Greg Laurie

Pastor
Greg Laurie
Laurie in 2025
Born (1952-12-10) December 10, 1952
Long Beach, California, U.S.
OccupationsChristian pastor, evangelist, author, law enforcement chaplain
EmployerHarvest Christian Fellowship
Known forHarvest Crusades
TitleSenior Pastor
Spouse
Cathe Martin
​
(m. 1974)​
Children2
Websitewww.harvest.org

Greg Laurie (born December 10, 1952) is an American evangelical pastor, evangelist, and Christian author, who as of March 2013 had continued to lead his congregation and serve as a crusade leader,[1] in the role of senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, California. He also is the founder of Harvest Crusades. Laurie is also the subject of the 2023 film Jesus Revolution, which tells the story of how he converted to Christianity and got his start in ministry in the midst of the Jesus movement.

Early life and education

Greg Laurie was born in 1952, in Long Beach, California.[2] He was raised by a single mother who was married seven times in total.[3] He worked as a newspaper boy for the Daily Pilot in Orange County, California.[2] Laurie was not raised in the Christian faith or a church environment; in 1970, when Laurie was 17 years old (while attending Newport Harbor High School), he became a Christian as a result of the ministry of evangelist Lonnie Frisbee, in a period when the Jesus Movement was exploding in Southern California.[2][4]

Career

Harvest Christian Fellowship

In 1973, Laurie began a home Bible study in Riverside, California,[1] an opportunity given to him, at age 20, to lead 30 people under the mentorship of Calvary Chapel pastor Chuck Smith. The group quickly grew in size, and Laurie founded the Harvest Christian Fellowship in that same year, in Riverside,[5] where, as of March 2013 (40 years later), he still served as senior pastor.[1] In 1990, Laurie founded the Harvest Crusades,[6] an organization that hosts large-scale evangelistic events around the U.S. As David Olson noted on the occasion of the organization's 25th anniversary crusade at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, California, the organization began its "Harvest America" program in 2012, in which "people from across the country [can] watch a crusade live in a church or other venue via high-quality Internet streams and satellite feeds".[7]

HCF affiliation

As of June 2017, Harvest Christian Fellowship was maintaining its ties with "the Calvary Chapel association of evangelical churches".[5] In June of that year, Harvest "officially joined the Southern Baptist Convention" (SBC) under Laurie's leadership, after a first-time, 2017 collaborative participation in the "Crossover Phoenix" evangelistic event of the SBC's North American Mission Board.[5] Also noted in reporting was the fact that two days after Harvest America held a large - and what it considered a very successful - crusade at the University of Phoenix Stadium, the SBC began its 2017 annual meeting in Phoenix as well.[5] As Samual Smith noted in reporting in the Christian Post, the reason for the decision by Laurie and the leadership at Harvest to affiliate with SBC was "to... work toward the ultimate [common] goals of 'national revival' and a 'great awakening'.[5] Even with the new affiliation, Lurie "vowed to continue working with Christians from 'nearly every other denomination'".[5]

Harvest at Home

When all California churches were forced temporarily to shut their doors because of COVID-19,[8] Harvest Christian Fellowship and Greg Laurie started the online church program "Harvest at Home".

On Palm Sunday 2020, then-president Trump tweeted that he would be watching Harvest at Home, and the webcast saw record viewership that week, with over 1,300,000 people tuning in to watch.[9]

On October 5, 2020, Laurie revealed that he had contracted COVID-19, and released a statement saying, "Unfortunately, the coronavirus has become very politicized. I wish we could all set aside our partisan ideas and pull together to do everything we can to defeat this virus and bring our nation back."[10]

Other ministry responsibilities

In 2013, Laurie served as the Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force.[6] President Donald Trump selected Pastor Laurie as one of several evangelical church leaders to participate in the National Prayer Service hosted at the Washington National Cathedral following the presidential inauguration of 2017.[11]

In 2017, Greg Laurie organized a movement titled "The Year of Good News". Multiple church leaders signed the letter he penned to initiate the movement.[12] One paragraph of the letter reads, "In a time of fake news, distracting news, divisive news, disorderly news, and, sometimes, depressing news, we - as Christians and as leaders - want to recommit ourselves to making sure that the Good News of Jesus cuts through it all. We call upon Christians in America to make 2017 'The Year of Good News.'"

