For decades, Billy Graham traveled the globe with a single mission: proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1982, that lifelong commitment to evangelism was recognized when he received the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion, which visitors can now see on The Journey of Faith tour.

Following historic crusades in Los Angeles in 1949, London in 1954, New York in 1957, and Australia in 1959, Billy Graham became one of the world’s leading evangelists. He used his growing influence to fill stadiums, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with millions around the world. He also embraced emerging media, using radio and television to extend the reach of his Crusades to audiences in more than 185 countries.

Billy Graham’s dedication to the Gospel was recognized by American-born British investor, John Templeton, who established the prestigious Templeton Prize in 1972 to honor progress in religion.  

A decade after Mother Teresa received the first Templeton Prize, Billy Graham was honored with the award in 1982. The accolade acknowledged his global impact through evangelism, his innovative use of media to spread the Gospel, and his efforts to unite Christians across denominations.

When presenting the award, John Templeton commended Graham’s global influence on the church and the advancement of evangelism. “Evangelism is a duty for every person who worships God in any form. Dr. Graham has originated more new ideas in evangelism than any living person,” John Templeton said. “He has given the church around the world a new hope and has contributed vastly to the wider vision and meaning of evangelism. His cooperation with all denominations to involve the statesmen of the world in evangelism has left an indelible mark on Christian history.”

Accompanied by his wife Ruth, Billy Graham received the recognition from Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at a private Buckingham Palace ceremony—an experience he later shared in his autobiography, Just As I Am.

“When Ruth and I arrived at Buckingham Palace, we were escorted up a wide, grand staircase and down a long hall to the room where the presentation was to take place,” he recounted. “Ruth—who has the poet’s eye for detail—recalls the sumptuous draperies and appointments, as well as a huge Aubusson carpet, which seemed to stretch forever.”

Along with a medal and scroll, Billy Graham received a $200,000 prize—about $672,000 in today’s currency. The evangelist recalled the moment Prince Philip presented the award with a touch of humor. “Prince Phillip picked up the check for the $200,000—the largest monetary prize for any type at the time—and handed it not to me but to Ruth, saying with a hearty laugh that he assumed that she handled the family purse strings,” he wrote. “Later, I had to ask her for the check back to endorse it.”

Billy Graham later shared that the entire prize had already been pledged to train evangelists from developing countries. The funds helped make possible the 1983 International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists in Amsterdam, with a second gathering held three years later widely known as Amsterdam ’86.

See the Templeton Prize and other historic artifacts from Billy Graham’s ministry on The Journey of Faith tour. While visiting, guests can also view a special exhibit commemorating the 40th anniversary of Amsterdam ’86 through June 25. Book your free ticket or explore upcoming events at the Billy Graham Library.