Ira North

Who was Ira North?

Ira Lutts North was a well known preacher and author within the Churches of Christ.

He received his education at David Lipscomb College, Abilene Christian College, University of Illinois, and Louisiana State University.

At the age of 17 he began a 43-year preaching ministry that ranged from Illinois and Louisiana to Tennessee. His longest ministry service was for Madison Church of Christ in Nashville. He began preaching for the Madison church in 1953 continued for 32 years. Through his leadership, the Madison church grew to one of the largest Churches of Christ worldwide.

He was editor of Gospel Advocate, a prominent religious journal among the Churches of Christ. He wrote several books, most notably Balance - A Tried And Tested Formula For Church Growth. He was also a teacher on the nationally televised Amazing Grace Bible Class which featured sermons like If I Were a Woman.

He was also instrumental in starting a retirement home and an orphanage in the Madison, Tennessee area. He has been called a "lover of the very young"