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Are You Ready to Die?

In Billy Graham’s final days, he had a deep desire to preach one more time. This is his last message. Intimate and powerful, it was recorded in his North Carolina, mountaintop home.

Discover the truth that shaped his life and gave him hope in death.

Download “Are You Ready To Die?” (video)

Use with credit to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Ministry Overview

February 21 marks four years since Billy Graham’s death at the age of 99 in 2018. His legacy lives on through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

“Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God,” Billy Graham once said.

The farm boy from Charlotte who counseled presidents and lovingly became known as “America’s Pastor,” preached the Good News of Jesus Christ to more people than anyone else in history. Throughout his eight decades of ministry, Billy Graham shared the Gospel with an estimated 215 million people in 185 countries and territories.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) was founded by Billy Graham in 1950, and the Charlotte-based organization is continuing to carry on his mission and life’s work, with several major projects planned this year.  

• The Billy Graham Library is undergoing an extensive expansion and renovation. When it reopens early this summer, the Library will tell the story of Mr. Graham’s life and ministry in a fresh way through new technology and enhanced exhibits. The Library has welcomed more than 1.7 million visitors since it opened in 2007.   
• The new Archive and Research Center at the Billy Graham Library is expected to open by late spring. For the first time, all of Billy Graham’s records—written, audio, and video—will be available in Charlotte, as well as his awards, memorabilia, and special mementos. Everything from his sermon notes to his correspondence with global leaders to his spiritual reflections will be accessible for study and research with the goal of equipping others to continue sharing the Gospel.
• A BGEA television special titled Billy Graham: “Are You Ready to Die?” is being released for the first time today. The program shares Mr. Graham’s final message. Intimate and powerful, it was recorded at his mountaintop home in North Carolina. You are welcome to air this video(placeholder link) and embed it in an online story.   
• BGEA anticipates the commissioned statue of Billy Graham, which the North Carolina General Assembly voted to place in National Statuary Hall, will be unveiled in the U.S. Capitol within the next year.   
• Just like his father, Franklin Graham is continuing to preach the Gospel around the world. This year, he is looking forward to holding evangelistic events in the United Kingdom; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; St. Petersburg, Russia; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Milan, Italy; New Zealand; and the United States. Franklin’s son Will Graham is also preparing to preach in Canada, the United States, and Tasmania.

“In many ways, it’s hard to believe that my father has been gone four years. We all miss him greatly, but I know that I’ll see him again someday in heaven,” said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. “The message that my father dedicated his life to sharing is the same message we continue to proclaim around the world through BGEA—that God loves us and we can have a relationship with Him by turning from our sins and putting our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.”

Media Contact:
Lisa Moseley
(704) 401-2116
lmoseley@bgea.org