John Calvin Maxwell (born February 20, 1947) is an American author, speaker, and pastor who has written many books, primarily focusing on leadership. Titles include The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. Some of his books have been on the New York Times Best Seller list.

Personal life

Maxwell was born in Garden City, Michigan, in 1947. An evangelical Christian, he followed his father into the ministry. He completed a bachelor's degree at Circleville Bible College in 1969, a Master of Divinity degree at Azusa Pacific University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree at Fuller Theological Seminary. He currently resides in South Florida with his wife, Margaret. He is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church.

Career

Since the 1970s, Maxwell has led churches in Indiana, Ohio, California, and Florida. He was the senior pastor of Skyline Church for 14 years, leaving in 1995. In 2004, he returned to congregational ministry at Christ Fellowship in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where he is currently a teaching pastor. On November 16, 2008, he began working as a guest pastor at Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California. Maxwell returned to preach at the Crystal Cathedral several times and his messages were shown on the Hour of Power television program.

Controversies

Visit to Guatemala

In March 2022, Maxwell visited the pro-life "Conference for Life and Family" organized by Guatemalan president Alejandro Giammattei, accused of corruption and authoritarian policies. During his visit, Maxwell praised Guatemalan Attorney General Consuelo Porras, criticized for her persecution of anti-corruption officials and named by the U.S. State Department on a list of corrupt and anti-democractic actors in the region. Maxwell called Porras "a rockstar" and "a leader amongst leaders".

Selected bibliography