The story of the D.L. Moody Center is rooted in the life and ministry of an ordinary man who trusted in an extraordinary God. Dwight L. Moody, a 19th-century shoe salesman turned evangelist, educator, and disciple-maker believed that God could use anyone, anywhere, to transform lives and build His Kingdom. Find out more about D. L. Moody here.
Moody’s life was a testament to what God can do through a faithful and flawed individual willing to pursue the will of the Lord. When God called, Moody answered—not with exceptional talent or wealth—but with a willingness to serve and a heart committed to the Gospel. From founding schools and urban missions to hosting large-scale evangelistic campaigns, God worked through Moody to grow His kingdom.
Today, the D.L. Moody Center exists to continue Moody’s work—not by elevating Moody, but by pointing to the God who empowered him. Inspired by Moody’s efforts, we focus on mobilizing Christians to live as disciples who make disciples, multiplying the reach of the Gospel for generations to come by working with partner organizations and curating resources to foster spiritual growth.
At the heart of our work is the D.L. Moody Digital Archive, a collection of his letters, sermons, and other writings that offers timeless insights into God’s transformative work through one faithful life. To make these treasures more accessible to a broader audience, we are leveraging cutting-edge AI technology, enabling believers to explore Moody’s legacy in deeper and more meaningful ways. By preserving and sharing these resources, we invite a new generation to see how God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes.
The D.L. Moody Center is not just a tribute to the past; it’s a call to action for the present and the future. Like Moody, we believe that every believer has a role to play in God’s story. Together, we can honor Christ, glorify God, and build His Kingdom—one disciple at a time.
At D. L. Moody Center, we serve two key groups, united by a shared desire to glorify God and build His Kingdom:
Our mission is to equip and empower both individuals and organizations to fulfill their God-given callings, multiplying the reach of the Gospel and advancing the Kingdom of God.
Our mission is to inspire God’s people to build God’s Kingdom. To accomplish that mission, we focus on collaboration, curation, and connection, ensuring that every effort points to Christ and advances His work:
Through these efforts, we seek to empower individuals and ministries to fulfill their God-given callings, multiplying the reach of the Gospel and advancing God’s Kingdom.
Emmitt Mitchell is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of D. L. Moody Center, an organization dedicated to sharing the uncomplicated Gospel with a world that needs to hear it and to preserving the legacy of the 19th-century evangelist D. L. Moody. D. L. Moody Center and Emmitt believe deeply in the transformative power of God’s word to change lives and save souls.
Emmitt has enjoyed a significant business career in banking, real estate development and the automobile dealership business. He has served the spiritual needs for the community as a Founder and Chairman of the Board of Urban Youth Leaders, a large inner-city youth mentoring and training organization. He also served as aYouth Pastor and Sr. Pastor of Victory Temple Christian Life Center. In the civic arena he served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
Emmitt is a founding Board member of the of The Signatry-AGlobal Christian Foundation. The Signatry has facilitated charitable contributions of $3 billion dollars in the last 20 years. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Bott Radio Network and The Woodson Center. Emmitt is passionate about the Gospel of Christ and often volunteers his time, talent, and resources to many other ministries nationally and locally.Emmitt and Karen have been married for 50 years and share a passion for faith, family, and community. They are the parents of fourchildren and nine grandchildren. Emmitt is an active instrument rated pilot with over 3,000 hours flying time. In his leisure time he enjoys fishing, jogging and bicycling.
Richard (Rich) P. Bott, II is Chairman and CEO of Bott Radio Network, a national leader in Christian Talk Radio, featuring quality Bible teaching, Christian news and information programming 24/7. The network owns and operates 120 stations reaching into 16 states with a combined coverage of 63 million people. BRN is available worldwide online at BottRadioNetwork.com, BRN mobile apps, Apple TV, Roku, iTunes, iHeart Radio, TuneIn Radio, and Amazon Echo. He is the former Board Chairman of the National Religious Broadcasters and currently serves on the NRB Board of Directors. He is a member of the Board of Governors for the Council for National Policy. Rich also serves on the Board of Directors of Far East Broadcasting Company and Moody Center. Mr. Bott graduated with a M.B.A. from Harvard Graduate School of Business. He and his wife, Faye, live in Overland Park, Kansas.
Dan is a seasoned professional with extensive experience working with business owners and C-level executives to improve the performance of their company through top line growth and operational efficiencies – maximizing the value of their business. With over 20 years of management, consulting, and business ownership transition experience, Dan brings a unique and fresh perspective to organizations he is involved with. As a respected mergers and acquisition advisor Dan has closed nearly 200 business transactions and evaluated hundreds of businesses in various industries. Dan is a recognized speaker and trainer and has a strong track record of blending into organizations at a senior advisory level and quickly making a meaningful impact. Dan’s vision is “To positively impact lives with our passion for excellence
Dr. Lowry is currently the Chancellor of Lipscomb University. As the 17th President of Lipscomb University, Lowry guided the university into a period of tremendous growth across enrollment, physical location, and financial status. He steered the university down a path where diversity and curiosity are prioritized and the integration of faithful service with academics is ingrained in students, preparing graduates to leave an impact that goes beyond the university walls, into the city of Nashville and into the world.
Before coming to Lipscomb, Lowry served on the faculty at the Pepperdine School of Law, Vermont Law School, the City University of Hong Kong, Shantou University in Beijing, Bond University in Australia, Hamline University, and the University of Modena in Italy.
Lowry has established himself as one of the nation’s leaders in the dispute resolution field, a designation he’s held for more than 20 years. After developing an innovative program at Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon, Lowry founded the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at the Pepperdine School of Law. It has consecutively been named the top graduate program of its kind, consistently achieving the No. 1 ranking by U.S. News & World Report. In 2004, Lowry formalized his longstanding consulting and training practice into the firm now called Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. A lawyer, mediator, author, consultant, and teacher, he has served clients across the country and the world in conflict management consulting, systems design, and training.
Lowry holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from Pepperdine University, and a juris doctorate degree from Hamline University. A native of Oregon, he and his wife, Rhonda, are proud to now call Nashville and Lipscomb home. They have three grown children and nine grandchildren.
As President and Chief Executive Officer of East-West Ministries International, Donald “Kurt” Nelson provides leadership and oversight to all worldwide ministry endeavors in the 50+ countries in which East-West currently operates. After serving with East-West for 15 years, Nelson became President and CEO in June 2010 and has served with East-West for a total of 23 years.
Kurt serves on the Board of Directors for East-West Ministries, ECFA and The Moody Center.
Kurt received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, his Master’s degree of Theology in World Missions from Dallas Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry degree in Missions Leadership from Columbia International University.
He and his wife, Pat, have been married for 32 years and have nine children (three of whom were adopted from Russia), six grandsons and one granddaughter.
After earning his PhD in Theological Studies, James spent more than a decade in higher education serving as a Vice President and Academic Dean over online and residential schools. He continues to work as a higher education consultant in the areas of online programming and enrollment management.
James has authored numerous books including Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness; Thinking Christian: Essays on Testimony, Accountability and the Christian Mind; and Christian Resistance: Learning to Defy the World and Follow Christ.
James serves as an adjunct instructor with Wheaton College, as well as teaching with Right On Mission. He also hosts the Thinking Christian podcast and writes for christianity.com. James has also written for the Wall Street Journal, Sojourners, Baptist Global News, Fox News, and the Christian Post.
James and his wife Kim have been married since 1999 and they have four children.
Bio coming soon.