1. Character Study in Body Ethics
Kimberly Hughson
Concordia University
September 2013

2. Ministry of Character:
Billy Graham and Jim Jones

3. Character of Integrity
• Billy Graham was an evangelist at
revival meetings, and on radio and
television for over 40 years. He
preached to more individuals than
anyone else in history
• has been awarded the Ronald Reagan
Presidential Foundation Freedom
Award, the Congressional Gold
Medal, the Templeton Foundation
Prize for Progress in Religion, the Big
Brother Award, the Templeton Prize
for Progress in Religion, and the
Speaker of the Year Award.
• was recognized by the National
Conference of Christians and Jews
for promoting understanding
between faiths, and bestowed with the
Honorary Knight Commander of the
Order of the British Empire (KBE)
• At 95, he still is active in the ministry.
• http://www.biography.com/people/billy-graham-9317669
• Jim Jones was best known as the cult
leader of the Peoples Temple who led
more than 900 followers in a mass
suicide via cyanide-laced punch
known as the Jonestown Massacre.
• His fiery rhetoric and remarkable
“healings” continued to draw new
members into the fold. Not only did
they fall for his talk of a better life,
many surrendered what they had to
Jones.
• Jones launched what he called his
"revolutionary suicide" campaign.
Cyanide and Valium were mixed into
a batch of powdered drink mix to
make a toxic punch, and cups of this
lethal beverage were distributed to
the members.
• Surrounded by his inner circle, he
either shot himself or was shot in the
head.
• http://www.biography.com/people/jim-jones-10367607

4. The Quality of Character: the
importance of integrity
• In the article Preserving Integrity, the author explains that “to develop and protect your
integrity, start by identifying your core values. These are the values that you refuse to
compromise on, no matter what. Next, analyze every choice you make to ensure that
you're doing the right thing (MindTools). Billy Graham has often said, "Whether the
story of Christ is told in a huge stadium, across the desk of a powerful leader, or shared
with a golfing companion, it satisfies a common hunger” (Graham). Because of his
integrity and passion for Christian ministry, Billy Graham has impacted the lives of
millions all over the world. In his blog, he answers the questions concerning life of
addiction with a firm belief that he abides in the Psalmists that "I will be careful to lead a
blameless life.... I will walk in my house with blameless heart" (Psalm 101:2).
• The Reverend Jim Jones used his outward showing of integrity to control his followers.
From the outside, Jim Jones and his Peoples Temple looked like an amazing success. Yet
on the inside, the church was transforming into a cult centered around Jim Jones
(Rosenberg). Unfortunately, his misuse of drugs and trust led to death of more than 900
men, women and children.

5. In their own words…
• God wants us to take care of our bodies. He gave them to us, and we
are to use them for His glory (especially as Christians). We aren't to
abuse them or neglect them; we are to use them for God's service
(Graham).
• If we can't live in peace then let’s die in peace. We are not committing
suicide-it’s a revolutionary act (Jones).

6. References
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Retrieved from http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?
articleid=4027
Bio.True Story. Billy Graham. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/billy-graham-9317669
Bio. True Story. Jim Jones. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/jim-jones-10367607
Graham, B. (June, 2013). Retrieved from
http://crossmap.christianpost.com/blogs/is-it-possible-to-be-addicted-to-things-other-
than-drugs-or-alcohol-billy-grahams-my-answer-2653
Preserving Integrity. MindTools. Retrieved from
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/integrity.htm#sthash.Csh7PTQo.dpuf
Rosenberg, J. (ND). Jim Jones- A Biography. Retrieved from
http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/p/jimjones.htm
Today. (June, 2005). Retrieved from http://www.today.com/id/8326362/ns/today/t/i-hope-theyll-say-he-

7. References
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Retrieved from http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?
articleid=4027
Bio.True Story. Billy Graham. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/billy-graham-9317669
Bio. True Story. Jim Jones. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/jim-jones-10367607
Graham, B. (June, 2013). Retrieved from
http://crossmap.christianpost.com/blogs/is-it-possible-to-be-addicted-to-things-other-
than-drugs-or-alcohol-billy-grahams-my-answer-2653
Preserving Integrity. MindTools. Retrieved from
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/integrity.htm#sthash.Csh7PTQo.dpuf
Rosenberg, J. (ND). Jim Jones- A Biography. Retrieved from
http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/p/jimjones.htm
Today. (June, 2005). Retrieved from http://www.today.com/id/8326362/ns/today/t/i-hope-theyll-say-he-