Michael Richardson - Amazing Faith: The Authorized Biography of Bill Bright, Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ

A MAZING F AITH
P UBLISHED BY W ATERBROOK P RESS
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Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version (KJV) unless otherwise indicated. Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All used by permission. All rights reserved. All italics in Scripture quotations are the authors.

eISBN: 978-0-307-56511-2

Copyright 2000 by Michael Richardson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

v3.1

To my family, elders and youngers,
and the One who keeps us together.

I first met Bill Bright in Los Angeles in the spring of 1949 where he was planning major events for the advancement of the gospel. He was a visionary then and he still is. Over the years, Ruth and I have enjoyed beautiful and strategic times together with Vonette and Bill. Often, in international leadership circles, theirs have been the hands who held high the Christians challenge to fulfill the Great Commission in our lifetime. I do believe if that is fulfilled, it will be due in significant measure to the vision and obedience of Bill Bright.

I was so pleased he received the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion. It recognizes Bills worldwide impact on the hearts and minds, not only of young people but also of political leaders, executives, and persons of influence from all walks of life.

I know Bill did not seek this book. He is a humble man of God. The author said it took four years to persuade Bill just to begin the project. But it is a good thing that this particular record of the acts of the Holy Spirit in modern days has been compiled to encourage the next group of leaders to help communicate the gospel to the world.

This account can only tell part of what God has done through the heart and mind of Bill Bright. Its a little bit like John the Beloved said: No book could contain the whole of the Lords work, in this case, through the Brights and their thousands of trained staff and volunteers across scores of nations of the world.

Let me add my challenge to the one implicit in this book: If God could so grip the heart of Bill Bright to see the gospel preached to all the nations in one mans lifetime, why cannot He do so with you? Let this mans story put you in greater touch with the Greatest One of all history, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let Him make you another who would join Bill Bright in helping change the world for Christs sake!

Billy Graham
Montreat, North Carolina

O n a brilliant May day in London in 1996, a former American businessman stood in Buckingham Palace as Prince Philip placed a silver medallion around his neck. He was neither athlete nor statesman nor general. He was a diminutive man from Oklahoma and something of a curiosity of the moment. In the China Room of the palace, the prince said, Tell me about your journey.

But neither the man nor his wife could tell the tale. Time did not permit to explain how a young couple in 1951 made a radical change in their careers and proceeded to build an organization operating across the world. The story of Bill and Vonette Bright reaches from the prairie of Oklahoma to the palace of Queen Elizabeth to the provinces of every continent. It is the story of a couple whose vision and touch have been felt in the hearts of leaders in the nations capitals, of students on campus, and of youths on a beach.

It is a trail of tears, squabbles, perils, setbacks, frustrations, numerous critics, and a few painful messes. His is no rocketed career, but a winding road, full of terrible traps and heartaches as well as successes that seem to belong in the Ripleys Believe It or Not collection. Virtually every big idea he has had was opposed in his own ranks, criticized by religionists, and scorned by secular mockers.

It would be difficult to name another individual whose contribution to the spiritual progress and growth of mankind can be more suitably described as original, innovative, and dramatically effective, wrote Dr. James C. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, in a letter regarding the Templeton Prize.

Every time I am with him he has a new idea, another way to advance the cause of religion and the Christian faith in the world, said Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship.

Bill is a gentleman who has for a lifetime exemplified personal integrity and lived out moral values which govern his life, commented Ted W. Engstrom, president emeritus of World Vision.

There is no one else I know in this world who has lived the Spirit-filled life so consistently, observed former Dallas Cowboys football coach Tom Landry.

Bill Bright has an ingenious way of seeing a need and finding Gods way to fill it, said U.S. Senate Chaplain Lloyd John Ogilvie.

Within days after being in a royal palace in London, Bill Bright was in his native Coweta, Oklahoma, wearing a guayabera and serving tables at a family reunion.

In 1951, Bill began signing his letters, Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission in this generation. Where did he get that idea? How did he expect to be a part of such a program? Small plans cannot enflame the minds of men, he says. After serving with Bill Bright for forty-six years, one of his ministry associates, Roe Brooks, described him with these words: He cares enough to cry, and he cares enough to try.