Henrietta Mears

September 20, 2026
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When You’re Afraid of Choosing the Wrong Path. Henrietta Mears faced a difficult decision: stay where she was thriving or step into an entirely new ministry in California. Her story offers hope for women who feel uncertain about God’s will, afraid of making the wrong choice, or tempted to force an answer before the way is clear. Discover how Henrietta learned to keep moving, trust God with the direction, and recognize when the door He opened was already in front of her. “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18–19 ESV)

Full Transcript

Although not widely known, Dr. Henrietta Mears had a significant effect on the development of modern evangelicalism. Her teaching influenced the lives of Bill Bright, Jim Rayburn, and many others. Billy Graham said, “[She] has had a remarkable influence, both directly and indirectly on my life. In fact, I doubt if any other woman outside of my wife and mother has had such a marked influence. . . . She is certainly one of the greatest Christians I have ever known!”  

Her desire to produce quality Sunday School materials became Gospel Light Publishing, a major supplier of Christian education materials. She also founded Forest Home, a Christian camp and convention facility that hosts 60,000 visitors annually. Her excellent scriptural knowledge and unflinching confidence in God’s Word is the substance of her popular book “What the Bible is Really All About,” a book that has sold four million copies to date.  

Considering she grew the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood’s Sunday School program to 6,000 members from a body of 400, there is no denying the effectiveness of Henrietta’s teaching. But we might never have heard of this high school chemistry teacher if she hadn’t learned early on, that God wants you to know His will for your life, and If you are willing to enter, that door should open automatically.  

It Should Just Work 

In 1927, Henrietta Mears took a year off from a busy life to make career decisions. Should she continue as a high school chemistry teacher and work at the church part-time? Or was she meant for full-time ministry? 

Henrietta toured Europe with her sister Margaret and then went to California for the winter. The goal was to see the sights and visit the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. 

Two years earlier, Dr. Stewart P. MacLennan had been a guest speaker at Henrietta’s church in Minneapolis and her guest for lunch. And their afternoon conversation made such an impression that he’d asked to stay until the evening service. He wanted Henrietta’s opinion on his new sermon series. Before he left, he asked her to visit his church in California. She laughed at the suggestion because she was a Sunday School teacher, not a colleague. But a seed had been planted in her heart. 

When Henrietta arrived in California, Dr. MacLennan was still impressed with Henrietta’s practical approach to theology. He asked her to speak to his congregation on several occasions, and she was well-received. Henrietta had proved to be a perfect fit for the Hollywood church and the pastor’s plan for the future. So he asked her to become their Director of Christian Education. 

The directorship was a job that Henrietta was born to do, and she was honored to be asked. But Hollywood was far from everything she knew and cared about. She owned a home with her sister in Minneapolis, taught chemistry at the local high school, and her Fidelis Sunday school class had exploded to 500 members. God had blessed her every step, and there was more to be done. Could He now be calling her away to start again? Was this a test of her pride? 

Whether Henrietta went to Hollywood or stayed where she was, she knew she would be doing Kingdom work. It wasn’t a question about serving. It was a question about where she would be the most effective. She could only see the next few steps, but God had the whole map. The directions needed to come from Him.  

Of course, this wasn’t the first time Henrietta had sought God’s will. In high school, she had poured through Scriptures, determined to learn the secret of acquiring the full measure of God’s presence. Finally, she realized, “There was nothing more she could do to obtain God’s presence and power than to receive the fulness of His Holy Spirit as a gift.” 

Since she couldn’t force the answer to come, Henrietta applied another principle that had served her well. God often waits for action before providing direction. She famously said, “It is difficult to steer a parked car, so start moving.” To this end, she returned to California to learn more about the job. 

Dr. MacLelland suggested they meet at the Pig ‘n Whistle Restaurant next to the iconic Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, a favorite hangout for stars like Shirley Temple and Spencer Tracy. Perhaps he was trying to dazzle Miss Mears with a prestigious venue. But she recalls being impressed by something else—the restaurant’s automatic door. 

In 1927, a door with an electric eye was a technological miracle. No effort was required; all you had to do was show up and walk through. It occurred to Henrietta that this new thing called automation was a picture of how we should receive from God—it should just work. 

“Lord, this is how it must happen with me,” she said. “I must not, I dare not open the door to the decision for myself. You must open it for me. If it is Your will that I should come to Hollywood, open the door, reveal your plan.” 

Henrietta was now free to enjoy a memorable meal with Dr. MacLelland. As they ate, they discussed the possibilities for the directorship. At one point, Henrietta realized that she had begun speaking as if she already had the job. Instead of saying things like, “Perhaps you could do so and so. . . .” She said, “I believe we need to do this.” 

