Background

Vest was born on July 24, 1940 in Belton, South Carolina, United States.

Education

Vest received a Bachelor of Science degree and Doctor of Letters from Lee University. He was given a Master of Arts degree from the Church of God Theological Seminary.

Career

Vest began his ministry as a pastor in his home state of South Carolina in 1955. In 1980, he became a director of Youth and Christian Education for the Church of God. Four years later he was appointed a president of Lee College (nowadays Lee University). In 1990, Lamar took a position of a general overseer of the Church of God. Then in 1994, Vest became a director of Church of God Media Ministries, where he served until 1996.

In 2006, he began working as the executive vice president of Global Scripture Ministries for the American Bible Society and chairman of the Bible Society's Board of Trustees. Since 2009 Lamar has been a president of the American Bible Society. Also he is the chancellor for the Division of Education of the Church of God in Cleveland.

Achievements

• Vest is known for his books, including "Spiritual Balance: Reclaiming the Promise", "Spiritual Renewal: The Pain and the Glory", "Charting the course: A vision statement for the Church of God", "What A Life" and "The Church and Its Youth".
  
  He has been a long-term leader in the development and expansion of Bible mission in the United States and around the world.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Charting the course: A vision statement for the Church of God 2000
  • Spiritual Renewal: The Pain and the Glory 1996
  • Spiritual Balance: Reclaiming the Promise 1994

Membership

Vest served on the Executive Committee and Board Chairman of the National Association of Evangelicals.

Connections

In 1958, Vest married Iris Vest. On February 16, 2002 he married Vickie Underwood. They have six children.

Spouse:

Vickie Vest

First wife:

Iris Vest

She died in 2001.