Who is Henrietta Mears? And Why is She Important?

Billy Graham said she was one of the greatest Christians he had ever known.
Bill Bright, Founder of Campus Crusade said that the three most influential people in his life were his mother, his wife Vonette and Henrietta Mears.
Others who credit Miss Mears with great influence in their lives and ministries are:
-Former US Senate Chaplin, Richard Halverson
-Author and Bible translator J. B. Phillips
-Actors Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Colleen Townsend Evans
-Jim Rayburn, the founder of Young Life
-Dawson Trotman, the founder of Navigators
-Radio Host and Seminary founder Charles E. Fuller

Her other accomplishments include but are not limited to:
-Within 3 years of taking the lead of Christian Education at Hollywood First Presbyterian church in California in 1928, the enrollment expanded from 400 to 4,500.
-She founded Gospel Light publishers to print the new Sunday School materials she wrote because they were in demand well beyond Hollywood!
-Gospel Literature International or GLint was founded to meet the international need for Sunday School materials.
-Regal publishers also finds its origins in Henrietta Mears.
-She founded Forest Home Christian Camp. It continues to flourish as a camp to touch people’s lives for the Kingdom.

In all her endeavors she trained others to do the work of the Kingdom. In the 500 strong college class she lectured, prayed and raised up leaders who in turn raised up others through evangelism and discipleship. Over 400 men and women went into vocational ministry in the US and as foreign missionaries as a direct result of Miss Mears.

Oh, and did I mention prayer?=} One short example: She had weekly leadership meetings at 6 AM on Saturdays. Those who attended said she had always had her personal extended time in the word and prayer before the meeting began. Bill Greig Jr., her cousin who traveled with her for years and presided over Regal & Gospel Light, told me Miss Mears considered prayer paramount and never acted without depending on God first in prayer.

WHY IS HENRIETTA MEARS IMPORTANT TODAY?
Putting aside the things I have already mentioned, Miss Mears, or “Teacher” as she was best known, tapped into a bunch of eternal principles. The depth of her personal relationship with God flowed into ministry. She had an intimate relationship with and dependence on God. That relationship coupled with the biblical principles she mined from the word and others are just as valid today as they were in the last century. The ministries spawned from hers, using these biblical principles continue to be fruitful for the Kingdom.

SO, WHY AM I TELLING YOU THIS?
By the grace of God, I will be writing an accessible book about Miss Mears. This woman who lived from 1890 to 1963 has much to say to us today. I intend to acquaint you with her from time to time over the next few months. All prayers welcome. =}