A Profile on Vonette Bright
Co-Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ International
Vonette Zachary Bright, along with her husband Dr. William R. Bright, is co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, which they began in 1951.
Born in Coweta, Okla., Bright received her bachelor's degree in home economics from Texas Women's University and did graduate work in the field of education at the University of Southern California. She taught in the Los Angeles school system from 1949-1952.
Her honors include being named 1973 Churchwoman of the Year by Religious Heritage of America. Religion in America honored her in 1982 as International Church Woman of the Year. In that same year, she was named distinguished alumna of Texas Woman's University. Bright received honorary doctorate degrees from Los Angeles Bible College in 1979; from King Sejong University in Seoul, Korea, in 1985; and from Palm Beach Atlantic College in 2001. In 1988 the Brights were inducted into the Religion in Media International Communication Galaxy of Fame at the International Angel Awards. In 1995, Bright was named Christian Woman of the Year.
Concerned for the moral and spiritual values of our nation and world, Bright founded the Great Commission Prayer Crusade in 1972. This movement united Christians to pray specifically and strategically for national and international concerns. As a member of the original Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, founded in 1974, Bright served as chairwoman of the Intercession Working Group from 1981-1990. In 1984, she served as chairwoman of the International Prayer Assembly for World Evangelization in Seoul, Korea, sponsored by the Lausanne Committee and the Korean Evangelical Fellowship. More than 3,000 people from 71 countries joined 100,000 Koreans for this event, which was directed by Dr. Joon Gon Kim, one of Korea's leading Christian statesmen.
Bright's commitment to prayer led to the founding of the National Prayer Committee, a group of prayer leaders who seek to motivate other Christians to unite in prayer for spiritual awakening. She served for nine years as chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, which encourages citizens to pray for our nation and its leaders on the National Day of Prayer. In 1988, as chairwoman, she was successful in introducing legislation unanimously approved by both houses of Congress to make the first Thursday of every May the permanent date for the National Day of Prayer.
Among her other work, Bright has authored the My Heart in His Hands Devotional series and co-authored a book with Barbara Ball entitled The Joy of Hospitality, along with a complimentary cookbook. She is the editor of two prayer manuals, a prayer diary, and the book The Greatest Lesson I've Ever Learned, a compilation of works by 24 prominent Christian women. She has authored For Such a Time As This and co-authored with her husband Building a Home in a Pull-Apart World. She has most recently co-authored Sister Circle.
In 1993, Bright launched Women Today International, a ministry to and for women. Under her leadership, Women Today is responding to the needs of women to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Currently she can be heard on Christian radio stations throughout the country as she shares her heart and challenges women to take their next step of faith.
Mrs. Bright resides in Orlando, Fla.
Go to Top Email this page to a friend!