For a record 60th time, Billy Graham has been named as one of the 10 most admired men in the world.
Gallup released its annual list at the end of 2016 after asking Americans to name the one man, living anywhere in the world, whom they admire most. Mr. Graham received fifth place on the list.
According to the Gallup Poll, “This year marks the 60th time Graham has finished in the top 10 -- a Gallup record. That includes making it into the top 10 every year since 1955, with the exception of the 1962 survey and in 1976, when the question was not asked.”
"Graham's record is likely to endure for a long time. His closest competitor for number of times on the list is former President Ronald Reagan, who died in 2004. Reagan made the list 31 times," reports the Charlotte Observer.
Other top spots on the list went to Senator Bernie Sanders – 4th, Pope Francis – 3rd, President-elect Donald Trump – 2nd, and President Barack Obama – 1st. Vice President-elect Mike Pence, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bill Gates, The Dalai Lama, and former President Bill Clinton were also recognized in the top 10 list.
Graham is widely known as a pastor to presidents and a much-loved evangelist. He has spent most of his life preaching to the masses. It’s been estimated that he has preached the Gospel to 200 million people in over 180 countries during his years of traveling with the Billy Graham Crusades.
He’s had the privilege of leading hundreds of thousands of people to pray to receive Jesus Christ into their lives as Lord and Savior. His integrity and wisdom have opened doors to offer spiritual support and guidance for United States Presidents from Eisenhower to Bush. He has been a friend to celebrities, politicians, athletes, and leaders, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Bono, Muhammad Ali, Johnny Cash, Larry King, and WWII hero and Olympian Louis Zamperini.
Rev. Graham continues his ministry even now in his North Carolina home through the power of prayer. The work that he started many years ago continues today through a variety of ministries of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Mr. Graham has also established a legacy of wisdom and hope through the 33 books he has written over the years, his most recent being Where I Am: Heaven, Eternity, and Our Life Beyond (2015).
In Reverend Graham’s last message in the 2013 video-recorded My Hope America, he shares his heart for our nation today, and this simple, yet powerful prayer, a final reminder, that if we’re willing to come to Christ, he has the power to change our lives and future forever.
“Our country’s in great need of a spiritual awakening. There have been times that I’ve wept as I’ve gone from city to city and I’ve seen how far people have wandered from God.
I want to tell people about the meaning of the cross. Not the cross that hangs on the wall or around someone’s neck, but the real cross of Christ…With all my heart I want to leave you with the truth, that he loves you, and is willing to forgive you of all your sins.
Sin is a disease of the human heart….There is no other way of salvation except through the cross of Christ.
Today, I’m asking you to put your trust in Christ.
“Dear Heavenly Father, I know that I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins, and rose from the dead. I turn from my sin, I repent of my sins, I invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.”
Read more by Debbie McDaniel at www.debbiemcdaniel.com, https://www.facebook.com/Debbi
Publication date: January 4, 2017
