Reuben Archer Torrey (28 January 1856 – 26 October 1928) was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. He aligned with Keswick theology. Torrey was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, the son of a banker. He graduated from Yale University in 1875 and from Yale Divinity School in 1878, following which he became a Congregational minister in Garrettsville, Ohio. In 1879, he married Clara Smith, and they subsequently had five children.

After further studies in theology at Leipzig University and Erlangen University in 1882–1883, Torrey joined Dwight L. Moody in his evangelistic work in Chicago in 1889, and became superintendent of the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute). In 1894, he became pastor of the Chicago Avenue Church (now the Moody Church).

In 1898, Torrey served as a chaplain with the YMCA at Camp Chickamauga during the Spanish–American War. During World War I, he performed similar service at Camp Bowie (a POW camp in Texas) and at Camp Kearny.

In 1902–1903, he preached in nearly every part of the English-speaking world and with song leader Charles McCallon Alexander conducted revival services in Great Britain from 1903 to 1905. During this period, he also visited China, Japan, Australia, and India. Torrey conducted a similar campaign in American and Canadian cities in 1906–1907.[2] Throughout these campaigns, Torrey used a meeting style that he borrowed from Moody’s campaigns of the 1870s.

In 1912, Torrey was persuaded to build another institution like Moody Bible Institute, and from 1912 to 1924, he served as Dean of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (now Biola University) and contributed to the BIOLA publication, The King’s Business. Beginning in 1915, he served as the first pastor of the Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles. Torrey was one of the three editors of The Fundamentals, a 12-volume series that gave its name to what came to be called “fundamentalism”.

Torrey held his last evangelistic meeting in Florida in 1927, additional meetings being canceled because of his failing health. He died at home in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 26, 1928, having preached throughout the world and written more than 40 books. He was 72 years old. In 1907, he accepted an honorary doctorate from Wheaton College. Torrey-Gray Auditorium, the main auditorium at Moody, was named for Torrey and his successor, James M. Gray. At Biola, the Torrey Honors Institute honors him, as does the university’s annual Bible conference.

  • How to witness

    Are you committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the world? Have you encountered objections and doubts from those who have not yet met Christ? Fear not, for the Scriptures hold the answers to all of their questions and doubts.

    Introducing the “Soul-Winner’s Handbook,” compiled by R. A. Torrey, one of the greatest evangelists of modern times. This easy-to-use handbook is a valuable ministry tool that will teach you how to become a successful soulwinner, use God’s Word to answer difficult questions, show the self-righteous their need of God, and help believers mature in Christ.

    In this handbook, you will find faith-strengthening Scriptures and helpful soul-winning hints that will equip you to share the limitless power of the Word of God with others. As Jesus commanded His disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” The harvest field of this world is vast, but with the Word of God as your guide, you can become an effective worker in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to every corner of the earth.

    So, let the Scriptures be your foundation, and let the “Soul-Winner’s Handbook” be your guide as you embark on this important mission. The world needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, and with God’s help, you can be a part of bringing that message to every creature.

     

    R. A. Torrey

    8.700 CFA
  • The presence and work Holy spirit

    Do you want the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life?
    Within these pages, you will discover the importance of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. R. A. Torrey also reveals the work of the Holy Spirit in helping to bring unbelievers into the kingdom of God and:

    • How to receive God’s favor and blessings
    • The way the Holy Spirit imparts life to the spiritually dead
    • Our need to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance
    • How to have a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit
    • The biblical promises that relate to the Holy Spirit

    These eternal issues–and many more–are covered in this in-depth examination of who the Holy Spirit is and His work in our lives. Followers of Christ, as well as those searching, will be permanently transformed as God’s divine power flows through their hearts.

    11.600 CFA