Bill Bright: The gospel for "every living person"



One of the outstanding evangelists of the 20th century lost his battle with pulmonary fibrosis on July 19. Campus Crusade for Christ founder William R. "Bill" Bright, 81, died at his home in Orlando, Florida.

Bright, diagnosed in 2000 with the progressive lung disease, said in a letter just before his death that the past two years had been among his most productive. They included writing, editing, producing teaching videos, and cofounding a global network aimed at starting 5 million house churches.

"It is a win-win situation for me," Bright wrote of his impending death. "If I go, I will be with my wonderful Lord, whom I have served for almost 60 years. If I stay, I will be able to joyously serve him even more."

Bright's survivors include his wife, two sons, one sister, one brother, and four grandchildren.

Bill and Vonette Bright founded Campus Crusade in 1951 as an outreach to the campus of the University of California at Los Angeles. Today Campus Crusade works in 191 nations, with 26,000 employees and 225,000 trained volunteers in 60 ministries.

Bright's booklet, "The Four Spiritual Laws," has been printed in 200 languages and distributed to an estimated 2.5 billion people. He also commissioned the Jesus film, which has been translated into more than 800 languages and seen by more people than any other feature-length film.

Steve Douglass assumed leadership of Orlando-based Campus Crusade in 2001. Bright's emphasis on training revolutionized evangelism and gave laypeople the tools to spread the gospel, Douglass said.

Formerly a hard-driving entrepreneur, Bright turned his attention to presenting the love and claims of Jesus Christ to "every living person on earth." In 1996 Bright received the $1 million Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion. He donated the money to projects supporting the spiritual benefits of fasting and prayer.

"He has carried a burden on his heart as few men that I've ever known," longtime friend Billy Graham said in a statement, "a burden for the evangelization of the world."

• Ken Walker



See the October issue of CT for more remembrances of Bill Bright.

Related Elsewhere



Previous Christianity Today coverage of Bright includes:

Weblog: Campus Crusade for Christ Founder Bill Bright Dies at 81 | Former "happy pagan" went on to form one of the largest and most efficient parachurch ministries in the world. (July 21, 2003)
Bill Bright's Benediction | "As long as I have breath, I will praise and serve the Lord," the evangelist wrote earlier this month. (July 21, 2003)
Article continues below
Bright Unto the End | In the face of retirement and death, the founder of Campus Crusade says his spirit still soars. (October 12, 2001)
Bill Bright Announces Retirement | Current veep Stephen Douglass to lead Campus Crusade for Christ in July 2001. (July 20, 2000)
Bill Bright's Wonderful Plan for the World | Evangelicalism's power couple closes in on their radical mission. (July 14, 1997)
CT Classic: 'I'm Only Doing What God Told Me to Do' | The founder of Campus Crusade for Christ talks about America's moral disintegration, Christians in politics, and his hopes for the "greatest spiritual awakening in the history of the world." (September 24, 1976)
CT Classic: Campus Crusade Into All the World | Bill Bright leads a spiritual revolution. (June 9, 1972)
* * *


Paul Brand: 'Humility, gratitude, and adventure.'



Missionary surgeon Paul Brand, 89, died July 8 in Seattle from complications related to a subdural hematoma following a fall. Brand was credited with breakthroughs in research and treatments of leprosy, and his medical achievements and writing earned him international acclaim.

The son of missionary parents, Brand was born in southwestern India in 1914. Brand met his wife, Margaret, at London University, and the two surgeons returned to Vellore, India, in 1946 to teach at the Christian Medical College and Hospital.

There Brand pioneered surgical work with those suffering from the bacterial infection known as Hansen's disease. He was the first to use reconstructive surgery to correct leprous deformities in the hands and feet, and his discoveries allowed many to avoid incurring deformities.

Later chief of rehabilitation at the U.S. Public Health Service's national leprosarium, Brand wrote seven books—three with Christianity Today's editor at large, Philip Yancey—and one hundred scientific papers.

"My active life is mostly behind me," Brand wrote in his 1998 book, God's Forever Feast. "I pray that my life and the principles that God has helped me to live by will continue to influence young lives."

Yancey called Brand a father figure and the most brilliant—and humble—man he ever knew.

"Dr. Brand lived as full and rich a life as anyone I know, combining humility, gratitude, and a grand sense of adventure," Yancey told CT. "I count it a high privilege to have spent so much time with a true servant of Christ, and to have had some role in bringing his thoughts and life to light through the books we wrote together."

