Charles Graham was born August 23, 1956, in Boydell, Drew County, Arkansas.
Graham graduated from Dermott High School in 1975. He went to South Missouri Baptist College in Bolivar, Missouri, before transferring to Rhema Bible Training College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where he graduated in 1984. Graham began performing at special music engagements for regional churches while in college and continued after his graduation.
Graham relocated to Temecula, California, to serve as minister and youth pastor at New Covenant Church. He lived in California for twenty-three years before returning home to Dermott in 2010. Graham has recorded nine gospel albums and written a book, No Back Doors.
Graham provides support to schools, maintains a community center, and runs a sabbatical home for ministers in Dermott. He is the founder of the non-profit organization, Charles Graham Ministries International. His ministry has taken him all over the world.
#1: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Charles Graham; Dermott, Arkansas, 2024
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#2: Charles Graham (back row, right) with a group from South West Bible College; Missouri, 1975
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#3: Charles Graham (center) with two other Agape Players members; Dana, Indiana, 1984
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#4: Charles Graham, Columbia, South America, 1985
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#5: Charles Graham (at pulpit) preaching in Peterborough, England, 1985
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#6: Charles Graham with mime, Cambridge, England, 1987
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#7: Charles Graham (left) in Rwanda, 1994
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#8: Charles Graham (seated) with worship team in Kenya, 1993
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#9: Charles Graham (right) with interpreter Solomon Sila in Kenya; 1996
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#10: Charles Graham (2nd from left) with missionary pastors Peter and Dorothy Siula and Dr. Brunning; Nairobi, Kenya, 1997
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#11: Charles Graham (front center), Barundi, Africa, 1997
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#12: Charles Graham sings at a prison in Barundi, Africa, 1997
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#13: Charles Graham in Brundi, Africa, 1997
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#14: Charles Graham with children at the New Hope Orphanage, Barundi, Africa, 1998
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#15: Charles Graham with children at the Eglise Vivante ministry in Barundi, African, 1985
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#16: Charles Graham (3rd from right) with his youth group at New Covenant Fellowship Church, Temecula, California, 1993
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#17: Charles Graham (left of bride) at the wedding of his sister, Grace Graham Gray, Atlanta, Georgia, 2003
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#18: Charles Graham with his mother, Ollie Graham, and his sister, Grace Graham Gray, at her wedding, Atlanta, Georgia, 2003
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#19: Members of Charles Graham's family with Georgia Tucker (right, in hat) at her 90th birthday, celebration, 2009
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#20: Charles Graham (left) with Pastor Charlie Lehman, 2018
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#21: Charles Graham’s house, built in 1904, before renovations; Dermott, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#22: Charles Graham’s house after renovations, Dermott, Arkansas
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#23: Behind-the-scenes photo from Pryor Center interview with Charles Graham; Dermott, Arkansas, 2024
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
#24: Still frame from Pryor Center video interview with Charles Graham; Dermott, Arkansas, 2024
© Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas
