Isaac was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England. His father was in prison at the time because of his nonconformist sympathies - he was eventually released. Young Isaac showed genius early. He was learning Latin by the age of 4, Greek at 9, French by 11 and Hebrew by 13. The fact that his father was a nonconformist meant that his bright child could not go to either Oxford or Cambridge university. At 16 he went to study at the Dissenting Academy at Stoke Newington, London (1690- 4). After graduation he spent the next 2 years at home. During this time the bulk of the Hymns and Spiritual Songs ( eventually published in 1707-9) were written and sung from manuscripts in the Southampton chapel. He spent the next 6 years as tutor to the son of Sir John Hartopp. During this time he began to accumulate theological and philosophical materials which he published subsequently. Isaac preached his first sermon when he was 24. In 1699 Isaac was appointed assistant minister of London’s Mark Lane Independent chapel - then one of the city’s most influential independent churches. In March 1702 he became full pastor. Apparently he was an inspiring preacher. His first collection of hymns and sacred lyrics was *Horae Lyricae *(1706). In 1703 he began to suffer from a psychiatric illness which would plague him for the rest of his life. 1712 a fever chattered his constitution. His illness and unsightly appearance took its toll. His 5 foot, pale, skinny frame was topped by a disproportionately over sized head. He had to pass off more and more of his work to Mr Samuel Price, his assistant. He resigned in 1712. He accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney at Abney Park- intending to stay a week . At Sir Thomas’ request it became his home for the rest of his life. He preached whenever his delicate health would permit and he continued to write. Besides using Psalms and writing hymns he wrote religious songs especially for children Divine Songs for the Use of Children (1719). He also wrote educational books on geography, astronomy, grammar and philosophy which were widely used throughout the 18th century. The hymns he wrote include When I Survey the Wondrous Cross , Our God, Our Help in Ages Past, Jesus Shall Reign It is as a writer of psalms and hymns that he is known everywhere. Some of his hymns were written to be sung after his sermon, giving expression to the meaning of the text upon which he had preached. Isaac died on 25th November 1748. he was buried in the Puritan resting place at Bunhill Fields, BUT a monument was erected to him in Westminster Abbey. Montgomery calls Isaac the greatest name among hymn writers and the honour can hardly be disputed. His published hymns number more than 800. Sources used Britannia Online Encyclopedia Chritianity Today Hymnary.org

Rev. Dr. John Rippon was an English Baptist Minister. In 1787 he published an important hymnal A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, Intended to Be an Appendix toDr. Watts’ Psalms and Hymns - commonly known as * Rippon’s Selection* He was pastor to the Tabernacle Fellowship, which now meets at The Metropolitan Tabernacle, for 63 years. John Rippon was born at Tiverton, Devonshire, England. Aged about 16 he was called by divine grace to follow Jesus. Aged 17 he attended Bristol baptist College. At the close of his preparatory course he was invited to supply the pulpit of the particular baptist Church, Carter Lane, Tooley Street London left vacant after the death of eminent and venerable pastor the Rev. Dr. John Gill. John had neither the talents nor the learning of his predecessor but he was bold, witty and ready in speech. His preaching was lively, affectionate and impressive Having preached for a year on trial he was ordained pastor of the church on 11th November 1773. He stayed for the next 63 years. His congregation was the Tabernacle Fellowship which in his time there became the largest Baptist congregation in the land. Today it is the famous The Metropolitan Tabernacle. (See ‘Brief History’) Rippon’s Selection was very successful- reprinted 27 times in over 200,000 copies. He was considered to be the foremost authority on the hymns of Isaac Watts. He wrote several other guides about Watts - 1773, 1774, 1801 and 1816. He also published a considerable number of sermons, discourses and addresses. For 12 years he edited the Baptist Annual Register. (1790-1802)- this gave the brethren in Europe and American an organ through which they might address each other. John finished his long and useful life on the 17th December 1836. At the time of his death he was working on a book commemorating those buried in London’s Dissenter cemetery, Bunhill Fields , where he himself was buried. Sources used Baptist Quarterly Hymnology Archive How Firm a Foundation The Reformed Reader wikipedia

James served as a Southern Baptist pastor, theologian, author, seminary professor and founder and first president oft the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS). He was born at Charleston, South Carolina. James was educated at Brown University under Francis Wayland, whose evangelical sermons contributed to James conversion. James served as editor of the Southern Baptist when he graduated. In 1849 he then went to Princeton Theological Seminary under Charles Hodge who led James to appreciate Calvinistic theology. He completed the 3 year course in 2 years. He then served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Columbia, South Carolina until 1855 when he was offered the chance to join the faculty at South Carolina’s Furman University (SCFU) as professor of theology. James enjoyed teaching at SCFU but he wanted to begin a Baptist seminary for southerners. In his famous 1856 inaugural address on Three Changes in Theological Education he presented his educational philosophy for a theological school. With the help of fellow southern Baptists he brought his vision to life - Southern Seminary (SS) opened in Greenville in 1859. For nearly 30 years years he served SS 's as defacto president. He proved himself to be a skillful fund-raiser and administrator. He finally took the title in 1888- the year he died.His talent as an executive fostered competition for his talents but he stayed at SS. He taught theology from 1859 until 1888. He wrote a catechism and a book Abstract of systematic Theology (1887). The book was used for many years in the department. He led a Sunday School class at Broadway Baptist church and served as president for Southern Baptist Convention (1872-9 and 1888). In 1888 he became ill and he took the opportunity to recover in Europe. His heart lifted when he met Charles Spurgeon. Reports indicated James was suffering from gout and while travelling his condition worsened and became fatal. He died in Pau, France on 28th December 1888. James’ legacy lives onto this day through the seminary he devoted his life to establishing and preserving. - Our Presidents Sources used Amazon Southern Seminary wikipedia

