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On July 19 Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ and one of the most successful evangelists of the 20th century, died at age 81after a three-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Here, North Carolina state senator Robert Pittenger, who worked as a special assistant to Bright during the 1970s, remembers his remarkable friend and mentor.

It was 1:30 in the morning following my first full week as Dr. Bill Bright's assistant. We had worked from 6:00 A.M. to midnight each day. This week immediately followed Explo '72, a weeklong training conference in Dallas of 85,000 young Christians. I was exhausted. During this very morning, Bill Bright was preparing a message for a breakfast meeting. I could hardly lift my head while attempting to look up verses on spiritual warfare to assist him. Bill looked at me with a sheepish grin and said, "You know, Robert, there is no reason to ever be tired. We have all the resources and the power of God to draw upon." Unconvinced, I responded to my new boss, "You draw on them, brother. I'm going to bed!"

Bill's energy never ceased, because his quest for the Great Commission challenged his every moment. Boldness, with a very respectful and gentle manner, was a dominant trait in his life as he sought to present the gospel.

On one occasion, we met with former Texas governor and presidential candidate John Connally. Following a 20-minute discussion of world affairs, Bill asked Governor Connally if he knew Christ. The Governor, a self-confident man, said, "Dr. Bright, I don't believe in wearing my religion on my sleeve; it's a personal thing." Bill, in a firm but sensitive tone, said, "Governor, Jesus Christ died on the cross for you in a very public way. It wasn't just a private thing to him." Bill then presented the gospel and left material with him on how to know Christ.

Eight months later, the Governor spoke at a major Campus Crusade event, and the first words out of his mouth were, "Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you will not stumble in the darkness.'"

Bill was a master discipler. He would give you responsibility and challenge you far surpassing your personal capabilities. My gratitude for his influence on my life cannot be measured.

Bill established a worldwide ministry with an annual budget of $400 million and a staff of 26,000. He helped release the Jesus film around the world in more than 1,000 languages. Countless lives were changed as a result of his goal to impact the world for Christ. Still, he left behind virtually no earthly possessions. God entrusted great things to him because Bill was a true slave of Christ.

My last conversation with Bill happened to be 12 days before he went to be with the Lord. I was in my State Senate office in Raleigh. He called to say goodbye, to tell me he loved me and that he was expecting God to do great things. Bill was praising God, positive and encouraging to everyone, until the moment he went on to see his Savior.
—Senator Robert Pittenger

Visit Campus Crusade for Christ's Bill Bright memorial site at billbright.ccci.org.

Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Today's Christian magazine (formerly Christian Reader).
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