For decades, Insight for Living has been a beacon of biblical wisdom and guidance for thousands worldwide. Under the leadership of veteran teaching pastor Chuck Swindoll, the teaching ministry has become a staple resource for those seeking practical life applications of biblical truth.
Swindoll’s passion for sharing God’s word was evident in his early life. However, it wasn’t until his time in the United States Marine Corps that he felt the Lord calling him to devote his life to the gospel ministry. While stationed on the island of Okinawa, Swindoll experienced the Holy Spirit’s prompting to accept the call to ministry.
After being honorably discharged from military service, Swindoll attended Dallas Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Theology in 1963 and went on to pastor several churches, including Grace Bible Church in Dallas, Texas, Waltham Evangelical Free Church in Waltham, Massachusetts, and Irving Bible Church in Irving, Texas. In 1971, Swindoll became the senior pastor of First Evangelical Free Church in Fullerton, California, where he served for more than twenty years.
During his time at First Evangelical Free Church, Swindoll began to use radio to share the gospel with a broader audience. In 1979, he launched the “Insight for Living” radio broadcast, a daily program focusing on a Scripture passage and providing practical application for everyday living. The program quickly gained a following, and today it is broadcast on thousands of stations worldwide. In October of 1988, Swindoll founded Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, where he continues to serve as senior pastor. In addition to his radio and pastoral ministry, Swindoll has written numerous books, including “The Grace Awakening” and “The Finishing Touch.”
According to Insight for Living Executive Vice President Tom Hayes, Swindoll possesses a “God-given gift” for making complex theological concepts accessible to anyone, regardless of their level of biblical knowledge.
“Following Chuck’s example, we at Insight communicate truth in a way that our listeners are able to grab hold of it,” said Hayes. “Our content shouldn’t be at some academic level that tries to impress people, but instead at a level that can easily connect with one’s heart, mind, and life.”
Throughout his ministry, Swindoll has lived out his commitment to clear, Gospel-centered teaching and its application in the context of God’s grace, in and out of the pulpit.
“When he stands at the pulpit to communicate truth, it’s because he spent so much time studying it and even applying it to his own life,” said Hayes. “He’s not communicating empty words––he’s living out what God’s already taught him.”
Hayes urged Christian communicators and broadcasters to “never sacrifice the truth.”
“The role of a communicator is to preach the truth in all of its forms and to not worry about how it’s going to be received,” said Hayes. “Chuck always encourages us to let the Word of God speak for itself––so let it speak.”
The ministry of Insight for Living offers digital resources for study and growth and a publishing arm that produces books and audio resources. Insight also publishes a monthly devotional magazine, Insight, which contains articles, Bible studies, and devotions designed to deepen readers’ understanding of Scripture. In addition to its media and publishing outreach, Insight offers pastoral counseling services through the Insight for Living Ministries Biblical Counseling. This service is staffed by seminary-trained pastors and counselors who support and guide individuals and families facing various challenges.
Reflecting on the hundreds of testimonials Insight receives, Hayes, said, “Chuck has walked through many seasons of life with our listeners––many have said he’s been a voice of truth, honesty, and authenticity in times of difficulty.”
Insight strives to make Swindoll’s teachings accessible to people worldwide. Their Vision 195 initiative aims to provide individuals in every country with Bible teaching in their native language. Through a team of trained pastors and Dallas Theological Seminary graduates, Insight provides hope and encouragement that can only be found in Christ. With broadcasts available on over 1,000 stations and language-specific websites, they currently minister in Arabic, English, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, and Spanish.
“At Insight, Chuck encourages us all to permeate grace in the way we treat people, the way we treat fellow colleagues and employees, the way we treat vendors, and the way we treat ministry partners,” said Hayes.
Insight has been an NRB member since 1993 and has been recognized with numerous NRB awards, including the 1983 Award of Merit, 1994 Program of the Year, 1999 Religious Broadcaster of the Year, the 2009 Best Ministry Website Award, the 2011 International TV Ministry Award, and the 2021 Radio Impact Award. In 2009, Chuck Swindoll was inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame—NRB’s most prestigious award presented to an individual NRB member for “invaluable contribution to the field of Christian communications, exhibition of the highest standards, and evidence of faithfulness in Christ.” To learn more about Insight for Living, click here.
