Leith Anderson

Leith Anderson (born 1944) is president emeritus of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastor emeritus of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, after serving as senior pastor from 1977 through 2011.

The NAE Board of Directors unanimously named Leith Anderson, a distinguished Christian leader, Bible teacher and church pastor, the NAE president in October 2007, after twice having served as interim president. As NAE president, Anderson regularly taught in seminaries, addressed evangelical concerns with elected officials, counseled denominational executives, and provided theological and cultural commentary to leading news outlets. Anderson also served on President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

While at Wooddale Church, Anderson's nationally syndicated radio programs, “Faith Matters” and “Faith Minute,” were heard in cities across America and around the world. During his tenure, Wooddale planted nine daughter churches. Anderson retired after 35 years as the senior pastor at Wooddale Church on December 31, 2011.

Anderson was elected to the Founder's Chair of World Vision International in 2019.

He has been published in many periodicals and has written over 20 books (including translations into foreign languages).

Leith Anderson is the son of Charles William Anderson and Margery Freeman Anderson. His father was pastor of Brookdale Baptist Church in Bloomfield, NJ (1939-1972) and was the founder/president of Northeastern Bible College in Essex Fells, NJ (later merged with The Kings College in New York City). His mother was born and raised in England and migrated to the United States as an adult.

Anderson grew up in the same church as Charleen Lillian Alles whom he started dating the month he turned 15 and married in 1965. They are the parents of four children.

Leith Anderson graduated from West Essex High School, North Caldwell, New Jersey; Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois (diploma); Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois (B.A. in Sociology); Denver Seminary, Denver, Colorado (Master of Divinity); and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California (Doctor of Ministry).

Anderson took additional course work at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; The Iliff School of Theology, Denver, Colorado; and the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. He received honorary doctorates from Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Michigan (Doctor of Divinity); Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois (Doctor of Divinity); and Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania (Doctor of Humane Letters).   

From 1999-2000, Anderson served as interim president of Denver Seminary.

Leith Anderson's introduction to writing began as editor of the student newspaper at the Moody Bible Institute and through journalism classes at Northwestern University.

During his seminary studies he served part-time as a youth pastor at Calvary Church (Longmont, Colorado) and became the senior pastor of the church upon graduation for a total of 10 years in pastoral ministry at the church. While pastoring he continued academic studies at the University of Colorado and Fuller Theological Seminary and became an adjunct professor of pastoral theology and homiletics at Denver Seminary.

In 1977 Anderson began his 35 years as senior pastor of Wooddale Church in suburban Minneapolis. The church was located in Richfield, Minnesota, until 1984 when it moved to a new building on a 33-acre campus in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and grew to become a congregation of thousands, one of the larger churches in the state and region. While pastoring he also wrote books and articles on church and biblical themes, taught in numerous seminary doctoral programs (including Bethel University, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Fuller Theological Seminary, Northeastern Seminary and others).

In addition Anderson became a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and served on the boards of Bethel University, Navigators, National Association of Evangelicals, World Vision, World Relief and other nonprofit organizations. In 2019 he was named to the Founder's Chair of World Vision International.

Anderson continued as the pastor of Wooddale Church when he became the interim president of the National Association of Evangelicals as the NAE faced organizational stress in 2001 and continued until 2003. When the NAE had a leadership vacuum in 2006, Anderson returned as interim president and then became the elected president for terms extending through 2019 when he announced his retirement from the position at the end of that term.

At the end of 2011, he retired as pastor of the church and continued as president of the NAE in Washington, D.C., while maintaining his home in Minnesota. During his presidency, the NAE stabilized and grew with expanded membership and many new staff and programs including NAE Talk (conferences addressing contemporary social and theological issues), Evangelical Leaders Survey (monthly survey of national leaders on a broad array of topics with published reports, Evangelicals magazine, Today's Conversation podcast, annual retreat of denomination leaders, and publications titled "Theology of Sex," "For the Health of the Nation" and others.

As NAE president, Anderson frequently participated in amicus curiae briefs, news conferences and interviews, and connected religious and other leaders across the United States and internationally. Priority was given to issues of religious freedom, immigration policies, evangelical biblical theology and values, social justice and engaging evangelicals in evangelism, humanitarian services and cultural influence. 

