12 Facts About Wilbur Nelson

Wilbur Eugene Nelson was an American Christian radio broadcaster, church minister, gospel singer and composer, and published author.

Wilbur Nelson was born in Brighton, Colorado, on September 25,1910.

Wilbur Nelson attended Pilgrim Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, before moving to California.

Wilbur Nelson attended the old Country Church of Hollywood in the 1930s, where he married his wife, Ethyl, in 1936.

Pianist Rudy Atwood, who frequently accompanied Wilbur Nelson on the program, praised him as "one of the truly great singers of our day", writing, "Whether he sings the old hymns, or the contemporary gospel songs, his magnificent voice and dedicated life is a blessing to people everywhere".

For two years, Wilbur Nelson led the Youth for Christ movement in Long Beach, California, one of the largest at the time on the West Coast, and organized and conducted their mass rallies at the Hollywood Bowl.

On each broadcast, a choir sang gospel hymns, often as backup with Wilbur Nelson singing lead, preceding a short devotional message given by Wilbur Nelson to encourage and comfort listeners.

Wilbur Nelson made guest singing and speaking appearances at churches and special events around the country, such as the Western Pennsylvania Bible Conference in June 1974.

Wilbur Nelson wrote several books, including some of his song arrangements and collected meditations given on the Morning Chapel Hour broadcast over the years, among them:.

Wilbur Nelson received honorary doctorates from Talbot School of Theology and Pusan National University in Korea.

Wilbur Nelson was predeceased by his wife, Ethyl, who died in November 2000.

Wilbur Nelson recalled that his father in later years deplored the way some evangelicals had become politicized, instead of being focused on Christ.