BILL BRIGHT
PROFILE

Founder and Chairman 
Campus Crusade for Christ International

Dr. William R. ("Bill") Bright was born in Coweta, Okla., on Oct. 19, 1921. He graduated from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and a minor in sociology. While a student, Bright served as editor of the university yearbook, was student body president, was chosen as a member of Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, and was selected by students and faculty as the outstanding graduate. He later moved to Los Angeles where he launched a successful business career.

While in California, Bright attended the First Presbyterian Church in Hollywood. Largely through the influence of his mother's prayers and the church, he became a Christian in 1944 and then began an intensive study of the Bible. 

His studies led him to almost five years of graduate work at Princeton and Fuller theological seminaries, while still continuing his business interests. It was while a seminary student at Fuller that the young Bright felt the call of God to help fulfill Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). He began by sharing Christ with students on campus at UCLA, an activity that soon became a full-time calling, and which gave birth to the present worldwide ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ.

From a small beginning in 1951, the organization he began now has more than 26,000 full-time staff and over 225,000 trained volunteer staff in 191 countries in areas representing 99.5 percent of the world's population. What began as a campus ministry now covers almost every segment of society with some 60 special ministries and projects, which reach out to students, inner cities, governments, prisons, families, the military, executives, musicians, athletes, and many others. 

Each ministry is designed to help fulfill the Great Commission, Christ's command to carry the gospel to the entire world. The JESUS film, which Bright conceived and funded through Campus Crusade for Christ, has been viewed by more than 5.1 billion people in 234 countries and has become the most widely viewed as well as most widely translated film in history (more than 800 languages). More than 128 million people have indicated decisions to receive Christ in response to the JESUS film.

Bright held five honorary doctorate degrees: a Doctor of Laws from the Jeonbug National University of Korea, a Doctor of Divinity from John Brown University, a Doctor of Letters from Houghton University, a Doctor of Divinity from the Los Angeles Bible College and Seminary, and a Doctor of Laws from Pepperdine University. In 1971, he was named outstanding alumnus of his alma mater, Northeastern State University. He was listed in Who's Who in Religion and Who's Who in Community Service (England), and received numerous other recognitions. In 1973, Bright received a special award from Religious Heritage of America for his work with youth, and in 1982, he received the Golden Angel Award as International Churchman of the Year. 

Together with Mrs. Bright, he received the Jubilate Christian Achievement Award, 1982-1983, for outstanding leadership and dedication in furthering the gospel through the work of Campus Crusade and the Great Commission Prayer Crusade. He chaired the National Committee for the National Year of the Bible in 1983 and was named the 1996 recipient of the $1.1 million Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion. He dedicated the proceeds of the award toward training Christians internationally in the spiritual benefits of fasting and prayer, and for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Bright was also selected to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in November 1996. 

Since 2000, Bright received the first Lifetime Achievement Award from his alma mater, Northeastern State University, as well as a co-recipient with his wife of the Lifetime Inspiration Award from Religious Heritage of America Foundation. In addition, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from both the National Association of Evangelicals and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, which also bestowed on him the Chairman’s Award. He was inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2002.

Bright authored more than 100 books and booklets as well as thousands of articles and pamphlets that have been distributed by the millions in most major languages. His books include: Come Help Change the World, The Secret, The Holy Spirit, A Man Without Equal, A Life Without Equal, The Coming Revival, The Transforming Power of Fasting & Prayer, Red Sky in the Morning (co-author), God: Discover His Character, and Blessed Child. He and Mrs. Bright co-authored Building a Home in a Pull-Apart World, and he was the editor of The Greatest Lesson I've Ever Learned, a compilation of input from 38 prominent Christian men. His booklet, Have you Heard of The Four Spiritual Laws?, has a distribution of more than 2.5 billion.

In 2000, Bill Bright announced that his long-time associate, Steve Douglass, would succeed him as president of Campus Crusade.  Douglass, 57, is a 33-year veteran of Campus Crusade, having served as executive vice president and director of the U.S. Ministries.  He has also served on the ministry’s board of directors since 1987.  Douglass was installed as the new president on July 22, 2001. 

Subsequently Bright co-founded with Dr. James Davis the Global Pastors Network, an internet-based training center at www.globalpastorsnetwork.org, designed to equip pastors and ministers worldwide with interactive resources, events, and networking opportunities.

Bill Bright is survived by his wife Vonette, who assisted him in founding Campus Crusade for Christ; his sister Florence Skinner of Coweta, Okla.; his brother Forest Bright of Hemet, Cal.; his son Zachary, who is pastor of Divine Savior Presbyterian Church in California; and son Brad, who is on staff with Campus Crusade.  The Brights have four grandchildren. 

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