Wallie Amos Criswell was born in Eldorado, Okla., in 1909.
The dust bowl drove the Criswell family to the Texas panhandle
on the border of New Mexico. At age 10 he professed faith in Christ
at a revival meeting. By the time he was 12 he made a public commitment
of his life to the gospel ministry, delivering his first sermon
as the funeral message for a beloved pet dog.
Criswell was licensed to preach at age 17 and held student pastorates
at Devil's Bend and Pulltight, Texas, during his college studies
at Baylor University. After completing his master of theology
and doctor of philosophy degrees from Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary in Louisville, Ky., Criswell married Betty Harris, the
pianist of the Mount Washington Baptist Church where he pastored.
The Criswells had agreed to interpret the first call of a church
to be a sign of God's direction. Although First Baptist Church
of Birmingham, Ala., had expressed interest in Criswell serving
as pastor, it was First Baptist Church of Chickasha, Okla., that
issued the first call. After serving the Oklahoma church for four
years, Criswell moved across state to First Baptist Church of
Muskogee where he pastored until 1944.
Called to Dallas' First Baptist Church in 1944, where he followed
the beloved George W. Truett who had pastored there 47 years,
Criswell retired as senior pastor in 1995 after half a century
of service to that church. He continued serving as chancellor
of Criswell College that he founded in 1970.
Criswell's concern for the inner city led to support of more
than 15 mission chapels staffed with pastors and to sponsorship
of Dallas' largest shelter for the homeless, the Dallas Life Foundation.
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Memorial Service Broadcast
Hear Dr. W.A. Criswell's Memorial
Service. The memorial service was held at First
Baptist Dallas, Texas on January 16, 2002.
Note:
You must have Windows Media Player. Click here to download
program.
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More News from Baptist Press...
January 17, 2002
DALLAS--W.A.
Criswell's life celebrated at corner church in the heart of the
city
DALLAS--Criswell's
leadership, vision, influence cited by Jeffress, Patterson, Hawkins
DALLAS--At
graveside, Criswell's passage affirmed into the arms of Jesus
January 16, 2002
MISSISSIPPI--FIRST-PERSON:
Recalling W.A. Criswell with a Bible in his hand.
January 14, 2002
FIRST-PERSON:
W.A. Criswell's legacy to extend for generations
January 11, 2002
WASHINGTON--President
Bush lauds Criswell as important spiritual leader
January 10, 2002
DALLAS--Longtime
SBC leader W.A. Criswell dies; photo.
KENTUCKY--Yale,
Brown or Southern? Criswell's choice was obvious; photos.
DALLAS--FIRST-PERSON:
'Books and the Book,' from 2 Timothy 4:13; photo.
TENNESSEE--'Whether
We Live or Die' cited as foremost sermon by Criswell.
DALLAS--Preaching
legacy of W.A. Criswell on Internet at
www.wacriswell.com.
TENNESSEE--Chapman:
W.A. Criswell was 'giant in the land.'
TEXAS--Texas
governor, senator mourn loss of Criswell.
DALLAS--Texas
Baptists prepare to memorialize Criswell.
TENNESSEE--Baptist
leaders remember life, legacy of Criswell; photo.
ILLINOIS--FIRST-PERSON:
Trust the Bible & preach it, W.A. Criswell helped us grasp.
