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Our Founders

Meet Bill and Vonette Bright

In 1951, Bill Bright and his wife, Vonette, pursued their passion for ministry by founding Cru, then Campus Crusade for Christ, at the University of California, Los Angeles. What began with college students has since grown into one of the largest Christian ministries in the world, reaching beyond students to serve athletes, churches,  families,  inner cities, the military, political and business leaders, and digital communities.

Bill and Vonette's Family on a golf cart.
Bill Bright talking with students in the 1950s.

William R. Bright

October 19, 1921 - July 19, 2003

View Memorial Article

William R. “Bill” Bright was a towering figure in modern Christian evangelism. Born in Coweta, Oklahoma, Bill distinguished himself early in academics, student government, journalism, and oratory. After graduating with honors from Northeastern State University, he moved to Southern California and built a successful confections company. However, during his studies at Princeton and Fuller Theological Seminaries in 1951, he felt called to leave his business to embrace the biblical command to “go and make disciples of all the nations.”

Bill's success was rooted in his unique blend of Christian commitment and communications insight. His most widely distributed work, the Four Spiritual Laws booklet — a four-point outline for establishing a personal relationship with Jesus — has been translated into more than 200 languages and distributed to more than 2.5 billion copies, making it one of the most widely disseminated religious booklets in history. 

In 1979, he and Cru introduced the “JESUS” film, a feature-length documentary on the life of Christ. It has been seen by more than 5.1 billion people in 225 countries and is considered the most widely viewed and translated film in history.

Bill authored more than 100 books, including “The Transforming Power of Fasting and Prayer.” He was a significant catalyst for the modern-day resurgence of fasting and prayer in the Christian church, an effort for which he was presented with the prestigious Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1996.

His legacy also includes organizing massive evangelism events — such as EXPLO 72 in Dallas, Texas, and EXPLO 74 in Korea — and co-founding the Global Pastors Network to equip ministers worldwide. Bill received numerous awards throughout his life, including lifetime achievement awards and an induction into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He passed away in 2003, leaving behind a profound global impact.

Bill and Vonette Bright Portrait

Vonette Zachary Bright

July 2, 1926 - Dec. 23, 2015

Read more about her story and legacy

Vonette Zachary Bright's commitment to Christ fueled her passion for prayer and a desire to help others develop a heart for God. Born in Coweta, Oklahoma, she was a high achiever, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Texas Woman's University and pursuing graduate work in education at the University of Southern California, where she also taught.

Her life path was radically changed after reconnecting with a former classmate, Bill Bright. She experienced a personal Christian conversion after meeting with Henrietta Mears, a noted Christian educator, author and evangelist. This experience made God a reality in her life. She and Bill got married on December 30, 1948.

Vonette supported Bill’s vision for Campus Crusade for Christ, founded in 1951 at UCLA. She was a cornerstone of the ministry, emphasizing prayer as the "lifeline" for the growing global organization.

Her influence expanded nationally and internationally, particularly through her passion for prayer. Inspired by a concern for American values, she began the Great Commission Prayer movement. Her most significant public legacy is the establishment of a specific day for the National Day of Prayer. She tirelessly championed the cause, successfully introducing legislation that President Ronald Reagan signed in 1988, officially designating the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer. She also served on the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and launched the Women Today radio program. By 2002, she had authored 20 books and received national recognition for her contributions to prayer and broadcasting.

Vonette continued her commitment to world evangelism after Bill’s passing in 2003 until she herself passed away in 2015. Her life is celebrated as a model of unwavering devotion to Christ and extraordinary mobilization of united, earnest prayer worldwide.