John Owen was an English Nonconformist church leader, theologian and academic administrator at the University of Oxford, For a very brief time he was an MP for Oxford University, sitting the First Protectorate Parliament (1654/5) of Oliver Cromwell (disqualified because of his clerical vocation). John was of Welsh descent but was born in Stadhampton, Oxfordshire. He was educated at Queen’s College Oxford (B.A. 1632 M.A. 1635). In 1637 he was driven out of Oxford by Laud’s new laws and became chaplain and tutor to first Sir Robert Dormer , then Lord Lovelace. Between 1642-9 we have the English Civil War. John sided with the Parliamentarians and Cromwell. In doing so he lost the prospect of succeeding to his Welsh Royalist uncle’s fortune. Appointed rector of Fordham, Essex in 1642. In 1644 he married Mary Rooke (they had 11 children but 10 died in infancy). In 1646 he became vicar at Coggeshall after preaching a notable sermon before parliament. His preaching led to him being attached to Cromwell. He became chaplain to Cromwell’s army and accompanied him to Ireland and Scotland (1649-50). He was dean of Christ Church Cathedral (1651-60). He was also appointed vice -chancellor at Oxford (1652-7) . 1654 elected MP for Oxford. He opposed plans for Cromwell to be offered the crown. 1660 he abandoned politics altogether with the Restoration of the monarchy -Charles 11 now on the throne. On the return of Charles 11 he joined nearly 2,000 other Puritan ministers to leave the ministry of the national church. In 1660 he became pastor at a Congrgational church in London (1660-1683). He devoted his time to the production of an array of top-class theological literature. These helped secure his reputation as a great British theologian. Among his works are historical treaties on religion, studies of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and defences of Noncomformist or Puritan views. John died on 4th September 1683 and is buried in Bunhill fields. For the fullest description of John Owen, by someone who knew him, read Robert Asty’s written in 1721, (Read Theologian’s theologian) What is the application and relevance of John to our lives today? John serves as a reminder that Christianity is not to isolated from the world. He prayed, preached and wrote about the glory of God, and for a time served as a aide for Cromwell, and MP. As Christians we can serve God in any position that he placed us in society, community or family. Sources used *Great Leaders of the Christian Church * edited by Woodbridge contribution from Peter Toon wikipedia Britannica Online Encyclopedia Lessons from the life of John Owen

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a Welsh protestant minister and medical doctor who was influential in the Reformed wing of the British evangelical movement of the 20th century. He was regarded as one of the top 10 preachers of the 20th century. Born in Cardiff he attended a London grammar school from 1914-17. He then went to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and qualified as a doctor. After struggling for 2 years, with the sense that he had a call to preach, he returned to Wales in 1927. He married Bethan Phillips in the same year. For 10 years he was minister at Aberavon. He returned to London at the beginning of WW11 to become associate pastor at Westminster Chapel, working along side G. Campbell Morgan. In 1943, on Morgan’s retirement he became sole pastor of Westminster Hall. He stayed pastor there for the next 25 years until his retired in 1968 following a major operation. David was well known for his style of preaching. His sermons drew crowds of several 1000s to hear him preach at the Sunday morning and evening meetings, plus talk (!) at Bible studies. In his book * Preaching and Preachers* he defined his style as Logic on Fire. The fire had to do with activity and the power of the Holy Spirit. He believed true preaching was always expository (set forth in argument/discussion). This means he believed that the primary purpose of the sermon was to reveal and expand the primary teaching of the scripture being studied. *Never heard such preaching with the force of electric shock, bringing to at least one of his listeners more of a sense of God than any other man. J.I. Packer - theologian and preacher David did a vast amount of writing during his life time. ( See the list - many not printed during his life time) David preached his last sermon on 8th June at Barcombe Baptist Chapel. He died peacefully in his sleep on 1st March 1981, St. David’s day. He was buried in West Wales. A well attended thanksgiving service was held at Westminster Chapel on 6th April. His tombstone reads *For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him Crucified. * 1 Corinthians 2 v 2 The 10 things you should know about David Martyn Lloyd Jones, written by his eldest grandson Christopher Catherwood. is well worth a read. Sources used wikipedia Crossway Articles 10 things you should know about Martyn Lloyd Jones The 10 greatest preachers of the 20th century - Michael Duduit

