Vonette Zachary Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ (now known as Cru in the U.S.), the world's largest Christian ministry, died today due to complications from acute leukemia. She was 89.

Fueled by a desire to help others meet Christ and learn to follow him, Vonette and her late husband, Dr. William "Bill" R. Bright, spent more than half a century leading and building Campus Crusade for Christ to more than 25,000 staff members and 300,000 volunteers working in 173 countries.

In 1951, the Brights launched Campus Crusade for Christ at UCLA with the goal to "win the campus today, win the world tomorrow." Though the campus ministry is still the largest branch of Campus Crusade, it is joined by other ministries like Athletes in Action, The JESUS Film Project, The Josh McDowell Ministry and FamilyLife.

Vonette's influence reached far beyond Campus Crusade for Christ. Her commitment to prayer led to the founding of the National Prayer Committee, a group of leaders who seek to motivate other Christians to unite in prayer for spiritual awakening in America. In 1988, she successfully petitioned Congress to designate the first Thursday of every May as the permanent day for the National Day of Prayer. After unanimous approval by both houses of Congress, President Ronald Reagan signed the legislation into law. She then served for nine years as chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. The movement today includes more than 2 million people in 30,000 observances across the country.

In a 2011 letter from Rev. Billy Graham to Vonette, Graham wrote, "Your single-minded focus on the power of intercessory prayer has been both an encouragement to my life and a model for the church. Heavenly records will one day reveal the full impact of your prayer life and the teaching ministry in the lives of countless persons who have come to faith in Christ."

In 1993, she launched Women Today International, a ministry responding to the needs of women as they grow in their relationships with Christ.

Vonette also served as chairwoman of Bright Media Foundation, which strives to make the writings and teachings of Bill and Vonette Bright available to each generation. She wrote more than a dozen books, most focused on prayer, evangelism, walking with God and hospitality.

In 1973, Religious Heritage of America named Vonette the group's Churchwoman of the Year. In 1982, Religion in America honored her as the International Church Woman of the Year, and she also was named distinguished alumna of Texas Woman's University. In 1988, the Brights were inducted into the Religion in Media International Communication Galaxy of Fame at the International Angel Awards, and in 1995, Vonette was named Christian Woman of the Year.

In 2000, Religious Heritage of America Foundation presented the Lifetime Inspiration Award to the Brights. Vonette received honorary doctorate degrees from Los Angeles Bible College in 1979 and from King Sejong University, Seoul, Korea, in 1985.

Vonette is survived by her brother, Roy Curtis Zachary; her sister, Deanne Rice; her sons, Zachary Dale and Bradley Randolph; her "daughters-in-love," Terry and Katherine; and four grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 8. In lieu of flowers, the Bright children have requested that friends honor Vonette's memory through the Bill and Vonette Bright Legacy Trust. 

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