Charles Hodge was a leader of the ‘Princeton School’ of Reformed or Calvinist theology, and the principal of Princeton Theological Seminary (1851-78). He was a conservative American biblical scholar and one of the greatest defenders of historical Calvinism in the USA during the 19th century. His theology was based on traditional beliefs. Charles spent most of his adult life at Princeton University. Time Line 1812 Charles matriculated from College of New Jersey (now Princeton University (PU) 1814-5 Revival came to the PU in the winter 1815 he graduated and made a public profession of faith by joining the Presbyterians 1816 entered the theological seminary in PU. 1820 appointed teacher at PU in May 1821 he is ordained into the ministry 1822 became professor of Biblical and Oriental Literature 17th June marries Sarah Bache 1825 founded the * Biblical Repertory * 1826-8 abroad attending lectures in Europe 1840 chair of exegetical and didactic 1851-78 principal of PU 72 24th April Jubilee and Celebration of 50 years with PU 78 died 19th June Charles wrote copiously from the beginning to the end of his theological career, His master work, the 3 volume Systematic Theology was an unashamed defence of the tenets of the Presbyterian church. (See ‘Thought and works’) He founded the Biblical Repertory ( later the Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review) in 1825 and remained editor and principal contributor for 43 years - the year he died. He contributed nearly 150 articles to the journal. In the 1830s he had supported slavery; by 1846 he became convinced that slavery was wrong. He publically deno He educated more than 3,000 ministers of the Gospel. He achieved distinction as a teacher, as a critical interpreter, preacher, and systematic theologian At conferences he spoke with clearness and logical precision but with spontaneity and tenderness. At the 1872, 50 year Jubilee celebrations 400 of his own pupils, colleagues and representatives from various theological institutes assembled to honour him. Congratulations arrived from across the globe. Devotion to Christ was foremost in his experience, and it was the test by which he judged the experiences of others. Charles died on 19th June 1878 in Princeton. He had enjoyed old age surrounded by his children and grandchildren. To his daughter he said, Dearest don’t weep. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. To be with the Lord is to see him. To see the Lord is to be like him. Source used American Theology

William was an English poet and hymnodist. He was one of the most popular poets of his time. He changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. I have just concentrated on his life as a hymnodist, William was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. His father John Cowper was the rector of St. Peter’s church. He lost his mother 6 years later when she died giving birth to his brother John. He went to Westminster school in 1742. He was a Latin scholar. In 1750 he began to study law. He was then articled to Mr. Chapman, a solicitor, to be trained as a lawyer. He was called to the bar in 1754 and took chambers in London’s Middle Temple. By this time he was beginning to show signs of the mental instability which would plague him for the rest of his life. In 1763 he was offered a Clerkship of Journals in the House of Lords but broke under the strain of the approaching examinations. He tried 3 times to commit suicide and was confined for 18 months to Nathaniel Cotton’s asylum at St. Albans for 18 months. He was troubled by religious doubts and fears and persistently dreaming of his predestined damnation. On recovery religion provided the comfort for William’s convalescence. He went to Huntingdon where he lodged with Rev. Morley Unwin, his wife Mary and their small family. Morley in 1767 died in a riding accident and they moved to Olney in Buckinghamshire. In Olney the curate, John Newton, encouraged William in a life of practical evangelism . That failed as his doubt and melancholy returned. But William and John collaborated on a book of religious verse- Olney Hymns - which was eventually published in 1779. This included Praise for the Fountain Opened, and Light shining out of darkness. 1773 William experienced another attack of insanity. When he recovered the following year his religious fervour was gone. Poetry and Hymns, in my opinion, are closely linked. Inspiration for both can come from loved ones. 50 years after his mother’s death he wrote* On the Receipt of My Mother’s Picture. * In his student days he became engaged to his cousin Theodora Cowper. Mary Unwin helped him recover from his illness and they became very close after her husband’s death. A further relapse into near madness in 1773 put paid to the idea of marriage. In 1781 Lady Austen, a charming widow, inspired William to write new poetry. In 1786 he became close to Lady Harriet Hesketh - Theodora’s sister. William was seized with dropsy in the spring of 1800 and he died on the 25th of April. He was buried in the chapel of St. Thomas of Canterbury. There are stained glass windows in East Dereham and in St. Peter’s Berkhamsted. Robert Southey between 1835-7 edited William’s 15 volumes of writings. William Cowper is considered one of the best writers of English and some of his hymns have become part of the heritage of English churches. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia Wikipedia

Merrill Chaplin Tenney was an American professor of New Testament and Greek and author of several books. He was general editor of the Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary and served on the original translation team of the New American Standard Bible. Merrill was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts. He earned diploma (1924), Th.B (1927), A.M. (1930), and a Ph.D. (1944). He married Helen Margaret Jaderquist (1904-78) in 1930. He served as pastor of Storrs Avenue Baptist Church, in Braintree, Massachusetts (1926-8) at the same time as teaching at Gordon College while he was still a student there. He joined the faculty after graduation and was professor of New Testament and Greek until 1944 when he moved to Wheaton College. From 1947-1971 he was dean of the graduate school. In 1951 he became the second president of the Evangelical Theological Society. In 1975 a volume of essays entitled Current Issues in Biblical and patristic Interpretation was published in his honour. He retired in 1977 but continued teaching as professor emeritus until 1982. Under Selected Works 8 books are mentioned and under Articles and Chapters 8 are mentioned. Merrill died in Wheaton on March 18th, 1985.

