A Tribute to Vonette Bright
Join us as we celebrate and remember the goodness of God’s work done in God’s way, in the life of the late Vonette Bright.
Meet Series Guests
Barbara Rainey
After graduating from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, Barbara joined the staff of Cru® in 1971. With her husband Dennis, whom she married in 1972, the Rainey’s cofounded FamilyLife®, a ministry committed to helping marriages and families survive and thrive in our generation.
Barbara is a frequent speaker and guest on FamilyLife Today®, FamilyLife’s award-winning nationally-syndicated daily radio broadcast. She is the author or coauthor of more than 35 books, including Moments Together for Couples and Moments With You marriage devotionals; Growing Together, a series of books for families; A Symphony in the Dark; and her most recent, Letters to My Daughters: The Art of Being a Wife.
After faithfully served alongside Dennis, both in ministry and at home, Barbara launched a new endeavor called Ever Thine Home®. This line of home décor with interactive content helps families express faith at home in a way that is both biblical and beautiful. Her heart for Ever Thine Home is based on the familiar Old Testament instruction:
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, ESV)
Dennis and Barbara live near Little Rock, Arkansas and continue to serve with Cru, FamilyLife’s parent organization. They have six children and an impressive number of grandchildren.
Bob Lepine
Radio and podcast listeners know Bob Lepine as the co-host of FamilyLife Today®, FamilyLife's nationally syndicated radio program. He is the author of Love Like You Mean It: The Heart of a Marriage That Honors God (2020) and The Christian Husband (1999). Bob is also the on air announcer for “Truth for Life” with Alistair Begg. Bob also serves on the Board of Directors for National Religious Broadcasters. Since 2008 Bob has served as an elder and teaching pastor at Redeemer Community Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Dennis Rainey
Dennis Rainey cofounded FamilyLife®, a ministry of Cru®. Since the organization began in 1976 through 2017, Dennis’ leadership enabled FamilyLife to grow into a dynamic and vital ministry in more than 109 countries around the world helping families discover the joy God intended for their relationships with God, spouse, and kids.
Dennis has authored or co-authored more than 35 books, including best-selling Moments Together for Couples and Staying Close and has received two Golden Medallion Awards from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. In addition, he served as the senior editor of the HomeBuilders Couples Series®, which has sold over 3 million copies and has been translated into 47 languages.
A powerful and effective communicator, Dennis hosted the nationally-syndicated radio program FamilyLife Today® through early 2019 on more than 1,300 radio outlets in all 50 states. During his tenure on the program, FamilyLife Today was recipient of the National Religious Broadcasters Radio Program of the Year Award three times. Dennis serves on the Board of Directors of Dallas Theological Seminary.
Dennis and Barbara have been married since 1972 and love laughing with their six children and growing number of grandchildren. In his spare time, Dennis enjoys helping Barbara in their garden, reading great books, and pursuing his passions for hunting and fishing. They live near Little Rock, Arkansas and continue to serve with Cru, FamilyLife’s parent organization.
Vonette Bright
Vonette Bright is co-founder of Cru along with her late husband Dr. William R. Bright.
She earned her BA in home economics from Texas Women's University and did graduate work in the field of education at the University of Southern California. Vonette taught in Los Angeles Schools before joining Bill full-time in Campus Crusade.
Vonette's commitment to help reach the world for Christ has fueled a passion for a prayer and desire to help others develop a heart for God. She serves as Chair for The Bright Media Foundation and maintains an amazing schedule from her home in Orlando.
Bill and Vonette celebrated 54-1/2 years of marriage prior to Bill's graduation to heaven in July 2003. Bill and Vonette have 2 married sons and 4 grandchildren.
She served for 9 years as chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, which encourages citizens to pray for our nation and its leaders on the National Day of Prayer.
In 1988, as chair, she was successful in introducing legislation unanimously approved by both houses of Congress to make the first Thursday of every May the permanent date for the National Day of Prayer.
Vonette currently serves as Chairman Emeritus of the National Prayer Committee.
Among her other work, Vonette has authored more than a dozen books, and in 1993, she launched Women Today International, a ministry to and for women.
Under her leadership, Women Today is responding to the needs of women to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Currently she can be heard on Christian radio stations throughout the country as she shares her heart and challenges women to take their next step of faith.