1 QUOTE

“Henrietta’s gracious spirit, her devotional life, her steadfastness for the simple gospel, and her knowledge of the Bible have been a continual inspiration and amazement to me. She is one of the greatest Christians I have ever known.”

- Billy Graham

1 NOTE

In two days the year will end. One day our lives will end. On New Year’s eve morning, I always envision myself standing before God’s judgment throne. One question I know God will ask is my life’s work of Kingdom fruit. Because we can never bear fruit on our own, it is the surest sign that a disciple is abiding in Christ (John 15:5). In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, fruits of the Spirit are Kingdom character. In John’s Gospel, fruit is people.

For the last seven weeks I have built a biographical capsule of the great Henrietta Mears. We have explored Henrietta’s mother, father, social base, failing eyes, what to do at bad parties, and why we need Christian retreats. Today we will explore the legacy of Henrietta Mears.

Over a 48 year public ministry career, Miss Mears was a Bible teacher, preaching at conferences all over the world. She was an author and promoter of Sunday School materials that went viral, the old-school way. She founded Christian education departments, a publishing company and  a retreat center named Forest Home. She called, trained and sent leaders into full-time ministry. And yet despite so much activity, her ministry was very personal. Her greatest contribution was to mentor young leaders with great potential. Henrietta’s mentoring tree (not including the countless women she sent into ministry in a patriarchal society) is staggering. Here is a small list of ‘The Mears Boys’ who all point to Henrietta Mears as the one who trained them into ministry:

Peter Macky: Pastor, apologist (who Henrietta called out of Harvard)

David Cowie: University Presbyterian Church Seattle

Donn Moomaw: Bel Air Presbyterian, Fuller Seminary president

Richard Halverson: Presbyterian pastor, US Senate chaplain

Harold Ockenga: Park Street Church, co-founder Christianity Today

Robert Munger: Presybterian pastor; author My Heart-Christ’s Home

Dawson Trotman: Founder of the Navigators

Jim Rayburn: Founder of Young Life

Dale Bruner: Missionary to the Philippines, author, Bible scholar

Billy Graham: International evangelist; co-founder Christianity Today

Bill Bright: Founder of Campus Crusade (which began out of Henrietta’s home for 11 years)

On the last night, Jesus called his disciples to abide. He taught them, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples (John 15:8).” Henrietta Mears faithfully abided, bore much fruit, and emerged as a true disciple. I thank God for Henrietta Mears. I give God ALL the glory for her amazing life and ministry.

1 QUESTION

If you are like me, as you look back on your year, you want to bear more fruit and prove even more to be his disciple. As you remember Henrietta’s life, what can you faithfully imitate in 2026?

Until Next Tuesday,

John