Sep 1, 2025
Mortecai Ham
April 2, 1877 – November 1, 1961
From Kentucky Revivals to Global Impact: The Man Who Pointed Evangelist Billy Graham to Jesus
When we trace the flames of revival through history, some names stand like torches, lighting the path for generations to come. One of those names is Mordecai Fowler Ham, a fiery evangelist whose bold preaching in the early 20th century shook cities, transformed lives, and—most famously—ignited the faith of a young man who would carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth: Billy Graham.
A Kentucky Beginning
Mordecai Ham was born in Allen County, Kentucky, in 1877, into a family rooted in Baptist tradition. His grandfather had been a preacher, and from a young age Ham was surrounded by revival stories and the rhythms of faith. Though he initially pursued a career in business, a deeper call tugged at his heart. In his twenties, he surrendered to that call, choosing to preach the Gospel full-time.
Ham’s ministry was marked by determination. He was not a polished academic or a celebrity personality; he was a man who carried the fire of conviction, speaking with clarity about sin, repentance, and the saving power of Jesus Christ.
By some estimates, more than 300,000 people came to Christ through his ministry.
A Bold Evangelist
From the South to the Midwest, Ham’s evangelistic campaigns drew crowds under large tents, in churches, and across city auditoriums. He became known for his uncompromising preaching style—never hesitant to confront sin, yet always extending the invitation of grace.
Reports from his meetings often describe packed altars and overflowing crowds. By some estimates, more than 300,000 people came to Christ through his ministry. In an age before television and mass media, Ham used the tools available—word of mouth, print, and even early radio—to spread the message of revival.
Ham may not have lived to see the full extent of Billy Graham’s ministry, but his obedienceleft a legacy that touched the world.
The Night Billy Graham Said Yes
One of Ham’s most enduring legacies began in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1934. He was holding a series of revival meetings there when a tall, lanky farm boy named Billy Graham attended.
The Spirit of God gripped young Billy’s heart, and that night he made a decision to follow Christ. Few could have imagined the ripple effect: Graham would go on to preach the Gospel to more people than anyone else in history, always pointing back to the night he gave his life to Jesus under Mordecai Ham’s preaching.
This single encounter shows the power of one faithful life. Ham may not have lived to see the full extent of Graham’s ministry, but his obedience left a legacy that touched the world.
For him, revival required truth—and truth demanded boldness.
A Voice to the Culture
Ham’s ministry was not without controversy. He often preached against cultural sins, calling his generation to return to righteousness. Newspapers sometimes criticized him for being too direct, but Ham remained undeterred. For him, revival required truth—and truth demanded boldness.
Though his style may have been bracing, his heart was pastoral. He longed for men and women to know the trans-forming love of Jesus, and he gave his entire life to that cause.
Legacy of a Trailblazer
Mordecai Ham passed away in 1961, but the fire he carried still burns. His ministry reminds us that revival often begins with a single voice willing to say “yes” to God.
Through him, countless souls entered the Kingdom. Through one of those souls—Billy Graham—millions more would follow. Ham’s story is a testament to how God uses ordinary people with extraordinary conviction to spark movements that outlive them.
As we honor him in this Revival Fire series, we’re reminded that the same Spirit that empowered Ham is still at work today. Revival is not history—it’s inheritance. And the torch is now in our hands. •
