Michael is author and editor of several books, including the Handbook of Contemporary Preaching (Broadman & Holman Press), Joy in Ministry (Baker Books), Preaching With Power (Baker) and Communicate With Power (Baker). He acted as a motivator and comforter to many who were about to abandon their faith. Thats the model of preaching I grew up on and have tried to master. He had served several churches before his appointment to Westminster Central Hall in 1939. Women working as pastors or preachers is nothing new in the world. Though Sangster died many years before I became a minister in the Manchester and Salford Methodist Mission, I immediately recognized characteristics of his method in the sermons I heard others preach, and in the values and lifestyle of fellow clergy. In his preaching, Buttrick sought to lift up Christ, and he believed only that preaching which was centered on the cross would impact eternity. Lloyd-Jones was trained in medicine rather than theology, but abandoned his medical practice in response to his sense of Gods call. Famous Evangelists Who Preached Christianity to Large Crowds Ian Richard Kyle Paisley was born on April 6, 1926, in Armagh, Northern Ireland. He was born in San Jose, California, on January 28, 1954. In his Beecher Lectures in 1953 he declared with characteristic directness, that there is "no place today for a Church that is not aflame with the Spirit who is the Lord and Giver of life, nor any value in a theology which is not passionately missionary" (A Faith to Proclaim, p.12). His name will be forever linked to revival and the modernization of Christianity especially in America. He gained fame and fortune by using unorthodox methods of shocking people to save their souls. He has communicated it through simple phrases like "The Bible says . (For Lloyd-Jones beginners, the place to begin is with his sermon But God). Famous False Christian Teachers & Preachers - Coming In The Clouds Time after sabbath day services has proved to me beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is so. An admirer of the great Puritan preachers of an earlier era, Lloyd-Jones demonstrated the power that is possible through the careful and systematic exposition of scripture in the pulpit. Rick Warren is a fourth-generation Southern Baptist pastor and founder of Saddleback Church. He was a lifelong bachelor and avid student of scripture. His preaching could move mountains and bring sinners to the knees to surrender their lives and be saved. W.A. The Rev. In response, I suggested that he remedy the situation! Grahams preaching is simple and straightforward, filled with illustrations drawn from the days headlines. It echoes around the world in a variety of forms. Through his long life and ministry, Graham has built a remarkable organization which today reaches far beyond sponsoring mass evangelistic crusades. Ill admit it, but so has every other preacher, whatever his theological stripe may be. Above everything else, Martin King considered himself a preacher of the gospel. At Morgans retirement in 1943, Lloyd-Jones assumed the pastorate and served successfully until his own retirement in 1968. Coming up with the full list of famous preachers of the 20th century is quite challenging if not impossible. His delivery has been even more simple, characterized by crispness and clarity that even the youngest of listeners is able to grasp. Though I never had the privilege of hearing Stewart preach in person, I have listened, spell-bound, to some taped sermons, and have underlined many a memorable statement in those I have read in my library. Thats why we cant simply forget them. From 1904 to 1917 he served as pastor of Londons Westminster Chapel, a church which experienced unparalleled growth under his leadership. John Smyth was the first pastor of the first Baptist church of English exiles in Amsterdam Thomas Helwys planted first Baptist church in England and author of A Short Declaration of the Mystery of Inquity which was one of the first arguments for religious freedom John Bunyan Baptist preacher and author of Pilgrim's Progress He had been stoned and shot during his walk across the Soviet Union. The 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America - TIME This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 04:06 (UTC). King has helped ministers to recover the relevance of preaching for our day, to motivate Christians to blend their theology with their ethics, and to translate their faith in God in the social, economic and political struggle, while not being afraid to use philosophy and formal reasoning. He paid attention to the architecture of his sermons and carefully prepared them to be pleasant and informative. As we previously reported : "The list from the '90s was a game-changer for a lot of honorees, often paving the way for speaking gigs and raising the . He was perhaps the most famous Evangelist of the early 20th century. His church services are aired on his via webcasts. Famous Evangelists | List of the Top Well-Known Evangelists - Ranker Who can argue that the Apostle Paul was not the most effective preacher of the Word. Content writing is just my profession but my passion too. From his family he inherited a sense of mission that encompassed him as a preacher and a Civil Rights leader. Many of these preachers left behind actions that are inscribed in our hearts. In his preaching, Lloyd-Jones excelled at demonstrating the theological framework which binds Scripture together, and he did so for thirty years in the pulpit of Westminster Chapel. 