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Ruth and Billy Graham: The Legacy of a Couple
No one has preached the gospel to more people than evangelist Billy Graham. But behind this exceptional man is an equally exceptional woman who made his global ministry possible. Through her love, support, prayers, and personal ministry, Ruth helped shape the ten core values that have been foundational to the Grahams'
· partnership
· authenticity
· humility
· intimacy
· focus
· integrity
· faith
· global responsibility
· empowerment
· grace
In light of these core values, personal friend of the Grahams and director for Campus Crusade for Christ International in Switzerland Hanspeter Nüesch describes both the life and ministry of Billy and Ruth. This deeply personal book illuminates the legacy the Grahams leave to couples doing ministry today and into the future, sharing stories and anecdotes from their life and times. Includes a foreword from Gigi Graham and more than one hundred photographs that capture the life of one of the most influential figures of the last century.
· partnership
· authenticity
· humility
· intimacy
· focus
· integrity
· faith
· global responsibility
· empowerment
· grace
In light of these core values, personal friend of the Grahams and director for Campus Crusade for Christ International in Switzerland Hanspeter Nüesch describes both the life and ministry of Billy and Ruth. This deeply personal book illuminates the legacy the Grahams leave to couples doing ministry today and into the future, sharing stories and anecdotes from their life and times. Includes a foreword from Gigi Graham and more than one hundred photographs that capture the life of one of the most influential figures of the last century.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2014
23 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 29, 2020
Clearly this book impressed me in many ways. Ruth her background: the daughter of missionary parents based in China. Who, herself, wanted to be a missionary.
Billy, the way his core group set ground rules to avoid ever been targets for scandal.
This book tends to focus on the relationship between Ruth and Billy. Both devoted to God first. Then each other and family.
Billy being away frequently for long periods of time.
An interesting read.
Billy, the way his core group set ground rules to avoid ever been targets for scandal.
This book tends to focus on the relationship between Ruth and Billy. Both devoted to God first. Then each other and family.
Billy being away frequently for long periods of time.
An interesting read.
July 28, 2016
This book is a beautifully written biography of Billy and Ruth Graham. What I love about it most is that it catalogs not only their life but also their character and their love for Jesus Christ. Spotlighting on the Graham's core values, this biography was very inspirational to me. I listened to the audiobook version but I would like to see the hardcopy, because it is supposed to contain photos of the Graham's and their life as well.
I highly recommend this book. Five stars from me.
I highly recommend this book. Five stars from me.
March 31, 2016
This is a book every believer should read.
August 20, 2023
I thought this book was about the love story between Ruth & Billy Graham - not so much. That made for not as easy of a read as I'd wanted for the summer (hence the month it took me to read it). This book more focused on the partnership, authenticity, Humility, intimacy with God, focus, integrity, Faith, global responsibility, empowerment of the spirit, and grace/compassion that Billy and Ruth exemplified in life.
While it was a very interesting and at times, convicting book, I think that it could have been much shorter. The author often bunny trails from talking about Billy or Ruth in any characteristic to talking about someone else who was like them, and shared that characteristic.
The chapter about global responsibility got very long, talking about different councils and congresses of evangelist and Christians around the world. It was more about the conferences and the covenants from them then about Billy and Ruth personally.
And then, when I got to the conclusion, and it was 20 pages followed by a 15 page epilogue, it really dragged out. The conclusion and epilogue reiterated what the entire book was about instead of concluding it. Again, both very good, but either could've taken place of the whole book or been left out.
I may have been most convicted by Ruth Graham's message to wives at the very end. And if the author paraphrased one of her public speeches. But he really shared the heart of her with good quotes from it. About being a prayerful wife and mother, even when your days are busy. About seeing others with the eyes of the Lord. To be thankful in difficult circumstances because those are the times that the "Bible comes to life for you, and that's when the Lord Jesus is the most real to you." She seems like she has a very practical and faithful wife and mother.
While it was a very interesting and at times, convicting book, I think that it could have been much shorter. The author often bunny trails from talking about Billy or Ruth in any characteristic to talking about someone else who was like them, and shared that characteristic.
The chapter about global responsibility got very long, talking about different councils and congresses of evangelist and Christians around the world. It was more about the conferences and the covenants from them then about Billy and Ruth personally.
And then, when I got to the conclusion, and it was 20 pages followed by a 15 page epilogue, it really dragged out. The conclusion and epilogue reiterated what the entire book was about instead of concluding it. Again, both very good, but either could've taken place of the whole book or been left out.
I may have been most convicted by Ruth Graham's message to wives at the very end. And if the author paraphrased one of her public speeches. But he really shared the heart of her with good quotes from it. About being a prayerful wife and mother, even when your days are busy. About seeing others with the eyes of the Lord. To be thankful in difficult circumstances because those are the times that the "Bible comes to life for you, and that's when the Lord Jesus is the most real to you." She seems like she has a very practical and faithful wife and mother.
July 25, 2017
Ruth and Billy Graham: The Legacy of a Couple by Hanspeter Nüesch is one of those rare books that you’ll ever get to read. I have read fine biographies, memoirs and autobiographies but none that has been wholly dedicated to both husband and wife, as this one is on “the first couple of American Christianity.”
This book on the Grahams is unique as their stories are told through the core values that shaped and guided their worldwide ministry. Hanspeter Nüesch, who is himself involved in the ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ International, has neatly divided the book into ten chapters, each defined by the values of the Grahams’ ministry - partnership, authenticity, humility, intimacy, focus, integrity, faith, global responsibility, empowerment and grace.
Though I have read and review two of Billy Graham’s last two books, and received physical copies of the same, I have never seen the couple’s wedding pictures. The amazing collection of photos included in the book is a real treat for readers and admirers of Ruth and Billy Graham.
This book on the Grahams is unique as their stories are told through the core values that shaped and guided their worldwide ministry. Hanspeter Nüesch, who is himself involved in the ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ International, has neatly divided the book into ten chapters, each defined by the values of the Grahams’ ministry - partnership, authenticity, humility, intimacy, focus, integrity, faith, global responsibility, empowerment and grace.
Though I have read and review two of Billy Graham’s last two books, and received physical copies of the same, I have never seen the couple’s wedding pictures. The amazing collection of photos included in the book is a real treat for readers and admirers of Ruth and Billy Graham.
September 15, 2018
Overall, this was a very encouraging book. A tad repetitive at points, but the main points come through loud and clear. However, I wish I would have read a biography of Billy Graham's life before reading this one, as I think the background knowledge would have benefited me in having a deeper understanding of this book.
March 28, 2021
The book really explored the life of the Graham’s, not only in mission but looking into their daily lives. What really becomes apparent is that not only did they follow Jesus but they were humble and leaned on the Holy Spirit. They weren’t perfect and Billy admits wishing he had spent more time at home and made mistakes getting involved with political leaders.
March 21, 2018
Some fun ancedotes here. Little things like the time Billy left and Ruth took the kids to the pound and they got 4 new dogs. Heart warming things like Billy going to see Jim Bakker in jail.
February 21, 2014
An honest review thanks to Netgalley. It's a love story between the Graham's and their Lord. It's also a love between them as a couple. there are many examples of people they spent time with and how geniune they were and how constant they were. It's a really easy book to read and admire each chapter for the lessons we learn of favorite verses or stories of their lives. Thank you for a book to inspire others of the great commission found in Billy's life. If even we lead one child to The Lord our whole life and that child turned out to be a Billy Graham, then our humble commission is fruitful for the glory of God.
July 21, 2014
Excellent book!! Really in-depth study of the Grahams from the early years to the present.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews