Jack Wyrtzen

Biographical Sketch Jack Wyrtzen 1913 - 1996 Listen to Jack's Message: "What is That in Thine Hand?" NOTE: You will need the RealAudio Player 3.0 or higher from www.realaudio.com Schroon Lake, New York: On Wednesday, April 17 at about 9:30 a.m., at age 82, the man God used to found and direct the worldwide ministries of Word of Life Fellowship for 50 years went to be with the Lord. Saved at age 19 through the testimony of a friend, Jack turned from leading a dance band, and began a Bible study with a handful of friends. In later years, Jack would often quote the following Scripture verse that characterized his life after his conversion: . . . If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (II Cor. 5:17) Jack had an insatiable hunger for God's Word and a passion to share his faith everywhere he went - on street corners, in jails, rescue missions and anywhere a crowd could be found near his Woodhaven, Long Island, New York home. For nine years, he earned a living selling insurance, but his heart burned to preach, and preach he did with every opportunity God gave him. His enthusiastic spirit to present the Gospel attracted attention and in 1940, he was given air time on a New York City radio station. It was at this time that God burdened Jack to quit his job, step out in faith and begin the ministry of Word of Life. He crisscrossed America holding evangelistic crusades in major cities as well as in country churches. Jack believed that as an evangelist, "he must have a life above reproach, be yielded to Christ, have compassion for the lost and a gift of persuasive preaching." Truly, these characteristics were evidenced in the life of Jack Wyrtzen. God abundantly blessed Jack and the ministry of Word of Life flourished. Camp and conference centers were founded in upstate New York and Florida, overseas ministries expanded and Bible Clubs for young people were developed in more many churches nationwide. In 1971, along with Word of Life Co-Director, Harry Bollback, a Bible Institute was founded. Concerned by the reality that many organizations never continue beyond the founding leadership, Jack created room for younger men and in 1991, passed the leadership of Word of Life on to George Theis. Jack continued on for the next 5 years, speaking hundreds of times each year, advising, and sharing his contagious love for the Lord with young and old alike. He was a man like few others, strong in his convictions, loved for his enthusiastic spirit and respected for his exemplary life. His friend and co-laborer, Harry Bollback, once wrote about Jack, "Much that has been accomplished through the worldwide ministries of Word of Life was never really planned by Jack. Yet in all reality, the accomplishments did not just happen. God used a man who was available, a man who sincerely loved and trusted God, a man of explicit and almost childlike faith who believed that God would do the impossible." Jack is survived by his wife Joan, and their 8 children: Mary Ann Cox, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Don Wyrtzen, Brentwood, Tennessee; Betsy Oris, Schroon Lake, New York; David Wyrtzen, Midlothian, Texas; Ron Wyrtzen, Milford, Ohio; Kathy Hahn, Claremore, Oklahoma; Don Steiner, Lakeland, Florida; Dave Steiner, Rochester, New York and 55 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Humanly speaking, Jack will be greatly missed - as a husband, father, grandfather, evangelist, friend, visionary leader, soul winner and example to those who have been blessed through his ministry. From an eternal perspective, few men have impacted the world like Jack and he often said, "There are two things that are eternal, the Word of God and the souls of men." God used Jack Wyrtzen to reach thousands who will be eternally grateful for his faithful ministry, "Holding Forth the Word of Life."