12. His influence was such that many people recall how he had ready access to his rich, famous and politically powerful contemporaries. He is the perfect example of how a Christian man should be. Ray Comfort is one of Americas most prominent and famous evangelists. From there he moved to the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City, which was to be his most prominent pulpit. Chapman schooled him in doctrine and homiletics. When Fosdick preached his famous sermon, Will the Fundamentalists Win? Macartney countered with his own powerful sermon, Will Unbelief Win?. She was able to reach and minister to a large flock. He has walked over 3,000 miles from Davids Tomb In Jerusalem to Mt. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man of great passion, devotion, and humor. He was a preacher's preacher, possessing gifts most of us can only dream. The gifted Scottish preacher taught New Testament at the University of Edinburgh, was Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland, and served in 1963-1964 as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Timeline of Baptist and Reformed History, 20th Century | The Reformed Our next personality on this list of televangelists is Billy Graham. He concluded his ministry as head of the home mission department of the Methodist Church, before his deterioration and death because of progressive muscular atrophy. Despite Camerons participation in the acting industry, he is better known as an outspoken and devout follower of Evangelical Christianity. As pastor of New Yorks River side Church, he was minister to the Rockefellers and other prominent business and civic leaders, yet he was known as an advocate of social change. He has preached in person to more people than any human being who has ever lived. Here's the history: The earliest black female preacher was a Methodist woman simply known as Elizabeth. It covers the lives and power of the preachers in the context of their times, but the author's intention is more than historical narrative. Thats why we cant afford to omit him from the top position on our list. The timely references in his messages may date him, yet aspects of his method provide a model for preaching in the post-modern world: knowing the world of the listener, taking the listeners experience seriously, and embodying the hope we have in Christ. (Carol M. Noren, Professor of Preaching, North Park Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL). Greatest preachers of the twentieth century - ChristianToday Ever since Dollar has been a faithful employee of God, he has been imparting to his congregation the importance of living a good life to the Lord by following his word. She held her first prayer meeting in Baltimore in 1808 and preached for about 50 years before retiring to Philadelphia to live among the Quakers. Chloe Pryor is a young adult living in Auckland New Zealand. Three generations of preachers solicited him for his deep knowledge of the scriptures. These three made a significant impact on countless lives, on the church, and on their fellow preachers. Each time that he stepped out to preach, his message was directed to winning more souls for Jesus Christ. In this light, many were convicted of their sins and turned to God for mercy and salvation. This organization promotes and sponsors mass evangelistic crusades. His was a special theological mind which could take the doctrine of justification by faith and successfully employ it as the solution for the deepest melancholy. ", "Unbelievable? He has received various prizes and accolades involving honorary degrees, citations, and plaques to recognize his life work. In January of 1827 on a cold Sunday morning in Washington, DC, more than a thousand people assembled in the Capitol to witness one of the most remarkable events ever to take place in the Hall of Representatives. Here, then, are the 25 most influential preachers of the past 25 years: #1 Billy Graham He just as easily could be at the top of any list of the most influential preachers of the past half-century; when Preaching cited the most influential preachers of the 20th century (in our first issue of the 21st), Billy Graham came in at number two. Many are aware of Jesus Christ today thanks to their works. Kent Hovind is next on our list of televangelists. The 25 Most Influential Pastors of the Past 25 Years Much of Stewarts influence on American preaching was through his writing and lectures. Here are 30 well-known pastors of today that speak the truth of God and who believe every single word in the Bible. While his pulpit started in white-frame churches, trailer parks, and circus tents it rapidly moved to cathedrals, stadiums, and other arenas which are among the worlds largest public gathering places. From Glory to Glory: 20 Top Black Preachers - The Root The 60 most influential Christians His brilliant career in homiletics was not free of all handicaps. Everything on his preaching, he focused on uplifting Christ and his power to redeem the world through his death on the