Evangelist Billy Graham Marks 91st Birthday: Expected to Celebrate Quietly at Home With Friends and Family

November 3, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Evangelist Billy Graham will celebrate his 91st birthday on Nov. 7, and is looking forward to visits over the weekend from several family members at his western North Carolina home to mark the occasion.

"I've experienced God's gracious love in a personal way all these years," Mr. Graham said, pausing to reflect on life's blessings as he enters his tenth decade. "Today my heart is filled with gratitude to the Lord for all He has done for me, and for all the prayers from so many people over the years."

Mr. Graham remains in good overall health with a strong heart and clear mind, while dealing with various age-related conditions -- such as macular degeneration and hearing loss. He continues to exercise, including short walks at his mountain home every day, relying on a walker for balance.

The global evangelist continues to stay abreast of current events through nightly local and network television newscasts and cable programs. He still subscribes to several domestic and international newspapers and periodicals, from which his staff shares articles of interest. He also remains focused on the ongoing ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), which he founded nearly sixty years ago, now under the leadership of his son, Franklin.

"Although my health now keeps me mostly at home, Franklin and our BGEA team continue proclaiming God's love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to lost people in many places around the world," Mr. Graham said.

Mr. Graham continues to be involved with writing projects and spends time each morning and evening in Bible study and prayer with his family and friends or his staff. His pastor, Dr. Don Wilton of First Baptist Church, Spartanburg, S.C., also visits weekly for times of prayer and encouragement. But he still misses his lifetime marriage and ministry partner Ruth Bell Graham -- more every day -- since her death in June of 2007.

"While I know God keeps me here for a purpose, I look forward to the time when I will be reunited with Ruth in Heaven," Mr. Graham said. "However, I am enjoying this season of life, watching my children and grandchildren -- and now even my great-grandchildren -- grow more fully into their own ministries. It is another blessing of these senior years."

SOURCE Billy Graham Evangelistic Association