As of 2006, Laurie was serving on the board of directors for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.[13] As of this date, it was being reported that Laurie had served as a chaplain for the Newport Beach Police Department for over 25 years.[2][6] As of 2013, Laurie was serving as chaplain for the Costa Mesa Police Department.[14]

Controversy

In September 2025, lawsuits were filed against Laurie and Harvest Christian Fellowship alleging sexual abuse at an orphanage in Romania that the church had sponsored, allegations that included child rape and sex trafficking.[15][16] Without denying that the abuse had taken place, the church responded, e.g., in a statement to Christianity Today, that the legal action was a "misplaced lawsuit wrongly target[ing] Harvest and our pastor"; calling the allegations "serious and disturbing", the church statement argued that "the target... should be the alleged perpetrator, not our church", and further argued that the lawsuits aimed at sensationalising the matter, constituting "a form of financial extortion".[16] The law firm that had filed the lawsuits, representing the alleged victims of the abuse, responded with a rebuttal of the church's statement.[17]

Media

Published works

As of 2024 Laurie has written more than 70 books.[6]

Works authored

  • Laurie, Greg; Kopp, David (1999). The Upside Down Church. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House. ISBN 9780842378123. Retrieved October 9, 2025.[18]
  • Laurie, Greg (2003). Wrestling with God: Prayer That Never Gives Up. LifeChange Books. Colorado Springs, CO: Penguin-Multnomah. ISBN 9781590528945. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  • —— (2004). Every Day with Jesus: First Steps for New Believers. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House. ISBN 1414300751. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  • —— (2005). Losers and Winners, Saints and Sinners: How to Finish Strong in the Spiritual Race. New York, NY: Warner Faith. ISBN 0446500151. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  • ——; Vaughn, Ellen Santilli (2008). Lost Boy: My Story. Riverside, IL: Allen David-Kerygma. ISBN 9780830745784. Retrieved October 9, 2025. Note, David Allen Books-Kerygma Publishing appear to be the publishing arm of Greg Laurie's ministry, and is thus (apart from other evidence, is located to Riverside, CA; explore at this, and this link regarding this conclusion. (No other address appears on their published works, and no authoritative entries appear for this publisher at standard publishing sources.)
  • —— (2011). Let God Change Your Life: How to Know and Follow Jesus. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook. ISBN 9781434702074. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  • —— (2014). As It Is in Heaven: How Eternity Brings Focus to What Really Matters. Colorado Springs, CO: Tyndale-NavPress. ISBN 9781612915692. Retrieved October 9, 2025.[19]
  • —— (2017). Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon. Austin, TX: Greenleaf Book Group-American Icon Press. ISBN 9781946891051. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  • ——; Vaughn, Ellen (2018). Jesus Revolution: How God Transformed an Unlikely Generation and how He Can Do It Again Today. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker. ISBN 9780801075940. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  • ——; Terrill, Marshall (2019). Johnny Cash: The Redemption of An American Icon. Washington, DC: Regnary-Salem. ISBN 9781621579809. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  • ——; Libby, Larry (2020). World Changers: How God Uses Ordinary People to do Extraordinary Things. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker. ISBN 9780801075957. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  • —— (2022). Lennon, Dylan, Alice and Jesus. Washington, DC: Regnary-Salem. ISBN 9781684513154. Retrieved October 9, 2025. Note, Google Books indicates the Publisher as Simon & Schuster, at odds with the publisher appearing in the front material excerpt provided (which clearly presents Regnary-Salem).
  • —— (2023). Heaven's Light Breaking: A 25 Day Advent Devotional. Brentwood, TN: Forefront-K-Love. ISBN 9781954201484. Retrieved October 9, 2025.[20]

