

The weather on Friday.

seven:fifteen a.yard. Graham and the presidents

Two presidents paid their respects to Baton Graham earlier this week. But which ones will be in Charlotte on Fri?

Rev. Graham had personal relationships with numerous presidents. Cheque out these presidential photo galleries.

7 a.m.: Who will exist attending Graham's funeral?

Reporter Jennifer Bowman filed this report on the participants and schedule for Friday's funeral in Charlotte:

Here are the participants scheduled for Baton Graham's funeral

The more 2,000 people who will attend Graham'due south funeral on Fri will go through metallic detectors as Cloak-and-dagger Service heads security due to President Donald Trump'south and Vice President Mike Pence's planned attendance.

The president and first lady Melania Trump will be escorted to their forepart-row seats by 1 of Graham's grandsons. The White Firm said Th night that Trump is scheduled to leave Charlotte past 1:40 p.1000., and from there volition wing to Mar-a-lago to meet with Republican National Committee donors.

half-dozen:45 a.m. Fri: Program of events

Here's the schedule for the Rev. Graham'southward funeral:

Thursday nighttime, getting ready

Here are some images from Th dark as the 28,000-square-foot tent takes shape for Friday's funeral for the Rev. Billy Graham.

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Source: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2018/03/02/billy-graham-funeral-live-blog/388060002/

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