Today’s Leader of Faith
WARREN WENDELL WIERSBE
Home Call : 02 May 2019
Pastor, Bible Teacher, Theologian, Conference Speaker, Prolific Christian Author
Warren Wendell Wiersbe (1929 – 2019) was a widely respected American Christian pastor and Bible teacher. He is best known for his “BE” series – a set of over 50 Bible commentaries and devotional books such as Be Joyful, Be Obedient, Be Mature, and Be Real, which have helped millions understand and apply the Bible. The BE series cover every book of the Bible and are widely used in evangelical circles for devotional and teaching purposes. Wiersbe served as pastor in many churches including, Moody Church in Chicago. He later became the director of the Back to the Bible radio ministry, succeeding Theodore Epp. His clear, practical and accessible teaching style made him a beloved figure in Bible exposition and earned him the nickname “the pastor’s pastor.” He was deeply committed to sound doctrine, expository preaching, and equipping Christians for effective ministry. His tone was gracious, humble, and non-combative, reflecting his experience as a shepherd rather than a scholar alone. He kept the focus on Christ and the gospel, not on theological systems or debates. He authored many books. His works reflect a pastor’s heart, aiming to build up believers with encouragement, doctrinal accuracy, and practical application.
Wiersbe was born on May 16, 1929, in East Chicago, Indiana, as the youngest of four children to Fred and Gladys Wiersbe. His mother was of Swedish descent and his father of German descent. While attending Washington High School, Wiersbe had a pivotal spiritual experience, he became a committed Christian in 1945 during a Youth for Christ rally held at his school. This marked the beginning of his lifelong devotion to Christian ministry. After high school, he pursued further education at Indiana University (Indianapolis campus) and Roosevelt University, eventually graduating in 1953 from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, Illinois, which prepared him for his influential work in pastoral and teaching ministries.
Wiersbe was ordained as a pastor in 1951 while attending seminary and served at Central Baptist Church until 1957. He then directed the Literature Division of Youth for Christ (1957–1961) and pastored Calvary Baptist Church in Kentucky (1961–1971), where he oversaw significant growth. From 1971 to 1978, he pastored Chicago’s Moody Church and continued his national radio ministry. Between 1978 and 1982, he taught theology and preaching at Trinity and Dallas seminaries. He also served on the Slavic Gospel Association board (1971–1983) and led the Back to the Bible broadcast (1980–1992). In 1995, he became Writer in Residence at Cornerstone University and Distinguished Professor of Preaching. A prolific author, Wiersbe wrote over 150 books, including the widely read “BE” series, and recounted his life in Be Myself: Memoirs of a Bridgebuilder.
Warren Wiersbe passed away just two weeks before his 90th birthday. He died peacefully at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska. Before his death, Wiersbe and his wife Betty gifted their massive personal library of over 13,000 volumes to Cedarville University in Ohio. He left behind a profound and enduring legacy that continues to impact pastors, teachers, and believers worldwide.
— John Michael, Rajahmundry