Greg Laurie is an American author, pastor, and public speaker. He leads Harvest Christian Fellowship, which has campuses in Riverside, Orange County, and Maui.
Biography
Pastor Laurie, born on December 10, 1952, in Long Beach, California, had a challenging upbringing. Raised by a single mother with seven marriages, he started working as a newspaper delivery man for the Daily Pilot in Los Angeles, CA.
Growing up in Southern California, Laurie faced difficulties like drug use and rebellion during his teenage years. His life changed when he discovered the Christian faith during the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
At the age of 17, during the Jesus Movement in Southern California, Laurie gave his life to Christ. He became a devout Christian at Newport Harbor High School under the ministry of evangelist Lonnie Frisbee.
Pastor Laurie is well-known for his evangelistic events and crusades, where he shares the Gospel with large audiences. His annual “Harvest Crusade” events attract thousands of attendees, both in person and through live broadcasts.
Education
Pastor Laurie went to Newport Harbour High School in California. While there’s no information about his college education, Laurie received two honorary doctorates from Biola University and Azusa Pacific University.
Family Life
Pastor Laurie is happily married to his wife, Catherine. They got married in 1974 and have two children, Christopher and Jonathan. Both sons are married. Sadly, on July 24, 2008, Christopher lost his life in a car accident at the young age of 33.
Greg Laurie’s wife, Catherine, is 49 years old. Together, they are grandparents to 5 grandchildren.
In October 2020, Laurie got COVID-19 and shared the news on the 5th of October 2020. There were speculations that he might have contracted the virus at a White House event.
Ministry
Pastor Greg Laurie got his first chance to preach when he was 19. Under the ministry of Calvary Chapel and Pastor Chuck Smith, he led a bible study class of 30 people. This group later became Harvest Christian Fellowship, now one of the largest churches in the United States.
Laurie is on the board of directors for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and serves as a chaplain for the Newport Beach Police Department. In 2013, he was the Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force.
In 2017, President Donald Trump chose Pastor Laurie as one of the evangelical church leaders to participate in the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral.
Laurie’s preaching style is often described as relatable and relevant, connecting with both believers and those exploring Christianity. He uses real-life examples and biblical insights to resonate with his audience.
Podcast
Apart from his physical church campuses and events, Pastor Laurie is also active online. He hosts a radio program called “A New Beginning,” which airs on many radio stations and online platforms. He uses social media and digital platforms to share his teachings and messages.
Laurie has been featured on ABC World News Tonight, Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN. He is a guest commentator at WorldNetDaily and makes a weekly appearance on a television program called Greg Laurie.tv on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).
Greg Laurie Harvest Church
In 2013, Harvest Christian Fellowship marked its 40th anniversary and expanded with a dedicated campus in Irvine and a satellite campus in Lahaina, Hawaii.
Harvest Church now has about 5,000 members, and over 250,000 people tune in online for their weekend services. The church hosts more than 80 ministries.
The Harvest Crusades, which started in 1990, feature Pastor Laurie as one of the public speakers. These crusades are extensive evangelistic outreach projects organized by local churches nationally and internationally.
Books
Laurie is a prolific author with more than 70 books covering topics like faith, Christianity, and personal growth. Some well-known titles include “Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon,” “Tell Someone: You Can Share the Good News,” and “Hope for Hurting Hearts.” He has also written for various publications.
Among his books are:
- “The Upside-Down Church”
- “The Seeker’s Bible: New Testament: New Living Translation”
- “Every Day with Jesus: First Steps for New Believers”
- “Losers and Winners”
- “Saints and Sinners: How to Finish Strong in the Spiritual Race”
- “Wrestling with God”
- “Lost Boy: My Story”
- “Let God Change Your Life: How to Know and Follow Jesus”
His latest book is a commentary on the book of Revelation. Pastor Laurie’s autobiographical documentary film, “Lost Boy: The Next Chapter,” has won eight awards at international film festivals in the best documentary category. The movie “Jesus Revolution” is based on Pastor Greg’s journey of faith and his life.
Net Worth
As an American author and pastor, Pastor Laurie’s net worth is $20 million. His yearly salary is $400,000, which breaks down to $32,000 per month and $8,000 per week.
Social Media
You can find Pastor Greg Laurie on the below social media platforms:
- Facebook: @ Greg Laurie
- Instagram: @greglaurie
- Twitter: @greglaurie