Chuck Swindoll


Charles Rozell Swindoll is an evangelical Christian pastor, author, educator, and radio preacher. He founded Insight for Living, headquartered in Frisco, Texas, which airs a radio program of the same name on more than 2,000 stations around the world in 15 languages. He was the founding pastor at Stonebriar Community Church, in Frisco, Texas, and also sat on its elder board.
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Early life

Charles Rozell Swindoll was born on October 18, 1934, in El Campo in Wharton County, Texas, the third of three children born to Earl and Lovell Swindoll. He attended Charles H. Milby High School in Houston. He credits his drama teacher, Dick Nieme, for helping him manage his stutter. As a member of the school marching band and orchestra, he learned to play all of the instruments in the woodwind section, although the clarinet remained his primary instrument. After graduating from high school, he studied mechanical engineering while working for Reed Roller Bit Company in Houston, Texas. Swindoll then fulfilled his military service obligation with the United States Marine Corps, first in San Francisco, then on the Japanese island of Okinawa. Part of his duty included playing in the Marine Corps Marching Band.
After his honorable discharge in 1959, he attended Dallas Theological Seminary, where he graduated magna cum laude four years later.

Career

Swindoll was ordained into the ministry in 1963 and served in Dallas at Grace Bible Church under J. Dwight Pentecost for two years. He has since held senior pastorates in Waltham, Massachusetts, Irving, Texas, and Fullerton, California. He began his last senior pastorate in Frisco, Texas, in 1998.
Swindoll is the founder of Insight for Living, which broadcasts a radio program of the same name on Christian and non-Christian radio stations around the world. The program is heard on more than 2,000 stations, as well as being webcast, and is translated into several languages. Its roots go back to the summer of 1977, when Swindoll's sermons from the First Evangelical Free Church in Fullerton were broadcast on radio. In 1979, the Insight for Living radio ministry began; its offices are now located in Frisco.
In July 1994, Swindoll became the president of Dallas Theological Seminary, and now serves as its chancellor. He is the author of more than 70 books, most of which are based on his research and preparation for sermons preached each Sunday. In celebration of the magazine's 50th anniversary, Christianity Today produced an article naming Swindoll as one of the top 25 most influential preachers of the past 50 years.
In 1998 Swindoll founded Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco. Many of the pastors at Stonebriar are graduates of Dallas Theological Seminary. The church first held services at Collin County Community College, then moved to its permanent home on Legendary Drive. The congregation grew rapidly from a few hundred members to several thousand in the first few years, and this growth has necessitated major expansion of the current facility. Construction for the additions began in 2005. The church is known for its missionary work in India and in other countries. Though Swindoll is still widely regarded as an Evangelical [Free Church of America] preacher, the Stonebriar Community Church is not affiliated with any particular denomination. In April 2024, Swindoll announced that he would step down as senior pastor, effective May 1, but would continue preaching at Stonebriar.

Personal life

On June 18, 1955, Swindoll married Cynthia Ann Parker, a pianist at a Baptist church in Galena Park, Texas. The couple has four children, ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Selected publications

Hand Me Another Brick, Thomas Nelson You And Your Child, Thomas Nelson Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back: Persevering Through Pressure, Thomas Nelson Strike The Original Match, Multnomah Improving Your Serve: The Art Of Unselfish Living, Word Strengthening Your Grip: Essentials In An Aimless World, Word Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, Multnomah Dropping Your Guard: The Value Of Open Relationships, Word Come Before Winter – And Share My Hope, Multnomah Living on the Ragged Edge: Coming To Terms With Reality, Word Growing Deep In The Christian Life: Returning To Our Roots, Multnomah The Quest For Character, Multnomah Living Above The Level of Mediocrity: A Commitment To Excellence, Word Growing Wise in Family Life, Multnomah Living Beyond The Daily Grind: Reflections On The Songs And Sayings In Scripture, Word Rise & Shine: A Wake-Up Call, Multnomah The Grace Awakening, Word Sanctity Of Life: The Inescapable Issue, Word Stress Fractures, Multnomah Simple Faith, Word
  • “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”Laugh Again, Word Flying Closer to the Flame, Word The Finishing Touch, Word Paw Paw Chuck's Big Ideas in the Bible, Word Hope Again, Word The Road To Armageddon, Word Start Where You Are: Catch A Fresh Vision For Your Life, Word The Mystery Of God's Will: What Does He Want For Me?, Word Intimacy With The Almighty, Word Perfect Trust: Ears To Hear, Hearts To Trust, And Minds To Rest In Him, J. Countryman The Darkness And The Dawn: Empowered By The Tragedy And Triumph Of The Cross, Word Why, God?: Calming Words For Chaotic Times, Word Wisdom For The Way: Wise Words For Busy People, J. Countryman Understanding Christian Theology, Thomas Nelson Behold—The Man!: The Pathway Of His Passion, Word So, You Want To Be Like Christ?: Eight Essentials To Get You There, Word When God Is Silent , J. Countryman Great Attitudes For Graduates!: 10 Choices For Success In Life, J. Countryman Encouragement For Life: Words Of Hope And Inspiration, J. Countryman The Strength Of Character: 7 Essential Traits Of A Remarkable Life, J. Countryman A Bethlehem Christmas: Celebrating The Joyful Season, Thomas Nelson The Owner's Manual for Christians: The Essential Guide for a God-Honoring Life, Thomas Nelson The Church Awakening: An Urgent Call for Renewal, FaithWords Living the Psalms, Worthy Publishing Living the Proverbs, Worthy Publishing Hear Me When I Call: Learning to Connect with a God Who Cares, Worthy Publishing Embraced By The Spirit: The Untold Blessings of Intimacy With God, Worthy Publishing The Swindoll Study Bible, Tyndale House

Swindoll's New Testament Insights Commentary Series

Insights on Romans, Zondervan Insights on John, Zondervan Insights on James and 1 & 2 Peter, Zondervan Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, Zondervan Insights on Revelation, Zondervan Insights on Luke, Zondervan Insights on Acts, Tyndale House

Profiles in Character series

David: A Man Of Passion & Destiny, Word Esther: A Woman Of Strength & Dignity, Word Joseph: A Man Of Integrity And Forgiveness, Word Moses: A Man Of Selfless Dedication, Word Elijah: A Man Of Heroism And Humility, Word Paul: A Man Of Grace And Grit, Word Job: A Man Of Heroic Endurance, Word Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives: Rediscovering Some Old Testament Characters, Word Jesus: The Greatest Life Of All, Thomas Nelson Abraham: One Nomad's Amazing Journey of Faith, Tyndale House

Honors and awards