Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993)

Norman graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and became one of the most influential ministers of the 20th century.

In 1922 Norman was ordained into the Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC). He was pastor in 3 churches over the next 10 years…

He then left MEC in 1932 and joined the Dutch Reform Church (DFC). He became the minister at Marble Collegiate Church, a Reformed Church of America, in New York City (1932-1984). In those 52 years the congregation increased from 600 to 5,000.

He became known for his dynamic and energetic sermons. he preached an optimist message that many Americans accepted during such trying events as the Great Depression, WW11, the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movment. At the height of his popularity 750, 000 received his sermons through the post once a month.

In 1935 he started a radio programme The Art of Living which lasted for 54 years and was one of the most popular broadcasts in the USA for nearly 50 years. Under sponsorship of the National Council of Churches he moved into television. Both were broadcast across the USA.

In 1945 he began to publish a weekly magazine Guideposts. It was founded by Norman. his wife Ruth and Raymond Thornburg. The magazine printed positive stories of people achieving their dreams. In 2005, 4 million subscribed to the magazine. It was ranked 13th most popular journal in the USA

He published 46 books. His most popular book was The Power of Positive Thinking (1952) was bought by 2+million, stayed on the best seller list for 186 consecutive weeks, but It also brought controversy.
( Read American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry and Theological critique)

Norman founded a number of organizations.- The Horatio Alger Association --with Kenneth Beebe, the Peale Center, The Positive Thinking foundation and the Guidepost Publications.

In 1968 he married Julie Nixon and David Eisenhower.
In 1984 President Reagan awarded Norman the Presidential Medal for Freedom for his contribution to Theology.
Growing up Donald Trump attended his church. Donald married his first wife Ivana there.

Norman died of a stroke on 24th December 1993, aged 95, in Pawling , New York.

Through the media of radio and television broadcasts Norman preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ across the USA for 50 years. He also put pen to paper - 46 books - to explain his ideas. Through Guideposts he encouraged others to think positively about themselves.

Sources used
Ohio History Central
wikipedia