7 Christian Influencers for Believers of All Ages

Jesus had his own inner circle (disciples, Peter, James, and John). These three were invited along with Jesus when He was transfigured before them on a high mountain. There, they saw Jesus conversing with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-8). These three are the ones who gave leadership to the church in Jerusalem after Christ ascended; Paul was added later (Acts 1-28).

Through Jesus’ disciples, starting with those above four, the world was turned upside down (Acts 17:6), and the name of Jesus was spread throughout many nations beyond the confines of Jesus’ ministry while He walked the earth.

But Jesus’ influence continues to be felt by people of all ages through Christians since the first century. In addition to the Bible and the people God introduced to us through it, the following people have influenced many for Christ. Some have introduced little ones (and other ages) to Jesus through fiction. Others have made a strong impact for Christ on teens and young adults. Still others have reached many adults with the truth of the Gospel and Jesus’ way of life as those who belong to Him (John 17).

This list doesn’t include the likes of Billy Graham, Martin Luther, Augustine, John Calvin, and the other important Reformers. Today, we will look at other influencers, past and present, who used the arts and apologetics to the glory of God.

Further Reading: What Are the 7 Mountains of Influence and Is It an End Times Prophecy?

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If C.S. Lewis were a car, he’d be an advanced crossover vehicle, for his writings have reached children with the Chronicles of Narnia series and all other ages with his thoughtful look at life as a Christian. One of the most recommended books for new believers is Mere Christianity, wherein Mr. Lewis displays sheer transparency as he considers Christianity and our sovereign God.

The lasting influence of the Chronicles of Narnia is born out of the fact that more than 100 million copies are in print in many languages.

The series follows the exploits of the four Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, as they escape WWII London to the confines of their reclusive and mysterious uncle’s grand home in the country. While there, they discover a hidden passageway to Narnia through one of their uncle’s wardrobes. Christian ideas pervade the series, with a mighty lion named Aslan as the Christ figure and an evil ice queen mimicking the evil of Satan.

Mere Christianity has sold better now than when it was first released, selling around four million copies since 2001). George Marsden, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame, offers these four effective qualities that have made his work a perennial best-seller:

“Lewis looked for timeless truths.

Lewis connected with perennial human nature (his work can connect with many cultures).

Lewis put reason in the context of imagination (he appeals to our imaginations as he fleshes out his findings).

‘Mere’ Christianity made a demanding Gospel message (Lewis did not hide the cost of being a disciple).

Lewis points readers to the luminosity of the Gospel message (in all its compelling nature).”

Lewis was a prolific writer, writing many other books that inspire and encourage Christians. 

Further Reading: The Enduring Legacy of C.S. Lewis

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Andrew Peterson is an author, musician, songwriter, filmmaker, publisher, and recording artist who seeks to build a “strong Christian arts community.” In Nashville's flourishing music mecca, Andrew Peterson has carved a niche for artists who love the Lord. People have come to know Andrew through his incredible music, and when they investigate his website, they are introduced to an unassuming man who wants to help others use their gifts for God’s glory.

Andrew began a special ministry in Nashville in 2008: the Rabbit Room, a center for music, art, and stories. The Rabbit Room is a standard on which other like-minded ministries can learn to nurture the same Christian arts in their community. It also encompasses a publishing house (over thirty books published), a theater, and a podcast.

The Rabbit Room ministry hosts a yearly conference, concerts, and seminars. Andrew Peterson exemplifies what Christ-followers can do as His ambassadors. 

Further Reading: How Does Andrew Peterson Serve God with His Music?

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Australian and former public school science teacher Ken Ham has made quite an impact on the Lord in the U.S. and around the world with his ministry Answers in Genesis. As Ken says, “Our AiG ministry is akin to “removing the stone”—doing what we can to remove stumbling blocks from people’s thinking that might stop them listening to and accepting the Word of God. That’s what apologetics is really all about. But as we “remove the stones,” we are always mindful to point people to the Word of God and the gospel.”

The Creation Museum began AiG’s destination spots, and after twenty-five years of prayer, the museum opened in Northern Kentucky. The location was chosen because almost two-thirds of the U.S. population lives within 650 miles of it. The Creation Museum also served as the locale for AiG’s burgeoning ministries (a speaking ministry, radio program, and popular website).

The Creation Museum opened in 2007 to a crowd of 4,000 visitors and only about sixty protesters). The museum reached a quarter million visitors in just six months, and over 700,000 people toured the Creation Museum at the end of two years in operation. Millions of people have visited the Creation Museum to see its solid, biblically-based displays of God’s creation.

The Ark Encounter, barely forty-five minutes down the road from the Creation Museum, is a vast undertaking to present the biblical (Noah’s) Ark in full scale. Visitors are awed by its size and excellence; over a million people visit it yearly.

