Cissie Graham Lynch: Why the Church Has Weakened Women
Cissie Graham Lynch — granddaughter of Billy and Ruth Graham, daughter of Franklin Graham — joins Greg and Cathe to talk about her new book "Stand Steady," her recent nomination as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, and what it was really like growing up in one of America's most well-known ministry families.
In this conversation:
- Why Cissie says the church has sometimes "weakened" women, and what strong biblical womanhood actually looks like
- The hurricane that inspired "Stand Steady" and the foundation that remains when storms hit
- Cathe on walking through grief after losing their son Christopher, and the prodigal years with Jonathan
- Greg's personal memories of Billy Graham privately — including the "Not you again" welcome mat at Ruth's door
- The four "kings" that quietly rule our lives: Feeling, Trend, Think, and Comfort
- Raising kids in a phone-saturated culture, and Franklin's blunt advice to Greg after Christopher's death
Plus a lighter round at the end — Thai food, blackberry cobbler, Last of the Mohicans, and why Cissie would want one more dinner with her grandmother.
Pick up "Stand Steady" wherever you get your books.
Timestamps
00:00 Cissie Graham Lynch on how culture and the church weaken women
02:03 What kind of woman will you choose to be?
03:26 Growing up a Graham and never wanting ministry
08:17 The hurricane, the foundation, and what remains
11:47 The four kings: Feeling, Trend, Think, and Comfort
14:43 Her mother Jane, the unsung hero
19:13 Fake strength from culture, weakened women in the church
23:13 A word to young girls in the age of social media
30:32 Billy Graham up close and Ruth's sanctified humor
40:12 Walking with Jonathan and Christopher through prodigal years
48:34 Back in the pulpit three days after losing Christopher
57:00 Nominated Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
01:07:47 Favorites, Thai food, Last of the Mohicans, and Motown
01:21:20 Closing prayers and blessing
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In 1990, Laurie founded the Harvest Crusades, a series of large-scale evangelistic events designed to present the gospel to broad audiences. These events have since drawn more than 11.5 million participants in person and online. In 2012, he launched Harvest America, a nationwide outreach event that utilized HD livestreaming to broadcast to thousands of venues across the United States. Collectively, these efforts have resulted in over 700,000 documented professions of faith.
A prolific author, Laurie has written over 70 books, including House of David, Billy Graham: The Man I Knew, Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon, Revelation: A Book of Promises, and Jesus Revolution.
His filmography includes Lost Boy: The Next Chapter, Hope for Hurting Hearts, Steve McQueen: American Icon, and Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon. In 2023, Greg and Cathe Laurie’s life and conversion during the Jesus Movement of the 1960s and ‘70s were depicted in the Lionsgate film Jesus Revolution, starring Kelsey Grammer and Jonathan Roumie.
Greg Laurie has been married to Cathe Laurie for over 51 years. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit harvest.org
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