Next July, Stephen B. Douglass, 55, will step into the presidency of Campus Crusade for Christ. Bill Bright will remain as chairman of the board, writing training materials, promoting fasting and prayer, and helping give direction to the International Leadership University.
Steve, a 31-year Campus Crusade veteran, has served as director of U.S. Ministries and executive vice president. After graduating from MIT, he dedicated himself to Christ through a summer Bible study sponsored by Campus Crusade students in his hometown of Rockford, Ill. He then attended Harvard Business School, where he graduated with distinction in the top 2 percent of his class. He joined Campus Crusade in 1969, where his first assignment—as Bill Bright's assistant—led him to meet his wife, Judy Downs, who founded Worldwide Challenge. They have been married 25 years and have three grown children: Debbie, Michelle and Josh.
Worldwide Challenge editor-in-chief Judy Nelson recently sat down with Steve to discuss his new position and the future of Campus Crusade.


Worldwide Challenge: What were your thoughts when you found out you would become president of Campus Crusade?

Steve: When we were told of the Board of Directors' decision, we were humbled, to say the least. Because I've worked closely with Bill for 31 years, I'm well aware of what it takes to be the president of Campus Crusade for Christ, especially as the ministry has gotten bigger. I have no illusions that any person could lead Campus Crusade apart from God. In a sense, that gave me great peace, right from the beginning. Only God can do this; I'm just available to Him.


Worldwide Challenge: How do you feel that God has equipped you for this role?

Steve: I don't know that you could ever be prepared for this position, but one thing I have going for me is simply being around Bill for so many years. I have watched him operate; I have seen what is important to him. If you gave me a situation, I could tell you with some accuracy what Bill might say. I may be a different person than Bill, but thanks to three decades of close company, I am far more similar to him than I am different.
Having given leadership to a sizeable part of the organization [U.S. Ministries] has also helped prepare me. There have been enough challenges to teach me some things about leadership. And the United States is a great place to learn because of its complexity: 68 different ministries and ministry projects, thousands of staff members and a multi-million-dollar budget.
Lastly, let me say that I really am nothing apart from God. Only God will do this job. Yes, He will use my education. Yes, He will use my skills. Yes, He will use my experience. But if I'm going to bring anything to this opportunity God has given me, it will be an awareness that He is everything.


Worldwide Challenge: At the announcement of your position last summer, you told our staff that some things about Campus Crusade must never change. What are those non-negotiables?

Steve: Over the years, God has given this ministry many essential concepts, such as the necessity of the Spirit-filled life. He has given us a clear mission and a high view of the Word of God. We must stick to what God has called us to do: proclaim Jesus Christ, develop leaders and spiritual movements, and mobilize laborers for the harvest. If we stay absolutely true to the calling God has given us, then we can trust He will bless us.
At the same time, we must never rest on our laurels. We must eagerly pursue God's new opportunities for us. There was no Four Spiritual Laws booklet until 1965. The JESUS film was only a dream until 1979. And the Freshman Survival Kit [an evangelistic tool for students] grew out of an idea in 1996.
One of our great strengths over the years has been innovation. And the danger of being a ministry half a century old is locking in only on the strategies and tools we already have. If we ever stop being open to new initiatives, then we will deteriorate.


Worldwide Challenge: While standing on the calling God has given us, what must we do to keep God's blessing and ensure continued fruitfulness in the future?

Steve: The most important thing we must do is to love and serve God with our whole hearts. In Deuteronomy 11:13-15, God spoke to the children of Israel at a critical time in their own leadership transition. God offered tremendous blessings to them if they would be wholehearted toward Him. Those blessings included resources, abundant harvest and satisfaction.
The same is true for us today. If we are wholehearted toward Him, then God will give us what we need to bring Him honor.


Worldwide Challenge: What kind of changes might we see?

Steve: I frequently get asked, "What will be different about your time as president?" And I say, "You're looking for the wrong thing." What I hope people will see is how similar the movement is in terms of its overall direction. From my first moments on staff, I felt called to help Bill do what God has called Him to do. I am not planning to deviate to the left or to the right of the original vision. My prayer is that the friends of our ministry will notice a continuing acceleration in helping fulfill the Great Commission.


Worldwide Challenge: How will you measure that success?

Steve: One significant evidence is spiritual harvest. We are in a time of harvest. Half of the people who have ever been alive are alive today. All over the world people are responding to Christ. So it is a great time to be alive and in ministry. By God's grace, we will see hundreds of millions indicate decisions for Christ.
I tell donors and potential staff members that now is the time to give, to join us and to pray. The returns on our efforts right now are extraordinary.


Worldwide Challenge: Do you see any barriers that might slow down the spiritual harvest?

Steve: I suppose the only ultimate barrier we will face will be ourselves. Are we willing to see the possibilities? Are we willing in faith to pursue those possibilities, trusting God for the results? As problems arise, will we believe that the God who called us will give us His solutions?
I don't see any barriers that are insurmountable. Even from a human viewpoint, the resources are extraordinary. The number of people who are accessible to the gospel is the highest it has ever been in history, partly because of the population and also because of the technology available. The church has penetrated most countries in a significant way. Is there political and religious opposition? Yes. But none of these barriers concern me in light of the power of God.


Worldwide Challenge: How can our readers pray for you and Judy?

Steve: People have every right to ask of the new president: "Where are you leading us?" I have never been in that spot before. It's both humbling and demanding. I have to be on my knees before the Lord.
I would ask our readers to pray that Judy and I live our lives in the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit; that we would love and minister with the compassion of Jesus Christ to those we encounter—the staff members, ministry partners, volunteers and the lost; and that we will lead in a strong, courageous and sensitive way.