“Your last name is Graham? Wait— you’re not related to Christian Graham are you?” I couldn’t tell you how many times a conversation of mine with another Kent Islander has started with that phrase. Perhaps you’ve seen one of his magic shows. Perhaps you or a loved one were one of the hundreds of children and adolescents who were impacted by his youth ministry on the island through Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church. Or perhaps you’ve been the recipient of a piece of advice from his vast knowledge on plants native to Maryland. Few people on Kent Island have had as large an impact on individuals and families as Christian Graham.
A former professional magician and landscape designer, Christian became the youth pastor at Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church shortly after its founding in 1998. In over 20 years of ministry at Safe Harbor, Christian has deeply impacted the lives of hundreds of teens and families on the island, hosting upwards of 60 kids at his own home on a weekly basis, attending countless sporting events, leading numerous Bible studies over the years, and organizing youth retreats and events for hundreds of kids at once. During the worst of the lockdowns in 2020, Christian even opened his home to youth who were lonely and isolated and to adolescents who were struggling with suicidal ideation.
Often after being asked if I am related to Christian Graham (and the answer is yes, he’s my dad), I have been told things like, “I was alone and abandoned even by my family. Your dad is the only one who stuck with me,” or “My son would probably have committed suicide if not for your dad,” or “He did a magic show for my fifth birthday! I’ll never forget that!”
I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone who loves difficult and needy people quite like my father does. Nor anyone who’s willing to drop everything and inconvenience himself for the sake of a complete stranger. Nor anyone who more closely models the joyfulness and love of Jesus Christ seen in the Gospels. In the last year, Christian has started a new job with an organization called seeJesus Ministries, though he is still working in youth ministry at Safe Harbor. The goal of seeJesus Ministries is for people to see the beauty of the person of Jesus Christ and to become more like him as they encounter him more deeply.
As I reflect on my dad and his impact on the community on Kent Island, I’m convinced that the reason he loves people the way he does is not that he’s just a really great guy (though of course I think he is); but rather it is because he himself has encountered the beauty of Jesus and been transformed by him. I don’t think you can love like that without first having your nature changed, and my dad is living proof.
If you want to know more about how to love people like that, you can read more in the link below. You can also support Christian’s work and contribute to the impact he is having on the community of Kent Island by visiting the DONATE page at seejesus.net; https://www.seejesus.net/blog/beauty-gospel-jesus.
Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church
Youth Ministry
–High School Group – Gather each Sunday at 5:30pm at the home of Christian Graham, 443-988-1767.
–Wyldlife Group – For middle schoolers led by Bobby (443-871-7523) & Brooks (410-490-1069) Davidson, meeting on first Friday of each month.
–Middle School – Every Monday, 6:30-8:30pm in church gym.
–Youth Ministry – Safe Harbor’s Youth ministry program strives to guide children in their walk with Christ through fellowship and fun activities.
–Apr 29 – SPRING CAR SHOW family event w/music, food trucks, $10 show car entry. Benefits Haven Ministries. 10am-2pm. To participate contact Larry Bauer, larryb.fixd@gmail.com.
–June 26-30 – VICTORY JAM Middle School Retreat for grades 6-8. 9am-4pm. $385. Location: Harvey Cedars Conference Center, NJ. Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church. www.safeharborpca.org/events.
–July 24 – VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 9am-12N. Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church. www.safeharborpca.org.