Stephen Frederick Olford (1918–2004) was an American evangelical leader known for his expository preaching and ministry.
Born to Plymouth Brethren missionary parents in Zambia and raised in Angola, Olford was immersed in the Christian faith from an early age. He studied in the United Kingdom, where a motorcycle accident led to his call to ministry. During World War II, he served as an Army Scripture Reader, delivering messages to soldiers before deployment.
In 1953, Olford began his pastoral ministry at Duke Street Baptist Church in Richmond, Surrey, England, later leading Calvary Baptist Church in New York City (1959–73.) He pioneered Christian television with his show Encounter in New York and reached global audiences through radio broadcasts. Billy Graham called him “the man who most influenced my ministry.” Olford founded Olford Ministries International and established the Stephen Olford Center in Memphis, Tennessee, to train pastors.
A prolific author, Olford wrote many influential books, including Heart-cry for Revival (1969,) A Passion for Preaching: Reflections on the Art of Preaching (1989,) Not I, But Christ (1997,) and The Way of Holiness: Signposts to Guide Us (1998.) His other works include The Christian Message for Contemporary Life (1999) and The Sword of Suffering (2001.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Stephen F. Olford
What God expects us to attempt, He also enables us to achieve.
—Stephen F. Olford
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