With more than 2 billion followers globally, Christianity remains the largest religion in the world.
It is expected to remain the religion with the most followers until at least 2050, according to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center in 2012. With the vast number of Christians worldwide, there are thousands of Christian writers all over the world that are inspiring millions through their words and stories.
I’ve narrowed the field to list 37 of these talented Christian authors, ranging from contemporary authors to ministry leaders, founders, and even ones from the earlier centuries. Some are best-selling and some are more obscure, but all challenge us to follow Christ more closely.
There will be some writers that you know and some that delight and surprise you.
So here we go!
Talking about best-selling authors, Sarah at the top of the list. Her devotional book,
Jesus Calling, has sold over
25 million books around the world. Together with her husband, she travels a lot to minister, plant churches, and do counseling around the world.
Clive Staples Lewis is considered to be one of the most celebrated of Christian authors in modern times. He wrote over 30 books, including
The Space Trilogy,
Mere Christianity, and the well-known
Chronicles Of Narnia whose film adaptation was widely watched by both Christians and Non-Christians.
Priscilla Shirer is a Christian author and motivational speaker who also starred in different Christian films. She has written more than a dozen books and would like to connect primarily with women for them to experience the power of truths available in God’s scriptures.
A New York Times best-selling author and a recipient of numerous awards like the
Christian Retailers Choice Award and Carol Awards to name a few, Terri has more than 7 million books sold worldwide. One of her objectives in writing is for her readers to know that they’re not alone, and all trials in life have a purpose.
Apart from being a SEO Consultant, I have a great passion for servant leadership and faith in everyday life.
My book series
Why Leadership Sucks, now with two volumes, will make you laugh and cry as I share the challenges of aiming to lead as Christ did, as a servant of others first and foremost.
Kyle is currently the Teaching Pastor of Southeast Christian Church, the fifth largest church in the country with over 20,000 attendees every week. He’s a best-selling author of numerous books including his most recent work, Don’t Give Up.
A best-selling author and recipient of numerous awards including the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers, Tracie has already written more than 100 books since her first contract in November 1992. Currently, she’s happily married with three children.
Tagged by Reader’s Digest as “America’s Pastor,” Max currently serves as a Preaching Ministry at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. For over 30 years, he has sold more than 100 million books worldwide across 54 languages.
As the founder of Living Proof Ministries, Beth’s main goal is to help women create a closer relationship with Jesus by studying the Scripture. She is the author and teacher of best-selling books and Bible studies, especially for women.
Aside from being a former President and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resource, Thom is the CEO and founder of an online community for church leaders called the Church Answers. He authored more than two dozen books that primarily talk about pastoral leadership and church’s health and growth.
Lysa Terkeurst is a New York Times best-selling author of more than 16 books and has been in the industry for over 15 years. As the founder of Proverbs 31 Ministries, she seeks to encourage the organization’s millions of followers to live every day with God through daily devotions, online Bible studies, and more.
According to Liz’s
website, her three abiding passions are encouraging women in Christ, studying the stories of women in the Bible, and creating stories set in Old Scotland. She is a best-selling author of more than thirty books and has spoken in over 1,700 inspirational conferences all around the United States and other foreign countries including Scotland.
Before writing books and Bible Studies, Angie started as a blogger in 2008 when she shared the
story of her fourth daughter, Audrey. Now, Angie continues to be passionate about sharing her life’s ups and downs as a way to encourage people in their faith.
Joyce, known to be a charismatic author and speaker, has written several best-selling Christian books that reached millions of people worldwide. She is the president of Joyce Meyer Ministries that aims to provide humanitarian aid worldwide and to teach both Christians and non-Christians how to apply biblical principles in everyday life.
Known for her relatable stories and humor, Lisa is fond of connecting Bible to pop culture with her writing and speaking. Aside from being a speaker of many events and churches worldwide, She has already published 12 books, including her most recent book,
Believing Jesus: Are You Willing To Risk Everything?
Oswald is best known for
My Utmost for His Highest, a best-selling book that his widow published after he died. It is a daily devotional that includes 365 of Oswald’s talks and sermons to students and soldiers.
An 11-time Circle of Excellence winner and 4-time award-winning author, Jennifer has inspired not just single parents but millions of people around the world through her remarkable personal stories of mistakes, abuse, and teen pregnancy. She founded
The Life of a Single Mom Ministries and has authored several books primarily for parents, women, and single moms.
Aside from being the co-writer of four New York Times best-selling books, he also wrote and directed films including
Facing the Giants,
Fireproof,
War Room, and
Overcomer where he was also an actor. He’s passionate about telling stories of hope and redemption.
After Alex is his brother, Stephen, who co-wrote and produced most of his brother’s films. He is the co-author of several New York Times best-selling books including
The Love Dare, a 40-day devotional book that aims to strengthen marriages.
Dr. Tim Kimmel, who has always been passionate when it comes to nurturing families, has authored several books that have helped many homes worldwide including,
Connecting Church and Home,
Grace-Filled Mariage, and
Raising Kids for True Greatness. He is the founder of Family Matters whose mission is to help families become instruments of reformation and restoration through God’s grace.
A former atheist who was supposed to write about how the Christian faith was absurd found captivating proof that led him to follow Jesus Christ. Lee has written over twenty best-selling books, including his most notable book
The Case for Christ, where he talks about his conversion to Christianity.
John Piper authored more than 100 books, including his most notable book
Desiring God and recently
Why I Love the Apostle Paul: 30 Reasons. He served as the head pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis for over 33 years and founded The Desiring God Organization in 1994 to help people worldwide live in God’s glory.
Lauren is a worship leader at The Village Church in Flower Mound with her husband, Matt, as the lead teaching pastor. She has written several songs and books including Goodbye to Goodbyes and Steadfast Love.
Kempis’
The Imitation of Christ, even with its total sales unknown, is believed to be the second best-selling and most influential Christian books of all time after
The Bible. During the time it was published, there was no other book translated into more languages other than The Bible.
Imagine spending two years together with the people who killed the love of your life? This is what Elisabeth Elliot did when she decided to be a missionary to the Auca people, the tribe who killed her husband. Throughout her life as a missionary, Christian author, and speaker, she has inspired many people around the world, especially with her daily radio program that she began by saying, “You are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Do You Know More Inspiring Christian Authors?
A list of 37 is not enough to mention all the talented Christian authors worldwide. There is Jim Cymbala who authored the bestselling book about prayer,
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.
Not to mention is John Bunyan from the 17th century who wrote several books including, The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, Saved by Grace, The Holy War, and his bestselling book, Pilgrim’s Progress. A lot of authors indeed with different styles and passions but with one mission, to inspire and teach Christians all over the world through the help of God’s words.
As inspiring and eclectic as this list is, if there are others you think I should add to my list, please leave your comments below.
