Don Wilton has given us a beautiful glimpse into his friendship with Billy Graham. And what an inspiring, heartwarming friendship it was. In Saturdays with Billy, Wilton shares twenty spiritual stories about Billy’s life– his hopes, regrets, beliefs, and life lessons. Each chapter begins with an inspiring quotation by Billy Graham. This book has the power to change lives, and after reading it, I know for certain that I will return to this book when I need guidance along my own spiritual journey.

“Hundreds of books about Billy Graham’s life have been written. This book makes little effort to be smooth or logical or read like a novel. How could it be when it is based on memories of conversations between a pastor and his friend…”

Billy Graham “believed Jesus Christ died for all people, period. All people were sinners before a holy and righteous God. “God loves you,”he would say before all people everywhere.
He would always share the love of Christ everywhere and with all people.”

One such fact is that Billy Graham went into the stadium and personally tore down the ropes that separated the White section from the Black section in the Chattanooga, Tennessee, crusade.
With encouraging facts and heart-warming tidbits about one of the nation’s most beloved pastors, this book is a comforting read for anyone who’s ever admired this incredible preacher and wishes to read the words of one of his dear friends.

Saturdays with Billy: My Friendship with Billy Graham by Don Wilton is a great tribute to Mr. Graham. Don Wilton had the privilege of being Billy Graham’s pastor. Mr. Wilton took great care in writing the book, being ever mindful and respectful of his role and relationship of being Billy Graham’s Pastor without breaking confidentiality.

I loved the stories told in Saturdays with Billy. Mr. Wilton’s stories helped to show that the Billy Graham the world saw is the same Billy Graham that one would see in private. Saturdays with Billy shows the humility of Billy Graham and Mr. Graham’s heart to share Jesus with others.

Reading Saturdays with Billy: My Friendship with Billy Graham reiterated how important it is to tell others about Jesus to everyone we come in contact with. Jesus is the Hope that the world needs and the Answer to what everyone needs in their lives. Saturdays with Billy helps us see that we can share Jesus with Humility and Grace. Saturdays with Billy also shows us that Mr. Graham was just like us–he was concerned about his family and the moral compass of the world, but He trusted God’s Hand in everything.

Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is on Goodreads and Leslie's Library Escape.

Saturdays With Billy is an intimate and heartwarming book chronicling the time that Don Wilton was able to spend with one America’s favorite and most beloved pastors, Billy Graham. While serving as Billy Graham’s own personal pastor, Don visited with Billy at his home on Montreat, North Carolina most Saturdays over a fifteen year span. This book offers a rare glimpse of who this great man and humble servant of God was at home with family and friends. Don shares stories of his many visits which include Billy’s prayer life, family, friends, humor, hopes and regrets. Complete with quotes from Billy Graham and rare color photographs, this book is one readers will treasure for years to come.

I have no words to describe this beautiful beautiful book. We get to see Billy Graham's life and time from a dear friend's point of view which was so special so much so i felt like an intruder but blessed to be encouraged by the life of a man who loved God deeply.

SALAD DAYS no meat included

This is a tasteful personal portraiture of Billy Graham, the world's most travelled and most heard Christian gospel evangelist of the twentieth century.

He was the chaplain and friend of Presidents, Kings and Queens (including Queen Elizabeth II, their friendship recently featured, in The Crown of Netflix fame), as well as the man that millions of people worldwide, heard at their local arena or on their local TV station. His listeners were pleaded with, to hear what the Bible says and come forward, to receive forgiveness, at the cross of Jesus Christ. Millions did so and became faithful long serving members of many churches, across the World.

Don Wilton, the author became Billy Graham's closer friend, when the Grahams decided to become official members of the nearby Baptist church, that Don pastored. Especially due to Billy's celebrity status, it was too difficult for Billy and Ruth his wife, to fellowship in person, at the local church. In consequence, Don's pastoral visits over coffee and chat began and became more frequent, when Billy was travelling less frequently and facing the challenges of old age.

The author relates many biographical stories about Billy, including the sharing of small spiritual lessons, that Billy imparted over their coffee times, as well as short stories of Billy’s boyhood and beginnings, as a young evangelist.

It’s a very enchanting and enjoyable salad days book to read, despite the scarcity of any real juicy meat, apart from their being, one expressed regret on Billy Graham’s part.

Get to know Billy Graham a little more intimately through the eyes of his friend and pastor, Don Wilton. Color photos offer behind the scene insight into Graham's life. His life depicted in this book, continues to inspire us in our own spiritual journeys.

Don met with Billy at his home in Montreat, North Carolina for fifteen years. They spent hours talking about family, politics, sports, and their spiritual lives.

Relax and enjoy over 20 heartwarming stories of his times with his friend, Billy's God filled character remained true to the end and the light of his heart still shines long after his death.

This account is a testament to a man who leaned on God's grace into eternity.

