Warren w wiersbe biography

In a recent celebration of enduring influence, Cedarville University announced expanded access to the Warren and Betty Wiersbe Library and Reading Room, now featuring digitized sermon archives from The Moody Church. This renewed focus on Wiersbe's legacy underscores his timeless role in shaping evangelical thought and pastoral care. As the church community continues to reflect on his life, we remember not just a teacher, but a faithful friend to many.

A Life of Lasting Impact

Dr. Warren Wiersbe, affectionately known as "the pastor’s pastor," left a remarkable imprint on Christian teaching and pastoral ministry. Though he passed away in Lincoln, Nebraska, at age 89, his voice continues to resonate through his more than 150 books and countless Bible teachings shared worldwide. For many, his ministry through the Back to the Bible radio program and his dynamic seminary lectures offered not only insight but spiritual stability in a changing world.

What I admired most about Dr. Wiersbe was his way with words. He called himself a bridge builder, and in every way, he lived that out. He had a remarkable ability to step into transitional moments—whether in a church or classroom—and offer the kind of leadership that brought clarity and peace. His grandson, Dan Jacobsen, once described him beautifully: "His preferred tools were words, his blueprints were the Scriptures, and his workshop was his self-assembled library." That description still gives me chills. Warren wasn’t just a communicator—he was an architect of understanding, building frameworks that made biblical truths accessible and profound.

His Be commentary series, which journeys through every book of the Bible, became a staple in seminaries and homes alike. Translated into many languages and selling millions of copies, those books remain a legacy of both literary discipline and spiritual devotion.

But if I’m honest, what shaped me most was something far more personal. It happened on a Sunday in early April of 1977. I hadn’t planned on preaching that day—in fact, my wife Rebecca and I had just said goodbye to our previous congregation so I could begin a new teaching chapter. That morning, we decided to attend The Moody Church simply as visitors. I dropped off Rebecca and our children at the LaSalle Street entrance and, by sheer providence, found a rare parking spot just a hundred feet from the door.

What happened next was unforgettable. As I entered the church lobby, Dr. Wiersbe passed by in his coat. “Wiersbe, where are you going?” I asked. It was just ten minutes before the service.

“Erwin Lutzer! I’m sick, I’m on my way home. Will you preach for me this morning?” he replied.

And just like that, the first time I ever stepped foot into The Moody Church as a guest, I ended up preaching from its pulpit. Looking back now, I believe that moment was the first step in a divine journey that would eventually lead to my serving as the church’s Senior Pastor—a position I would be honored to hold for over three decades.

I first came to know Warren through prayer meetings with other local pastors. Although we were in awe of his reputation, he never made it about himself. I remember how he would close his books, lean back in his chair, and give us his full attention. We’d talk about our churches, the demands of ministry, and the spiritual needs of our city. Then we’d find a quiet corner in the church and intercede together, praying for revival and renewal much like in the days of D.L. Moody himself.

Wiersbe had an unmatched ability to connect with people. He had a quick wit, a brilliant memory for names, and a deep pastoral heart. On Sunday evenings, when the services were still well-attended, he’d show up early just to shake hands and ask people how their week had gone. “I do most of my pastoring before the service even starts,” he once told me. He and his wife Betty were deeply invested in the church’s missionaries—knowing not just their locations, but the names of their children, and lifting them up in prayer regularly.

In a generous act that reflected his commitment to learning, Warren donated his library of over 14,000 books to Cedarville University. That collection now forms the heart of the Warren and Betty Wiersbe Library and Reading Room. I was thrilled to hear that this summer, a Cedarville student who also happens to be a longtime Moody Church member, will be cataloging more than 360 of Warren’s recorded sermons. Each message will be tagged with a summary and a topic list, making them a rich resource for generations to come.

When I completed my autobiography, Dr. Wiersbe honored me with a gracious foreword. I still remember one of his lines: “It’s not an easy road, but if the Lord has called us and put us where we are, He will see to it that we will know His will and accomplish it no matter how impossible it might seem.” Those words were not only true of me—they were a reflection of his own life as well.

Now his road on Earth has ended, and I believe with all my heart that Warren has already heard those cherished words: “Well done, good and faithful servant … enter into the joy of your Lord.”

For those of us still here, his legacy is a living, breathing testament to what one life, fully surrendered, can do for the kingdom of God.