Erwin W. Lutzer (born October 3, 1941) is a Canadian-born evangelical Christian speaker, radio broadcaster, and author. He is the pastor emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, Illinois (1980–2016).
In January 1980, Lutzer became the 16th senior pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The church and its ministries grew significantly under his leadership, leading to the construction of a new Christian Life Center to complement the existing 75-year-old building.[4] On January 4, 2016, at a Sunday sermon, Lutzer announced that he would be retiring from his senior pastor position at The Moody Church.[5] He said he would retain the position until a new senior pastor was chosen, and afterward would consider himself to be the church's "Pastor Emeritus", planning to "assume a wider role" by continuing his radio show "Running to Win" as well as "speaking at media rallies, conducting seminars, and writing books" in the future.[5] On the Sunday morning of May 22, 2016, Lutzer preached his last sermon as senior pastor of The Moody Church and officially stepped down from the position.[6]
Legal issues
In December 2010, The Illinois Appellate Court for the Second District upheld a jury verdict finding Lutzer liable in the amount of $276,306 for False Light Invasion of Privacy in a civil case brought against Lutzer while acting in the capacity of Senior Pastor of the Moody Church by a former colleague and associate pastor.[7][8]
Media
Radio and television
Pastor Lutzer is the featured speaker on two radio broadcasts produced by Moody Church Media: "Songs in the Night," (1980–Present) and "Running to Win" (1998–Present).[9][10][11] From 1980-2024, he was also the featured speaker on the "Moody Church Hour," a weekly broadcast of worship and teaching. On February 18, 2024, he transferred hosting “Moody Church Hour” to the 17th Senior pastor of The Moody Church, Philip Miller.[12] These broadcasts are heard on radio stations across the U.S., including Moody Radio, Bott Radio Network, the Bible Broadcasting Network, and more as well as streaming worldwide on the internet.[13] "Running To Win" also broadcasts internationally in over 50 countries and 7 languages, through partnerships like Trans World Radio.[14]
On November 10, 2018, his television production of A Call for Freedom, tracing the Protestant Reformation from the time of Martin Luther and shot on location in Germany, won three regional Emmy Awards.[15]
Lutzer has authored more than 70 books, including Hitler’s Cross, which won a Gold Medallion award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, and the bestselling We Will Not Be Silenced: Responding Courageously to Our Culture's Assault on Christianity and One Minute After You Die: A Preview of Your Final Destination.[16]
Lutzer’s book critiquing Dan Brown’s best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code, entitled The Da Vinci Deception, was featured on national broadcasts in both secular and Christian markets.[17]
Personal life
Lutzer and his wife, Rebecca, make their home in the Chicago area as of 2021. They have three adult children.[18]
Works
One Minute After You Die: A Preview of Your Final Destination, ISBN0-8024-6322-3
