Billy Graham School Student Council

History of the Billy Graham School

In October 1993, with Dr. Billy Graham present, Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. announced the formation of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. Declaring that the Graham School would offer “the highest degree of preparation” and “will call together a world class faculty dedicated to taking the gospel to the whole world,” Dr. Mohler appointed Dr. Thom S. Rainer as the founding dean in February 1994.

Dr. Rainer’s leadership during his eleven-year deanship led to extraordinary growth in the Graham School. Today, ten different diplomas or degrees are available at the master and doctoral levels. Courses are taught in four languages. Specialized programs, including the weekend M. Div., evening M. Div., and internet-based courses, provide unique options for study. The Nehemiah Church Planting Center and the Great Commission Center offer valuable opportunities for missionary training and service. Today, graduates from the Graham School serve as local church pastors and staff, church planters, professors, state convention employees, North American Mission Board employees, and international missionaries.

With Dr. Rainer’s election as President of LifeWay Christian Resources in 2005, the school has seen continued growth under the leadership of Dr. Chuck Lawless. Under the leadership of Dr. Lawless, the school continues to have an “Acts 1:8 impact.” It is the primary purpose of the Graham School to powerfully influence the world with the gospel from Louisville, Kentucky to the end of the earth. It strives to do this by equipping students with biblically grounded theology and practical training for a lifetime of ministry. In all these things the Billy Graham School is doing what it was established to do, to train ministers who will sacrificially take the gospel to the whole world.