Our History
The Christian Writers Institute was created to help Christians become proficient in the skills, craft, and business of writing. To build the Kingdom of God word-by-word. It does so by providing a wide variety of courses taught by some of the industry’s best teachers. In addition, the Institute publishes a number of books on writing for writers, including The Christian Writers Market Guide. Originally founded in 1945, it is estimated that over 30,000 students have been trained by the Christian Writers Institute. See more on our history below.
Statement of Faith
We Believe in the Bible.
We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). We believe that the Bible is God’s message to humanity, disclosing the way of salvation (Romans 1:16); and providing a sufficient rule of life for the saved (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:1,2).
We believe in Jesus.
We believe the person of Jesus Christ is both true God and true man (John 1:1-4, 14; Galatians 4:4). His death on the cross was sacrificial and substitutionary (Hebrews 9:22-28; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18; Romans 5:6-8; Galatians 1:4). His resurrection from among the dead was literal (1 Corinthians 15:3-7; Luke 24:1-8). He bodily ascended into heaven (Luke 24:50,51; Acts 1:9-11). He is presently and continuously interceding for us at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24). His personal coming is imminent (John 14:3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:51,52; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18). He will personally return to set up His kingdom on earth (Acts 2:29-36; Isaiah 11:1-16).
We believe in one God.
We believe in One God existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 10:10, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 44:6, Matthew 28:18-20, John 14:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14). The Father sent the Son (1 John 4:9, 10, 14); the Son came as the willing sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:5-10) and the Holy Spirit was the means through which the Son offered Himself (Hebrews 9:14).
We believe in faith.
We believe that all who by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit, and thereby become the children of God (John 1:12,13; 3:14-18; Acts 13:38,39; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:2-10; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 5:11-13).
We believe in the Holy Spirit.
We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21). We believe that the Bible is God’s message to humanity, disclosing the way of salvation (Romans 1:16); and providing a sufficient rule of life for the saved (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:1,2).
Meet the Team
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Becky Antkowiak
C.E.O.
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Dan Balow
Conference Director
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Megan B. Brown
Executive Director
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Laurie Ressler
Administrator
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Steve Laube
President Emeritus
The History of The Christian Writers Institute
The Christian Writers Institute was founded by Robert Walker in 1945. Walker was also active in founding many Christian organizations like the Evangelical Press Association (EPA), the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), and the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA). In the mid-1950s Walker launched Christian Bookseller, the first trade magazine targeting religious book retailers (it later became Christian Retailing).
When he passed away in 2008 it was said that Robert Walker "was a giant in our industry." Doug Trouten, executive director of the Evangelical Press Association, said, "The Christian journalism world has grown significantly since those early days, but only because we stand on the shoulders of giants like Bob Walker."
His legacy was enormous. For ten years (1941-1951) he was an assistant professor at Wheaton College where he developed their journalism program. During this time, he helped publish HIS, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s first magazine.
Walker took over the national magazine Church School Promoter and renamed it Sunday in 1943. In fact it was in that magazine where Walker published the first national story on Billy Graham. In 1948, Walker merged Sunday and Christian Life & Times, after acquiring it from a friend, into Christian Life which remained influential for many decades. In 1986 it merged with Charisma magazine where it was the flagship publication of Strang Communications. Walker mentored Stephen Strang, now president of Strang Communications. "Beyond all his accomplishments, Bob Walker was a deeply spiritual man, who lived a life of utmost integrity," Strang said. "He impacted the lives of millions and will continue to through the publications he founded."
As mentioned, Walker was also active in the founding of many organizations, including the EPA, CBN, Christian Life Missions (which he created to help missionaries), and the Christian Booksellers Association. Walker launched Christian Bookseller, the first trade magazine targeting religious book retailers (it later became Christian Retailing). He also started Creation House, which published A New Song by Pat Boone in 1970. "He was an incredible man," Boone said. "There was an Old Testament quality to him, like I was talking to a modern Gideon or one of the patriarchs."
In 1998 Stephen Strang sold the Christian Writers Institute to Reg Forder, the founder of The American Christian Writers. For more than 30 years he has conducted hundreds of writers’ conferences, seminars and mentoring retreats in over 50 cities across the United States. Reg is a member of the Evangelical Press Association, Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and Global Network of Christian Ministries. Reg is also publisher of The Christian Communicator magazine.
In 2016 Reg Forder agreed to sell the ownership of the Christian Writers Institute to Steve Laube, who expanded the offerings and moved it online.
In late 2022 the Institute took over the management of the annual Write to Publish conference held each June in Wheaton, IL.
Then, in 2024, Steve Laube sold the Institute to Becky Antkowiak.
You have a place here and we have resources for you.
Join a vibrant community of like-minded Christian writers, providing encouragement, feedback, and networking opportunities. Whether you are just beginning your writing journey or looking to take your work to the next level, our courses, in-person event, and Christian Writers Market Guide offer the tools and guidance you need to succeed. At the Christian Writers Institute, we are committed to helping you fulfill your God-given potential as a Christian writer.