Saturday afternoon visits and conversations with Billy Graham in his home were the highlight of Don Wilton's week. Sometimes it would be just the two of them and sometimes others were present. Whatever, they were precious times of fellowship. Wilton captures the essence of those many hours over countless Saturdays and years in this "snapshot" of Billy Graham.

Wilton underscores the character and home persona of this mighty man of God and evangelist. This very humble servant of God with his Christ-centered life, who endeared himself to one and all, fought the good fight and finished his race, ever pointing each one to the Savior.

Situated through the pages are beautiful pictures of the Graham home area and of other significant times in Billy's life. No doubt you all will be as touched and challenged as I was, to lead a similar Christ-centered life and speak well of Jesus with others.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

August 2021

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by the publisher.

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Saturdays with Billy
by Donald J. Wilton
Pub Date: April 13, 2021

When my spiritual growth needs a boost I look to the writing of Billy Graham. I picked this book because I wanted to see the intimate view of a man I greatly admire and respect. This was a great read for me. I will recommend it to others from my church circle. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a glimpse into the life of Pastor Wilton and Billy Graha. You too can Discover a beautiful friendship between Billy Graham and his friend and pastor, Don Wilton.

5 star

A sweet collection of memories giving an up close and personal look at someone whom many have only seen at a distance.

Don Wilton and Billy Graham were friends. Then Don became his paster. Don would make himself available to meet with the great Evangelist every Saturday or when the need arose. Don felt he was sitting at the feet of a gentle man of God, whose love and ministry were a blessing, encouragement and a mentoring masterclass. Billy Graham felt linked to a church, God’s plan through his son to nurture and sustain those who love him.

This book is about their friendship. How their relationship changed over time and identifies what made Billy Graham’s preaching and crusades so far-reaching in spreading the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ.

I value Mr Graham’s long ministry and Bible based preaching. This book highlights his motivations and covers his whole life of service through to his passing to be with the Lord.

It was good to be reminded of events and activities. The book is mostly USA focused and it affirms Billy Graham was a family man, an obedient servant and throughout his ministry sought to glorify the name of Jesus.

Don Wilton writes in a very American way; full of sentimentality and nothing but love and appreciation for “Brother Billy”. This isn’t an independent view or a critique of his life. As a pastor he wouldn’t be expected to sensationalise the life or overplay his mentor’s shortcomings. No Billy Graham does this in his own words. In his humility and love for his Saviour Jesus Christ, his belief in the power and veracity of Scripture and the sovereignty of God. Throughout his ministry it was not about the man, the evangelist or his success. No it was the work of the Holy Spirit to change hearts and transform lives. In all he did Billy Graham sought to bring glory to God in Christ Jesus.

A book that portrays the frailty of man and the difficulties of growing old after others, like his beloved wife, Ruth who went some years earlier to be with her Lord. A man of faith and faithful to the end.

A book of love, of friendship and ministry which invites the reader into the home of Mr Graham and shares simple truths to sustain others and enlarge our own faith.

#Saturdays with Billy# by Donald Wilton is written by Billy Graham's pastor. Donald Wilton is the pastor of First Baptist Spartanburg Church, South Carolina. He has been the pastor of First Baptist Spartanburg Church since 1993. He is also the president of Encouraging the Word ministry. Encouraging the Word Ministry started in 2005. Pastor Wilton has also written several books. Pastor Wilton viewed Billy Graham has his mentor. He visited Billy Graham every Saturday for 15 years. This book is so touching. It is a wonderful way the reader can step inside Billy Graham's heart life. Pastor Don shares about Billy Graham's character. He also shares about the people Billy impacted in the world and how He impacted them. The book is very inspiring and impacting. It is wonderful Pastor Don took the time to write such a person and reflective book about Billy Graham. The world was forever changed by Billy Graham. I think I am changed by reading this book also. Thank you to the publisher, author, netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is a super special book. Written by a pastor in my home town, the author shares about the Saturday’s he wspent with billy graham, what he learned and provides a bit of an insiders look into the life of billy Graham.

Pastor Donald Wilton visited with Billy Graham for many years at his home in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina.
Billy Graham learned many lessons from playing golf - such as humility,patience, discipline and practice, he and Don putted golf balls in the hallway into a cup.
Billy Graham preached to everyone around the world, he did not care what race or belief they held - he preached Jesus and the message of God's salvation to all, world leaders, Presidents, or the person living on the street.
Donald shared Billy Graham's meeting with Winston Churchill in 1954: Winston wanted to know how to draw big crowds like he did; Billy told him he was a simple man who preached on Jesus and how to get to heaven, God's Spirit drew the people to hear the message of salvation not to see Billy Graham.
Billy Graham's boyhood, teenage salvation at 15, and early preaching in tent crusades is mentioned - he was even "puffed" by William R. Hurst and the media reported praised his crusades in a positive manner, which helped him to be known worldwide!
Billy told Donald that serving God means that you go should go back to your beginnings with God and surrender to Him, to remember where you came from as a sinner and to have gratitude and love God with all your soul, mind and heart.