Works edited

Films

Laurie's 2018 autobiographical book, Jesus Revolution, written with Ellen Vaughn, was adapted as a feature film in 2023.[21][22] The film, also titled Jesus Revolution, was produced by Kingdom Story Company and Lionsgate, and presents the story of how Laurie and his wife Cathe came to faith during the Jesus Movement in Southern California.[23][24]

Laurie has produced or written several films, including;

  • Lost Boy. (2010) [25][26]
  • Hope for Hurting Hearts.(2013) [27]
  • Steve McQueen: American Icon. (2019) [28][29]
  • A Rush of Hope. (2020) [30]
  • Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon. (2022) [31]
  • Jesus Revolution (2023).[32]

Other media

Laurie's sermons are featured on the syndicated half-hour daily radio program, A New Beginning,[33] broadcast on over 1,100 stations worldwide.[34] A New Beginning is also featured as a Christian podcast, available on iTunes.[35]

Laurie has also a guest commentator at WorldNetDaily, and as of this date, appeared regularly in a weekly television program called GregLaurie.tv on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).

Awards and recognition

Laurie's The Upside Down Church (1999, co-authored with David Kopp, see Published works), won a Gold Medallion Book Award in the "Christian ministry" category in 2000.[36]

As of 2023, Laurie and his National Day of Prayer organisation were reporting that he had been given two honorary doctorates, from Biola University and from Azusa Pacific University.[37]

Personal life

As of 2024, Laurie resided in Newport Beach, California, with his wife, Catherine (Cathe).[6] They have two sons, Christopher and Jonathan,[38] and five grandchildren.[6]

On July 24, 2008, Christopher was killed at the scene of a car accident on eastbound Riverside Freeway in Corona, California; he was 33 years old.[38]

