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Regular prayer meetings, deep cuts (including canceling the ministry's popular radio program), as well as years of tight budgets helped the company get out of debt. "In the early days of World Vision," Engstrom recalled at an organization gathering in 2001, "we were bankrupt. I would call for a prayer meeting, and we would pray from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. And then in the morning, God provided the exact amount we needed."

After Bob Pierce resigned as president in 1966, the World Vision board offered Engstrom the position. He declined, saying he did not want to be seen as ousting Pierce, who was then having spiritual and emotional problems. When asked again in 1984, Engstrom accepted and served as president for two years.

Engstrom's influence on the evangelical movement has been widespread. "Ted both led and mentored others year after year after year," said Myra. He served as a board member for numerous organizations, including Focus on the Family (where he was featured on a broadcast last month), the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, and Taylor University.

Engstrom was named layman of the year by the National Association of Evangelicals in 1970. He also received awards from the Republic of Korea, the International School of Theology, the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, and the National Religious Broadcasters Association.

Celebrating his 90th birthday at World Vision this year, Engstrom said, "Whenever the Lord calls, I'm ready. I'm not only ready, I'm eager. I'll have all eternity to celebrate God's goodness and grace."

Engstrom, who attended Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena for more than 40 years, is survived by his three children, Gordon, Don, and Jo Ann. His wife, Dorothy, died in 2005. Plans for a memorial service and funeral are pending.

Christianity Today International executive chairman and CEO Harold Myra on Ted Engstrom:

Ted has had a profound impact on generations of leaders. For instance, in 1961, he sought me out in Pennsylvania to recruit me for what became Campus Life magazine. In 1975, when I joined Christianity Today, he wrote me a letter of wise counsel. When we launched Leadership, he not only gave us good insights but for decades sent substantial critiques of each issue. During these past months before his death we've had lively and fruitful correspondence on leadership issues. Ted both led and mentored others year after year after year.

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World Vision's obituary is available from the organization's website.

Many of Engstrom's books, including Reflections on a Pilgrimage and his new book (with Paul Cedar), Compassionate Leadership, are still in print.

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July (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50