Harvest House Publishers author John Weldon died Saturday afternoon, Aug. 30, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 66.

Weldon was born Feb. 6, 1948, in Chicago and became a Christian as an adult. He earned multiple graduate-level degrees, including a Ph.D. in comparative religion and a D.Min. with an emphasis on contemporary religious movements. Known for his work with John Ankerberg, he employed his expertise for more than 20 years as a researcher for The John Ankerberg Show. Weldon authored or co-authored more than 100 books, including the best-selling “Facts On” series that has sold more than 2.5 million copies in 16 languages.

Weldon was a part of the Harvest House family of authors for nearly 30 years.

“Working with John, as an author and a friend, was always a great blessing,” said Bob Hawkins Jr., president of Harvest House. “His books and his life have left a lasting legacy, and we feel very honored to have known and worked alongside him in ministry.”

Of his many books, Weldon authored and co-authored more than 65 books with Harvest House with sales of nearly 3 million copies.

“Every single one of these books clearly proclaimed his deep and abounding love for God’s truth,” the company said in a statement

Harvest House noted that Weldon was “exceptionally knowledgeable and yet exceedingly humble,” traits that were “clearly evident in his many written defenses of the Christian faith, in which he spoke God’s truth with love (Eph, 4:15). Even in the face of tremendous opposition—such as when it was necessary to respond to a lengthy and unwarranted lawsuit—he was able to take a strong stand and do it with grace.”

Weldon was also known to have “enormous compassion” for the lost, the statement said, observing that it was appropriate that Weldon’s last book was How to Know You’re Going to Heaven, published by Harvest House in July.

Harvest House also pointed to Weldon’s “sweet spirit and pure faith.”

“Even as he struggled with cancer he was always radiant with cheerfulness and joy, bringing a smile to everyone he encountered,” the statement said. “As one to whom prayer was a natural extension of his life in Christ, he lived out the apostle Paul’s exhortation to ‘be devoted to one another in brotherly love…fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation’” (Rom. 12:10-12).

Weldon’s life and work influenced many.

“John’s life and work have touched countless others seeking to grow spiritually and better understand the Bible,” said a statement on the Ankerberg show’s website. “His friends describe him as genuine, humble and passionate to share the hope of eternal life with everyone he met. His work will continue through his many books, his online writings at The John Ankerberg Show website (JAshow.org), as well as through the many people John has personally influenced through his ministry.”

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