Gilbert Bilezikian

Gilbert Bilezikian (born Paris, June 26, 1927) is an American Christian writer, professor, and lecturer. He is a co-founder, together with Bill Hybels, of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill., "one of America's most important churches." "Christianity Today" has called him "the man behind the megachurch." The publication further states that without Gilbert Bilezikian, "There would be no Willow Creek—no small groups, no women in leadership, no passion for service." In 2020, Willow Creek made public allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" by Bilezikian.
Early life and education.
Bilezikian was reared in Paris, France, by parents who were Armenian refugees. He was drafted in the French army where he served as a medic in North Africa during the Algerian liberation conflict. He first came to the United States in 1947, and then again in 1961 to serve for five years as pastor of the Loudonville Community Church outside of Albany, N.Y. He returned to Paris for seven years during which he taught at the European Bible Institute while he also served as Minister of Christian Education at the American Church in Paris.
Bilezikian earned his BA from the University of Paris, his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and his Th.D. from Boston University. He also pursued a seven-year post-doctoral program at the Sorbonne in Paris under Professor Oscar Cullmann.
Career.
For 20 years, Bilezikian was a professor at Wheaton College. He interrupted his tenure at Wheaton to assume for three years the presidency of Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon, and to teach two years at Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois. In 1992, he became Professor of Biblical Studies Emeritus at Wheaton College. That title was rescinded on February 28, 2020, by Wheaton College, as announced in an e-mail to the community by its President, Philip Ryken.
Bilezikian co-founded Willow Creek Community Church with Bill Hybels in 1975 and was Hybels' mentor. In 2000, Hybels said "There would be no Willow Creek without Gilbert Bilezikian."
Sexual abuse allegations.
Hybels resigned from Willow Creek Community Church in April 2018 following allegations of misconduct. In January 2020, the church announced that Bilezikian had "engaged in inappropriate behavior" after a long time church member alleged he had sexually assaulted her a number of times between 1984 and 1988. Bilezikian denied the accusations and said the church had "violated the Bible's teaching on dealing with accusations against fellow Christians." 
The church Elder Board said they had restricted Bilezikian from serving within the church when allegations were brought to them in 2010, however in 2015 at the church's 40th anniversary he was honored as a "living legend" of the church. In January 2020, the Elder Response Team said they "did restrict him from serving, but the restriction was not adequately communicated, resulting in Dr. Bilezikian serving and teaching in various capacities over the years."
Publications.
In addition to numerous articles, Bilezikian is the author of several books: