Josh McDowell: New Evidence That Demands a Verdict

As a young man, Josh McDowell considered himself an agnostic and believed that Christianity was worthless. After being challenged to intellectually examine the claims of Christianity, Josh discovered compelling and overwhelming evidence for the reliability of the Christian faith. After believing in Jesus Christ, Josh's life changed dramatically as he experienced the power of God's love.

After his conversion, his plans for law school turned instead to plans for seminary and for telling a doubting world about the truth of Jesus Christ. He completed his college degree at Wheaton College and later attended Talbot Theological Seminary where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Divinity degree.

In 1961, Josh joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ International. Not long after, The Josh McDowell Ministry formed to realize the vision of reaching young people worldwide with the truth and love of Jesus Christ.

Well known as an articulate speaker, Josh has spoken to more than 10 million young people through over 24,000 talks in at least 118 countries.


As he traveled to other countries, Josh quickly realized that where young people were sick, homeless, and hungry words alone were not enough. In 1991, he founded Operation Carelift to meet physical and spiritual needs in orphanages, hospitals, and prisons in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Since its inception, over $46 million dollars of humanitarian aid (food, clothing, and medical supplies) has been delivered overseas, which equals 278 40-ton containers. Nearly 1 million children have also received school supplies, hygiene items and toys from the volunteers that come twice a year to share God's love with them.

Josh has received two significant honors from the Russian people because of these efforts. He is the only non-Russian to receive an honorary degree from the Russian Academy of Medicine and he is the only foreigner to be a member of the prestigious Russian Club of Scientists. Operation Carelift has grown and expanded into one of the largest humanitarian aid organizations out of the United States, now called Global Aid Network (GAiN).


Back in the United States, Josh has worked to create many cutting edge live events such as, "Why Wait?," "Counter the Culture," and "Right From Wrong," in order to help young people learn to stay strong and stand firm in their faith in the face of a rapidly changing culture.

Recently, Josh has traveled the United States with the message of the True Foundations campaign. True Foundations was designed to help young people take their faith and scriptural beliefs to form solid convictions that will stand firm in the face of constant cultural pressures.

During his 48 years of ministry, Josh has authored or co-authored 112 books, including:

* "More Than a Carpenter" which has been translated into over 85 languages, and
* "New Evidence That Demands a Verdict," which has been recognized by World Magazine as one of the century's top 40 books.

He has been nominated 36 times for the Gold Medallion Award and been chosen for that prestigious award on four occasions.

Other awards and honors include:

* 1989 Golden Eagle Award from the Council on International Nontheatrical Events for "Who Do You Listen To?" motion picture for excellence in representing the USA international motion pictures events abroad.
* 1990 Silver Apple Award for "Date Rape: It Happened to Me" film
* 1995 Chairman's Award from the National Religious Broadcasters
* 1996 Man of the Year from the Children's Hunger Fund
* 2000 Special Recognition Award from the Executive Office of the President of the National Drug Control Policy and Barry R. McCaffrey, Director
* 2007 First foreigner to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Pediatrics from the Russian Academy of Medicine.

Josh will tell anyone that of all the honors and awards he has received, his greatest joys and pleasures come from his family. He and his wife, Dottie, have been married 37 years and have four children and three very precious grandchildren.

"Sean McDowell is my son, and I am proud to say that he loves the Lord and has committed his life to serve Him. Sean acts as head of the Bible department of a Christian school on the West Coast where he lives with his wife, Stephanie, and two children. He has authored or co-authored several books on apologetics, intelligent design, ethics and youth ministry. Sean has been a speaker at many youth gatherings all over the country, encouraging young people to take a stand for the Lord in today's culture. I have greatly enjoyed spending time with Sean on writing projects and sharing speaking engagements with him and look forward to future times of ministry work together."
~ Josh