MOULTRIE, Ga. — Following the passing of the Rev. Billy Graham Wednesday morning, community members voiced their thoughts on the beloved pastor.

Often referred to as America’s most prominent Christian leader, Graham left a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.

Wayne Woods, pastor of First Baptist Church of Moultrie, said that Graham began to impact his life years ago and is an individual many others should aspire to be like.

“I think any and all of us who are Christians, feel like we owe a great debt to a man who lived as faithfully and consistently as any public Christian figure I’ve ever known in my lifetime,” Woods said.

Woods said Graham was able to maintain a “laser like” focus on the gospel and did not allow himself to be distracted by other issues.

“His sense of calling and the platform that God gave him was to be an evangelist with a simple message for people that didn’t know the Lord,” Woods said. “I don’t think that there is a better example of what a Christian preacher should be focused on than what he gave us.”

Woods said that even when he was a young teenager, Graham had already begun to have an impact on his life.

“I can remember attending a crusade when I was in high school which was a significant part of my life,” Woods said. “I’m sure there are people in my congregation that can attribute their salvation to Billy Graham also.”

Other people reached out to The Observer by Facebook with their thoughts on the late minister. Sharon Turner of Pavo attributed her daughter’s salvation to Graham.

“We were honored to have attended a crusade where one our children accepted Jesus as her personal savior,” Turner wrote in a Facebook post. “We enjoyed every minute, even walking what seems like miles to get to the stadium.”

Jack Massey of Lawrenceville, Ga., wrote, “I loved it when he would step out from behind the pulpit, open the Bible in his left hand, gesture to it with his right hand, and say, ‘and the Bible says.’”

“I can assure you that there is much rejoicing in heaven today,” Woods said. “…There are no real regrets.”

A memorial page for the late Billy Graham can be found at memorial.billygraham.org.