Article continues below

• KW



Related Elsewhere



Previous articles about or by Paul Brand in Christianity Today include:

Noted Surgeon and Author Paul Brand Dies at Age 89 | Connected his pioneering work with leprosy and his missionary faith. (July 10, 2003)
A Surgeon's View of Divine Healing | Do doctors waste their time by doing slowly and painstakingly what could have been done in the twinkling of an eye? (November 25, 1983)
Blood, Part 1: The Miracle of Cleansing | We moderns are repelled by the thought of blood cleansing, but biologically and spiritually the precious liquid does exactly that. (February 18, 1983)
Blood, Part 2: The Miracle of Life | A well-known surgeon talks about that miraculous red river within us as an emblem of life. (March 4, 1983)
Blood, Part 3: Life in the Blood | If Jesus had been born in the twentieth century, would he have chosen the image of transfusion for his forgiveness, love, and healing? (March 18, 1983)
God's Astounding Laws of Nature | "I like to think of God as developing his skills," said Dr. Paul Brand. Interviewed by Philip Yancey (December 1, 1978)
The Scars of Easter | He knows the wounds of humanity. His hands prove it. (April 5, 1985)
A Handful of Mud | Soil is life. Can we preserve it for future generations? (April 16, 1985)
* * *


Larry Burkett: 'Trusting God is the answer.'



Financial adviser Larry Burkett, credited with helping create finance sections in Christian bookstores, succumbed to heart trouble on July 4.

Burkett, 64, of Gainesville, Georgia, hosted three syndicated programs that aired on more than 1,000 radio stations. He also wrote more than 70 books.

His final release, Nothing to Fear, stemmed from a protracted battle with kidney cancer. In it, he advised: "Trusting God is the answer. He will never let you down."

Burkett founded Christian Financial Concepts in 1976. It grew to 130 employees before its merger with Crown Financial Ministries three years ago.

Burkett, a former electrical engineer, inspired millions to apply biblical principles to financial management, said Howard Dayton, Crown's CEO. After the merger, Dayton saw Burkett exhibit integrity, character, and faith.

"It was a pleasant confirmation that here was a humble, godly man who did not seek notoriety for himself," Dayton said.

• KW



Related Elsewhere



Previous Christianity Today articles about Larry Burkett include:

What Larry Burkett Knew About Healing and Death | The financial guru died last week—but not of the kidney cancer he fought for seven years. (July 9, 2003)
When Burkett Speaks, Evangelicals Listen | How this former unbelieving electrical engineer became evangelicalism's financial answer man—and a look at the advice he gives. (June 12, 2000)
Article continues below

Related Elsewhere



Previous Christianity Today coverage of Bright includes:

Weblog: Campus Crusade for Christ Founder Bill Bright Dies at 81 | Former "happy pagan" went on to form one of the largest and most efficient parachurch ministries in the world. (July 21, 2003)
Bill Bright's Benediction | "As long as I have breath, I will praise and serve the Lord," the evangelist wrote earlier this month. (July 21, 2003)
Bright Unto the End | In the face of retirement and death, the founder of Campus Crusade says his spirit still soars. (October 12, 2001)
Bill Bright Announces Retirement | Current veep Stephen Douglass to lead Campus Crusade for Christ in July 2001. (July 20, 2000)
Bill Bright's Wonderful Plan for the World | Evangelicalism's power couple closes in on their radical mission. (July 14, 1997)
CT Classic: 'I'm Only Doing What God Told Me to Do' | The founder of Campus Crusade for Christ talks about America's moral disintegration, Christians in politics, and his hopes for the "greatest spiritual awakening in the history of the world." (September 24, 1976)
CT Classic: Campus Crusade Into All the World | Bill Bright leads a spiritual revolution. (June 9, 1972)

Related Elsewhere



Previous articles about or by Paul Brand in Christianity Today include:

Noted Surgeon and Author Paul Brand Dies at Age 89 | Connected his pioneering work with leprosy and his missionary faith. (July 10, 2003)
A Surgeon's View of Divine Healing | Do doctors waste their time by doing slowly and painstakingly what could have been done in the twinkling of an eye? (November 25, 1983)
Blood, Part 1: The Miracle of Cleansing | We moderns are repelled by the thought of blood cleansing, but biologically and spiritually the precious liquid does exactly that. (February 18, 1983)
Blood, Part 2: The Miracle of Life | A well-known surgeon talks about that miraculous red river within us as an emblem of life. (March 4, 1983)
Blood, Part 3: Life in the Blood | If Jesus had been born in the twentieth century, would he have chosen the image of transfusion for his forgiveness, love, and healing? (March 18, 1983)
God's Astounding Laws of Nature | "I like to think of God as developing his skills," said Dr. Paul Brand. Interviewed by Philip Yancey (December 1, 1978)
The Scars of Easter | He knows the wounds of humanity. His hands prove it. (April 5, 1985)
A Handful of Mud | Soil is life. Can we preserve it for future generations? (April 16, 1985)

Related Elsewhere



Previous Christianity Today articles about Larry Burkett include:

What Larry Burkett Knew About Healing and Death | The financial guru died last week—but not of the kidney cancer he fought for seven years. (July 9, 2003)
When Burkett Speaks, Evangelicals Listen | How this former unbelieving electrical engineer became evangelicalism's financial answer man—and a look at the advice he gives. (June 12, 2000)

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