Theodore Wilhelm Engstrom

Who was Theodore Wilhelm Engstrom?

Theodore Wilhelm Engstrom was the former head of Youth for Christ International and World Vision International. The evangelical leader and author was known in part for instructing churches, parachurch ministries, and other non-profit organizations how to apply business concepts and achieve financial help. Engstrom was one of the founding architects of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

Theodore Wilhelm Engstrom was born on March 1, 1916 in Cleveland, Ohio. He professed his faith in Christ while a freshman at Taylor University in 1935., graduating in 1938. Engstrom began his career with Zondervan Publishing House in the 1940s. In 1947 he directed a 10-day evangelistic crusade led by a young evangelist named Billy Graham. This developed into a lifelong friendship.

In 1951 Engstrom became executive director of Youth for Christ International. In 1963 he was recruited as executive vice president of World Vision International by Bob Pierce, that organization's founder. Engstrom served two years as president of the organization before retiring in 1987. In 1986 he was among the signers of "A MANIFESTO FOR THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH" promoted by the "Coalition on Revival" which, for example, condemns homosexuality as social evil to be opposed.