FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Media Contact:
Graham Clark
(704) 401-2116
gclark@bgea.org

BILLY GRAHAM TELEVISION SPECIAL CELEBRATES LIFE AND LEGACY OF RUTH BELL GRAHAM, DEC. 1-9
 
New Interviews with Friends, Family Highlight Adventurous Spirit of World-Famous Evangelist's Wife
 
"She didn't put herself up on a pedestal as a better-than-thou person. Ruth was very humble, very sweet, very loving. Just a wonderful person." Barbara Bush in the television special.
 
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dreaming of becoming a missionary to Asia, Ruth McCue Bell's life took a dramatic turn after meeting a passionate young preacher determined to court her. "Lord," she prayed, "if you will let me share his life, I will consider it the greatest honor possible."
 
What lay ahead is the story of the next Billy Graham Television Special, airing across the U.S. and Canada December 1-9. Featured during prime-time programming of major networks in many markets, millions of Americans will follow the journey of the partner to one of 20th Century's most prominent evangelists.
 
The television special includes interviews with former first lady Barbara Bush, bestselling author Jan Karon, each of the Grahams' five children and Mr. Graham himself, all highlighting the warm and loving spirit of Ruth Bell Graham. Mrs. Graham passed away June 14, 2007 at the age of 87.
 
Viewers will have a chance to learn more about this unique woman who captured the heart of Billy Graham, who called her "the greatest Christian I've ever known." The program chronicles Ruth's adventurous life, from her childhood in China to her more than sixty years of marriage with "America's pastor." The program presents the passion she put in her journal writings and her life at home raising five
children-often without the man she loved, but whom she knew was called to preach the good news of Jesus Christ all over the world.
 
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's television ministry originally began broadcasting Graham's sermons in 1957 during the historic crusade at New York City's Madison Square Garden. This commemorative program marks the first time a Billy Graham Television Special will be streamed online (Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 7:00 p.m. EST; Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10:00 p.m. EST and Wednesday, Dec. 26 at 7:00 p.m. EST at billygraham.org/tv).
 
The television special also includes world-premiere music videos from Avalon and Fernando Ortega, and a Gaither Family Homecoming segment with Grammy winners Bill and Gloria Gaither.
 
For a limited time, this tribute to Ruth Bell Graham will be available for purchase to the public by calling 1-800-631-7141 or visiting billygraham.org/tv. Additional information about the program, including a 90-second promo and local broadcast dates, times and stations can also be found at the website.
 
Screener copies of this special are available by contacting Graham Clark at (704) 401-2116 or gclark@bgea.org.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA