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A life of evangelism: Billy Graham's words run deep in Georgia

From Rep. John Lewis, to President Jimmy Carter - and millions who tuned in to watch and hear him - Billy Graham made a lasting impression on Georgia
Evangelist Billy Graham delivers his message at the Billy Graham Crusade at Flushing Meadows Park 24 June 2005 in Flushing Meadows, New York.

He was an advisor to presidents and world leaders whose message of faith reached millions of people around the world.

On Wednesday, a family spokesperson announced that The Reverend Billy Graham will lie in repose for two days next week in Charlotte, North Carolina before an invitation-only funeral the following Friday.

Graham was born on a farm in 1918 but by his 30s became the best-known evangelist in America. For the last 70 years, he has been there – for every big moment – praying. He ministered with fellow Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Georgia Congressman John Lewis was there when a famous picture of them was taken.

“Two sons of the South - one black, one white – but they were trying to do the same thing in so many ways,” Lewis said. “To liberate and to free our region and our nation from our dark past.”

Graham bucked society by integrating his crusades and refusing to go to other places, like South Africa, until they did the same.

“Christianity is not a white man’s religion – and don’t let anybody ever tell you that it’s white or black” he once famously said. “Christ belongs to all people. He belongs to the whole world.”

His influence moved from the pulpit to the palaces of the presidency advising 12 sitting presidents – including Georgia’s own Jimmy Carter.

Fast-forward several years and he was there to address the nation after 9-11. Graham’s famous crusades brought in crowds by the thousands. He held four in Georgia including one in 1994 at the Georgia Dome.

He became a worldwide name, visiting nearly 200 countries, reaching more than a billion by television and radio and even showing up on Netflix for his friendship with Queen Elizabeth II.

But his final message remained as humble as his beginnings.

“The moment that I die, I’m gonna be in the presence of God and it’s gonna be a wonderful life – a thrilling life,” he said. “Something beyond anything that we have in this world.”

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