cross. The search began with a request to our readers to nominate their own favorites. His sermons became more Christ-centered, with a growing emphasis on the cross. Almost all if not all Christians have heard the name, Martin Luther King. Get to know about the famous preachers of the 20th century and their major accomplishments. He was also a civil rights leader whose personal activism and appeals for justice helped in changing the course of American life. He is used as an example to many people worldwide, helping them learn to see beyond appearances and focus on the potential in each other. Her ministry, which was financially very lucrative, was touched by scandal. A dynamic preacher and evangelist, Billy Graham - through the televising of mass crusades - has proclaimed the gospel to more persons than any other preacher in history. 12 Really Effective Women Preachers You Should Know About In the process, Graham has become a national chaplain for Americans and a world citizen and ambassador for Christ. The Greatest Preachers and their Best Sermons Ever Francis Chen Tony Evans Billy Graham Andy Stanley Priscilla Shirer John MacArthur Chip Ingram Steven Furtick Joyce Meyer Rick Warren Charles Stanley Alistair Begg Tim Keller Author Bio Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. Records hold that he preached with earnestness and authority that moved the hearts of his congregants to love him. Harry Emerson worked as pastor of New Yorks River Side Church. It is God's great promise and demand to every preacher of the Word. In December 1900, Charles Fox Parham, the founder and leader of Bethel Bible College, asked the approximately forty students to search the Bible to determine the sign or evidence that occurs when a person receives the Holy Ghost. Evangelism is the preaching of the Gospel (or good about Jesus Christ called the Christ or Messiah). Billy Graham turns to be one of the most popular televangelists that the world has ever known. 20th Century Revivals - Revival Library Grahams work did draw hundreds of thousands to the true teachings of Christ. But many of todays most celebrities have become Christian evangelists. Buttrick is one of the famous preachers of the 20th century who taught the gospel with determination and passion. In the mid-fifties he began his teaching career, first at Union Theological Seminary and later Harvard. Through all the accolades he has presented a strong Christianity with a big God, a loving Savior, a hot hell, and a glorious heaven. Records hold that he taught the New Testament at the University of Edinburgh. His humorous side is not frequently discussed, and though often portrayed by the media to be a rather serious, no nonsense individual, in reality he was the epitome of humor. Although the were not out for fame, God made them popular. Chloe has a passion for God and serving the local church with a defined heart for women. Stewart was committed to expository preaching, and preached with an earnestness and energy that was warmly received by his listeners. However, his humorous side seems to have been drowned by modern reporters of his adventures. Their accomplishments are still being narrated in most churches till the present date. Undoubtedly the most prominent evangelist at the close of the nineteenth century was Dwight L. Moody. John Mark Ministries web site was a huge help in my searches: www.jmm.org. The product of a working-class family, Sangster was educated in London and Birmingham, and served in the army during World War I. In addition, he stood in opposition to Fosdicks liberalizing influence. He's been called "America's Pastor" and has ministered personally to several American presidents. I am Shopia, a movie enthusiastic and I read lot of books, mostly of science fiction, thrillers and biography. In addition, James served as a pastor of three Church of Scotland congregations. He was tragically assassinated in 1968. With such accomplishments, we can only class him as one of the famous preachers of the 20th century. 20. When the first International Congress on Preaching was held in London in 1997, one of the most exciting elements for me was the opportunity to meet John Stott. He began preaching at revivals he called "crusades" in the years following WWII. As Leslie Weatherhead once described one of Sangsters books of sermons, No chapter finishes by making you say, What a clever writer Sangster is. They all make you say, What a wonderful Savior Jesus is.'. Nearly half a century after he retired as pastor of Pittsburghs historic First Church, as his fifth successor I still reap the benefits of the ministry of a true homiletical giant. Let the history of the Church be for a witness that power has visited the Church in such preaching, and that power has ebbed when the Cross has been forgotten. This is a 30 minute video montage of the Top 10 Most Influential Preachers of the Last 25 Years as compiled by Preaching Magazine. You probably know Kent Hovind because hes the man behind the curtain of Creation Science Evangelism and Dinosaur Adventure Land. During his lifetime, three generations of seminarians sought Buttrick out not only as a man who knew homiletics, but more than that one who could really preach. Richard John Neuhaus Missions and Ecumenism: John R. Mott Evangelist and