John Charles Ryle was an English evangelical bishop. He was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool. he was a strong supporter of the evangelical school. He was a writer, pastor and an evangelical preacher. John was the eldest son of John Ryle, a member of parliament. His father’s family owned a bank. who was a private banker. He was educated at Eton and at the University of Oxford. He left university with the intention of following in his father’s footsteps. Unfortunately his father’s fortunes took a down turn… They lost the family bank, filed for bankruptcy, and John needed to go in a different direction. He had been converted in 1937 by hearing Ephesians 2 v 8 *God save you by grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift of God. * He decided to be clergyman. He took holy orders (1841-2) and became a curate at Exbury, in Hampshire. ( read 3rd para. on Life ). In 1880 he was designated dean of Salisbury and ‘at once’ 19th April advance to the newly seated see of Liverpool. He was bishop of Liverpool for almost 20 years (1880-1900) until his death at Lowerstoft on 10th June 1900. John was described as having a commanding presence and vigorous in advocating his principles albeit with a warm disposition. He is credited with having some success in evangelizing the blue collar workers. John had a number of published works ( See* Legacy* and ‘Published works’ ) He was buried at All Souls Church, Childwall, Liverpool. Source used wikipedia

Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield born near Lexington, Kentucky on 5th November 1851. Born into a wealthy family he was taught privately. He entered Princeton University in 1868 and graduated in 1871 with high honours in mathematics and science. While travelling in Europe he decided to theology to the surprise of his friends. He entered Princeton Seminary in 1873 to train to be a Presbyterian ministry. He graduated in 1876 and also married Annie Pierce Kinkead. Together they went to Germany and Annie was struck by lightning - the result being she to a degree paralyzed. (see 10 thing you should know about B.B Warfield.) In 1877 he became professor of theology at Princeton Theological Seminary (1877-1921). He was ordained on 26th April 1879. He served as the the last principal from 1886-1902 . On his death in 1921 Francis Landley Patton became the first president of the seminary. In 1881 he wrote a joint article with A.A. Hodge about the inspiration of the Bible. It drew attention because of the scholarly and forceful defence of the inerrancy ( infalliblity)of the Bible. This article presented basically the position that Benjamen was to defend and elaborate upon for more than 40 years. From 1890 -1902 Benjamin was the editor of the * Presbyterian and Reformed Review.* His own contribution was articles and critical book reviews. He also wrote a number of books and his sermons were turned into 3 volumes. (See Warfield’s writings and Writings) During his time his primary aim thrust was the authoritative view of the Bible. He went against the trend of modernist theology. He therefore preached and believed the doctrine of * sola scriptura * - that the Bible is God inspired and is sufficient for the Christians to live their faith Some conservative Presbyterians consider him to be the last of the great Princeton theologians. The 10 Things you should know about B.B. Warfield by Fred G. Zaspel makes for interesting reading. Sources used Great Leaders of the Christian Church editor John D. Woodbridge contributor Roger Nicole wikipedia Crossways Articles

Saint Brice or Brictius (Latin) of Tours was a favourite of Saint Martin of Tours. According to legend Saint Brice was an orphan who was rescued by Saint Martin and raised in the monastery in Marmoutier. He became a monk and later archdeacon to Saint Martin. Apparently he was disliked by the other monks because of his rudeness and worldly ways. Saint Martin when asked to send the trouble maker away replied ’ If Jesus could come to terms with Judas, then I can certainly come to terms with Brice.’ When Saint Martin died in 397 he became bishop; he became a new man and ruled the monastery well. In the thirteen year of his episcopate a nun, a washer woman, had a child. The rumour was that Saint Brice was the father. He submitted to ritual of carrying hot coals in his cloak, showing the unburned cloak as proof of his innocence. They still did not believe him. It was only after he had travelled to Rome and been absolved by the Pope did he return. Having spent 7 years in voluntary exile Saint Brice return to find that those who had replaced him had died. He then served with such humility that on his death, 7 years later, he was venerated as a saint. He was buried beside Saint Martin. In some pictures he is shown either with glowing coals in his robe or holding a baby in his arms as a result of the rumour. Sources used wikipedia The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander

