The moment one met Bill Bright, it was immediately apparent that he uniquely radiated the joy of Christ. It encompassed his entire being. Dr. Bright, co-founder of the historic Campus Crusade for Christ and a man who boldly and fearlessly lived out his faith in Jesus Christ, went home to heaven on July 19.

Dr. Bright, 81, had suffered from pulmonary fibrosis for the last few years, but he refused to let the disease govern him. Last year, he was our guest of honor during Liberty University's commencement weekend. Even though he was attached to an oxygen tank, Dr. Bright wanted to make a final trip to Lynchburg and personally address our graduates.

His commencement speech was riveting, humbly telling how God had miraculously moved in his life through the years because he had wholeheartedly and unconditionally placed his heart and his ministry in the hands of his Savior. Dr. Bright didn't recount this story in a spirit of arrogance; rather he simply wanted to share the great rewards of this life when we become wholly submissive to the will of Christ.

Dr. Bright gave his heart to Christ in 1945 and immediately set out on a quest to be an unshakable man of God. He said he had been a "happy pagan" before his conversion, working to promote a food business he had initiated. His purpose in life soon changed.

In 1951, he and his wife Vonette drew up a contract with Christ, joyfully vowing to renounce their earthly interests in order to commit to lives of advancing the "Great Commission" worldwide.

Within 48 hours, he recounted that he experienced what can only be described as a heavenly encounter. He said that the presence of God literally entered into his presence and pressed upon his heart that he was doing the right thing in starting Campus Crusade for Christ and committing his life to the intrepid campaign of worldwide evangelism.

This absolute allegiance to Christ was the key to the Orlando-based Campus Crusade for Christ becoming the world's largest Christian ministry. The organization's website reports that it now serves people in 191 countries through a staff of 26,000 full-time employees and more than 225,000 trained volunteers conducting outreaches ranging from military ministries to inner-city ministries.

The Orlando Sentinel reported, "Although best known for evangelizing on college campuses, Campus Crusade programs also include the circulation of 2.5 billion copies of a single religious tract written by Bright, 'The Four Spiritual Laws,' the same one he was still handing out to spring breakers on the beach in Daytona in the 1990s. Written in 1956, it has been printed in 200 languages."

Dr. Bright would have been the first one to tell you that it wasn't because of him that this ministry became successful; it was solely because of his constant effort to please his Lord and his endeavor to ensure that the ministry's staff also espouse this core principle of ministry. He lived this way until the end.

On July 10, Mrs. Bright, who co-founded Campus Crusade with her husband, sent out an E-mail to supporters, reporting that Dr. Bright's health had taken a notable turn for the worse. In the E-mail, she wrote, "I feel secure, protected, loved and at times so joyful for Bill that he will be with Jesus."

And therein lies the true message of Christianity. When we die, we have the confident joy of knowing that we will awaken in the presence of Christ. There is no fear when we encounter death secure in this blessed assurance.

Dr. Bright once called life "a wonderful adventure." And what an adventure life truly is when we walk through it holding the hand of the Giver of Life. And his adventure was exceptional!

"As much as he taught us how to live as a slave of Christ, he also taught us how to die with Christ," said Mathew Staver, founder of the Orlando-based Liberty Counsel. "He was a true role model and spiritual mentor because he modeled Christ and he loved Him with all of his soul."

Like the Apostle Paul, Dr. Bill Bright greatly impacted this world with the life-changing message of the Gospel. Please join me in praying for the leaders of Campus Crusade for Christ. I am confident that they will continue this man's legacy of deep devotion to Christ and the sacrificial quest to share the Gospel with the world community.

Jerry Falwell
Jerry Falwell.com

jf_wcii120402.html