This year the Institute for Creation Research celebrates 50 years of ministry. ICR founder Dr. Henry M. Morris’ groundbreaking book The Genesis Flood sparked the modern creationism movement and set the course for a ministry unlike any that had come before it. As a scientist who loved the Lord, Dr. Morris saw how science supports the Bible and dedicated his life to making Christ known through creation research.
Our feature article this month, “50 Years of Creation Research and Scholarship,” highlights noteworthy milestones in ICR’s history. The timeline begins in 1970 when Henry Morris, Tim LaHaye, and others, driven by a passion for science and the Bible, came together and helped establish what would become ICR.
Over the following decades, ICR scientists conducted debates, seminars, and conferences that drew tens of thousands. To expand its reach, the ministry produced Acts & Facts magazines, Days of Praise devotionals, radio broadcasts and podcasts, educational programs, online news articles, and dozens of creation-based books. Anchored in the timeless truths of God’s Word, the ministry continues to adopt new and innovative ways to communicate how science points to our Creator. Today, the ICR Discovery Center for Science & Earth History is reaching people with technology and innovative exhibits our founder probably only dreamed about.
Some ICR staff members have experienced major milestones of this ministry from its earliest days. Current CEO Dr. Henry Morris III said, “When Dad’s book with Dr. [John] Whitcomb [The Genesis Flood] hit the market in the ’60s, boy, it was like, whoosh—just a breath of fresh air. And we grew from a two-man operation to a 50-employee operation, reaching thousands on a regular basis….For all practical purposes, we became a new organization when we moved [to Dallas in 2007]. It was an interesting challenge trying to find and hire and rebuild the organization during those first half-dozen years or so.”
Mary Smith, our founder’s daughter, said, “I started working at ICR in 1971, stepping in as the secretary for my dad, and later also for Dr. [Duane] Gish. It was truly a privilege to work with two such dedicated servants of God and to learn from them....I have counted my work at ICR as my ministry for my Savior. Thank you, Dad, for having the vision to serve God in this way.”
ICR President Emeritus Dr. John Morris said this about his father: “While fully experienced in and trained by several major universities, he had long held a vision and burden for a thoroughly Christian and creationist educational and scientific research group comparable to a great university that would teach from a literal, biblical perspective. ICR was patterned after this dream.”
When I think of what I’ve witnessed at ICR the past decade, I’m amazed at the impact God has allowed this ministry to have. We hear from Acts & Facts readers about life’s changes and challenges, and many say how ICR has helped them sort through the confusion stemming from evolutionary thinking. On our social media page, Lyndon said, “I love learning real science. Finding creation-based info is like finding a precious needle in an enormous haystack.” And Sonja said, “Thank you so much for providing this wonderful resource [Acts & Facts], for free!...Always edifying, you all do so much for His Kingdom and to encourage His saints.”
ICR has equipped believers with biblical and scientific truth for a half-century now. Our vision is to continue, with God’s help, to demonstrate how science confirms the Bible, encourage believers to have confidence in God’s Word, and glorify our Lord by proclaiming His wonders in creation. Thank you for sharing this mission with us. We invite you to celebrate with us as we carry the vision in 2020!
* Jayme Durant is Director of Communications at the Institute for Creation Research.