Saint Malo or Saint Machutus was a sixth century saint. He was the founder of Saint-Malo, a commune in Brittany, France. He was one of the seven founding saints of Brittany. Malo was baptized as an adult by Brendan the Navigator and became his student… I have included a synopsis of his* Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot*. he was the first bishop of Aleth - now modern Saint-servan in France. There are two stories/legends about Saint Malo and seaweed. In one story he laid down on a heap of seaweed at low tide and fell asleep. Having searched on the beach he was found floating on the sea on a mass of seaweed. The second story he was cut off by the sea and miraculously floated to safety on a bed of seaweed. ( Dates are not clear - wikipedia dates on sheet do not agree) Sources used wikipedia The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

Henry Parry Liddon, also known as H.P. Liddon was an English theologian. He was one of Britain’s greatest preachers. He was Dean Ireland’s Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture at the University of Oxford. The son of a naval captain he was born at North Stoneham in Hampshire G.B. he was educated at King’s College school and at Christ Church Oxford. He was first vice-principal at Cuddesdon theological college (1854-9) and then vice-principal at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford. In 1864 Walter Kerr Hamilton , the bishop of Salisbury, appointed Henry ar as prebendary (canon) of Salisbury Cathedral. In 1866 he delivered his Bampton Lectures. on the doctrine of the divinity of Christ. His fame as a preacher was established. Henry was praised for his grasp of subject, clarity and lucidity, use of illustration, vivid imagination, elegance of diction, and sympathy with the intellectual position of those he addressed. 1870 made canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral. His preaching attracted 1000s. Sermons normally held in the choir stalls were instead preached under the dome. 3000-4000 used to gather to hear his sermons. Being dean at Oxford and canon at St. Paul’s gave him extensive influence over the Church of England. In 1882 he resigned and travelled to Palestine and Egypt. In 1886 returned to St. Paul’s as chancellor. He declined more than one offer of a bishopric. Henry, with his friend Lewis Carrol, visited Russia to make closer links with the C. of E. and the Russian Orthodox clergy. Henry died on the 9th of September 1890 at the height of his reputation. He had nearly completed the biography of Edward Bouvirie Pasey, who he admired. (work completed by J. O. Johnson and R. Wilson) after his death. Henry’s influence during his life was due to his personal fascination and his pulpit oratory rather than his intellect. He was the last, but one,(John Charles Ryle) of the classical pulpit orators of the English church. He is buried in the chapel of the Order of the British Empire in the crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Source wikipedia

Henry Emerson Fosdick was a liberal protestant American pastor, teacher and author who was central figure in the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy within American Protestantism in the 1920s and 1930s . He was one of the most prominent liberal ministers of the early 20th century. He was ordained a Baptist minister in 1903. He was minister at Montclair N.J. from 1904 until 1915. He taught at Union Theological seminary for nearly 40 years (1908-1946). In 1919 he became associate pastor at th First Presbyterian Church in New York City. Crowds filled the church to hear his sermons but conservative Protestants denounced him modernist. His sermon * Shall the Fundamentalists win ? * on May 21st, 1922 , caused an uproar. It lead to his resignation 3 years later. Within a few months he was called to the Park Avenue Baptist Church in New York. With the aid of John D. Rockefeller. Jr. as a trustee a larger interdenominational church was built. It was renamed the Riverside Church. Henry was pastor there and preacher on the National Vespers nationwide radio programme for the next 20 years (1926-1946). Henry’s sermons won him wide recognition. Many of his sermon collections are still in print. His radio addresses were broadcast nationally. He was a prolific author of sermons, articles and books over 60 years. ( see Works -this does not include work he contributed to) ) He is regarded as one of the top 10 preachers of the 20th century. Martin Luther King placed him first ( see info from King encyclopedia) More recently Michael Duduit placed him 5th ( see My intro to by William l. Self) Sources wikipedia Britannica Online Encyclopedi The Martin Luther king Research and Education institute The 10 greatest preachers of the 20th century

