2012 Speaker: John Ashcroft
Attorney General of United States 2001 - 2005
Minister’s Son

Friday April 6, 2012
7:00 am—8:30 am
Please arrive no later than 6:45 am.

Ashcroft's paternal grandfather immigrated to the United States from Northern Ireland at the beginning of the twentieth century. Shortly after arriving, he was severely burned in a gasoline explosion and almost died. He thereafter dedicated his life to full-time Christian evangelism. Robert Ashcroft, his son and John’s father, was also called into the ministry. On May 9, 1942, while Robert and his wife, Grace, were living in Chicago, their son John was born. The Ashcrofts later moved to Springfield, Missouri, where Robert Ashcroft taught at Central Bible College and fulfilled executive responsibilities at the headquarters of the Assembly of God.

John Ashcroft, a member of the Assemblies of God church, authored the book Lessons From a Father to His Son (1998). In his book, Mr Ashcroft said he woke up every morning hearing "the magisterial wake-up call" of his father's prayers.

In addition to authoring several books, Mr. Ashcroft has written and enjoyed singing a variety of songs. His musical credits include albums entitled In the Spirit of Life and Liberty and The Gospel (Music) According to John. In 1997, while on recess from his US Senate duties, Mr. Ashcroft returned to his Missouri farm. Upon seeing a bald eagle flying at sunrise, he felt inspired to write his patriotic American ballad, "Let the Eagle Soar."

Before entering politics, the former US attorney general, US senator, Missouri governor, Missouri attorney general and Missouri state auditor taught business law at Southwest Missouri State University. He graduated with honors from Yale University in 1964, and earned a law degree from the University of Chicago in 1967.

Mr. Ashcroft is fond of saying. "It’s not the verdict of public opinion or history that counts.  What really matters is the verdict of eternity.”

John and his wife, Janet Ashcroft, are the parents of three children and have three grandchildren.

Past Speakers

Michael "Pinball" Clemons 2011
Jay "Jaybird" Dobyns 2010
Luis Palau and Norm Miller 2009
Stephen Baldwin 2008
HW Huizenga 2007
Joe White 2006
Bob Cornuke 2005
Tom Shrader 2004
Jim Horsley 2003
Alan Keyes 2002
Oliver North 2001
Adolf Coors IV 2000
Hugh Ross 1999