Dr. Bill Bright

Wycliffe Bible Translators
Saturday, 19 July 2003

Wycliffe extends sympathy to the Bright family and the Campus Crusade family who have worked with and been influenced by Bill Bright.

William R. Bright went to be with the Lord on July 19, 2003. He died from complications related to pulmonary fibrosis.

Dr. Bill Bright founded Campus Crusade for Christ more than 50 years ago. Crusade has grown to serve in 191 countries. Crusade units target high school students, athletes, college students and diplomats. Currently, Campus Crusade for Christ has a staff of 26,000 full-time employees and more than 225,000 volunteers.

Bright is well-known for his booklet The Four Spiriual Laws. This booklet was first published in 1956 and has been printed in about 200 languages. He has also authored more than 100 other books and booklets.

The Jesus film, a story of the life of Christ, was started by Bright in 1979 and has been viewed in 234 countries. Wycliffe has had the pleasure of working side-by-side with Crusade in producing some of these films, making the Jesus film the most widely translated film in history. Wycliffe has long enjoyed a good relationship with Bill Bright and Campus Crusade. They were instrumental in the move of Wycliffe USA's headquarters from California to Orlando, Florida.

Bright has received the first Lifetime Acheivement Award from his alma mater, Northeastern State Univeristy. Bill and his wife Vonette were given the Lifetime Inspiration Award from Religious Heritage of American Foundation. Dr. Bright was also inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2002.

Bright is survived by his wife Vonette, a sister, a brother, two sons and four grandchildren. Steve Douglass was named in 2001 as his successor.

The memorial service will be held in Orlando, Florida on July 30, 2003 at 10:30 am at First Baptist Church of Orlando. Guests are welcome.

There is more information on Dr. Bill Bright at www.billbright.ccci.org/public

For more information, or to contact Wycliffe Bible Translators, see their website at: www.wycliffe.org