It was a powerful moment.
Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, visited the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Monday to honor the late evangelist Billy Graham and his wife, Ruth. During his visit, Vance emphasized how the Gospel message that Billy Graham spent his life spreading transcends social and racial boundaries.
Franklin Graham, son of the late evangelist, shared Vance’s visit on social media, noting that he was on his way to Alaska and regretted not being there to greet Vance personally. However, Vance was accompanied by Franklin’s children, Cissie Graham Lynch and Roy Graham, as well as David Bruce, a close aide of Billy Graham and executive vice president of the Billy Graham Library.
Vance expressed admiration for the message represented by the library, stating that it isn’t just about Billy Graham but about Jesus and the inclusiveness of the Gospel. He also reflected on how the Gospel impacted his life, particularly through his grandmother, who was a strong influence on his upbringing. Vance has often spoken about how his grandmother, whom he affectionately called “Mamaw,” played a pivotal role in his life while he grew up in a challenging environment in Ohio.
The Billy Graham Library, established in 2007, aims to continue sharing the Gospel with thousands of visitors each year. Although Franklin Graham has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, other members of the Graham family, like Jerushah Duford, have expressed differing views, particularly in support of Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. Duford has argued that Trump’s actions are damaging to the message of Christianity, which has led to a divergence in political opinions within the family.