Steve Douglass, 77, president emeritus of both Campus Crusade International and Cru, as the ministry is known in the U.S., died Saturday, Oct. 29, after a battle with melanoma. He took over as president of the ministry in July 2001 from its founder, Bill Bright. Although Douglass remained on the ministry’s board of directors, he stepped down from his presidential role in October 2020 due to several issues with his health. Read Cru’s official tribute to him at this link.
Douglass came to Campus Crusade after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Business School, serving in a variety of positions there for over five decades before transitioning to the president’s role. He began as director of planned giving and served as vice president of administration, U.S. director and U.S. campus director as well as global executive director before Bright tapped him as his successor. A former board member of the National Association of Religious Broadcasters, Douglass was the author or co-author of several books, including “Enjoying Your Walk With God,” and host of the program “Making Your Life Count,” heard nationally and internationally on over 1,600 radio stations.
As news of Douglass’ death spread, evangelical leaders from across the world posted their condolences on social media. Tom Lin, president of InterVarsity USA, referred to Douglass’ passion for the gospel in his Facebook post, noting that “Steve was a consummate evangelist, sharing the good news of the gospel in every café, restaurant and airport we went together. Passionate about partnership, always asking what we could do better together in mission. And a spiritual encourager, texting me and offering prayer together throughout my first four years as InterVarsity president, when he also served as Cru’s president.
“You will be greatly missed, Steve.”
Rev. Johnnie Moore, founder of public relations firm the Kairos Company, called Douglass as “a great man, a giant of a leader and a dear friend”:
Saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Douglass, president emeritus of @crutweets. Steve was a great man, a giant of a leader & a dear friend.
Well done, sir.
Truly a “a good and a faithful servant.”
— Rev. Johnnie Moore ن (@JohnnieM) October 30, 2022
Greg Stier, founder of Dare to Share and host of “The Greg Stier Youth Ministry Podcast” on the Charisma Podcast Network, also highlighted Douglass’ heart for the lost:
Steve Douglass, former president of Cru, passed away this afternoon. He was a man who was passionate about Jesus and relentlessly committed to the advancement of the Gospel. A great servant of God has passed into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
— Greg Stier (@gregstier) October 30, 2022
And Jay Strack, author, speaker, and president and founder of Student Leadership University, shared his condolences as well:
Steve Douglass, former President of CRU, a great warrior for evangelism, prayer, missions, and discipleship departed from us. Pray for his wife Judy and the family. pic.twitter.com/XPaggvnU3X
— Jay Strack (@Jstrack007) October 30, 2022
Douglass leaves behind his wife, Judy, also an author and speaker as well as host of “When You Love a Prodigal” on the Charisma Podcast Network; three adult children and 10 grandchildren. {eoa}
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