For Immediate Release: Contact Person: Richard Cizik
November 4, 2006 202-789-1011 (office); 202-253-6525 (cell)
Washington, D.C. — Dr. Leith Anderson, a well-known pastor, author, seminary lecturer,
and missions leader has been named Interim President of the National Association of
Evangelicals (NAE).
A 15-member Executive Committee, led by L. Roy Taylor, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian
Church in America, made the selection during a November 3 conference call. After consultation with his Church elders and his wife Charleen, Anderson agreed to serve for an indefinite period in order to give the Association the time needed to seek and find a new President. The NAE Executive Committee also accepted the resignation of the Rev. Ted Haggard, who served from 2003 to 2006.
Leith Anderson is the senior Pastor of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, a mega-church affiliated with the Baptist General Conference, a position that he was first called to on January 1, 1977. During his tenure, the church has grown to 5,000 regular attendees and is known for its outreach overseas, including to victims of HIV/AIDS.
His education includes Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois; B.A., Sociology, Bradley
University, Peoria, Illinois; Master of Divinity, Denver Seminary, Denver, Colorado; and
Doctor of Ministry, Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of eight books and the
radio voice of Faith Matters, which is heard on Christian stations across the United States.
“Dr. Anderson knows the evangelical world and is uniquely positioned to serve the National Association of Evangelicals at this time,” said L. Roy Taylor, NAE Chairman of the Board.
“He’s a man of great personal integrity and spiritual leadership who can step into the President’s role without missing a beat.”
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