July (Web-only) 2000

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Bill Bright will be 80-years-old when he passes control of his 87-ministry organization to Stephen Douglass, a Campus Crusade for Christ colleague of 30 years and Crusade's current executive vice president.The baton will change hands officially in July of 2001, but Douglass will now begin to slowly assume Bright's responsibilities to insure a "seamless transition.""I feel I'm in my prime," says Bright, who has led Crusade from its inception in 1950. "Now I want to focus on calling the Christian World to fasting and prayer for revival."Bright also plans to develop at least 10 more books as curriculum for Crusade's International Training University, an institute that prepares workers for evangelism from all over the globe."I've thought and prayed about this decision for many years, and count it a privilege to see such a strong, devoted man respond to the challenge of leading Campus Crusade for Christ," Bright said, listing above Douglass' Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard credentials, "his heart for God."Douglass says the top three priorities he will emphasize as Crusade's new leader are:1) Preserving what must not be changed, such as Crusade's "high view of the word of God."2) Receiving new innovations and ideas, such as the proposal that sparked the Jesus Film.3) Continuing to serve God wholeheartedly, so that the joy and love of Christ are evident in each Crusade member's life.Douglass, who has previously served on the board of Mission America, says that he will also continue to emphasize partnership with other Christian organizations."Campus Crusade for Christ has over 1,000 partners," says Douglass, citing movements like the Lighthouses of Prayer as evidence of Christian partnership. "I believe that this ...