Lee Strobel
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Through Jesus
Early life and education
Strobel was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He received a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School.
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Career
Lee was a journalist for the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers for 14 years. In 1980, the UPI Illinois Editors Association newspaper award program gave him a first place for public service (the Len H. Small Memorial award) for his coverage of the Ford Pinto crash trial involving a class-action lawsuit against the Ford Motor Company in Winamac, Indiana. Strobel later became assistant managing editor of the Daily Herald, before leaving journalism in 1987.
Strobel states he was an atheist when he began investigating the biblical claims about Jesus Christ after his wife's conversion. Prompted by the results of his investigation, he became a Christian at the age of 29.
Ministry
Strobel was teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, from 1987 to 2000. In 2000, he became pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. In 2004, he left his post as pastor to host the Christian apologetics show Faith Under Fire. In 2014, he became a teaching pastor at Woodlands Church in The Woodlands, Texas, and a professor of Christian thought at Houston Baptist University.
Recognition
In 2007, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Southern Evangelical Seminary in recognition of his contributions to Christian apologetics.
Personal life
Strobel and his wife Leslie have two children and several grandchildren. His daughter Alison is a novelist, and his son Kyle is an Assistant Professor of Spiritual Theology and Formation at the Talbot School of Theology.
Film
Strobel appeared in the 2016 film God's Not Dead 2.
A film titled The Case for Christ, based on Strobel's book, had its theatrical release in April 2017. The film was directed by Jonathan M. Gunn and is about an atheist reporter who tries to prove Christianity to be a cult. The film was produced by Triple Horse Studios and distributed by Pure Flix Entertainment.