• Married to a Pastor's Wife, H.B. London and Neil Wiseman, editors (1993)
• Leadership Handbooks, Jim Berkley, editor (1994)
• Library of Christian Leadership: Empowering Your Church Through Creativity and Changes, Marshall Shelley, editor (1995)
• Leading People, Robert H. Rosen, editor (1996)
• Library of Leadership Development: Renewing Your Church Through Vision and Planning, Marshall Shelley, editor (1997)
• Library of Leadership Development: Growing Your Church Through Training and Motivation, Marshall Shelley, editor (1997)
• Raising Teens While They're Still in Preschool (excerpts), Ron Habermas, author (1998)
• Uncommon Graces (forward), John Vawter, author (1998)
• Vital Church Issues, Roy B. Zuck, editor (Bibliotheca Sacra,1998)
• Global Crossroads, W. Harold Fuller, editor (1998)
• Leadership And Power, Richard Leslie Parrot, editor (2003)
• Giving Ourselves To Prayer, Dan. R. Crawford, compiler (2008)
• Welcoming The Stranger (foreword), Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang, authors (2009, 2019)
• The Shriver Report, Olivia Morgan and Karen Skelton, editors (2014)
• Religious Freedom, LGBT Rights And Prospects For Common Ground, William H. Eskridge and Robin Fretwell Wilson, editors (2019)