References

  1. ^ a b c Murashko, Alex (March 14, 2013). "Greg Laurie, Harvest to Celebrate 40 Years of 'Knowing God and Making Him Known'" (opening third-party biosketch, and interview). Christian Post (christianpost.com). Retrieved October 9, 2025. Evangelist Greg Laurie and his congregation plan to celebrate a milestone observance this coming weekend (March 16,17) in honor of four decades of ministry led by the Harvest church and crusades leader Note, this 2013 article does not state anything further regarding his work titles or responsibilities at this organisation.
  2. ^ a b c d Kandil, Caitlin (August 12, 2016). "'A Delivery Boy' for God: Greg Laurie and his Harvest Crusade are Back for a 27th Year". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 5, 2025. Laurie, a Long Beach native...
  3. ^ Fea, John (July 2, 2024). "Revival and Revolution". Commonweal Magazine. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  4. ^ Frisbee, Lonnie; Sachs, Roger (2012). Not By Might Nor By Power. Santa Maria, CA: Freedom Publications. pp. 125–126. ISBN 978-0-9785433-1-0.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Smith, Samuel (June 13, 2017). "Greg Laurie's Calif. Megachurch Joins Southern Baptist Convention". Christian Post (christianpost.com). Retrieved October 9, 2025. Harvest Christian Fellowship, which was founded by Laurie in 1973, will also continue its fellowship with the Calvary Chapel association of evangelical churches.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Huntsman, Amanda (April 21, 2026) [Unspecified orig. date]. "Meet Great Neighbor Pastor Greg Laurie". Newport Beach Living Magazine (NewportBeachLivingMagazine.com). Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  7. ^ Olson, David (August 16, 2014). "Harvest Crusades: Thousands Pack Angel Stadium to Hear the Good Word - And Pass It On". The Orange County Register (ocregister.com). Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  8. ^ Bernstein, Sharon (July 13, 2020). "California Governor Shuts Churches, Businesses as COVID-19 Cases Surge". Reuters.com. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  9. ^ Smith, Samuel (April 6, 2020). "Greg Laurie's Palm Sunday Webcast Draws 1.3M Viewers, Trump: People are open to the Gospel". The Christian Post. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  10. ^ Shellnutt, Kate (October 5, 2020). "Greg Laurie Tests Positive for COVID-19, Warns Against Blaming White House". Christianity Today (ChristianityToday.com). Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  11. ^ "Trump Stacks Prayer Service Lineup with Evangelicals". Gleanings | ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  12. ^ "Evangelical Leaders: Make 2017 'The Year of Good News'". CBN.com (beta). March 3, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  13. ^ BGEA Staff (2006). "This is the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: BGEA 2006 Annual Report" (PDF). BGEA (BillyGraham.org). p. 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 10, 2007. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  14. ^ Williams, Lauren & Dobruck, Jeremiah (July 19, 2013). "Harvest Crusade's Laurie becomes CMPD Chaplain". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 15, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ The Associated Press (September 18, 2025). "Lawsuits accuse former California megachurch pastor of child sex abuse in Romania". NBCNews.com. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  16. ^ a b Silliman, Daniel (September 18, 2025). "Harvest Christian Fellowship Accused of Negligence in Romania". Christianity Today. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  17. ^ Olivarius, Ann; McAllister, Jef & McO Staff (September 18, 2025). "Response by Law Firm McAllister Olivarius to Statement by Harvest Christian Fellowship and Greg Laurie". McAllister Olivarius (McO) Law. Retrieved October 15, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Greg Laurie". Audio Books (UK). Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  19. ^ "Greg Laurie". Pango Books. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  20. ^ "Greg Laurie". Simon and Schuster Books. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  21. ^ Maureen Mackey, 'Jesus Revolution' taps into today's hunger for faith, says Greg Laurie: 'People are getting scared', foxnews.com, USA, March 1, 2023
  22. ^ Martin, Stephanie (March 29, 2019). "Greg Laurie: Pray for a Millennial Jesus Movement". ChurchLeaders. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  23. ^ "Erwin Bros., Lionsgate to release film 'Jesus Revolution' based on 1970s spiritual awakening". The Christian Post. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  24. ^ Larsen, Peter (February 22, 2023). "'Jesus Revolution' tells the true story of Christian hippies and an Orange County church". Daily News. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  25. ^ "Lost Boy, the Next Chapter". Dove.org. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  26. ^ Lost Boy. ISBN 1932778764.
  27. ^ "Hope for Hurting Hearts". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  28. ^ "Why Pastor Greg Laurie Made a Movie about Steve McQueen". CBN. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  29. ^ "Steve McQueen American Icon DVD". Keith Jones Bookshop. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  30. ^ "Greg Laurie Announces 'A Rush of Hope' Cinematic Crusade". CCM. July 16, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  31. ^ "Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  32. ^ "Jesus Revolution". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  33. ^ "Oneplace.com". Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  34. ^ "Broadcast Listings". Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  35. ^ "RightNow Media". RightNow Media. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  36. ^ ECPA Staff (2000). "2000 Gold Medallion Book Awards Winners". ECPA.org. Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). Archived from the original on February 22, 2007. Retrieved October 9, 2025. Christian Ministry [category] / The Upside Down Church / Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. / Greg Laurie
  37. ^ Laurie, Greg & NDoP Staff (2013). "Honorary Chairmen; 2013 Pastor Greg Laurie Bio; 2013 - Pastor Greg Laurie". National Day of Prayer (NationalDayofPrayer.org). Colorado Springs, CO: National Day of Prayer (NDoP) Task Force. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  38. ^ a b Alexander, Michael & Baker, Candice (July 28, 2008). "Harvest Pastor Takes Comfort He Was Close With Son Killed in Crash". The Los Angeles Times (LATimes.com). Retrieved October 15, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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