Jud Wilhite says stores ‘opened up a whole new world of faith and biblical understanding’ in his spiritual walk

Jud Wilhite, pastor of one of the largest and fastest-growing churches in the country and a New York Times best-selling author with nearly 30,000 Twitter followers, remembers being down and out versus being up and coming.

The senior pastor of 15,000-member Central Christian Church in Las Vegas wrestled with a four-year drug addiction as a teenager growing up in Texas. 

“The turning point for me was when I surrendered to God as a 17-year-old, and when I walked into a local church for the first time on my own terms—not because my parents made me,” Wilhite, 42, told Christian Retailing. “I found this little, small group Bible study, and in that first critical six months, they were like a life-saving station for me. 

“They encouraged me, walked with me and coached me off the cliff,” he recalled. “God used those people to literally save my life. Out of that experience, I knew I wanted to do two things: help others experience the same grace that I had experienced in Jesus and do that through the local church.”

Wilhite also credits Christian bookstores for playing a big part in his discipleship and spiritual growth.

“I love Christian bookstores and have spent hundreds of hours roaming their shelves,” he said. “Christian bookstores were my primary reference point for spiritual tools and resources, especially in my early years as a Christian. They opened up a whole new world of faith and biblical understanding. 

“When I walk in a Christian bookstore today and see one of my books on the shelf, I always stop and remember what it felt like to be walking into a bookstore desperately seeking hope, guidance and encouragement,” Wilhite added. “By God’s grace, I found it there and trust that others find that hope in Christian bookstores every day.”

Since Wilhite arrived at Central Christian in 2003, the church has been known for helping the hurting find healing. In a recent survey, more than 90% surveyed at Central said that God “saved their lives” through the church.

Wilhite has authored several books, including the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and CBA best-sellers Torn, Stripped, Uncensored Grace and Eyes Wide Open (all Multnomah Books), and That Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Standard Publishing).

His most recent book, Pursued, was released by FaithWords in February, debuting on the New York Times best-sellers list. Using the biblical story of the prophet Hosea’s marriage in the book, Wilhite reveals how God pursues people with His unwavering love. 

“I just try to write as one broken person to other broken people, encouraging them to allow God’s grace to put them back together,” he said. “Something happens to all of us when we have been broken by something in life, and put back together by God. We have more compassion, more of an awareness of our need for God and more dependence on His grace. Growing in His grace and truth, finding freedom from our past and pain, and celebrating God’s mercy each day are the core messages of my life and also my writing.”

FaithWords Editor Jana Burson said Wilhite “writes from a place of grace because he knows firsthand what it means to experience it. Much like how his church, Central Christian, is a place where people can come and be accepted as they are, his writing accomplishes the same welcoming invitation.”

Gabe Lyons, author of The Next Christians (Doubleday Religion), said Wilhite is “a compelling new voice and model for a new way to be Christian in today’s culture.” 

Capitalizing on Wilhite’s popularity, FaithWords plans two forthcoming releases—one a book and the other a Bible. 

In February, FaithWords will release Wilhite’s next major trade book. In The God of Yes, he will “invite readers to experience a divine yes to all of life as a gift of God,” said Burson, noting that many believe that the Christian life consists of a long list of no’s.

Wilhite said he believes authenticity is one reason why his books resonate with people. 

“I’m regularly surprised and humbled when anyone takes their precious time and allows me the opportunity to share with them,” he said. “From a writing standpoint, I just try to be honest, keep it real and encourage people from the Bible and personal experience. The feedback I get usually points to authenticity as a big part of what resonates, and the other is that I seek to take the Bible seriously.”

Wilhite’s new Bible from FaithWords will be published Sept. 10. The Uncensored Truth Bible features the New Living Translation and is geared toward new believers. 

“Jud feels that one of the greatest needs new believers have is a resource for understanding Christian faith and the Bible in a straightforward and applicable guide,” Burson said. “This Bible fills that need.”

Key features include: a 24-page introduction, in which Wilhite provides six articles on how to understand the Bible, overviews of the Old and New Testaments and faith as a lifelong journey; easy-to-understand introductions for each book of the Bible; nine “uncensored truth” sections on topics such as the Trinity and heaven and hell.

Wilhite is strongly connected to his readers, posting daily on Twitter, where he has nearly 29,000 followers, and Facebook where he has more than 14,000 friends.

Wilhite is also “so thankful for Christian retailers.”

“I know this is a mission for them,” he said. “They get discouraged and frustrated like everyone, and I don’t see anybody getting rich. But they push through because they believe in the message and want to help others grow. I can’t even imagine where I’d be if I didn’t have a Christian bookstore to frequent after becoming a Christian. They were a resource to a whole new understanding for me. 

“The difference those books made in my life is what inspires me to keep writing,” Wilhite added. “I don’t every want to take for granted that we can partner together to literally witness God change someone’s life. It is such a privilege, and I’m thankful for the partnership of Christian retailers in that mission.”

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