10 influential Christian leaders inspiring new Christian Era
Many modern-day influential Christian leaders have given their faith fresh meaning and influenced a lot of people, even younger ones. Most of them are naturally talented and popular with large fan bases everywhere.
These Christian personalities are the most ‘sought after’ and ‘well-known’ preachers in America, spreading the gospel around the country and across the world.
With that, keep scrolling, and you’ll see the most influential Christian leaders in the U.S. in this modern-day era of Christianity.
- Saddleback Church
- 1 Saddleback Pkwy., Lake Forest, California
Rick Warren, the founder of Saddleback Church, comes from a long line of Baptist ministers in the Southern United States. Warren became one of the most influential Christian leaders in America after the publication of his book, The Purpose-Driven Life, in 2000.
Warren is still actively writing now, and in addition to writing, he is concentrating on his P.E.A.C.E. plan and several constitutional issues.
Impact: Rick Warren, a contemporary Bible teacher and preacher, has accomplished much in the ministry. Millions of people have found enormous help in Warren’s sermons, and Bible studies in maintaining a steady and honest spiritual life.
Image: Joel Osteen
- Lakewood Church
- 3700 Southwest Fwy., Houston, Texas
Joel Osteen is an American pastor, best-selling author, and televangelist. Every week, millions of people in over 100 different nations tune in to see his broadcast lectures, including 10 million in the United States alone.
According to Britannica, he wrote several best-sellers during this time, including 2007’s “How to Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day.”
Impact: Most of Osteen’s sermons are optimistic messages he calls the “prosperity gospel,” in which he avoids formal theology and teachings about the destructive effects of sin.
- Grace Community Church
- 13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, California
John MacArthur is the lead pastor at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. He is also an author, conference speaker, and chancellor at The Master’s University and Seminary.
MacArthur is not only the president of Grace to You but is also a prominent teacher there. More than a thousand broadcasts of “Grace to You” per day reach major population centers on every continent thanks to the English language.
Impact: Many people praise John MacArthur for the fresh perspective he brings to preaching and teaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Young and old alike are turning to his sermons for today as a vital resource for learning more about God’s grace and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- The Potter’s House
- 6777 West Kiest Blvd., Dallas, Texas
T.D. Jakes is the bishop of The Potter’s House, an American megachurch in Dallas.
According to Discover Walks, Jakes has made appearances on “Good Morning America” and “Dr. Phil” to promote “sexual abstinence.”
Impact: T.D. Jakes is a great speaker who is spreading a message of optimism to the general public through the media. He also shows his commitment to mentoring future leaders through his annual small-group leadership conferences.
- Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
- 1 Billy Graham Pkwy., Charlotte, North Carolina
Even if God already took him back into His arms in 2018, Billy Graham is one of the most influential Christian leaders having a huge impact on Christianity.
Believers Portal shared that Graham was a vocal opponent of segregation in the 1950s and actively fought to bridge the gap between Black and white members of the American church. In his 50 years, he served as a spiritual advisor to American presidents.
Impact: Graham held numerous crusades or large public meetings at which the gospel was preached, testimonies were shared, and hymns were sung. Also, Graham was an inspiration to many future Christian leaders who are continuing his work today.
- The Church on The Way
- 14300 Sherman Wy., Van Nuys, California
The King’s University at Southlake, Texas, was led by Jack Hayford, who also held the position of Chancellor.
In Van Nuys, California, Hayford established and presided over The Church On The Way for more than three decades. The sermons he spoke were well-received, and his books sold well.
Impact: He was widely recognized as a “bridge-builder” who worked to strengthen relationships between Christians of different backgrounds. According to Jack Hayford Ministries, he was admired for the moderation with which he preached the Word, a message that he never watered down or compromised.
Because of his desire to foster harmony across racial and religious lines, he was welcomed into many ministry contexts.
- Joyce Meyer Ministries
- Fenton, Missouri
Meyer is a charismatic Christian author who has penned over a hundred books and hosted a popular TV show called “Enjoying Everyday Life,” both of which focus on helping viewers apply Christian principles and common sense to their daily lives.
Meyer is widely recognized as one of the most influential modern-day Bible teachers. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, she imparts wisdom on a variety of issues, always emphasizing the relevance of God’s Word.
Impact: Every year, Meyer shares her knowledge with thousands more through her public speaking and outreach engagements at conferences across the United States and around the world.
Hand of Hope, the organization’s mission arm, is another avenue through which she offers aid to those in need. Aside from that, she and her husband established a charity called The Dream Center to help those in St. Louis who are struggling.
- Abyssinian Baptist Church
- 132 West 138th St., New York, New York
Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church is the largest Black church in New York City, and its pastor, Rev. Calvin Butts, is a powerful figure in local, state, and national Christian and political circles.
According to Christian Ministry EDU.org, Reverend Butts has helped revitalize urban areas through his appointments to state boards tasked with economic development.
Impact: Butts focused his career on education. He pushed the establishment of Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change, a school that will provide learning materials to children in need. He also reinvigorated and expanded student support services on college campuses in America.
- First Baptist Church
- 4400 North Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, Georgia
After the establishment of the church and the In Touch Ministries, Stanley’s passion is to see the gospel spread as quickly and clearly as possible, all by the grace of God and the strength of the Holy Spirit.
As a result of this intention, his ideas are disseminated effectively to the people of God.
Impact: More than 60 books and the award-winning devotional and magazine, both titled In Touch, feature Stanley’s uplifting messages that resulted in a number of individuals following him.
- Trinity Broadcasting Network
- Tustin, California
Paul Crouch is widely regarded as one of the most influential pioneers and visionaries in the field of Christian television. In 1973, Crouch and his wife, Jan, established what would later become known as the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
Impact: TBN has expanded tremendously to become the world’s largest group owner of broadcast stations thanks to his direction and leadership. Crouch has been honored with a number of prestigious prizes in the field of television broadcasting, including the Telly Award, among others.
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