Stephen F. Olford (March 29, 1918 – August 29, 2004) was an American Christian leader. Billy Graham called him "the man who most influenced my ministry." Olford was also a role model and friend to pastors Charles Stanley and Adrian Rogers, as well as being influential in the life of Jim Elliot. He was a pioneer in Christian television programming with his show, Encounter, in New York. His Sunday morning sermons were also broadcast around the world on radio.He was the founder and chairman of the board of Olford Ministries International. He also founded a pastor training center in Memphis, Tennessee on June 4, 1988. The Stephen Olford Center is owned and operated by Global Ministries Foundation. Olford's son, David Olford, continues training pastors and lay leaders in biblical preaching at t