The Life Story of Pastor Erwin Lutzer

Erwin W. Lutzer is a Canadian-born evangelical pastor, author, and radio broadcaster, best known for serving as the Senior Pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years (1980–2016). Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, to German Protestant refugee parents, Lutzer became a Christian at age 14 and studied at Winnipeg Bible College, Dallas Theological Seminary, and Loyola University Chicago.

His ministry career included pastoring Edgewater Baptist Church before an unexpected invitation to preach at The Moody Church led to his long tenure there. After retiring in 2016, he transitioned to Pastor Emeritus, continuing his work through radio programs like Running to Win and Songs in the Night, which reach over 1,000 outlets globally. Lutzer has authored more than 70 books, including the bestselling The Da Vinci Deception and his memoir He Will Be the Preacher, and received a Hall of Fame award from the National Religious Broadcasters in 2026.

Pastor Erwin Lutzer is a renowned Canadian-American evangelical author, theologian, and Pastor Emeritus of Chicago’s historic Moody Church. Serving as its senior pastor from 1980 to 2016, Lutzer has authored over 70 books and reaches millions daily through his internationally broadcast radio programs.

Key Milestones in Pastor Lutzer’s Life

Era / Date	Life Milestone
1941	Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, to a family with deep Christian roots.
Age 14	Made a personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
1960s	Earned a B.Th. from Winnipeg Bible College and a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary.
1969	Married his wife, Rebecca.
1973	Earned an M.A. in Philosophy from Loyola University.
1980	Began his 36-year tenure as the 16th Senior Pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago.
1995	Published Hitler’s Cross, which won a Christian Booksellers Gold Medallion.
2016	Preached his final sermon as Senior Pastor and transitioned into the role of Pastor Emeritus.
February 2026	Inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Hall of Fame in Nashville.

10 Examples of His Core Ministry Focus

Biblical Expository Preaching: Known for verse-by-verse teaching that addresses modern cultural issues.
Global Media Outreach: Featured speaker on “Running to Win,” “Songs in the Night,” and the “Moody Church Hour” reaching global audiences.
Theology and Apologetics: Author of books like Christ Among Other Gods, defending the exclusivity of Christ.
Cultural Engagement: Wrote the bestseller We Will Not Be Silenced, addressing secularization and the church’s role in modern America.
Death and the Afterlife: Authored the highly popular book One Minute After You Die.
Discipleship Focus: Wrote daily devotionals, such as Running To Win: 365 Daily Devotions.
Church History and Warnings: Examined the Church’s response during Nazi Germany in the award-winning book Hitler’s Cross.
Prayer and Family Life: Authored A Practical Guide For Praying Parents and co-wrote books with his wife, Rebecca.
Mentorship and Global Leadership: Conducted seminars and training for pastors globally, including regions in Russia and Belarus.
Evangelism: Preached the gospel message daily with an emphasis on personal salvation and grace.

In the News

Pastor Lutzer remains active, continuing to publish books and speak globally. He made headlines for being inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Hall of Fame during their annual convention in Nashville, recognizing his longstanding integrity and global media influence. Furthermore, he continues to add to his extensive bibliography, highlighted by his recent book Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers? and his memoir He Will Be the Preacher.

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