Short Biography: Ruth Bell Graham's Ministry

[3] Suddenly, the first contraction struck as the dinning room clock announced the beginning of November 7th, 1918. [1] As Morrow Graham screamed with pain, a new and unfamiliar cry joined hers; it was the scream of her first-born son, William Franklin Graham Jr. [5] Although Billy’s childhood was not spent serving the Lord, it did turn toward the Lord later in life and Graham’s ministry was very powerful and effect. [1] Not only did God change his life but also his wife Ruth Bell Graham. She was a big part of making his crusades possible.
[1] Billy Graham was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was raised a Reformed Presbyterian by his dedicated parents. [2] Although Graham’s parents felt that their denomination was the correct religion;
[5] While a young boy, Graham was not interested in religion but pursued baseball and Tarzan comic books instead. [6] He was very hyperactive. [4] While a senior in high school, one of Graham’s teachers actually told the students “Billy Frank would never amount to anything.” [4] During a revival one night in 1934, Graham’s whole life was changed dramatically. [5] Although Graham was not extremely interested in revivals; God led 16-year-old Billy Graham and his friend Grady Wilson to one this night. [1] It was held in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina and was led by the Kentucky “fire-and–brimstone” minister, Mordecal Fowler Ham. [2] After beginning the revival with the song “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder,” Ham started his freshly wrote sermon by saying, “There’s a great sinner in this place tonight”. [3] Totally terrified, Graham began to wonder if this man knew all that he had done and was speaking only
Bell delivered her beautiful little girl, Ruth. [1] Ruth’s father, Dr. L. Nelson Bell, was a medical missionary in the eastern Chinese providence of northern Kiangsu. [1] Ruth and her family lived in the hospital compound, where they were safe. [1] Ruth and her sister too often watched, nervously and fearfully, while people died in China. [6] They were constantly on guard. [2] In 1937, when Ruth was 17, she decided to leave her family and the far west and go to Wheaton College in Illinois. [3] Providentially, at Wheaton College Ruth met Billy Graham. [3] Totally devoted to God and what He had for her life, she vowed, at a young age, that she would never marry. [5] Although Ruth felt God was calling her to the mission field overseas, she still continued her education at Wheaton. [2] As the years progressed, she became more interested in marriage and began dating. [4] Being a “beautiful slender, hazel-eyed movie starlet,” Ruth caught the eyes of many young men including those of Billy Graham. [3] Shortly After Billy’s first-talk with Ruth Bell, Graham asked her out on a date. [5] Even though Billy Graham fascinated Ruth with his “spirit and dedication to God”; it took nearly a month before she would accept his invention to dinner. [2] On July 6th, 1941 Ruth replied to Grahams in a letter saying that she would gladly accept his hand in marriage. [1] Two years later after both had graduated from Wheaton