Vance Havner (October 17, 1901 – August 12, 1986) was a prominent American Southern Baptist minister, evangelist, and author, renowned for his concise preaching style and unwavering commitment to biblical authority. Born in Vale, North Carolina, Havner began preaching at the age of 12 and was ordained by 15. Although he briefly attended institutions like Catawba College, Wake Forest University, and Moody Bible Institute, he did not complete a degree, instead attributing his theological development to personal study and the influence of preachers such as Charles Spurgeon.​ Wikipedia Initially influenced by modernist theology, Havner experienced a pivotal shift after reading J. Gresham Machen’s Christianity and Liberalism, which reaffirmed his dedication to conservative Christian doctrine. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Charleston, South Carolina, from 1934 to 1939 before embarking on a nationwide itinerant evangelism ministry. His sermons, characterized by wit, clarity,