Dr Paul is an Indian evangelical preacher, Chancellor of the Karunya Institute of Technology and Science (deemed to be University) -which he owns and an operator of the Jesus Calls ministry He operates Rainbow TV an evangelical channel. In 2003 he established Samiti for Education Education Environment Social and health Action (SEESHA). Evangeline, his wife, ministers by his side powerfully with grace and compassion for the millions. Dr. Paul received his B.Sc. degree at Loyola College. From Madras University he received a MBA and a Ph.D, degree in marketing. His journey of faith began when he accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal saviour when he was 18. He dedicated his life to serve people. His mission has touched millions positively. He heads The Jesus Calls Ministry where he along with his family and team conduct Prayer Festivals across India, having the profound impact of gathering up to 500,000 during each service. 126 Prayer Towers, under his leadership, have been established across the world where nearly 500,000 call for prayer each month. Nearly 20,000 prayer intercessors , from 12 countries have been trained personally by Paul. The Jesus Calls telecasts 400 programmes a month in 10 languages across the globe.He and his family bring hope and encouragement to 10 million people social media alone. At the Karunya Institute of Technology, ranked in the top 50 institutes in India, 8,000 students are studying.(27,000 have graduated). In 2003 he established SEESHA. In the lst 17 years it has brought hope and care to 3.5 million individuals - it is a humanitarian outreach mission. It works in 42 of the poorest communities in remote tribal, rural and urban slum areas to improve people’s standard of living and quality of life. (Read in full the SEESHA information) He conducts special prayer meetings to seek the Lord’s blessing for the Government in each State of India. God is using Dr. Paul mightily in His service. Many thirsty souls are being drawn close to God because of Dr. Paul’s Prayer and Ministry. Sources used Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Jesus Calls Ministries

Augustus Montague Toplady was an Anglican cleric and hymn writer. He is best remembered as the author of the hymn ‘Rock of Ages’. Augustus was born in Farnham, Surrey, England. His father Richard, who was probably Irish, was a major in the Royal Marines. He fought in the War of Jenkin’s Ear (1739-42) and died most likely from yellow fever. This meant his mother, Catherine, raised the boy alone. They moved to Westminster and he attended the local school from 1750-55. They moved to Ireland where he attended Trinity College, Dublin. August 1755 Augustus heard a sermon preached by James Morris in a barn in Codymain, co. Wexford . The text was Ephesians ch 2 v 13 *But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who were sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. He remembered this sermon when he received his effectual calling from God. Having under gone his conversion under the preaching of a Methodist preacher he initially followed John Wesley in supporting Arminianism. Aged 18 he read other material by Thomas Manton and Jerome Zanchius which convinced him that Calvinism was correct. (See Calvinism - Arminian debate etc. sheets) 1759 Augustus, aged 19, published his first book Poems of Sacred Subjects. 1760 graduated from Trinity College and returned to Westminster. John Gill encouraged him to publish his translation of Jerome Zanchius’ work on predestination. 1762 ordained as an Anglican deacon and appointed curate at Blagdon in the Mendip Hills in Somerset. 1763 wrote Rock of Ages. 1764 ordained priest. In 1766 he becomes the incumbent, through simony (bought by the church), of Harpford and Venn Ottery, 2 villages in Devon. He moves to the Devon village of Broadhembury where he stays until his death in 1778 -but from 1775 he has leave of absence. The Calvinist controversy went on for 9 years (1768-78). Augustus Toplady v John Wesley. Arminianism v Calvinism. Was the Church of England historically Calvinist or Arminian? The debate peaked when Augustus in 1774 when he published his 700 page The Historic Proof of the Doctrinal Calvinism of the Church of England. (See’ Calvinist controversialist: 1769-78’) Toplady and Wesley relationship had initially been cordial but it became increasingly bitter. He spent the last 3 years of his life mainly in London. preaching regularly in a French Calvinist(!) chapel in Orange steer, off the Haymarket. His volume of psalms and hymns for Public and private worship were published in 1776. Of the 419 hymns several were written by him. Augustus of died tuberculosis on 11th August 1778. He is buried at Whitefield’s Tabernacle, Tottenham Court Road. Thank you for Rock of Ages He was impulsive, rash-spoken, reckless in misjudgement; but a flame of genuine devoutness burned in the fragile lamp of his overtasked and wasted body. Rev. A.B. Grosart, D.D., LL.D. Sources used 5 minutes in Church History Britannica Online Encyclopedia hymnary.org John Wesley’s Journal wikipedia