ecumenist. A favorite preacher among evangelicals around the globe, John Stott is Rector Emeritus of All Souls Church in London and Director of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. Sangster combined evangelical intensity with a brilliant mind and gifted use of language. Later in seminary as we began to study great preachers, I discovered Fosdick as an oasis in a dry desert. It doesnt matter besides the fact that he teaches kids and adults about Gods creation, dinosaurs and all. Lonnie Frisbee grew up in the backwoods of Arkansas. In 1926, McPherson disappeared while swimming near Venice Beach. It is said that he may have preached it as many as 39 times, both in Pittsburgh and across the country. (Robert Leslie Holmes, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA). The volume here reprinted provides one of the most readable and popular summaries of the leading preachers of Scotland from the time of the Celtic Church to the 1880s when Blaikie wrote. What a challenge. Today, Joel Osteen Evangelists have grown into one of the most influential churches around the globe. It is said that Nick and his family have helped thousands of children to lead better lives. False Teachers List & False Prophets Exposed / Problematic Preachers | List of False Teachers of the Prosperity Gospel & NAR: Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Rob Bell, Kenneth Copeland, T.D. These evangelists of this decade have touched the hearts of many, and some even converted after listening to their preaching. He was an American Evangelist who was also a Christian Crusade leader, a television and radio personality, and the founder of Christianity Today magazine. 13. Classic Sermon Manuscripts by Great Preachers of the Past That group was invited to identify and rank (1-10) their own list of the centurys great preachers; they also had an opportunity to suggest names which had not been included on the original list. In my library, the collected sermons of Lloyd-Jones bear witness to an earnest ministry, as the Puritan John Angell James once put it. His books have been circulated throughout the world, and you can find his blog on Jesus Is Savior, as well as others such as Time To Believe. There are yet great saints in the First Presbyterian family of Pittsburgh who sat under his preaching. His books entitled A faith to proclaim and Heralds of God have brought a plus to the lives of tens of thousands of preachers. Top Ten Greatest Preachers of 20th Century Michael Duduit, Editor, Preaching 1) James S. Stewart (1896-1990) 2) Billy Graham (1918- ) 3) George Buttrick (1892-1980) ADVERTISEMENT 4) Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) 5) Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969) 6) Campbell Morgan (1863-1945) 7) William Edwin Sangster (1900-1960) Preachers of Scotland by William G. Blaikie | Banner of Truth USA Known for his preaching skills, he preaches live every weekend. From the 100 most important events of the century to the 50 best entertainers to the 25 best athletes, it seems that there is a list for every interest. Born in 1893, the son of a popular Bible teacher in the YMCA movement, James Stewart was an acclaimed preacher both in his native Scotland and also in America. Pastor George Buttrick succeeded Henry Sloane Coffin whom we also consider as one of the famous preachers of the 20th century. Clarence delivered his sermons with directness and confidence. Following more years in America, Morgan returned to Westminister Chapel in 1933 (at age 69) and served for a decade during one of the most dangerous periods of Britains history. Cooperative Program Formed by the Southern Baptist. The second in the list of English Reformers of the last century, whose history I propose to consider, is a man of world-wide reputation--the famous John Wesley. Born in 1893, the son of a popular Bible teacher in the YMCA movement, James Stewart was an acclaimed preacher both in his native Scotland and also in America. Ralph Sockman I read everything by Fosdick I could get my hands on. James made an intense commitment to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. What makes a preacher great? His love of literature and the arts informed his clean, simple sermon outlines that intersected all of life. Top 35 Best Classic Movies of All Time Streaming on Netflix, Amazon or Hulu ! He used gestures effectively when preaching and had a superb, dignified manner. His teachings greatly influenced all sorts of noble listeners. His sermons were thoroughly biblical, erudite without being stuffy, eloquent though not ornate, moving but not cheaply emotional, eminently practical, often conscience-piercing, and above all, God-exalting. (1988), an entropic theory of "imperial overstretch", and of Preparing for the 21st Century (1995 . They have a strong belief in God, and they try to bring others to God with them by showing them how great his power is. Jakes, Creflo Dollar, Jesse Duplantis, Joyce Meyer, Rick Warren, Paula White, Kim Clement, Kenneth Hagin, Robert Tilton, Robert Schuller, Juanita Bynum. His most popular courses had to do with the outlining of sermons. Kevin Quinn: Singer, Family, Relationship, Career, and Net Worth, Best Movies of the 80s: Top 40 Films of the 1980s, Ranked. He proceeded to go to his library, pulled