It occurred to Henrietta that her door had opened automatically, and her indecision had transformed into ownership and vision. She got the direction she needed because she had the confidence to let God put His plan in her heart. She only needed to be in motion and willing to walk through the door that opened before her. 

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43: 18-19 ESV). 

Although not widely known, Dr. Henrietta Mears had a significant effect on the development of modern evangelicalism. Her teaching influenced the lives of Bill Bright, Jim Rayburn, and many others. Billy Graham said, “[She] has had a remarkable influence, both directly and indirectly on my life. In fact, I doubt if any other woman outside of my wife and mother has had such a marked influence. . . . She is certainly one of the greatest Christians I have ever known!”

Her desire to produce quality Sunday School materials became Gospel Light Publishing, a major supplier of Christian education materials. She also founded Forest Home, a Christian camp and convention facility that hosts 60,000 visitors annually. Her excellent scriptural knowledge and unflinching confidence in God’s Word is the substance of her popular book “What the Bible is Really All About,” a book that has sold four million copies to date.

Considering she grew the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood’s Sunday School program to 6,000 members from a body of 400, there is no denying the effectiveness of Henrietta’s teaching. But we might never have heard of this high school chemistry teacher if she hadn’t learned early on, that God wants you to know His will for your life, and If you are willing to enter, that door should open automatically.

It Should Just Work

In 1927, Henrietta Mears took a year off from a busy life to make career decisions. Should she continue as a high school chemistry teacher and work at the church part-time? Or was she meant for full-time ministry?

Henrietta toured Europe with her sister Margaret and then went to California for the winter. The goal was to see the sights and visit the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood.

Two years earlier, Dr. Stewart P. MacLennan had been a guest speaker at Henrietta’s church in Minneapolis and her guest for lunch. And their afternoon conversation made such an impression that he’d asked to stay until the evening service. He wanted Henrietta’s opinion on his new sermon series. Before he left, he asked her to visit his church in California. She laughed at the suggestion because she was a Sunday School teacher, not a colleague. But a seed had been planted in her heart.

When Henrietta arrived in California, Dr. MacLennan was still impressed with Henrietta’s practical approach to theology. He asked her to speak to his congregation on several occasions, and she was well-received. Henrietta had proved to be a perfect fit for the Hollywood church and the pastor’s plan for the future. So he asked her to become their Director of Christian Education.

The directorship was a job that Henrietta was born to do, and she was honored to be asked. But Hollywood was far from everything she knew and cared about. She owned a home with her sister in Minneapolis, taught chemistry at the local high school, and her Fidelis Sunday school class had exploded to 500 members. God had blessed her every step, and there was more to be done. Could He now be calling her away to start again? Was this a test of her pride?

Whether Henrietta went to Hollywood or stayed where she was, she knew she would be doing Kingdom work. It wasn’t a question about serving. It was a question about where she would be the most effective. She could only see the next few steps, but God had the whole map. The directions needed to come from Him.

Of course, this wasn’t the first time Henrietta had sought God’s will. In high school, she had poured through Scriptures, determined to learn the secret of acquiring the full measure of God’s presence. Finally, she realized, “There was nothing more she could do to obtain God’s presence and power than to receive the fulness of His Holy Spirit as a gift.”

Since she couldn’t force the answer to come, Henrietta applied another principle that had served her well. God often waits for action before providing direction. She famously said, “It is difficult to steer a parked car, so start moving.” To this end, she returned to California to learn more about the job.

Dr. MacLelland suggested they meet at the Pig ‘n Whistle Restaurant next to the iconic Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Boulevard, a favorite hangout for stars like Shirley Temple and Spencer Tracy. Perhaps he was trying to dazzle Miss Mears with a prestigious venue. But she recalls being impressed by something else—the restaurant’s automatic door.

In 1927, a door with an electric eye was a technological miracle. No effort was required; all you had to do was show up and walk through. It occurred to Henrietta that this new thing called automation was a picture of how we should receive from God—it should just work.

“Lord, this is how it must happen with me,” she said. “I must not, I dare not open the door to the decision for myself. You must open it for me. If it is Your will that I should come to Hollywood, open the door, reveal your plan.”

Henrietta was now free to enjoy a memorable meal with Dr. MacLelland. As they ate, they discussed the possibilities for the directorship. At one point, Henrietta realized that she had begun speaking as if she already had the job. Instead of saying things like, “Perhaps you could do so and so. . . .” She said, “I believe we need to do this.”

It occurred to Henrietta that her door had opened automatically, and her indecision had transformed into ownership and vision. She got the direction she needed because she had the confidence to let God put His plan in her heart. She only needed to be in motion and willing to walk through the door that opened before her.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43: 18-19 ESV).