Further Reading: Ken Ham Says Generations of Kids Have Been Indoctrinated and Told ‘There’s No God’

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With a familiar last name, Costi Hinn was once an associate of his famous uncle, Benny Hinn. Costi is now pursuing his Doctorate, has written several books, and is a teaching pastor for Shepherd’s House Bible Church. Hinn heads the ministry For the Gospel, which he proclaims as “unwavering when it comes to the gospel, passionate about creativity, and firmly rooted in biblical truth. FTG strives to help illuminate scripture so your lamp can shine bright.”

Costi Hinn came out of a problematic theological background and devoted himself to proclaiming the truth, revealing the lies of false teachers, and “providing sound doctrine for everyday people.” 

In addition, and because of his past association, God is using Costi’s former notoriety to open the eyes of many thousands to the truth of the Gospel and away from the false teachers who say God can be bargained with for health and wealth.

Costi Hinn writes articles on various subjects, touching on proper exegesis of Scripture, current events and his take on them, and correct use of Scripture (one of his latest deals with misrepresenting, among others. He was featured in the American Gospel-Christ Alone documentary and has written numerous articles for the Gospel Coalition.

Further Reading:

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A stalwart revelator of the truth of God’s Word, Justin Peters Ministries states its mission, “Justin Peters Ministries is a worldwide expository preaching and teaching ministry. We focus on teaching the sufficiency of God's word and exposing the false teachings of the prosperity, health, and wealth gospel. Justin preaches a gospel deeply rooted in the sufficiency of scripture.”

Engaging and intelligent, Justin Peters showcases his Clouds Without Water presentation in live ministry events the world over (as well as on DVD). Taken from Jude 12, this presentation provides a “biblical critique of the Word of Faith, New Apostolic Reformation Movements, exposing the false prosperity Gospel.”

Justin Peters has appeared in American Gospel films, as well as in the documentary Cessationist. 

Scripture tells us a time would come and is now here when people “will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, (2 Timothy 4:3). 

Ministries such as Peters’ attract a wide audience and further the spread of the Gospel.

Further Reading: Why Should Christians Study Apologetics?

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Those familiar with Adventures in Odyssey (AiO) will quickly recognize this name: John Avery Whitacre. Better known as Whit from Whit’s End, he heads the cast of Adventures in Odyssey, a production of Focus on the Family. Phil Lollar is the co-creator (along with Steve Harris) of this very popular kids’ audio drama program. Adventures in Odyssey seeks to entertain children and teach them valuable lessons from the Bible. Phil has written over 225 episodes of AiO and directed over 325, making him a great influencer to children (and their parents—adults account for many listeners, too).

While working at Focus on the Family, Phil met Nathan Carlson (who from 1998-2008 was the voice of Stephen Straussberg and Richard Maxwell) and Jeff Parker (another AiO writer and voice actor for a few minor Odyssey characters). Together, these three expanded their outreach (and influence) via a hit comedy series, Jungle Jam and Friends the Radio Show! and an animated series, Little Dogs on the Prairie.

In addition, Phil Lollar wrote and consulted for the acclaimed Nickelodeon series The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss. He is also a prolific author, having penned twenty-six books, many related to Adventures in Odyssey and others to his Jungle Jam production.

Further Reading: 10 Christian Series We Need to Reboot

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Brandon Kimber is a filmmaker from Cleveland, Ohio, who heads Transition Studios. He also serves as president of AGTV streaming services and has directed two popular American Gospel films (Christ Alone and Christ Crucified), with a third coming in 2024 (Spirit and Fire).

A great and important outreach of Brandon’s American Gospel films is how they teach believers to stand firm in their faith. Christ Alone and Christ Crucified are both lessons in apologetics—teaching the viewers to look into the Bible for truth and to refute false claims and teachers. As Gospel Community Church wrote, “American Gospel takes the high road and thoughtfully, carefully tears down every philosophy that raises itself up against the knowledge of God. This film isn’t a takedown of false gospels, it’s a dissection. There is a theological depth to this film that speaks to the theological acumen of its creator and his interviewees.”

An upcoming American Gospel docuseries will soon be released: Spirit and Fire will delve into the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. The production reveals the truth and exposes the abuse of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit by various religious entities.

All three American Gospel films have prompted much conversation among Christians and sparked lively debates between Christians across the theological spectrum. The American Gospel project (beginning with Christ Alone) is his passion project, as he describes in an interview with Christian writer Angela Roe, “So this film is a response to my personal experience, and a tool that I felt was necessary to help my family and friends clearly see the true gospel in comparison to the counterfeits.”

Further Reading: 10 Christian Movies You Can Watch for Free Right Now

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