Josh McDowell (1939–) is an American preacher, evangelist, and Christian apologist whose ministry has reached millions through his speaking engagements and extensive writings over six decades. Born Joslin McDowell on August 17, 1939, in Union City, Michigan, he was one of five children of Wilmot McDowell, an alcoholic and abusive father, and his mother, whose name is less documented. Raised in a troubled home—where he endured sexual abuse from a farmhand, Wayne Bailey, between ages 6 and 13—McDowell initially rejected Christianity, identifying as an agnostic. After enrolling at Kellogg Community College with plans for law school, he encountered Christian students who challenged him to disprove their faith, leading to his conversion in 1959 after finding evidence supporting Christianity’s claims. He earned a BA from Wheaton College and an MDiv (Magna Cum Laude) from Talbot Theological Seminary, marrying Dottie Youd in 1971, with whom he has four children and eleven grandchildren. McDowell’s preaching career took off in 1961 when he joined Campus Crusade for Christ (now Cru), founding Josh McDowell Ministry in 1963 to reach young people with the gospel. Known for his articulate and evidence-based approach, he has delivered over 32,000 talks to more than 46 million people across 139 countries, emphasizing apologetics through works like Evidence That Demands a Verdict (1972) and More Than a Carpenter (1977), which have sold millions and been translated into 128 languages. In 1991, he launched Operation Carelift (now part of UNTO) to address humanitarian needs in the former Soviet Union, earning him unique honors from Russia, including an honorary pediatric degree. Based in California as of 2025, McDowell’s legacy as a preacher endures despite a 2021 controversy over race-related remarks, from which he stepped back temporarily, leaving a profound impact through his focus on truth, faith, and practical Christian living.