Featured Author: Josh McDowell
Mention "truth" or "apologetics" and one name that comes immediately to mind for many people is Josh McDowell. Like the Energizer Bunny, Josh seems to have boundless energy and like Pat Boone he seems to be ever youthful. Perhaps his passion for working with young people is his fountain of youth! He has so much enthusiasm that you can't be in his presence—even by radio or in reading his material—without getting caught up in it.
From skeptic to zealous apologist
While a student at Kellogg College in Michigan in the early sixties, Josh McDowell was challenged by a group of Christian students to examine the claims of Christianity. Josh once considered himself an atheist and was sure that Christianity was worthless, but he accepted the challenge. He focused his energy on discrediting the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instead, he discovered compelling historical evidence for the reliability of the New Testament and the Resurrection.
He was convinced intellectually, but he struggled with the idea of giving control of his life over to Jesus. Then one night when he was unable to sleep or to get Jesus off his mind, Josh prayed to ask Jesus to come into his life and forgive his sins. In the months that followed, Josh's life changed dramatically as he experienced the power of God's love. Most noticeable was his renewed relationship with his father—the town drunk—whom he never thought he could love again. Josh's hatred for him turned to love by the power of God at work in his life.
Telling the truth to a needy world
Since his conversion, Josh has devoted his life to telling a doubting world about Christ. He transferred to Wheaton College where he completed his college degree. Later he attended Talbot Theological Seminary where he graduated magna cum laude with a master of divinity degree. In 1964, he became a traveling representative of Campus Crusade for Christ International. To this day, his close affiliation with the organization and its founder and former president Bill Bright continues. In 1983, the Josh McDowell Ministry headquarters moved to its current location in Richardson, TX. The ministry employs a staff of 75 people with affiliate offices located throughout the country.
After almost four decades, cutting-edge ministry has become Josh's mantra for reaching skeptical-minded youth and adults like he once was. Through live events, such as "Why Wait?," "Right from Wrong," and "Project 911," he has touched the lives of more than seven million young people in 84 countries. Building on his audience and reputation for innovation, in 1990 Josh packaged his unique message and delivery into a popular weekly broadcast, called Josh McDowell Radio, that is heard on about 400 stations throughout the United States.
To date, Josh has written or co-written 77 books on topics ranging from Christian apologetics to common problems facing youth. Several are bestsellers and are recognized as leading books on the Christian faith. Among his most popular contributions on apologetics are Evidence That Demands A Verdict (which he published in 1972 and was recognized by World Magazine as one of the century's top 40 books) and More Than a Carpenter (his seminary thesis that was written in 12 hours and later published in 1977, and has been translated into more than 50 languages). During the 80s, 90s, and into the new millennium, Josh released a string of important books that have become fundamental resources in the areas of youth culture and morality, including Why Wait?, Right From Wrong, and The Disconnected Generation: Saving Our Youth From Self-Destruction. Featured on his web site now are books that relate to being grounded in the truth—titles like Right Choices, Truth Matters, Out of the Moral Maze, and Truth Works.
Heart as well as head
On the international scene, Josh has led close to 7,000 volunteers on bi-annual mission trips to the former Soviet Union, called Operation Carelift. Since 1992, more than 700,000 needy children's lives have been touched through the ministry's physical and spiritual support. Mission participants have distributed Christian books and literature and more than 3,036 tons of goods—totaling more than $36 million—to orphanages, hospitals, youth prisons, and underprivileged communities throughout Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. As a result, the Josh McDowell Ministry is considered one of the world's largest evangelistic organizations providing humanitarian aid to the region. This year Josh extended his ministry outreach to Warsaw, Poland, where he lectured 1,600 school teachers on the topic of sex education, only days before the country's Communist Party returned to power.
For 30 years, Josh and his wife, Dottie, have partnered in what he considers his first ministry: family. They have four children and live near the ministry in Dallas.
A special connection
Josh has a way of connecting with people that is unique. He combines his intellectual depth and passion for truth with a deep empathy for his audience, whether leaders, parents or young people. Here's how he describes Project 911 and the Project 911 live events:
What is causing our teenagers to lash out at their parents, teachers, and peers with lethal violence? Recent scientific studies, my own personal research, and my interaction with thousands of young people point to a common cause, not only of youth violence, but also to many of the problems and pathologies that plague our kids today. These sources all confirm that our kids today, even those from solid Christian homes, are a disconnected generation, alienated and adrift in a hostile world.…
This trend toward disconnection is a serious threat, not only to our children, but to society, and to the future of the church. We won't be able to pass on our faith or our values, or even protect our kids from the culture, unless we make that relational connection, loving bond, and intimate attachment that our children so desperately want and need.
That's why we launched PROJECT 911, an urgent, biblically based message designed to assist and empower adults to bridge the isolation gap and reconnect in loving, supportive, and God-centered relationships with their children. This initiative is resource-driven, consisting of new books, workbooks, and videos designed to help churches and families reconnect with their youth—and stay connected. And as a special ministry to young people, we have developed the PROJECT 911 Collection, a set of eight mini-books specifically designed to help students learn how to respond to the tough crises their friends may face.
I will also be sharing the PROJECT 911 message around the country through live events. In each city we visit, we'll hold two events. The Church Leadership Briefing, created especially for pastors, Christian educators, youth pastors, and all those who minister in the church, will help these leaders understand the implications of the disconnected generation and the urgent need to address the issue in every area of ministry. And in the Parent/Adult Seminar, I'll use six biblically based connecting points to provide parents and adults with the tools to develop a loving bond, emotional attachment, and intimate connection with their kids."
What others say about Josh
"Few individuals have had as wide an impact for the Christian faith on university audiences as Josh McDowell. He has unique ability to deal clearly and directly with … issues facing college students."
"Every time Josh speaks, hardened skeptics turn to Christ. His approach is both well reasoned and personable. His contribution to helping fulfill the Great Commission will continue to grow for decades to come."
Find out more
A number of Josh McDowell's books have been published by Tyndale. (tyndale.com) and details about his entire ministry can be found at josh.org (or joshmcdowell.com). His web site has material on the area of apologetics, where you can find out just what apologetics is as well as answers to questions for skeptics or those struggling to defend their Christian faith. You can purchase books and tapes, find out where to catch Josh on the radio, and find out about special projects like Operation Carelift, Right from Wrong, Why Wait, and Project 911.
