13 Facts About Gilbert Bilezikian

Gilbert Bilezikian was born in Paris, France, to parents who were Armenian refugees.

Gilbert Bilezikian was drafted in the French army where he served as a medic in North Africa during the Algerian liberation conflict.

Gilbert Bilezikian first came to the United States in 1947.

Gilbert Bilezikian pursued a seven-year post-doctoral program at the Sorbonne in Paris under Professor Oscar Cullmann.

Gilbert Bilezikian returned to Paris for seven years, during which time he taught at the European Bible Institute and served as Minister of Christian Education at the American Church in Paris.

For 20 years, Gilbert Bilezikian was a professor at Wheaton College.

Gilbert Bilezikian interrupted his tenure at Wheaton to assume for three years the presidency of Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon, and to teach two years at Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois.

Gilbert Bilezikian co-founded Willow Creek Community Church with Bill Hybels in 1975 and was Hybels' mentor.

Gilbert Bilezikian helped to found Christians for Biblical Equality in 1988.

Gilbert Bilezikian denied the accusations and contended that the church had "violated the Bible's teaching on dealing with accusations against fellow Christians".

The Elder Board of Willow Creek stated that it had restricted Gilbert Bilezikian from serving within the church when allegations were brought against him in 2010; in 2015 he was honored as a "living legend" of the church.

In January 2020, the Elder Response Team asserted that Gilbert Bilezikian had been restricted from serving in the church, but added that he had continued to teach and serve in various capacities because "the restriction was not adequately communicated".

In May 2020, Gilbert Bilezikian filed a defamation lawsuit against the church.