Billy Graham Was the World’s Best-Known Evangelist—Loved and Admired by Millions. But Very Few Knew Him Personally.
Pastor and bestselling author Greg Laurie was one of those fortunate few, blessed with an insider’s view of Billy Graham’s world for more than two decades.
With the same painstaking research and eye for detail that distinguishes his previous biographies, Steve McQueen: Salvation of an American Icon and Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon, Laurie now turns to the life of his beloved mentor, offering the intimate perspective of a disciple and friend.
As a strapping North Carolina farm boy, Graham surrendered his life to Jesus at a camp meeting led by a blustery itinerant preacher, but he never lost the mischievous twinkle in his eye or his fun-loving air.
Laurie sheds light on Graham’s lesser-known struggles—such as a broken heart before he met the love of his life and a crisis of faith from which he emerged stronger than ever. From the evangelist’s private challenges and public successes to his disappointments and joys, Billy Graham: The Man I Knew provides a vivid portrait of one of history’s most remarkable Christian lives.
About the Author
Greg Laurie, the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, one of the largest churches in America, has written more than seventy books. Featured on the syndicated radio program A New Beginning and on a weekly television show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, he serves on the board of directors of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He and his wife, Cathe, have two children and five grandchildren.
More about the author
Greg Laurie is the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship with campuses in California and Hawaii. He began his pastoral ministry at the age of 19 by leading a Bible study of 30 people.
Since then, God has transformed that small group into a church of some 15,000 people. Today, Harvest is one of the largest churches in America, and consistently ranks among the most influential churches in the country.
In 1990, Laurie began holding large-scale public evangelistic events called Harvest Crusades. Since that time, more than 10 million people have participated in these events in person or online around the United States. Harvest Crusades have also been held internationally in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. More importantly, over 500,000 people have made professions of faith through these outreaches.
Laurie is the featured speaker of the nationally syndicated radio program, A New Beginning, which is broadcast on more than 1,100 radio outlets around the world.
Laurie also has a weekly television program on Lifetime, Fox Business, Newsmax, Daystar, the Trinity Broadcasting Network, & KCAL 9 Los Angeles. Along with his work at Harvest Ministries, Laurie served as the 2013 Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer, and also serves on the board of directors of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He holds honorary doctorates from Biola University and Azusa Pacific University.
Laurie has authored over 70 books including: Billy Graham: The Man I Knew, Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon, Jesus Revolution, Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon, Live Love Fight, Tell Someone, Hope for Hurting Hearts, and his autobiography, Lost Boy.
Greg’s favorite writing project is his work as general editor of the New Believer’s Bible with Tyndale Publishers. This Bible is designed to introduce people to the wonderful story of Scripture in easy to understand language and with notes to explain the Bible’s core teachings. The New Believer’s Bible has over 10 million copies in print.
Greg has also produced a number of feature films & documentaries. Among them are A Rush of Hope: Find Answers to Life’s Questions, Steve McQueen: American Icon, Lost Boy, & Hope for Hurting Hearts. He has two films in early production: Jesus Revolution, and Johnny Cash: American Icon.
You can follow Greg’s preaching, teaching, and writing at his website https://harvest.org
Greg has been married to Cathe Laurie for more than 40 years and they have two sons: Christopher and Jonathan. Greg and Cathe have five grandchildren.
