Torrey Maynard Johnson (March 15, 1909 – May 15, 2002) was an American Baptist preacher, evangelist, and radio pioneer best remembered as the founder of Youth for Christ International. Born in Chicago, Illinois, to Norwegian immigrants Jacob Martin and Thora Matilda Johnson, he was one of six children raised in a devout Christian home. Initially set on becoming a dentist, Johnson graduated from Wheaton College in 1930, where he met and married Evelyn Nilsen that same year. A shift in calling led him to ministry, and in 1933, he became pastor of Midwest Bible Church in Chicago, growing it from 26 to over 1,000 members by 1953. Johnson’s early career blended preaching with radio innovation. In 1935, he began broadcasting frequently, launching programs like Chapel Hour and Songs in the Night—the latter handed off to a young Billy Graham, whom Johnson mentored as Youth for Christ’s first full-time evangelist. In 1944, he co-founded Youth for Christ (YFC), becoming its first president (1945–1948), organizing massive rallies blending evangelism with patriotic fervor during World War II. His vision—“Geared to the times, anchored to the Rock”—propelled YFC into an international movement. After resigning from YFC, he incorporated the Torrey Johnson Evangelistic Crusade in 1950, conducting meetings worldwide.