The 2019 Legacy Banquet Program

HONORARY ALUMNI OF THE YEAR WARREN AND BE T T Y WIERSBE We are pleased to posthumously award Warren and Betty Wiersbe the Honorary Alumni of the Year. Dr. Warren Wiersbe began his ministry in 1951 at Central Baptist Church in East Chicago, Indiana, where he served until 1957. He then spent four years at Youth for Christ as Director of the Literature Division before leaving to pastor Calvary Baptist Church of Covington, Kentucky, from 1961 to 1971. During that time, Calvary grew from 800 to several thousand members, and his messages were broadcast on radio for the first time. It was during his time at Calvary that Dr. Wiersbe became acquainted with Cedarville, after he was invited to speak in chapel by Dr. James T. Jeremiah. He continued to speak at Cedarville periodically, and Dr. Jeremiah returned the favor by filling in for him at Calvary on occasion. In 1971, Dr. Wiersbe was called to pastor Moody Church, located in Chicago, and led that ministry until 1978. He ministered over the radio through his “Songs in the Night” program while at Moody, and with Back to the Bible radio network from 1980 to 1993. He had an active conference speaking ministry until 2004. Dr. Wiersbe was a prolific author, having written more than 175 books, with his last being “Delights & Disciplines of Bible Study: A Guidebook for Studying God's Word,” released in 2018 by David C. Cook. Wiersbe was a regular contributor to Christianity Today magazine from 1979 to 1982 under the pen name “Eutychus X.” Perhaps he is best known for his “Be” series of Bible studies, which he completed in 2002 after 30 years and more than 40 titles. He also taught practical theology classes at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, from 1978 to 1982 and is a former distinguished professor of preaching at Grand Rapids (Michigan) Theological Seminary. In 1995, Wiersbe became Writer in Residence at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Distinguished Professor of Preaching at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. To honor his long-term friendship with Cedarville and his commitment to the cause of Christ, Cedarville awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters degree on January 26, 1987, as part of the University’s centennial celebration. Warren Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, were married in 1953. Betty was a devoted wife, mother, and prayer warrior. It has been said that without Betty Wiersbe, there would have been no Warren Wiersbe. Warren could not have done the work necessary to preach and write as he did without an equally gifted partner. Betty not only was dedicated to keeping order to their home, she handled all correspondence, finances, and logistics for Warren’s ministry.