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(Nelson
Edman ("Ned") Graham)
Ned
was a sensitive, affectionate child inheriting his father's
charm and his mother's adventurous blood. He was the image
of young Billy, tall and thin, with a girl by his side.
In school, his classmates teased him about being Billy Graham's
son, so much that he rebelled as a teenager in a way that
nearly mirrored his brother's struggles. During his college
years, he turned to alcohol and drugs to escape a destiny
he thought had been determined for him because of his bloodline.
According to a 1998 article in Christian Reader,
Ned said that he had been rebelling from God's call to ministry,
rather than from God or his parents.
During
those years, his parents encouraged him to communicate with
them, even though they disapproved of his behavior. Eventually,
the unconditional love they showed him drew him to a desire
for Christian service. After receiving a degree in communications
from Pacific Lutheran University in 1985, Ned began considering
ministry as a possibility for his life. His subsequent enrollment
Fuller Theological Seminary's extension program in Seattle
marked a life change for him, as he ended his rebellious
years after writing a term paper on Christ's death.
After
finishing his education at Fuller, he pastored adult ministries
at Grace Community Church in Auburn, Washington. In 1990,
he visited the People's Republic of China through East Gates,
a small organization whose mission was to help believers
in China. In 1991, Ned became the president of East Gates
Ministries International and moved to China with his wife
Carol and his 2 sons. Probably the most significant contribution
of East Gates is the distribution of Bibles to house church
Christians in China, a mission still in process today.
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William Graham, Jr. - Ruth Bell Graham - Gigi Graham - Anne Graham
Ruth Graham - Franklin Graham - Ned Graham
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