• “Where Are Our Young Leaders?,” Conservative Baptist Magazine (December 1971)
• “Which Translation is Best?,” The Evangelical Beacon (September 1972)
• “The King Is Coming,” The Standard (November 1977)
• “Move the World But Lose Your Family?,” Christian News & Views (March 1979)
• “Search Committees: A Strategy for Success,” Christianity Today (April 18, 1980)
• “Iran: Christian Response,” Twin Cities Christian (May 5, 1980)
• “Three C’s at Wooddale,” The Standard (November 1980)
• “Busyness,” Family Life Today (Fall/Winter 1980/81)
• “Separation? Who Needs It?,” Moody (May 1982)
• “Excellence in Preaching,” Christianity Today (September 1982)
• “The M.Div.—A Degree for All Seasons,” Bethel Focus (May 1983)
• “Bethel and Evangelism,” The Standard (October 1984)
• “The Apostles’ Creed,” The Standard (January 1985)
• “I Believe in Jesus Christ,” The Standard (February 1985)
• “Christ Suffered and Died,” The Standard (March 1985)
• “I Believe Christ Descended Into Hell,” The Standard (April 1985)
• “Jesus Christ Rose and Ascended Into Heaven,” The Standard (May 1985)
• “I Believe in the Holy Spirit,” The Standard (July 1985)
• "I Believe in the Holy Catholic Church,” The Standard (August/September 1985)
• “I Believe in the Communion of Saints,” The Standard (October 1985)
• “I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins,” The Standard (November 1985)
• “The Resurrection of the Body,” The Standard (December 1985)
• “I Believe in Life Everlasting,” The Standard (January 1986)
• “Is ‘Baptist’ Important in Our Church’s Name?,” The Standard (May 1986)
• “Does Forgiveness Require Restoration?,” Moody (June 1986)
• “How to Win at Parish Poker,” Leadership (Winter Quarter 1986)
• “Keeping a Keen Edge,” Leadership (Summer Quarter 1986)
• “Doing it Bigger … Strengths and Advantages of Larger Churches” NAE ACTION (August 1988)
• “Large Churches: Full-Service Fellowships,” NAE ACTION (November/December 1988)
• “A Place to Belong, A Place to Become,” Discipleship Journal (Issue 51, 1989)
• “Keep the Vision Burning,” Heart and Mind (Fall 1989)
• “A Senior Pastor’s Perspective on Ministering to Baby Boomers,” Christian Education Journal (May 1989)
• “Changeless Truth for a Changing World,” IMPACT (February 1991)
• “What’s the Church To Do With Change?,” IMPACT (February 1991)
• “The Next Generation: Baby Busters Come of Age,” Beacon (April 1991)
• “Understanding Baby Busters,” The Evangelical Beacon (April 1991)
• “The Church at History’s Hinge,” Bibliotheca Sacra (January-March 1994)
• “Theological Issues of 21 Century,” Bibliotheca Sacra (April-June 1994)
• “Personal Challenges for 21-Century Pastors,” Bibliotheca Sacra (July-September 1994)
• “Practice of Ministry in 21-Century Churches,” Bibliotheca Sacra (October-December 1994)
• “Meeting the Challenges of a Changing Society,” Religious Broadcasting (February 1994)
• “What’s Tomorrow for Today’s Churches?,” Denver Seminary Focus (April 1994)
• “Clocking Out,” Christianity Today (September 1994)
• “The Trouble With Legalism,” Moody (October 1994)
• “Are Christians Copying the Culture? Isolationism From Politics to Pulpit to Pew,” Leadership (Fall 1995)
• “Cultural Trends Shaping Tomorrow’s Churches,” Leadership (August 1995)
• “When You Cry Out Listen to God’s Answer,” New Life Digest (August 1996)
• “Changes That Count: 5 Steps to a New Future,” Leadership (1998)
• “Leaning Into the Future: How to Redirect a Church,” Leadership (1998)
• “Wise to the Times: The Key to Taking Risks Is Understanding Your Local Community,” Leadership (1998)
• “A Close Relationship With God?,” Decision Magazine (July 1998)
• “Whom to Reach?,” Leadership (Summer 1998)
• “Laity Involvement in the Church,” Enrichment (Fall 1998)
• “Children Are #3,” Enrichment (Spring 1999)
• “Team Loss or Perfect Game?,” Men of Integrity (October 1999)
• “7 Ways to Rate Your Church,” Leadership (Winter 1999)
• “What Will the 21 Century Church Be Like?” Enrichment (Winter 2000)
• “The Gold Standard,” NAE Insight (Fall 2008)
• “Eric Chivian & Richard Cizik,” The 2008 TIME 100, TIME (May 12, 2008)
• “Bible’s Post-election Advice,” NAE Insight (Winter 2008)
• “Praying for Our President,” NAE Insight (Spring 2009)
• “The Coming Evangelical Future,” NAE Insight (Summer 2009)
• “So Loud I Can’t Hear You,” NAE Insight (Fall 2009)
• “Pastors and Health Insurance,” NAE Insight (Winter 2009)
• “Solidarity in Calamity,” NAE Insight (Spring 2010)
• “All for Life,” NAE Insight (Summer 2010)
• “My Conversion to Church Planting,” NAE Insight (Fall 2010)
• “Who Should We Talk To?,” NAE Insight (Winter 2010)
• “Sticks and Stones…,” NAE Insight (Spring 2011)
• “Shout it Out!,” NAE Insight (Fall 2011)
• “Too Many Abortions Among Evangelicals,” NAE Insight (Spring 2012)
• “Protect Immigrant Women from Violence,” CNN Opinion (May 16, 2012)
• “The Night Ted Haggard Made the News,” NAE Insight (Summer 2012)
• “Religious Freedom — Here and There,” NAE Insight (Fall 2012)
• “Comprehensive Means No Stop-Gap Solution,” New York Times (December 9, 2012)
• “Why Evangelicals Grow,” NAE Insight (Spring 2013)
• “When the Traffic Comes to Church,” NAE Insight (Summer 2013)
• “What to do on Syria,” Religion News Service (September 5, 2013)
• “Humor That Hurts,” NAE Insight (Fall 2013)
• “Together — Churches for the Poor,” NAE Insight (Winter 2013)
• "'Massacre of the Innocents' is Not Only an Old Story,” The Hill’s Congress Blog (December 24, 2013)
• “What Americans Don’t Know About the Central African Republic,” TIME (April 21, 2014)
• “The Bible’s Retirement at 50,” NAE Insight (Summer 2014)
• “Very Old, Always New,” NAE Insight (Fall 2014)
• “The Truth Competition,” NAE Insight (Spring 2015)
• “Time to Welcome Immigrants and Refugees," The Hill (September 18, 2015)
• “Tolerant Christians,” Evangelicals magazine (Fall 2015)
• “Defining Evangelicals in an Election Year,” Christianity Today (March 2, 2016)
• “The Inside Out Donut,” Evangelicals magazine (Winter 2015/2016)
• “How is the Church Doing in America?,” Evangelicals magazine (Winter 2015/2016)
• “Seminary Significance,” The Table, Ashland Theological Seminary (April 21, 2016)
• “The United States of Minorities: No Racial Majority in 2044,” Evangelicals magazine (Spring/Summer 2016)
• “The Better of Together Opportunity in Missions,” Missio Nexus (June 4, 2016)
• “Humpty Dumpty Politics,” Evangelicals magazine (Fall 2016)
• “Theology of Entertainment,” Evangelicals magazine (Winter 2016/2017)
• “U.S. Foreign Aid: One Percent Saves Lives,” Newsweek (March 22, 2017)
• “What Age is the Best Age?,” Evangelicals magazine (Spring/Summer 2017)
• “America’s 15%,” Evangelicals magazine (Fall 2017)
• “Evangelical ≠ Political,” Evangelicals magazine (Winter 2017/2018)
• “Modern IT in the Bible,” Evangelicals magazine (Spring/Summer 2018)
• "I, Professor," Didaktikos (July 2018)
• “Loving Outside Our ZIP Code,” Evangelicals magazine (Fall 2018)
• “Diamond Anniversary,” Evangelicals magazine (Winter 2018/2019)
• “There’s a Humanitarian Crisis on Our Border: Cutting Aid Won't Fix It,” Fox News (April 25, 2019)
• “Prayer & Polarization,” The Exchange Blog (June 22, 2019)
• “When Hope-Givers Run Low on Hope,” Evangelicals magazine (Spring/Summer 2019)
• "Leith Anderson Has Bright Hopes for the Next Decade of Ministry," Christianity Today (Fall 2019)