NEW WEB SITE
'Thank You, Billy'
CBN.com – Rev. Billy Graham has touched the lives of millions, having spoken in 185 countries and to over 200 million people – more than any other person in history. Together with his late wife, Ruth Graham, who passed away earlier this year, this humble farmer from North Carolina became the most respected and well-known evangelist of our time. His ministry even reached the White House. ABC’s 20/20 recently aired a special episode exploring Rev. Graham’s relationship with 11 presidents, from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush, all of whom Graham refers to as his “friends”.
Apart from the visits to the White House, the cameras and the crusades, to their 19 grandchildren they were known simply as “Daddy Bill and TaiTai”. As individuals that have encouraged and inspired millions, the grandchildren of Billy and Ruth Graham are asking you to get involved. They are hoping people will share their stories of how the Grahams have impacted their lives for the better, on a new website they have launched at www.thankyoubilly.com.
“Ever since I can remember, I have been approached by so many people from all walks of life who have told me how they came to know Christ during a Billy Graham crusade”, said Basyle “Boz” Tchividjian, grandchild of the Graham’s, and co-founder of the Web site.
(Pictured Left: Billy Graham with all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren at the dedication of the Billy Graham Library in May 2007.)
“Many of us have heard how our grandparents have impacted the lives of presidents, kings, queens, and other famous people. We believe it is now time to hear the stories from the multitudes of ‘everyday’ people who filled the stadiums, watched the programs, and read the books”, said Tchividjian. After prayerful consideration, Boz and his brothers’, Aram and Antony Tchividjian launched Thank You Billy & Friends - A People’s Tribute in June of this year.
The site allows you to:
- Share your own personal story of how the Graham’s have impacted your life
- Be encouraged and inspired as you read other people’s testimonies
- Read stories written by members of the Graham family
- Watch the exclusive video tribute to Billy Graham which features Bono, Pat Boone, Le Ann Rimes, Kenny Rogers, Larry King, and a host of other music personalities
When they shared this project with their grandfather, he had only two requirements: 1) that the focus of the site should be a thanksgiving to God (not Billy Graham) for the millions of lives changed through this ministry; and 2) that he was not alone in this ministry and therefore the site should be called ‘Thank You Billy & Friends’. Within a few months, ‘Thank You Billy & Friends’ was launched with the blessing and endorsement of ‘Daddy Bill’.
According to the Tchividjian brothers, “First and foremost, we want this site to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ. As stated on the site, our prayer is that www.thankyoubilly.com will bring honor to God by showing just what is possible when we, like “Daddy Bill and TaiTai”, are faithful to the call He places on our lives – however big or small that call may seem.”
In just three short months, this project has collected over 300 written stories and almost 1000 audio stories from 5 different continents. Come join us and become a part of history in the making!
Visit www.thankyoubilly.com.
Related Story: Billy Graham: Preacher to the Presidents
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