Billy Graham, who proclaimed the Gospel to some 215 million people in more than 185 countries, was given various titles by his admirers: evangelist to the world, America’s pastor, pastor to presidents.

He counseled world leaders; was named by Gallup 61 times as one of America’s most admired people; received the Presidential Medal of Freedom; received the Congressional Gold Medal along with his wife, Ruth; and was awarded a host of honorary degrees.

He was never comfortable with any of that.

“If anything has been accomplished through my life,” he wrote in his memoir, “Just As I Am,” “it has been solely God’s doing, not mine, and He—not I—must get the credit.”

Mr. Graham passed away Feb. 21, 2018, at 7:46 a.m. His legacy includes the continuing influence of his 34 books, the worldwide ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the changed lives of the millions who committed their lives to Christ through his Crusades and other ministries.

Mr. Graham summed up his life’s purpose during his final Crusade, in June 2005 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York: “I have one message—that Jesus Christ came, He died on a cross, He rose again, and He asked us to repent of our sins and receive Him by faith as Lord and Savior, and if we do, we have forgiveness of all of our sins.”

Photo: Russ Busby/©1968 BGEA