The Incredible Disappearing Evangelist was the newspaper headlines in May 1926. She was already a phenomenon before she went missing. Aimee was born in 1890, in Ingersoll, Ontario,Canada, into a religious Methodist family. Her mother was for the ’ tambourine thumping Salvation Army’. She rebelled by reading novels and attending movies. Aimee Semple McPherson (nee Aimee Elizabeth Kennedy) married twice. Aged 17 she married an Irish Pentecostal missionary evangelist Robert J. Semple. They went to China as evangelists. They both caught malaria and Robert died in Hong Kong. A month later she gave birth to Roberta Star. In 1912, while working with her mother and the Salvation Army, she met and married accountant Harold Steward McPherson. After having given birth to Rolf McPherson she felt a sudden calling to preach the Gospel. In 1915 she ran out on him taking the children with her. 1915 was when Aimee gave her first official sermon. it happened at Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada. Right from the start she worked in spiritual healing and encourages speaking in tongues. Under her mother’s management she travelled through the USA and other countries. In 1918 she made her headquarters in Los Angeles. For almost 20 years she preached to large audiences in the Angelus Temple built for her by her followers at a cost of $1.5 million. In 1923 she founded there the The Foursquare Church (Jesus Christ, the saviour, baptizer, Healer, Coming King), seating 5,300 people in Echo Park. She also built what is now known as Life Pacific University close by. She was a flamboyant celebrity in her day, participating in publicity events, such as weekly Sunday parades through the streets of Los Angeles, along with the mayor and movie stars, directly to Angelus Temple. Aimee preached every night at the temple and Sunday services were attended by 1000s of worshipers who were spell bound throughout by extravaganzas that included patriotic and quasi- religious music played by a 50 piece band, prayers and singing all climaxed by a dramatic sermon. Her style was light hearted and whimsical at times, yet she spoke and sang with power and passion. In 1922, In San Diego, more than 30,000 turned up for one of her events. The temple radio station broadcast her services. She published magazines… In May 1926 she disappeared for 5 weeks. The newspapers had a field month putting forward theories and rumors. When she reappeared in Agua Prieta, Sonora, a Mexican town she claimed she had been kidnapped. A judge thought there was enough to charge her but the trial , scheduled for January 1927 never happened.The kidnapping was never solved. In the Service of the King: The Story of my Life is her account of the event She was mocked in the media for my years but the scandal did not diminish her popularity. In 1944 she died of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills. Rolf, her son, took over the reins. Sources Foursquare church Brtitannica wikipedia

Charles Edward Fuller was an American Baptist minister, a radio evangelist - known for his Old Fashioned Revival Hour and one of the co-founders of Fuller Theological Seminary. Charles was born in Los Angeles into a devout Methodist family. As a youth he showed little interest in religious matters. In 1910 he graduated from Pomona College as a chemist and married his high school sweetheart Grace Payton. Between 1910 and 1918 he worked in his father’s citrus packing business in California. He was converted in 1916, under the preaching of Paul Raderand and began to teach an adult Sunday school at Placentia Presbyterian Church in Ls Angeles. He then entered the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIAS) (now Biola University) -where he eventually became chairman. He was initially a Presbyterian but in 1925 he was ordained as a Baptist minister and pastored a group named Calvary church. He held revival meetings down the West Coast of the USA and soon began using radio as a method to get his message out. In 1928 he was drafted in by BIAS as vice-president to find a new dean and president. By 1930 he was regularly broadcasting Calvary Sunday school services as well as Bible programmes in the local area. In 1933 he resigned his pastorship because the time he spent on the radio was in conflict with the time he spent with his church.He formed a nonprofit Gospel Broadcasting Association to support hie radio evangelistic efforts. The Old Fashioned Revival Hour (TORH), (1937-68) a weekly Sunday broadcast. on which he acted as both host and speaker, gained him serious recognition. The first national broadcast was on the Mutual Broadcasting System on 3rd October 1937. The broadcasts were noted for the music, TORH choir, a quartet, an organist and pianist.Those who tuned in heard great hymns sung by a quartet followed by a short message from Charles. Aided by his wife Grace it created a family-like atmosphere . By 1942 he had attracted an audience of !0 million listeners worldwide.In 1951 the programme was carried by ABC Radio network on 650 radio stations. Since 2015 re-broadcasts of TORH are streamed weekly on the Internet. Charles with Harold Ockenga, the pastor of Park Street Church in Boston, founded the Fuller Theological Seminary in 1947. The founders sought to reform fundamentalism’s separatist and sometimes anti-intellectual stance during the1920s-40s. Charles envisaged the seminary would become a* Caltech of the evangelical world * His seminary work was incremental and thoughtful. Charles died on March 18th 1968 shortly after his last TORH. Kraphol and Lippy said his legacy was not appreciated at the time Yet, his organizational skill, his masterful use of the radio medium, his vision for Christian higher education and his willingness to moderate the more divisive aspects of his own fundamentalism background made him a significant force in the development of modern American evangelical ethos.

Jack Leo Van Impe was an American televangelist know for his 30 minute weekly series Jack Van Impe Presents , an eschatological commentary on the news of the week through an interpretation of the Bible. The program was aired both religious broadcasters and the purchasing of paid programming time on commercial television stations. jack was know as the Walking Bible having memorized most of the king James version of the Bible. His wife, Rexella, was co-host on the television ministry. His parents were Belgium immigrants who had moved to Troy. Michigan in 1929 two years before he was born on 9th February 1931. Jack and his father Oscar played the accordion at night clubs. They enjoyed drinking alcoholic beverages together - a European tradition. When Jack was 12, in 1943, both his father and mother, Marie Louise, experienced a conversion experience. A week later Jack walked to the front of church to profess his own faith. Father and son smashed all their bottles of alcoholic beverages. He never drank alcohol again. Oscar became a missionary with a very strong faith and Jack decided to be an evangelist. Together they played their accordions across Michigan and other states. In 1948 Jack graduated from school and entered Detroit Bible institute. He earned his diploma in 1952 and began his career as a preacher, evangelist and extensive recording career. He worked with the Billy Graham crusades. At a Youth for Christ rally with Chuck Ohman he met his future wife, Rexella Mae Shelton. They married on 21st August 1954. In the 1950s he released dozens of Gospel and spoken word recordings. His first album Presenting the Van Impes featured jack on the accordion and Rexelle on the organ. ( He later used an accorgan -a type of electronic accordion.) Together in 1970 they started Jack Van Impe Crusades Inc… They travelled the USA together, performing music and preaching in 130 cities in 10 years, For over 30 years Jack and Rexelle hosted Jack Van Impe Presents - a non profit organization. They offered eschatological (end times) commentary on current affairs he would recall Scripture on his show as he explained his apocalyptic theology before ending each episode with a call for viewers to prepare for the end by accepting Christ as their Lord and Saviour The television ministry, started in 1980, ran into financial trouble in 1984. It was relaunched in 1988 on TBN. In the new show Rexelle performed a piece of music, chatted with her husband, then Jack would bring up contemporary headlines and explain their prophetic significance. In the mid 1990s it was aired in about 25,000 cities in the USA, Canada and 150 other countries. In January 2017 Jack broke his hip. On 27th May 2017, taking doctor’s advice, the couple ended their TV ministries. Jack, a popular televangelist and one of the world’s best known end times preacher, died at the age of 88 on 18th January this year 2020. Sources Home - JVIM The New York Times wikipedia

