Prince Harry, Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerburg and Jackie Chan. A list of people that you wouldn’t ordinarily list in conjunction with Billy Graham. But Billy Graham, along with these, has been named by the UK as one of the most admired people alive.
The poll, carried out by YouGov* in 30 different countries, asked for open-ended nominations and over 31,000 people were asked who they admired.
Looking at the results from the UK, Billy Graham appears in the top 20, ahead of popular cultural leaders such as Brad Pitt and just behind Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg. The poll comes 25 years after Billy Graham’s last rally in the UK in Glasgow in 1991.
Steve Wade, Director of Ministry for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in the UK said “This poll shows us that the good news of the message of Jesus Christ always inspires, transcending popular culture and transforming people, families and communities all across the UK”.
He continues “Billy Graham has always made it his mission to spread the Gospel by all means possible and this passion means that he will never stop being an inspiration, as long as there are people still to hear the Gospel.”
The poll also places Billy Graham as being one of the most admired people in China, Indonesia, Brazil and Egypt, amongst others. YouGov repeat the poll every year and he is currently listed as the 16th most admired in the world, up three places from last year.
BGEA UK is honoured to have Billy Graham’s work recognised, but we will continue to give all of the glory to God – for His love and saving grace that never fails to inspire.
John 7:16, So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.”