The Revd. Dr. George Campbell was called by many * the prince of espositors . He helped influence the shape of evangelical preaching on both sides of the Atlantic. He was brought up in Wales. He was unwell as a child and was tutored at Home. D.L. Moody came to England when George was 10. His ministry and the dedication of his parents, father had become a Baptist minister, impressed the young George. Aged just 13 he preached his first sermon: aged 15 he was preaching in country chapels during his Sundays and holidays. In 1883 he was teaching in Birmingham. In 1886 he devoted himself to preaching and Bible exposition. 1890 saw him ordained as a Congregational minister. The skilled expository preacher served several English congregations. His reputation grew as a preacher and Bible expositor throughout Britain and spread to the USA. Moody in 1896 invited him to lecture to his students at his Bible Institute. This was the first of 54 visits to the USA to preach and teach. George’s sermon method was to read the text. Read the text 25-50 times in context The whole book. In context. Only then will you understand the text and be able to preach it. In 1899, after the death of Moody, he became director of the Northfield Bible Conference. After 5 years he returned to the UK in 1904 to become pastor of Westminster chapel in London (1904- 1919 and 1933-1943). His preaching and weekly Friday Bible classes were attended by 1000s. The church experienced unparalleled growth growth under his leadership. Between 1919-1933 he taught at Biola, Los Angeles. USA. Where he conducted an itinerant preaching and teaching ministry. George was also a prolific writer. He wrote about 80 works in his lifetime. There is also a 10 volume set of sermons - The Westminster Pulpit. He even wrote commentaries on the entire Bible. (See list for early of writings) George retired in 1943. He died aged 81 on the 16th of May 1945 . Preaching was the supreme passion of his life Martyn Lloyd Jones. (Incredibly George was rejected for formal ministry because his preaching showed so little potential. In those dark days that followed his father remind him * rejected on earth accepted in heaven.* He put aside all his books except the Book - the BIBLE) He is regarded as one of the top 10 preachers of the 20th century. Sources The 10 Greatest Preachers of the 20th century - Michael Duduit wikipedia

Saint Vincent was Spaniard who became a deacon under Valerius, Bishop of Saragossa. The bishop had a bad stammer so Vincent was commissioned to preach throughout the diocese and acted as his spokesman. During the Diocletian persecution he was arrested and imprisoned in Valencia. He was offered his freedom if he would consign Scripture to the fire. He refused and speaking on behalf of himself and the bishop he informed the judge that they were ready to suffer anything for their faith. His outspoken manner so angered the judge that they inflicted all manner of torture on him. He was stretched on the rack and his flesh torn with iron hooks. His wounds were rubbed with salt and was then burned alive upon a red-hot grid iron. He was then cast into prison where he died. He suffered his torture with such peace and tranquility that his jailer was converted. The elderly Valerius was exiled. His body was placed in a sack and thrown in the sea. A woman or a group of Christians recovered the body. Legend has it that a flock ravens stopped vultures eating the body. Saint Vincent became one of the most famous of the early saints. King Afonso 1 of Portugal had the body of the saint exhumed in 1173 and brought it by ship to Lisbon Cathedral. The transfer of the relics is depicted on the coat of arms of Lisbon. Sources wikipedia The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander

George was an Americcan clergyman who was pastor of the First CHurch of Dallas , Texas from 1897- 1944 - nearly half a century. He was the president of both the Southern Baptist Convention ( 1927-9) and the Baptist World Alliance (1934-9) . He had a sudden conversion at a revival camp meeting in 1886. His dream was to be a lawyer In 1887, aged just 20, he founded the Hiawassee Academy - a rural mountain school where he served as principal. In 1889 he moved with his parents to Whitewright in Texas. He joined the Baptist church there and attended Grayson College. George began to get involved - he taught Sunday School and ‘filled in’ when the pastor was away. The church recognized his talent and made the decision for him. (Read * I was thrown into the stream and just had to swim. ) What over welling support from the congregation! By 1890 he had already gained a reputation for being able to speak like the famous preacher Charles Spurgeon according to the Reverend Fernando C. McConnell. His remarkable voice made him audible to large crowds without the aid of an amplifying system. 1890 he was ordained into the Baptist ministry at Whitewright. In nearby Sherman he preached his first sermon. In 1891 Baylor University were looking for a financial agent to help correct a debt. George’s pastor, R.F. Jenkins, wrote a letter recommending him to B.H.Carroll - a Baylor trustee- and George was called for an interview. The trustees thought he was too young. Before they could dismiss him George stood up and demanded that they at least let him make his case. They listened; the job was his. (Read A preacher on the Rise) In 1893 he enrolled as a freshman at Baylor. He served as a student-pastor of the East Waco Baptist church to pay for his tuition. He graduated in June 1897 with an A.B. degree and became pastor at First Baptist Church in Dallas. He stayed for 47 years - until he death . His preaching made him famous. The church rebuilt 3 times - membership rose from 715 to 7,804. George was 1 of 20 preachers chosen by President Woodrow-Wilson to go to Europe for 6 months during WW1. He delivered as many as 6 sermons a day. During his 47 year pastorate he published 10 volumes of sermons, 2 volumes of addresses and 2 Volumes of Christmas messages. George’s famous sermons* Baptists and Religious Liberty* were delivered on the steps of Washington May 16, 1920. For 37 years he made trips to preach to cattle drives in the Davis Mountains- concerned cowboys were too isolated. He was involved with the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He chaired the committee seeking to find a location. Fort Worth, Texas was chosen. 1910 - 1944 he remained on the board of trustees and president from 1931-1944. There is a biography to buy-see Amazon advert. The George W. Truett Theological Seminary was founded in his memory in 1993. He was one of the most famous Southern baptist preacher and writer of his era. Sources wikipedia SBTS

Jerry Laymon Falwell Sr. was an American religious leader, televangelist and founder of the Moral Majority. He accepted Jesus in 1952. He was a good athlete and entered Lynchburg College but transfered to Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri,and graduated in 1956. In the same year he founded and stayed at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg. The congregation grew from a modest 35 members to 20,000 by his death. He also started to broadcast his sermons on the Old Time Gospel Hour- a radio and television programme . This quickly moved from local, to national, to international and claimed 50 million viewers. He founded the Lynchburg Christian Academy in 1967. In 1971 he founded and led Liberty Baptist College - later Liberty University - a fundamentalist Christian University, until his death. Jerry created a Christian media empire. In 1995 he started the monthly National Liberty Journal for evangelical Christians. In 2002 he created the Liberty Channel a satellite based network which offers a variety of content all from a Christian perspective. He also wrote more than 12 books. He shared his faith and ideas in Champion of the Gods (1985) and The New American Family (1992). Throughout his career he engendered controversy on a number of topics and was perceived as intolerant or bigoted. This included his thought on abortion, feminism, gay and lesbian rights,homosexuality/ AIDS and other causes. Jerry is perhaps best known for his political activism. He founded in 1979 the Moral Majority organization which mobilized religious voters… It grew to have millions of supporters and was credited in helping Republican Ronald Reagan become president in 1980. He disbanded it in 1989 - Jerry said it had accomplished its mission. In 2004 however, buoyed by George W. Bush’s success he founded the Faith and Values Coalition- which became the Moral Majority Coalition. He wanted to keep the evangelical movement as a strong force in politics. Jerry had health problems in 2005 and was hospitalized twice. On 15th May, 2007 he died, having been discovered unconscious in his office at the school. He had a marked impact, sometimes controversially , on both American religious and political life, in the late 20th century. Sources used Britannia Online Encyclopedia Biography.com/personality/jerry-falwell

