Rise of the Reverend's son. (Following a Legend).MUCH LIKE HIS FRIEND, George W. Bush, Franklin Graham was a late bloomer who only recently stepped up to the task of filling his dad's huge shoes. But as CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) is an organization started by the Rev. Dr. Billy Graham in 1950. The main focus of the BGEA is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible. Graham does this through his trademark "crusade" style ministry. (BGEA BGEA Billy Graham Evangelistic Association BGEA Boston Globe Employees Association BGEA Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act ), Franklin now is embracing the mantle of leadership of world Christian evangelicalism evangelicalism Protestant movement that stresses conversion experiences, the Bible as the only basis for faith, and evangelism at home and abroad. The religious revival that occurred in Europe and America during the 18th century was generally referred to as the evangelical with conviction. "I'm not trying to compete with my father's legacy and go one up on him," says Franklin, 49. "But if opportunities come your way in life, those come from God, and you've got a responsibility to them." Since taking the helm of the Minneapolis-based, $100 million BGEA in late 2000, with 81-year-old Rev. Billy Graham coping with Parkinson's disease, Franklin has already put his stamp on the ministry. He moved swiftly after September 11, for example, to capitalize on Americans' suddenly renewed spiritualism with TV ads in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. directing viewers to BGEA's phone-in "prayer center" and other TV spots nationwide promoting its Web site. Franklin cuts a controversial Christian figure in his black leather jacket and cowboy boots, coupled with his penchant for flying planes and riding Indian motorcyles. In his frequent cameos on TV news and talk shows he still seems more comfortable with celebrity than with preaching per se. At the same time, Franklin has demonstrated great sensitivity to his father's cadre of aging advisers. For example, last summer Franklin overhauled the "dated" style of the organization's Decision magazine. Yet he made sure that "older people in the organization" saw mockups before he proceeded. "I didn't want to spring it on them," he says. Unlike his father, Franklin came to the job with some business acumen, including a business adminstration degree from Appalachian State University History Appalachian State University began in the summer of 1899 when a group of citizens of Watauga County, NC, under the leadership of D.D. Dougherty and B.B. Dougherty, began a movement to establish a good school in Boone, NC. Land was donated by D.B. . And though a bit of a prodigal son -- Franklin was kicked out of his first college, for example, because he kept a date out overnight--at 22 he redevoted his life to Jesus, and in 1976 joined another ministry: Samaritan's Purse. It specializes in bringing food and other material aid to war-torn areas. Franklin became president in 1979 and grew the organization to a staff of 400 and a budget of $100 million. Graham is expected to continue to remold Re`mold´ v. t. 1. To mold or shape anew or again; to reshape. Verb 1. remold - cast again; "The bell cracked and had to be recast" remould, recast mould, mold, cast - form by pouring (e.g. BGEA even as his father remains in the limelight a bit longer. "Franklin is a modest guy," says Keith Hardman of Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA, who is an expert on American Christianity. "But he's made it clear that he has to go his own way. |
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