Jerry B. Jenkins

Jenkins was born September 1949 to Harry Philip Jenkins and Bonita Grace Thompson of Kalamazoo, Michigan. In a 2008 interview with The Modesto Bee, Jenkins said his Christian faith was inspired by a Warner Sallman painting, guided by his mother. After graduating from Forest View High School, Jenkins attended Moody Bible Institute from 1967 to 1968, and Harper College from 1968 to 1970. == Career ==

After suffering an injury playing sports, Jenkins began work as a sports reporter while he was still in high school. Before he could drive, Jenkins covered high school sports for local newspapers. He was paid per inch. While attending Moody Bible Institute, Jenkins served as night news editor for the institute's flagship radio station, WMBI-FM. As co-writer Jenkins has written twenty as-told-to biographies and memoirs of prominent athletes and religious leaders, such as Hank Aaron, Bill Gaither, Walter Payton, Joe Gibbs, Mike Singletary, and Sammy Tippit. Jenkins called those titles his "sports personality" books. For works credited with Chris Fabry, such as The Wormlings (2007–08) series, Jenkins functioned as the editor, and Fabry was the sole writer. Jenkins said co-writing a book "is a nightmare," but can be successful if the roles among the credited writers are settled beforehand. == Gil Thorp ==

The ''Dallas O'Neil and The Baker Street Sports Club (1986) series, and its follow up, the Dallas O'Neil Mysteries (1988–89), prompted Gil Thorp'' creator Jack Berrill to open discussions with Jenkins on creating a line of young adult books about Gil Thorp and the athletes at the fictional Milford High School. Jenkins's sons, Chad and Dallas, contributed to Gil Thorp by developing scenarios for their father to write. == Christian Writers Guild ==

In 1965, Norman Rohrer established the Christian Writers Guild (CWG). Rohrer offered a 48-part correspondence course intended to teach the craft of writing, as well as history and theology Rohrer believed were necessary to improve the quality of fiction and non-fiction writing intended for the Christian market. CWG transitioned from mail-based delivery, to an online platform. Jenkins recruited many of his friends and fellow writers to function as mentors to CWG members, and to expand the guild's offerings. Jenkins was criticized for creating a "vanity press", despite lambasting such publishing schemes in the past and closed the operation before contracting with any writers. Jenkins dissolved CWG in late-2014, which resulted in heavy criticism of both Jenkins and the CWG. Dennis E. Hensley told Christianity Today that Jenkins and the CWG had offered a "great service to developing writers." == Left Behind ==

Jenkins and co-author LaHaye of the Left Behind series were profiled in a May 24, 2004 cover story in Newsweek magazine entitled "The New Prophets of Revelation". LaHaye, who conceived the series, handled the theological underpinnings of his end-of-the-world series, while Jenkins handled the writing. The Left Behind series includes 16 books which have sold over 63 million copies worldwide. Jenkins has said, "I write the best I can. I know I'm never going to be revered as some classic writer. I don't claim to be C. S. Lewis. The literary-type writers, I admire them. I wish I was smart enough to write a book that's hard to read, you know?" In 2018, Left Behind series was ranked 77 in The Great American Read poll sponsored by PBS. == Personal life ==

Jenkins and his wife Dianna (née Whiteford), whom he married in 1971, reside in Black Forest, Colorado. When asked about his Christian denomination, Jenkins has often answered "Jesus Christ". Alissa Wilkinson, of Christian Today, described Jenkins as a dispensationalist Christian in an editorial for The Washington Post. == Works ==

Non-fiction Co-written works Jenkins wrote the following memoirs and autobiographical works in which he received an "as told by" or "with Jerry B. Jenkins" attribution. Fiction Margo Mystery (1979–1984) A Margo Mystery series was published by Moody. The first novel, Margo (1979), was published by Jeremy Books, but later reprinted by Moody. Jennifer Grey Mystery (1983–1985) A Jennifer Grey Mystery series was published by Victor Books. The Soon Trilogy (2003–2005) The Soon Trilogy was published by Tyndale House. Jesus Chronicles (2007–2010) The Jesus Chronicles series, written with Tim LaHaye, is a narrative retelling of the four canonical gospels. Published by Penguin's Putnam Adult imprint. Reprints from Center Point assigned numbers to the novels. Precinct 11 (2011–2012) The Precinct 11 novels were published by Tyndale House. Dead Sea Chronicles (2018–2020) The Dead Sea Chronicles series is based on and inspired by the work of Craig A. Evans. Published by Worthy. Young adult fiction Below is an incomplete list: Tara Chadwick (1984) The Tara Chadwick Series was published by Moody in 1984. Reprinted in 1992, including new cover art and formatting. Bradford Family (1984–1986) The Bradford Family Adventures series was originally published by Stanford Publishing, in 1984. Reprinted by Moody in 1990. ''Dallas O'Neil'' (1986) The '''''Dallas O'Neil and the Baker Street Sports Club''''' series was published by Moody in 1986. ''Dallas O'Neil Mysteries'' (1988–1989) The '''''Dallas O'Neil Mysteries''' series is a sequel to the Dallas O'Neil and the Baker Street Sports Club'' (1986) series. Also published by Moody. Toby Andrews (1996) The Toby Andrews and the Junior Deputies series was published by Moody. Global Air Troubleshooters (1996) The Global Air Troubleshooters series was published by Multnomah Books in 1996. Reprinted as AirQuest Adventures by Zondervan in 2006. Red Rock Mysteries (2005–2006) The Red Rock Mysteries series was written by Chris Fabry and edited by Jenkins. Published by Tyndale House. The series was reprinted in 2020, including new cover art and new text. Renegade Spirit (2006–2008) The Renegade Spirit series was written by John Perrodin and edited by Jenkins. Published by Thomas Nelson's Integrity imprint. The premise is similar to The Soon Trilogy (2003–2005), written by Jenkins. The Wormlings (2007–2008) The Wormlings series was written by Chris Fabry and edited by Jenkins. Published by Tyndale House. Thirteen (2016–2017) The Thirteen science fantasy series was written by Trisha White Priebe and edited by Jenkins. Published by Barbour. Left Behind (1995–2007) The Left Behind series, created and developed by Tim LaHaye, was published by Tyndale House. Thorndike Press, Turtleback Books, and others, offered reprints in various formats. Graphic novel adaptations of the series were published by Tyndale from 2001 to 2002. Tyndale also published devotional calendars for 2002 and 2003 which featured text from the novels. Prior to the release of Soul Harvest (1998), the novels were not numbered. Not all printings include a number stamp. Prequel series (2005–2006) Marketed as 'Before They Were Left Behind''', the series retells events prior Left Behind (1995). The novels also function as prequels to Kingdom Come'' (2007), the final installment of the main series. Kids (1998–2003) Left Behind: The Kids is a retelling of the main series from the point of view of four young survivors. The novellas were bound-up as the Young Trib Force (2003–2005) series. Reprints include updated text introduced in the Young Trib Force bind-ups. Non-fiction companions (1999–2005) Jenkins co-wrote three companions with Tim LaHaye. Are We Living in the End Times? (1999) was not marketed as a Left Behind title; however, the book explored themes and settings depicted in the novels. These Will Not Be Left Behind (2003) is a retrospective of reader's experiences with the series, and how they "came to faith." Reprints of the companions use the same cover design and typeface as the main series. Young Trib Force (2003–2005) Left Behind: The Young Trib Force bind-ups of The Kids (1998–2003) series, three or four novellas per volume. Chris Fabry wrote new material to link the novellas to the main sequence of novels. Several bind-ups included significant revisions to the original text, including reordering of events and character changes. == Notes ==