Time in 2004 named Warren as one of the *leader who mattered most Time in 2005 named him as one of the *100 Most influential People in the World * U.S. News and World Report 2005 named him as one of America’s Top 25 leaders Newsweek in 2006 named him one of 15 people who make America Great Richard Duane Warren is an American Baptist evangelical Christian pastor and author. He has a B.A., M.D., and DrM. In November 1973, aged 19, he and a friend skipped classes to drive 350 miles to hear W.A. Criswell preach. Rick waited to shake Crisell’s hand. Instead Crisell I feel led to lay hands on you and pray for you. He was then called to full time ministry. Rick founded Saddleback Valley Community Church in 1980 when he was just 26 years of age. To many he is Papa Rick - a voice of wisdom, hope, encouragement and vision. Saddleback , which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention in Lake Forest, California. is the sixth largest megachurch in the USA and regularly has nearly 20,000 people in attendance each week Rick has published a number of Christian books. *The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life *. The second book sold 30 million copies . What followed was the Purpose Driven Network, a global alliance of pastors from more than 160 countries and 100s of denominations who have been trained to be purpose driven churches. Following a trip to Rwanda he changed his trajectory. God gave him a vision for the PEACE plan - a mission to fight the 5 giants of spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, pandemic disease and illiteracy. that has devastated the lives of people around the world. During the 2008 presidential elections Warren hosted the Civil Forum with John MvCain and Barack Obama. Warren gave the invocation at the presidential inauguration in January 2009. Rick and Kay, his wife, consider it is their life’s work to empower local churches and local leaders to create sustainable change that gives voice to the voiceless and help to the helpless. Sources used Saddleback church wikipedia

Harry was an American pastor who became a central figure in the Fundamentalist - Modernist-controversy within American Protestantism in the 1920s and 1930s. He was one of the most prominent liberal ministers in the early 20th century. He graduated from Colgate University in 1900. He became an ordained Baptist minister in 1903 and left Union Theological Seminary in 1904. First Baptist Church, Montclair, New Jersey was his first ministry (1904-1915). In 1917 he volunteered as an Army chaplain serving in France. He also taught at Union Theological Seminary (1908-1946). In 1918 he moved to the First Presbyterian Church. On May 21st, 1922, he delivered his famous sermon Shall the Fundamentalists Win?. He presented the Bible as a record of the unfolding of God;s will not as the literal ‘Word of God’. This caused an uproar. Fundamentalists regarded it as rank apostasy and a investigation followed. At a formal trial in 1924 he escaped censure. Harry resigned and was immediately called to Park Avenue Baptist, later renamed Riverside Church. (1925-30, 1930-1946). John D.Rockefeller Jr. funded the building of the famed ecumenical Riverside Church in Morningside heights, Manhattan. Harry opposed racism and injustice. His sermons won him wide recognition.His 1933 anti-war sermon The Unknown Soldierultimately led to the founding of the Peace Pledge Union His radio addresses were broadcast nationally. Many of his sermon collections are still in print and he wrote many books. (See ‘Works’) He had a major influence on Martin Luther King Jr. who said Harry was the greatest preacher of the century.

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

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.

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.

Samuel Rodriguez Jr. ( born 29th September 1969) is an Evangelical Christian evangelist. He is a pastor, author, television personality, civil rights activist and movie producer. He is the founder and pastor of New Season Christian Worship Center. He is president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC. His parents are Puerto Rican but he was born in the USA. Aged 16 he delivered his first sermon and quickly grew to be a leading and acclaimed evangelical preacher. He gained a MA for Organization Leadership form Northwest University. In 1992 he became an ordained minister in the assemblies of God, a Pentecostal fellowship. In 2000 he founded and is currently the president of NHCLC. NHCLC is the largest Hispanic Evangelical organization in the world with 40,118. Latino Evangelical churches as members. It helps to cultivate a network of Latino leaders in the Christian community. As a spokesperson for the Hispanic evangelicals he has featured as a speaker in the White House and congressional meetings. In 2017 as president of NHCLC he was pleased to release the statement that the organization was pleased President Trump had decided ’ to return power to states to withhold federal funds from abortion providers’ ( Read statement) Samuel currently serves on the board for the National Association of Evangelicals He is an author and his book You Are Next (2019) is a publishers weekly bestseller. In 2019 he was the executive producer of the film Flamin Hot. In 2013 he was nominated for Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People. In 2015 he was named as one of Newsmax’s Top 100 Christian leaders in America. In 2020 he was recognized as one of Israel’s Top 50 Christian Allies. Samuel is now in his early 50s and still has a great deal to offer to the Latino Christian Community and beyond. Sources NHCLC 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