Billy Graham: An Ordinary Man and His Extraordinary God

by Lon Allison, Dr. Leighton Ford (Foreword), Jean Graham Ford (Foreword)

Lon Allison shares the story of the man and his message of Jesus Christ with a whole new generation.

“My prayer is that this book will be read by a generation that has never heard of Billy Graham…. I also write for those who are broadly attached to the Christian faith, and for those who have had only a small or short brush with faith in their lives. Billy impacted everyone from Catholics and Lutherans to Bible Church Evangelicals and Assembly of God Charismatics. As I hope you will hear clearly in what follows, he touched people like me with very little religious background. He was the ‘Pastor to Presidents’ and a spiritual guide to celebrities. But more than everything else, he was a friend of Jesus and passionately devoted to telling Jesus’s story to everyone he possibly could in all the world.”
—Lon Allison, from the introduction

Billy Graham said, “You have no idea how sick I get of the name Billy Graham, and how wonderful and thrilling the name Christ sounds to my ears.” So, then, why another book about him?

Lon Allison, an evangelist himself, and popular evangelical pastor in Wheaton, Illinois, has learned much from Billy. Allison retells the highlights of what has been, by any objective account, a fascinating life, and tells it is a way that resonates with the Graham legacy of serving God and seeking to spread the Good News. Every stage of Graham’s life is included, even the rough spots, with appreciation and a desire to answer the What can we learn from the life and ministry of Billy Graham? What is his legacy? What was his message and how might it still be relevant for today.

Foreword by Dr. Leighton Ford and Jean Graham Ford.

160 pages, Hardcover

Published April 4, 2018

Reviews

[Ann Gemmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lon Allison does a masterful job at getting to the core of who Billy Graham was and his calling to proclaim the gospel of Jesus. This is a beautiful book in which the author’s own passion to share the amazing good news of Jesus shines through in such a winsome way in every chapter. What is especially note worthy is that while the author clearly respects and esteems Billy Graham and knew him personally, he is not afraid to honestly address Graham’s mistakes and short comings. A wonderful read about a simple and humble man from North Carolina who followed the call of God and gave his life to preach the Good News of Jesus across the globe.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of Billy's life, focusing on what's really important: the difference that having a relationship with Christ can make. In an era of shady business practices among fellow evangelists, Billy held himself and his team to a higher standard. Lest we admire him too much, however, Lon includes a chapter of Billy's regrets and shortcomings, reminding us that he was just an ordinary man, after all. As a missionary, I felt the book held some good insights; I just wish it was longer!

[Anthony W Moseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, in-depth yet not too in-depth! Well written.

I found it rather easy to read, yet hard to put down. Interesting and I'm sure much more in-depth books have been written about America's Pastor, Billy Graham. Well worth the time to read. I hope you find it as enjoyable as I! Have a Blessed Day!!

[Carole Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review here: https://hisownheartblog.blogspot.com/...

[Tobias Groen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives an overview of the important aspects of his life. With All respect to Lon, it could have been more deep, with more nuances and aspects of his life. But the aim of the book considered, it is a very good book