Christine Caine and her husband Nick are best known for founding The A21 Campaign in 2008 - the global anti-trafficking organization. In 2015 they founded the Propel Women organization designed to honour the calling of every woman, enpower her to lead, equip her for success and develop a sense of God given purpose. EMPOWER, EQUIP, MOBILIZE Christine is an Australian born , Greek blooded, lover of Jesus, author and international speaker. She was adopted at birth by Greek Orthodox Immigrants who raised her in a public commission housing in Lalor Park, New South Wales. She has a degree in English from the University of Sydney and she attended and graduated from Hillsong College in1992. Her passion is to fulfill Christ’s command of going into the world to save others. On leaving college she volunteered as a youth worker and help establish Hills District Youth Service. She went onto become the director of a nationwide youth ministry. Christine and her husband Nick have a passion for justice and together they founded the A21 campaign in 2008. A21 is a non-profit, non-government organization which fights to** abolish slavery everywhere , for ever,** Christine apparently is a lover of words - she speaks too fast, talks too much and also writes them down (See list of works) She is active in speaking about her passion for God. She speaks in churches, conferences and other events across the world. Nick, who she married in 1996, is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of A21 and pastor of Zoe Churches. A21 has now 10 or 12 offices in 11 countries. He is also the pastor and director of Equip & Empower Ministries He assists in church plants, trains leaders and helps the lost come to Christ. Together they are a powerful couple striving to eradicate slavery, give women equal rights and bring non-Christians to know Jesus.

William Samuel Winston. also known as Dr. Bill Winston or Bill Winston is an American televangelist, preacher, author and entrepreneur. He is the founder and senior pastor of Living Word Christian Center, a non-denominational church in Forest park, Illinois with over 20,000 members. He is also the founder of Bill Winston Ministries (BWM), Faith Ministries Alliance (FMA), Bible Training Center,Joseph Business School and The Joseph Center. Bill was born on 6th May 1943 and raised in Tuskegee. He says he was inspired by the Tuckegee airmen and other local aviators. In 1967 he graduated from the Tuskee Institute and enlisted in the US Air Force (1967-73). He served as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after he piloted an F-4E Phantom that struck anti-aircraft batteries deep within North Vietnamese territory in March 1971. In 1973 he joined IBM Corporation. He soon became Regional marketing manager in the Midwest region (1973-85). While at IBM he met and married Veronica Irene Brown in 1982. He was also ‘born again’ while at IBM and felt a call into full time ministry and left to attend Logos Bible School. (Briefly attended Oral Roberts University in 1996) In 1988, while living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, they started a small ministry. They travelled to Chicago every week-end to sponsor a 2 day crusade- attendance less than 20. They moved to Chicago in December. He began a Bible training school at the local Quality Inn Hotel. 1989 the school was called Living Word Church of Chicago. 1990 renamed Living Word Christian Center. Bill and Veronica were both preachers and authors. She was also a teacher and intercessor. 1994-7 they rented a space at a banquet hall in Forest park, Illinois The ministry grew (exploded) and they then purchased the Forest Park Mall - a 33 acre shopping mall. New Year’s Eve of 1997 they had their first worship service. The church today has now expanded into a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art worship center with over 20,000 members. 20 to 20,000 that’s an explosion. Bill’s teachings, writings, weekly television and radio programs are circulated through his ministry outreach - Bill Winston Ministries - a partnership based global outreach. They are aired by hisBeliever’s Walk of Faith television and radio programs on the God TV and the Impact Network. His audience, worldwide is millions. His sermons are aired on several radio networks within the USA. He has written, authored and self published 15 books and other material. Veronica, his wife, is a leader of the Living World Christian Center. They have 3 children and 8 grand children. He has 882 inter/national churches and ministries through FMA under his spiritual covering. His ministry owns 2 shopping malls. He is founder and CEO of Golden Eagle Aviation based in Tuskegee. Together they have built up a wonderful, Holy Spirit led, ministry. Sources used Bill Winston Ministries Wikipedia

Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Crux Villanueva, often referred to as 'Bro. Eddie Villanueva, is an evangelist and president- founder of one of the largest Christ-centers, Bible based, full gospel churches in the world Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide. (JILCW) 1978 He is the founder of the Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM) which has more than 40 bishops from different Christian churches nationwide as members. He is founder and owner of Jesus is Lord Colleges Foundation, Inc. (JIKCF). He owns the ZOE television and radio Broadcasting Network - he hosts 3 of the programs Eduardo has also been a presidential candidate for the Philippines elections in 2004 and 2010. He currently a member of the 18th Congress of the Philippines and deputy speaker of the House of representatives since 22nd July 2019. Eduarda was born on 5th October 1946 in Bocaue, the Philippines. In 1969 he graduated from Philippine College of Commerce (PCC) (now called Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)) with a degree in commerce, majoring in economics. In the 1970s he was immersed in both student and labour movements, joining the progressive segments of society which opposed Marcos’ dictatorship. He was a communist-athiest, radical activist and street parliamentarian. He worked as a full time member in the Economics and Finance Department of PCC until 1972. He was export manager of Maran Export Industries (1973). He was general manager of the Agape trading Co. (1976/7). He returned to PUP in 1978 as a part time professor. In 1973 he had a life changing encounter with the Lord. At the time he was involved with a protracted legal battle - he was the victim of a notorious land grabbing syndicate. 5 days after the encounter the land grabbers were arrested and detained. On 5th October 1978 he founded the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide (JILCW) formerly known as Jesus Is Lord Fellowship - which had 15 members from his Bible studies. Jesus is Lord (JIL) in 2007 stated it had over 5 million members today in 18 cities in Metro Manila, 80 provinces in the Philippines and 6o countries in the world. Most members abroad are overseas Filipino workers and their families. Eduardo has been awarded numerous awards for his ministry. He was conferred the office of Episcopacy by the Sectarian Body of Christ in the Philippines in April 1996. Two months later he received the Gintong Ama (Golden Father) award. Eduardo was married to Sister Adoracion ‘Dory’ Villaneva who died on 10th March 2020 . Sister Dory had been the loving mother of their 4 children, she had also been president of JILCF Christian school in Bocaue. Sister Dory helped Brother Eddie grow the religious group which has now over 6 million members in 44 countries. Sister Dory Villanueva dies at 73 Sources used Jesus Is Lord Sister Dory dies at 73 wikipedia

Edwin Barry ‘Ed’ Young is the founding and senior pastor of Fellowship Church, Grapevine. Texas. His wife, Lisa, is also an important member of the team, working with the women. They are both best selling authors. Ed, born 16th March 1961, received a basketball scholarship at Florida State University (FSU). After his second year, having received a call into the ministry, he transferred to Houston Baptist University where he received a bachelor’s degree. He then earned MD degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Lisa has a degree in Childhood Education Ed began his ministry during hie second year at FSU. He soon returned to Houston Texas to work as an associate pastor at his father’s Second Baptist Church February 1990 Ed began Fellowship Church (FC) in a rented office complex. He quickly moved to an arts center. In 1996 FC moved into Irving’s MacArthur High School - 5 weekly services and a weekly attendance of 5,000. FC opened its first permanent facility in Grapevine Texas in April 1998. It was initially known as Fellowship of Las Colinas. The site was larger and more expensive than what they wanted but within 2 years part of it was sold off ((debt- purchase =0 debt). (Read - History of Fellowship Church) In 2020 the weekly attendance was 24,162. In 2003 or 5 FC opened its first 2 satellite stations in Plano and Fort Worth. Other campuses have been added over the years. All the campuses act as an extension of FC. They all have live music and their own staff, all sermons are broadcast from the Grapevine campus. (Read Satellite locations Television plays a very important part. He has an international ministry that includes the television broadcasts , *Ed Young Television, C3 Global, the C3 Conference and Fellowship Live. * Both Ed and Lisa have written a number of books. They co-authored the New York Times Best seller Sexperiment: 7days to Lasting Intimacy with Your Spouse. Ed wrote The Fear Virus (2020) OUTREACH 2008 hosted 1st summer camp and retreat center in Hawkins. TX at Allaso Ranch In 2010 FC and C3 Global provided 11 million meals after the earthquake hit Haiti In August 2013 FC opened a leadership college - University of Next Level. In 2016 they opened its first prison campus with* God Behind Bars.* Ed and Lisa are involved in C3 Global (Read Church Growth -their vision 2017). 2017 FC helped with relief recovery after Hurricane Harvey . Fellowship Church, under the leadership of pastor Ed Young, ably supported by his wife, Lisa, and notable guest speakers, has been constantly ranked as one of the most attended churches in North America over the past decade. Ed has a passion for making the complex simple, as he speaks truth to people in ways they can understand and apply to their everyday lives. Sources used My C3 Global TBN Wikipedia - Ed and Lisa Young, Fellowship Church

