Grandson Tullian Tchividjian Honors Billy Graham on His 95th Birthday

By Lauren Leigh Noske
William Graham Tullian Tchividjian
William Graham Tullian Tchividjian and his grandfather Billy Graham. The Gospel Coalition

In celebration of his grandfather's 95th birthday, Tullian Tchividjian honored Billy Graham for a lifetime of faithfulness, humility, genuineness of character, and for his passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Tullian Tchividjian, Christian Author and Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, has been blessed with an amazing grandfather and role model. "Daddy Bill," as Tchividjian affectionately calls Graham, turns ninety-five today, and celebrated his birthday in North Carolina with hundreds of friends and family, including Christian hip-hop artist LeCrae, Rick Warren, Sarah Palin, and Donald Trump.

Related Link: What is Billy Graham's Hope for America?  

Pastor Tullian began his letter with a memory he'd had of his grandfather receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor - Graham was being honored for preaching the Gospel to "more people than anyone in history," he says. Given the opportunity to once again tell the Good News of Jesus Christ with those present, Graham shared about Christ's life, death, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins with his audience. "He was so bold, so unashamed of the Gospel-yet so winsome," writes Tchividjian of the experience.

"Daddy Bill has always been keenly aware that God is God and he is not ... I have never seen him think more highly of himself than he ought," says Pastor Tullian of his grandfather's humility. Tchividjian will always remember Graham's repentant heart, which has made him wholly in love with his Savior - "He's always exemplified the sweet reality that you can never know Christ as a Great Savior until you first know yourself to be a great sinner," says Pastor Tullian.

Inspired by Graham's example, Tchividjianwants to do the work that the Lord calls him to with the "Gospel-centered focus, passion, and humility that have characterized the life and ministry of my grandfather."  Pastor Tullian released his latest book, "One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World," in October, and is currently doing a book tour with Matt Chandler.

Graham's "My Hope America" message will be broadcast tonight on Fox News. "Daddy Bill, you have been one of my closest friends and most reliable counselors all my life," says Tchividjian in closing - "I want to be just like you when I grow up."

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