Anne Ortlund Goes Home

Popular author and Christian ministry leader Anne Ortlund passed into the arms of her Savior November 4, one month away from her 90th birthday. In addition to having been married to late Conference President (1967–1969) Ray Ortlund, Anne had credentials with the Conference as a Commissioned Christian Worker (CCW).

“Mom reached tens of thousands of people for Christ through her books and more intimately through the more than 270 women she personally discipled,” wrote son Nels, after her passing.

Her husband, Pastor Ray Ortlund, led two significant churches in Southern California with Anne by his side: Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena and Mariners Church in Newport Beach.Later they founded Renewal Ministries, and traveled the world as a team speaking on behalf of renewal and revival among God’s people. Ray went to be with Jesus on July 22, 2007, due to complications of pulmonary fibrosis.

Ray and Anne authored more than 26 books together, and several of Anne’s books were bestsellers, including Disciplines of a Beautiful Woman and Children are Wet Cement. Anne’s ministry included speaking at women’s retreats, home gatherings, disciples’ group, and mentoring one-on-one. She and Ray often spoke side-by-side at conferences locally and worldwide.

For 15 years, Anne was the organist of Dr. Charles E. Fuller’s international radio broadcasts. Her hymn “Macedonia” was chosen to be the theme hymn of Dr. Billy Graham’s World Congress on Evangelism in Berlin.

Ray and Anne had a positive impact on the CCCC for more than four decades. We praise God for that ministry, and for its continued presence with us in her books.