Dr. H. Edwin Young, often called Ed Young, is the senior pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Pioneer of the multisite church. Broadcasting ministry is The Winning Walk. In 2016 launched Loving Kids with Bishop James Dixon, in Houston. Ed was born in Laurel, Jones County, southeastern Mississippi.His family was so poor he had no shoes until in third grade. He entered the university of Alabama with an engineering major. Half way through his freshman year he felt a call to the ministry and enrolled at Mississippi College in Clinton. He then went to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, Carolina. Ed was a pastor in both North and South Carolina until 1978. In 1978 he moved to his present church - South Baptist Houston. The average attendance grew from 500 to over 32,000 today, with a membership of 83,000. This happened though innovation and creativity. In 1999 South Baptist became one church on 2 locations… It has 6 campuses in the Houston Metropolitan area. In January 2017 it created a virtual online campus - each week’s sermon is streamed daily throughout the world The Winning Walk is his international on-air and online teaching ministry. It proclaims the proven truth of God’s Word to give men and women the world over a winning way to live life. In 2016 he became involved in the ’ Loving Kids ’ program -the idea is to support children from a predominately low income area of Acres Homes with mentors, tutors and teaching assistants in the hope is it will make a dramatic difference to the lives of children and families for years. In addition on the church campuses they host over 8,000 of Houston’s lowest income families - Angels of Light. The families receive help with groceries. clothing, toys and Christmas presents. He has also been involved with relief work. He has instrumental in in the creation and organization of helping with storms, hurricanes and the present COVID -19 pandemic. Ed has twice been elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention - 1992 and 1993. Over the years he has required heart surgery - 1988 he had angioplasty to open a clogged heart artery. -May 2010 he had an operation to fit a triple coronary bypass. In 2005 he wrote* Total Heart Health for Men Workbook * which looked at methods of reducing the risk . He has written several other books For over 40 years Dr. H. Edwin Young he has been the senior pastor at Second Baptist Church, Houston, Texas. He continues to a dynamic and gifted communicator. He is a much sought after speaker on church growth, leadership principles and moral issues facing today’s culture. ( See - Senate Bill 6 -the bathroom bill) He and his wife, Jo Beth, have 3 sons Edwin Barry, Ben and Cliff. All 3 are involved in the ministry. ( For more information on Edwin read separate entry Ed Young) Sources used daystar.com Urban Weekly Newspaper Publication Website Wikipedia

James Robison is an American Televangelist and the founder and president of the Christian relief organization- Life Outreach International. James, with his wife Betty, now host the daily television program LIFE Today. James was born and raised in Pasadena, Texas. His mother, Myra Wattinger, was raped. She wanted an abortion: the doctor refused. She put an ad in the paper for a Christian couple to adopt him. H.D. Hale, a local area pastor and his wife, raised James. The mother reclaimed James and he was brought up in poverty. Aged 14 he became a born again Christian. He had a strained relationship with his biological father who an alcoholic He confronted his father, aged 15, in a violent manner. While at Pasadena High School he met Betty Freeman. Rev.Hale married them on 23rd February 1963, they were both 19. Together they studied and in 1965 graduated with honours from Middle Tennessee State University. They started their ministry in 1965 together,. In 1968, through Billy Graham, they went into full time television ministry. James invitations to speak increased . The crowds grew into millions Crusades were held in stadiums… In 1979 James lost his regular slot on WFAA-TV in Dallas for preaching a sermon calling homosexuality a sin. In response he organized a Freedom Rally at the Dallas Convention Center -10,000 attended. This was a genesis , according to Mike Huckabee, for Moral Majority - an association with conservative Christians supporting Republican candidates. (See definition of Moral Majority) In the early 1980s he eventually rose to become a prominent and popular conservative religious leader. Mid 1980s he abruptly withdrew from political activities and focused on his own church community, church unity and seeking forgiveness. He did not like the person he had become. Betty agreed. Through a series of life altering events they began to experience a new level of spiritual freedom. God provide them an opportunity to minister in South Africa LIFE Today TV program LIFE Today is aired around on various television networks, both secular and Christian such as Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and Daystar. Today It features real stories where ministry partners and a wide range of personalities tell of their own conversion and faith impacts their lives and the lives of others. They are able to share their vision to reach impoverished children by meeting their basic needs of food, clean water, shelter, clothing and medical care and most importantly the love of Christ. Their regular church is Gateway,a DFW (non- denominational) megachurch pastored by Robert Morris. Today James and Betty have 3 children, 11 grandchildren and live in Fort Worth. This is where their program LIFE Today and their ministry LIFE Outreach are based. They lost their daughter Robin to throat cancer in 2012. Sources used LIFE Outreach International Wikipedia

Albert Benjamin Simpson, also known as A.B. Simpson was a Canadian preacher, theologian, author and founder of the Christian and Ministry Alliance (C&MA) which has an emphasis on global evangelism. He was born in Bayview, near Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada and raised in a strict Calvinistic Scottish Presbyterian and Puritan tradition. His conversion began under the ministry of Henry Gratton Guinness, a visiting evangelist from Ireland during the revival of 1859. He received his training at Knox College, University of Toronto. After graduating in 1865 he was ordained into the Canadian Presbyterian Church (CPC) - after he left for the USA it became the largest Presbyterian group. Aged 21 he accepted a call to the large Knox PC in Hamilton, Ontario. December 1873 he left Canada to take the pulpit of the largest Presbyterian church in Louisville, Kentucky- Chestnut Street PC. It was here he first thought of building a tabernacle so he could preach to the common man. He was successful at Chestnut Street but they reluctant to embrace a wider evangelist endeavour. 1880 moved to 13th Street PC in New York City where he immediately began reaching out to the world. In 1881, after two fruitful years, resigned from 13th Street to begin an independent gospel ministry to the many new immigrants and neglected masses of NY City. In a Sunday morning service in 1882 he declared * I am not interested in being a respectable Christian. * He left his church to start a school in which people could train to take the Good News of God. That school was the Missionary Training Institute - now Nyack College - which had a major influence on the Pentecostal movement, its pastors and missionaries . ( Read ‘Influence on Pentecostalism’ and ’ A Little History’ ) He proceeded to hold evangelical meetings on Sunday afternoons. These grew into camp meetings and revivals in other locations along the East -coast, the beginning of C&MA. In 1882 he published the first missionary journal The Gospel in All Lands. Also founded and began to publish The Word, Works and World. By 1911 known as the Alliance Weekly, then Alliance Life - the official publication of C&MA. In 1889 Albert moved his church to the corner of 44th St. and 8th Av - the New York Tabernacle. His disciplined upbringing and his natural genius made him an effective communicator of the Gospels. He preached a unique Gospel of Jesus which became known as the Fourfold Gospel - Jesus our Saviour,Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King it’s at the heart of what Alliance people believe about Jesus (Read ‘Fourfold Gospel’ notes for full information) Albert even found time to write lyrics for 120 hymns and 101 books. He died aged 75. The Gospel of the Kingdom, we Must preach in every land The Missionary Cry by Albert Sources The Fourfold Gospel wikipedia

