Stars Turn Out for Billy Graham’s 95th Birthday Bash

The “pastor to presidents” will host Bill Clinton, Sarah Palin and Donald Trump among his 700 party guests Thursday night

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Nell Redmond / AP

In this Dec. 20, 2010 file photo, evangelist Billy Graham speaks to the media at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association headquarters in Charlotte, N.C.

Iconic evangelist Billy Graham turned 95 on Thursday, but his age hasn’t stopped him from throwing a star-studded birthday gala to celebrate.

Among the 700 guests set to attend the party in Asheville, North Carolina, are President Clinton, Sarah Palin, Pastor Rick Warren and Rupert Murdoch.  Graham is not expected to speak at the event but he will unveil the latest segment in his video ministry “The Cross,” which his son said would be Graham’s “last message” to the nation Thursday, The Asheville Citizen Times reports.

Graham established a reputation as perhaps the most high-profile Christian evangelist of the 20th century, preaching to some 215 million people in 185 countries in a career spanning more than six decades. Beginning with Harry Truman, Graham became known as a bipartisan spiritual guide to America’s commanders in chief, earning him the title “pastor to presidents.” Graham’s wife Ruth died in 2007. Though slowed down significantly—his last signature “crusade” appearance was in New York in 2005—Graham is still active, his son says. He starts the day at 7 a.m. with a cup of coffee, watches the news and has breakfast. Then he retires for a nap.

[The Asheville Citizen Times]