Collection 665 Oral History Interview with Paul A. Cedar

Collection

Identifier: CN 665

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Oral history interview with Paul Cedar about his upbringing as the son of a Presbyterian minister, his conversion at a Youth for Christ rally, his call to ministry at a young age, his work as a summer evanelist in Pennsylvania, his education at Northern State College in South Dakota, and his first pastorate during which he started a YFC club. Events described in the interview cover the time period 1938-1960.

Paul Cedar was interviewed by Paul Ericksen on June 9, 2011 at the Billy Graham Center Archives at Wheaton College.

Dates

Created: 2011

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Biographical Information

Full Name: Paul Arnold Cedar

Birth: November 4, 1938; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Family:

Parents: Carl Benjamin Cedar and Bernice M. (née Peterson) Cedar

Siblings: 4th of 5 children; 2 older sisters, 1 older brother, younger twin sister

Marital Status: Married Jean Helen Lier, August 25, 1959

Children: Mark John, Deborah Jean (McGinnis), and Daniel Paul

Conversion: Age of 7 (February 23, 1946) at a Youth for Christ rally

Ordination: 1966, Evangelical Free Church of America

Education

1960 - BS from Northern State College, Aberdeen, South Dakota

1968 - Master of Divinity from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary

1973 - Doctor of Ministry from American Baptist Seminary of the West

Graduate studies in later years at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Wheaton College Graduate School, the University of Iowa, and California State University

Career

1957-1960 - Student Pastor/Youth Evangelist, Aberdeen, South Dakota

1960-1963 - Executive Director, Youth for Christ, Cedar Rapids, IO

1963-1965 - Crusade Associate, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

1965-1967 - Pastor, Evangelical Free Church of Naperville, Illinois

1967-1969 - Crusade Director, Leighton Ford Evangelistic Team

1969-1974 - Senior Pastor, Evangelical Free Church, Yorba Linda, California

1975-1980 - Executive Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Hollywood, California

1981-1990 - Senior Pastor, Lake Avenue Congressional Church, Pasadena, California

1990-1996 - President, Evangelical Free Churches of America, Minneapolis

1995-2017 - Chairman, CEO, Mission America Coalition; present Chair Emeritus

1998-2004 - Executive Chair, Lausanne International Committee; present advisory capacity

circa 1980 - Guest Dean at Billy Graham Schools of Evangelism

Adjunct Professor at Trinity Divinity School, Talbot Theological Seminary, Bethel Seminary, Fuller Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, and ACTS Seminary

Other significant information

Honorary Degrees: Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical School

Honorary Doctor of Ministry from Belhaven College

Publications: Mastering Ministry: Mastering the Pastoral Role, with Kent Hughes and Ben Patterson (2010); Compassionate Leadership, with Dr. Ted Engstrom (2006); A Life of Prayer (1998); Where is Hope? (1992); Strength in Servant Leadership (1987); The Communicator’s Commentary: James, Jude, I & II Peter (1984); Sharing the Good Life! (1980); 7 Keys to Maximum Communication (1980); Becoming a Lover (1978); How to Make Love Your Motive (1977)

Extent

1.00 Sound Recording

102 Minutes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Accruals and Additions

The material in this collection was given to the Billy Graham Center Archives by Paul Cedar in June 2011.

Accession: 11-36

February 6, 2019

Emily Brokaw

B. Shuster