Gilbert Bilezikian
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Gilbert Bilezikian | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 27, 1927 Paris |
| Occupation | Writer, professor, and lecturer |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Paris |
| Alma mater | Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary |
| Subject | Christianity |
| Children | 5 |
Gilbert Bilezikian (born June 26, 1927, in Paris, France) is an American Evangelical Christian writer, professor, and lecturer. Along with Bill Hybels, Bilezikian is a co-founder of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. In 2020, Willow Creek announced that allegations of sexual abuse had been made against Bilezikian.[citation needed]
Bilezikian was born in Paris, France, to parents who were Armenian refugees.[1] He was drafted in the French army where he served as a medic in North Africa during the Algerian liberation conflict. He first came to the United States in 1947.
Bilezikian earned his BA from the University of Paris, his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and his Th.D. from Boston University.[1] He also pursued a seven-year post-doctoral program at the Sorbonne in Paris under Professor Oscar Cullmann.[citation needed]
Career
Beginning in 1961, Bilezikian served for five years as pastor of Loudonville Community Church outside of Albany, N.Y..[1] He returned to Paris for seven years, during which time he taught at the European Bible Institute and served as Minister of Christian Education at the American Church in Paris.
For 20 years, Bilezikian was a professor at Wheaton College.[1] He interrupted his tenure at Wheaton to assume for three years the presidency of Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon, and to teach two years at Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois. In 1992, he became Professor of Biblical Studies Emeritus at Wheaton College.
Bilezikian co-founded Willow Creek Community Church with Bill Hybels in 1975 and was Hybels' mentor.[1][2][3][4] In 2000, Hybels said, "There would be no Willow Creek without Gilbert Bilezikian."[5] Bilezikian has been "credited with Willow Creek’s inclusion of women in its highest levels of leadership". He also helped to found Christians for Biblical Equality in 1988.[6]
