BEN GRAHAM is a man who wears many hats. He’s a husband, father of four, grandfather, actor, film producer, podcast creator, speaker, radio program host — the list goes on. As a fifth-generation preacher who felt called to preach the gospel at age 14, Graham has since preached in all 50 states and over 40 foreign countries. He holds doctorate degrees in theology and temperament counseling and is a certified counselor. His friend, Derrek Fisher, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers, once invited him to warm up with Shaq and Kobe Bryant.
As a radio host with his own radio program called “Real Talk with Pastor Ben,” his station airs across the United States and online around the world. Guests have included former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and producer and actor Kevin Sorbo, who played the leading role of Hercules, as well as many others. Graham recently sat down for an interview with Dr. Ben Carson and was a featured guest on the “Las Vegas United” TV show.
Graham played lead acting roles in the movies “Fearless Faith” and “Pardon by Grace,” and has produced several films under his brand Graham Family Films. These include “Remember the Goal,” featuring Allee Sutton Hethcoat, “I’m Not Ashamed,” the inspirational true story of Rachel Joy Scott, who was the first fatality of the Columbine High School shooting, “A Place in the Heart,” “Beautifully Broken,” along with his most successful release, “Christmas at Keestone.”
“I had done a little filming and theatrical work when I was younger but really got interested in acting and filmmaking after moving to Tennessee in 2012. It started with being an extra in a movie. Then, my family was cast to be the leads in a commercial. It continued from there. I have acted in or produced 15 movies and multiple commercials, including our latest film that Candice, and I had lead roles in called ‘Christmas at Keestone,’ which came out this past December. We also have several movies set to release this year that I acted in and several other movies in production where I am one of the lead actors.”
Growing up in a musical family, Graham toured and performed from the time he was 13 until about the age of 19 when the door opened for him to be a full-time pastor. Graham has also authored three books, including “Bring Back the Glory” and “1948: Countdown to the Day of Reckoning.” His newest book, “Ignorance & Apathy: Two of America’s Deadliest Sins,” became available in March. As a writer knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics, he’s contributed to countless articles, blog posts, and newsletters. His work is widely available online.
Never one to shy away from politics, Graham remains involved at the state and local levels. He also served as chaplain with the Tennessee State Guard, the Roane County Sheriff’s Department, and the York City Police Department. National and worldwide topics are also near to his heart, so he’s served on over 50 boards, including S.W.A.T League (Sports World Against Trafficking), Let’s Talk Interactive, as well as various organizations that strive to combat the opioid and addiction crisis. Recently, he also co-founded the Faith-Based Initiative App.
In 2013, Pastor Graham, his wife, Candice, and their four sons, Jordan, Zach, Carson, and Cooper, moved to Nashville to plant Music City Church. Here, he served as lead pastor until October 2023, when he handed the torch to a faithful friend he’d ordained 16 years prior. Graham is now traveling from coast to coast, working toward his goal to film and speak in every state for his “By the Word” tour.
What’s even more amazing is that before all of this, Graham’s health took a sharp turn, yet he let none of the events that would soon take place define or derail his calling.
“My health battle began in 2012 when I found out I was diabetic,” said Graham. “I started working to get very healthy. After getting off of all of my medications, I was doing really well until I had a heart attack in 2019. Then, six months later, they found a mass in and around my right kidney. The cancer returned the next year in one of my lungs. A few months ago, doctors found cancer in my left kidney, so I am currently going through treatments.”
Graham said he plans to continue to speak, act, and host his podcast in the days ahead, along with expanding his company, Graham Family Films. GN