Eliso ‘Eli’ Fernando Soriano, also known as BES ( Bro. Eli Soriano), Brother Eli or Kapatid na Eli is a Fiipino televangelist. He currently the ‘Overall servant’ of the Members Church of God International (MCGI). It is an international Christian religious organization with headquarters in Pampanga, Philippines. He is also the main host of a radio and television program Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path). Eli was born on 4th April 1947 in Pasay, Philippines. He started school when he was 8. He dropped out of school 3 months before graduation due to an alleged religious debate between Eli and the school administrator. 7th April, 1964, 3 days after his 17th birthday, he was baptized and became a member of the Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of the Truth - ( (CGCJPST) - his parents church. In 1969 Nicholas Antiporda Perez, the church’s presiding minister, gave Eli the title of minister. The rumour was that when Perez died Eli would succeed him. Perez died in 1975 and Levita Gugulan, not Eli, became the new leader. He initially accepted the appointment but later denounced her leadership by saying according to the Bible women should not be leaders of the church . In 1976 Eli and his allies left the Gugulan sect. They setup their own sect with a similar name to CGCJPST. This resulted in a suit being filed. Eventually in 2004 it became Members Church of God International (MCGI. ( See Schism and information on MCGI) Eli is known for:- 1.his signature method of ’ Bible Exposition’-in a live show guests get the chance to ask impromptu questions 2.his straight forward preaching and exposing what he believes to be doctrinal errors by local or international religious groups. 3. debating with different pastors. He is very much into charitable works with his cousin Daniel Razon. These include FREE medical and dental check-ups, FREE bus rides, FREE transient home for homeless people. ( For the 4 projects in 2010 see ‘Charitable works’ for more more detail) Ang Dating Daan (ADD) is a religious radio and television hosted primarily by Eli and began at the end of 1980. It is considered to be the longest running religious program in the Philippines. It is now aired in 73 countries worldwide including Brazil, India, Japan,Latin America, Portugal, Saipan,Spain, South Africa and the USA.It is translated into 5 languages over terrestrial television, radio, internet and carried by at least 7 satellites across the globe. (See ‘Ang Datin Daan’ and BroEli channel) Eli is currently in exile from the Philippines to evade various death threats over his preaching and the countless libel cases he faces from people he defamed. Eli is using this opportunity to preach the Gospel of Jesus abroad. Sources used EliSoriano.com Wikipedia

Luis Palau Jr. is one of the world’s leading international Christian evangelists and lives in the Portland area of Oregon, USA. He was born in Argentina and moved to Portland in his mid-twenties to enroll in a gradate program in Biblical studies. For many years he had a long and close relationship with Billy Graham. Luis was born on 27th November 1934 in Maschwitz, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has 5 younger sisters and a step brother. His father, a construction executive, died when Luis was 10. The family were left nearly destitute and he had to leave his British-run boarding school to work in a bank as the sole provider. Aged 12 he was ‘born again’- devoting his life to Christ. Luis first heard Billy Graham in 1950 on the radio when he was still in Argentina. Billy inspired Luis. 1960 Luis came to Portland to attend a graduate program at Multnomah Bible college. He met and married his fellow student Pat, a Beaverton kindergarten teacher in 1961. 1962 he became a US citizen. The Palaus spent the next 8 years as missionaries in Mexico and Colombia. He worked for Billy as a Spanish interpretor and as an evangelist and in 1970. Billy contributed the ‘seed’ money( $100,000 in 4 quarter payments of $25,000) for Luis to start his own ministry, which he based on Billy’s model. In the 1970’ s he worked to build up his ministry In 1975 he shared the Bible Expositor post with Bishop Festo Kivengere at Eurofest ‘75 which was held in Brussels’ Belguim and the Palais du Centenaire and the Heysel Stadium and sponsored by the Billy graham organizasion. October 1978 Luis Palau Evangelistic Association LPEA) was ‘incorporated’. Since then Luis has held large scale evangelistic festivals and gatherings around the world. In 1999 it was noted in the Portland weekly newspaper that he assembled an 80,000 member audience in the nation’s least churched major city. In 2003, 3 of his 4 sons were working for his ministry. He hosted 3 daily radio programs- an English show carried by 900 stations and 2 Spanish programs carried by 880 stations in 25 countries. November 2005 visited Beijing, China. In 2007 it was estimated that he had shared the message of Jesus Christ with 25 million people in 70 nations. At his headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon he employs 70 and another 25 around the world. March 2008 Luis addressed 500 Christian pastors in the build-up to the August event. 22-23August 2008 held a festival in Portland which focused on volunteerism to support the homeless - over 2 days 140,000 attended. This was organized by fellow evangelicals and the Portland commissioner Erik Sten. He called the effort* Season of Service*(Please read notes) In 2015 he hosted an event City-Fest for 60,000 in Central Park, New York City For over 70 years Luis has been committed to the Word of God On Thursday, January 18th, 2018 Luis shared on Facebook he had stage 4 cancer. ( Read update on Luis’s heath on 14th October 2020 PBS wikipedia