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US preacher Billy Graham dies

US evangelist Billy Graham - one of the most influential preachers of the 20th Century - has died aged 99
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The Rev. Billy Graham, whose sermons were broadcast in churches around the country, has died, a spokesman confirmed to CBS News. He was 99.

In the summer of 2005, Graham preached at what he called his "Final Crusade."

Graham said: "Deep inside we need something else. And that something else can be brought about by Jesus."

"When I touch the podium, I can feel a new strength and a new power come and it's a thrilling thing for me to preach the gospel at this age," Graham said.

The three-day event in New York City was the culmination of a lifetime of evangelism -- seven decades of spreading the gospel to more than 200 million people in 185 countries around the world.

Graham once said: "Jesus Christ, the son of God, has an answer to every problem that you face!"

Raised in the fundamentalist faith of his native North Carolina, Graham dedicated his life to Christ when he was 16, and was ordained a Baptist minister in 1939. He created his own brand of populist evangelism. His "crusades," as he called them, were soon attracting millions in person and later through television.

"We are United, and are ready to march under the banner of Almighty God, taking as our slogan that which we have on our coins, 'In God We Trust,'" Graham once said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.


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