out a book by Fosdick and opened it to the exact page and showed me the sermon. Althea Gibson Steffi Graf Sonja Henie Billie Jean King Jackie Joyner-Kersee Martina Navratilova Wilma Rudolph Aviation and Space Bettmann/Getty Images Aviator Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic alone in 1932. It would be a mistake for us to omit Martin Luther from our list of famous preachers of the 20th century. He was a man of the people who was highly loved by his congregants. He is known to some as the greatest Christian evangelist of the 19th century. The most popular and controversial Evangelist of recent times is Franklin Graham. Besides this, they were also successful in spreading different religious beliefs across nations and thus making them more and more famous with every passing day. Most of his popular courses were centered around the outlining of sermons. For purposes of this listing, the primary characteristic seems to be the influence that preacher had on the church and on the wider society. In the process, Graham has become a "national chaplain" for Americans and a world citizen and ambassador for Christ. Raphael G. Warnock. The church elders asked that he preach it each year thereafter, which he did. His primary message is that Jesus Christ has come again to be with his people. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. His world travels were often routed through Ulster to visit cousins at the old homestead. Campbell died four years before I was born. Many people perceived him as an advocate of social change. CHAPTER 1. He was very vocal, and he was sure to have a strong influence on everyone. He happened to follow the footsteps of his father in preaching the gospel. His email newsletter, PreachingNow, is read each week by more than 40,000 pastors and church leaders in the U.S. and around the world. While changing times demand changing styles of preaching, the first and best advise to any preacher remains, read the text. (Timothy S. Warren, Professor of Pastoral Ministries, Dallas Theological Seminary). She had a younger sister named Echo McPherson, who wrote an autobiography about Aimee entitled Growing Up With Aimee. When Aimee was 23 years old, she set out for Los Angeles with little money and no job. It is frequently asked who the celebrities in Ray Comforts ministry are and what happens when they finish their evangelistic effort, that is, to help make people become Christians. He revived the faith of many in his days. Great Old preachers - Pinterest When Paul Crouch took to the pulpit in the 1960s, he had no idea what his television broadcasts would lead to. A converted shoe salesman, Moody had a passion for seeing souls converted to Christ. Of the many career opportunities King could have pursued, he chose to take a full time pastorate. Lonnie Frisbee is a natural-born evangelist who spends most of his time trying to spread Gods word. You either believe that miracles are real, or you dont. And each sermon is focused intently on a single purpose: to draw men and women to saving faith in Jesus Christ. 20. He wrote many books and articles, and twice delivered the prestigious Lyman Beecher Lectures on Preaching at Yale. He is recognized for playing Mike Seaver in the ABC TV sitcom Growing Pains from 1985 to 1992. . His ministry has reached out to everyone, including people all around the world. The first and best advise I ever received on the subject of preparing a sermon recalled the fundamental design of G. Campbell Morgans expository method: Read the text. Dollar, Jr. is best known as one of America's leading evangelists and famous preachers of the 20th century. Watchman Nee. Over 100 million people have listened to his sermons. Nonetheless he was forceful in the pulpit and became a master at sermon construction and orderly, powerful discourse. In addition to this, James S. Stewart also served as a moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Two years later, their daughter, Mollie Jean, was born, and in a year, Kirks twin sons Nathan and Caleb were born. George W. Truett His strong ties to the John F. Kennedy High School have inspired him to open his first church in a garage right across the schools campus. Preachers & Evangelists | Topics | Christian History Boreham, Oswald Hoffman, Walter Maier, John Maxwell, Harold John Ockenga, Fulton Sheen, and many more. The past year has produced an avalanche of best of the century and best of the millennium stories and listings in the media. Book Description. 14. (This list is organized chronologically by birth). But (says the story) in that despair an angel came while he slept and made the crucifix true both to the eye of the craftsman and the eye of the worshipper. E. Stanley Jones Christian Leaders of the Last Century (18th) -- J. C. Ryle 18. A gifted storyteller, his sermon illustrations range from accounts of the desolation of war-ravaged cities or observations about drunkenness to quotations from Matthew Arnold and John Bunyan. Records hold that most of his preaching was carried out in Scotland and America. Might be weve over-limited ourselves by referring to only Christians. R.G. This is what actually contributed to his national prominence. Criswell Harriet Livermore, a celebrated female preacher, had been invited to preach to Congress.