Dr. Ford is President of Leighton Ford Ministries which focuses on raising up younger leaders to spread the message of Christ worldwide. He has spoken face to face to millions of people in 37 countries on every continent of the world and served from 1955 until 1985 as Associate Evangelist and later Vice President of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. For many years Dr. Ford was featured as the alternate speaker to Billy Graham on the Hour of decision broadcast and his own daily TV and radio spots in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Dr. Ford was recipient of the 1990 Two Hungers Award which recognized his contributions to addressing the physical and spiritual hungers of people around the world. In 1985 he was selected as Clergyman of the Year by Religious Heritage of America and as Presbyterian Preacher of the Year by the National Presbyterian Center. TIME Magazine singled him out as being "among the most influential preachers of an active gospel."


Dr. Ford is Honorary Life Chairman of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, having served from 1976 to 1992 as chairman of this international body of Christian leaders. He currently serves as a board member for World Vision U. S., the Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Dr. Ford is also author and co-author of numerous books. His newest book, The Mentoring Community, was published in 2011. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Jean. Their children are a married daughter, Deborah, a son in business, Kevin and their older son, Sandy, who died after heart surgery in November 1981.

Recently, Leighton was invited to consult with Duke Divinity School about Christian Leadership. This link will take you to an interview (video & transcript) about the often-used metaphor of Leighton Ford Ministries: "Leadership like the aspen tree." Leighton Ford Ministries extends a special thank you to Duke's Faith and Leadership for their current initiative and encouraging website!

Leighton Ford tells a story of uncertainty, hope, sorrow and joy as his oldest son, Sandy, faced a rare and life-threatening heart disease.

Epilogue
And I hear him say, "I can think so deeply and every thought is clear. I can speak and express exactly what I mean. I can run and never get tired. I am so surefooted in the paths of glory." So a son leaves a legacy for a father. I have determined to run my race for Christ to the end. And when that time comes maybe our Savior will let him come running to meet me. Then with all sons and daughters of the resurrection, our hearts will beat and run for God forever.

Click on the painting to visit Leighton's Art Gallery.

I am pleased to recommend Prayers for Today, from Moody Press. My younger friend Kurt Bjorklund, pastor in Pittsburgh, has gathered prayers from many sources, and for 260 days (five a week) - to help us on a journey of contemplative prayer. through the year.

Each day Kurt give a Scripture prayer, prayers from others across the years, and A Prayer for Today.

This is a rich gift and resource - I recommend it!

Leighton