It’s been a full year since legendary American evangelist Billy Graham died at the age of 99. Tributes for the man credited with bringing millions to Christ flooded social media Thursday morning, with celebrities, pastors and politicians honoring the North Carolina preacher’s astounding legacy of faith.
Today marks a year since Billy Graham passed on to his heavenly home. His ministry continues through @Franklin_Graham, @TellaGraham and the work of BGEA.
"The most thrilling thing about heaven is that Jesus Christ will be there. I will see Him face to face." @BillyGraham pic.twitter.com/3rRFNq4b7s
— BGEA (@BGEA) February 21, 2019
Graham’s son, evangelist and missionary Franklin Graham, shared his reflections on Twitter, reiterating his father’s teachings on death and heaven.
I remember exactly where I was on the morning of February 21 a year ago. I had just sat down for breakfast in Dallas, Texas, when my phone rang with the news that my father @BillyGraham had passed away. 1/3
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) February 21, 2019
Passed away is a term many people use, but he didn’t really pass away—@BillyGraham graduated from earth to heaven. He was promoted! 2/3
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) February 21, 2019
.@BillyGraham is more alive today than he’s ever been. He is in the presence of God, reunited with my mother, his parents, family, and friends. I miss him, but I know that I’ll see him one day soon. 3/3 pic.twitter.com/9Dp04ksHH7
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) February 21, 2019
My father @BillyGraham once said, “Death marks the beginning, not the end. It is our journey to God.”
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) February 21, 2019
Other tributes came from celebrity TV host, Kathie Lee Gifford, pastor and author Greg Laurie, and North Carolina Rep. Mark Walker.
Remembering Billy Graham, who passed away on this day one year ago. pic.twitter.com/nb0SzWQru6
— Kathie Lee and Hoda (@klgandhoda) February 21, 2019
— Kathie Lee Gifford (@KathieLGifford) February 21, 2019
On this day, that marks one year since @BillyGraham went to Heaven, I wanted to say it was a real privilege to get to know him personally. Billy was a very humble man. He would not talk about himself. He was the most godly person I ever met. pic.twitter.com/55YdwOZn9K
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) February 21, 2019
“I urge each of you to invest your lives, not just spend them” –@BillyGraham passed away at the age of 99 at his home in Montreat, NC one year ago. pic.twitter.com/6xsOXohaJa
— Madeleine Hackett (@MhackettWYFF4) February 21, 2019
One year ago today, North Carolina and the world lost our "favorite son," Rev. Billy Graham. I wanted to give you an update on our progress in helping get his statue placed in the United States Capitol. pic.twitter.com/RV5Zjv43Q6
— Rep. Mark Walker (@RepMarkWalker) February 21, 2019
Many others shared their favorite Billy Graham quotes and stories.
"The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith."
Billy Graham
— UnderTheWire (@Underthewire_) February 21, 2019
One year ago Billy Graham’s time here on earth ended and his eternity with God began. Still celebrating the impact he had. Grateful for his simple, powerful message of grace in Jesus; a message that still lives today! https://t.co/hcXENx3WVK
— Alex Kinchen (@AlexKinchen) February 21, 2019
Today is very special to me . Last year on this day Billy Graham went home to be with the lord and that same morning I got saved. Jesus Christ is my saviour. GOD is so great !🙏🙌🙏
— Michael Fletcher (@mskelectric1323) February 21, 2019
"Can you see God? You haven’t seen him? I’ve never seen the wind. I see the effects of the wind, but I’ve never seen the wind. There’s a mystery to it." #BillyGraham
— Joe Simon (@Great2Greatest) February 21, 2019
Passed away is a term many people use, but he didn’t really pass away-Billy Graham graduated from earth to heaven. He was promoted. pic.twitter.com/Ss4zUt4wVF
— Grace Wu (@GraceW26560659) February 21, 2019
In the year since Graham’s death, the Billy Graham Center Museum on the campus of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, has continued to draw thousands of visitors closer to Christ.
IN HONOR OF REV. BILLY GRAHAM: 'Many People Come to Christ Here': 1 Year After His Death, @BillyGraham Museum Continues His Mission. Visit https://t.co/RDLpjnp4bN for the full story. @charnews @BillyGrahamCtr pic.twitter.com/lIOOxPD04e
— CBN News (@CBNNews) February 21, 2019
“Billy Graham is the most famous graduate of Wheaton College,” Ed Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton, told CBN News. “Billy and Ruth attended here as students, met here, got married. So, having the Billy Graham Center here on campus is a visible and spiritual reminder to our students that we make much of Jesus here. Billy Graham made much of Jesus here. We want them to make much of Jesus as they go from this place.”
With respect to the late evangelist’s wishes, the museum goes beyond Graham and his life, focusing primarily on his greatest passion: getting others to heaven.
“The purpose really is to ultimately point people to Jesus,” Stetzer explained. “To help people to see how they might respond by sharing the Gospel.”
So far, the feedback has been quite encouraging.
“People come to Christ here,” Stetzer said. “We actually have a response; they fill out a response card; we follow them up.”
‘His Spirit Overwhelmed me’: George W. Bush Honors Billy Graham With Powerful Address
Graham was laid to rest last year on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is also the site of the pastor’s childhood home. The popular tourist destination continues to be a place for visitors to learn more about the life and faith that shaped “America’s Pastor.”
May God bless Billy Graham’s legacy, which has drawn so many to Christ, and may he rest in peace.