For over six decades, Billy Graham was named as one of the 10 most admired men in the world. The 99-year-old breathed his last on Wednesday at his home in Montreat, N.C.
His death was confirmed by Jeremy Blume, a spokesman for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
While paying tribute to Graham who counseled US presidents since Truman, Pr Wilson Bugembe of Worship House – Nansana said “I pray I will have a legacy like yours someday in Jesus mighty name.”
He added: “You never met some of us in this life, but you made us love to win souls for Christ.”
Wilson Bugembe who doubles as a gospel musician, fuses symbolism, realism and Bible teachings largely to appeal to both one’s intellect and emotions. His music has crossed Church walls, and is played intensely on both Christian and main stream radio stations alike.
Towards the end of 2017, he started a ‘Young Pastor’s Fellowship’, an initiative that drew over 500 young preachers at its inaugural, seeking to among other things resource and equip young Christian leaders in Uganda to minister effectively through the local church, transforming lives and building flourishing relationships in the community.
Bugembe shared a video of one of Billy Graham’s teachings, stating why “the world celebrates this fallen soldier of the Lord.”
Billy Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in 1950 and has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history, sources report. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film and the internet.
He shared the gospel of Jesus Christ to nearly 215 million people in live audiences in more than 185 countries and territories.
In November 1995, on his 77th birthday, Mr. Graham named Franklin to succeed him as head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. His daughter Anne Graham Lotz and his grandsons Will Graham and William Graham Tullian Tchividjian are also in ministry.
Graham received many honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the nation’s highest civilian award), the Congressional Gold Medal, an Honorary Knighthood in Order of the British Empire, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
He was also the first non-musician to be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. He received the honor in 1999 for providing a platform to many Christian artists who performed at Graham’s events.
Graham’s coffin will be moved from the funeral home in Asheville to Charlotte on Saturday, Feb. 24.
By Paul W Dennis.
