Billy Graham Hospitalized, in Stable Condition
Evangelist Billy Graham is in stable condition after being admitted to a hospital in Asheville, N.C., Saturday night.
Graham, 93, was evaluated and treated for a pulmonary infection. He was alert when he was being admitted to Mission Hospital and is now resting comfortably, according to spokesman A. Larry Ross.
"Appropriate antibiotics are being administered and ... his condition is stable," Ross said in a statement.
Graham is currently retired, after having preached the Gospel to nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories. He spends most of his time in his home in Montreat, N.C., due to age-related conditions.
Though retired, the respected evangelist is still involved in ministry and is also working on a new book focused on the Gospel message that he preached in the span of over 70 years.
It was also recently announced that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will hold the largest North American evangelistic event it has ever held next year on the week of Graham's 95th birthday.
The event "could be Billy Graham's final call to America to turn to God," according to Preston Parrish, BGEA vice president for My Hope With Billy Graham.
In a prayer letter last month, Graham lamented the moral direction of America and said his heart "aches" for it. He pointed to the millions of babies that have been aborted as well as indulgence, pride and a lack of shame over sin that are "now emblems of the American lifestyle."
"The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance," he stated.