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Carl Wesley Anderson Jr. (born 5 July 1970) is an American evangelist, author, documentary filmmaker, and international speaker; he has reached over 20 nations for the gospel of Christ—including Europe, Scandinavia, the U.K., and Australia.

Anderson is best known as the founder and Executive Director of Born To Blaze Ministries—a 501(c)(3), non-profit cooperation, which has been producing and publishing quality, evangelistic content for the empowerment of impassioned discipleship since 1993.

Currently, Carl Wesley Anderson serves internationally as both an equipping evangelist and a media missionary, having written, directed, and produced the acclaimed TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) docuseries "Love Speaks."

Anderson has authored and published such works as "Changing of the Guard" and "Love Speaks: 21 Ways to Recognize God's Multi-Faceted Voice."

Early life and education
Carl Wesley Anderson Jr. was born in St. Louis Park, MN during the late spring of 1970.

In naming their son after John and Charles Wesley (evangelists of the 18th century's First Great Awakening), Anderson’s mother and father (Loraine Semmingsen and Carl Wesley Anderson Sr.) dedicated their lives to raising Anderson, and their daughter Lisa, according to the Gospel of Christ.

At an early age, exposed to an evangelical upbringing, Anderson's heart was opened to understanding and seeking God for a calling on his life.

As he grew, enthusiasm for filmmaking began to grow too; and, at the age of 13, Anderson began asking his parents for help in fulfilling his dream.

Compelled by his request, desiring to nurture this newfound interest, Anderson’s mother and father purchased a Panasonic VHS video recorder; and so the story begins. Equipped with his affinity for filming and a new camera, Anderson pursued his passion for filmmaking.

As his talents and entrepreneurial passions flourished, Anderson, at the age of 15, accepted his first job as a wedding videographer.

For a brief time, Anderson attended USC Cinematic Arts Film School in Los Angeles—where he was trained in state-of-the-art, film-making techniques.

On December 19th, 1990, Carl Wesley Anderson graduated Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with a B.A. in communications.

In 1998, Anderson pursued God’s calling for evangelism, eventually graduating with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Acts International Bible College.

Personal
Though raised in a loving, evangelical home, it would not be until the age of 20, while visiting friends in college, that Anderson would encounter a deeper understanding of God’s love, captivating his heart to a deeper serenity of faith in Christ.

Anderson walked with a new purpose and, in the year 1993, formed the Born to Blaze Ministry with a passion to equip believers worldwide for passionate discipleship.

In this same year of 1993, Anderson would take his first mission trip to a small island off the coast of Dingle, Ireland. Here he visited Skellig Michael where he was inspired by the spiritual history of the monks whose devotion still lives on today.

In 1994, while visiting Germany, Anderson met Paul Cain—a Pentecostal minister and prophet. Amongst 15,000 other students attending the same youth conference in Ludenscheid, Anderson received a prophetic word from Cain commissioning him to the ministry and role of evangelist. This would be a turning point in Anderson's life as he pursued this confirmed direction.

On 7 March 1997 (7 months to the day of their first encounter), Carl Wesley Anderson married the love of his life, Sarah Elizabeth "Meigers."

After starting their own wedding video production company—Princess Bride Cinematic Videography, Carl and Sarah would go on to spend the next 20 years capturing and creating authentic, emotional, and memorable films for clients to share and treasure.

For 5 years in a row, Princess Bride Cinematic Videography won the prestigious “Best Videographer” award through Minnesota Bride Magazine, and was nominated “Best Videographer” in the State of Minnesota for 12 years in succession.

In 2014, Anderson was diagnosed with Stage 3b Melanoma, which began a 4 year battle towards recovery—including multiple operations, treatments, and many nights spent in hospital care.

However, in November of 2018, Anderson finally heard the words that he and his family have been longing to hear: complete remission!

Ministry
1992 - 1994: At the age of 24, Anderson began training as a full-time equipping evangelist. For hours at a time, Anderson would preach on the streets (in special church outreaches) in places like England, Alkmaar, and the Netherlands.

1994: While attending a youth conference in Ludenscheid, Germany, Anderson met Paul Cain (evangelical minister)—who prophesied, confirming the calling Anderson's commissioning to a life of evangelism.

1994 - Today: Anderson's call to evangelize has led him to such places as: Europe, Scandinavia, the U.K., and Australia. Anderson has served within the Protestant, Roman Catholic, Evangelical, and Pentecostal churches, alongside leaders in diverse groups like Y.W.A.M. (Youth With A Mission) around the world.

Rev. Carl Wesley Anderson is the founder and Executive Director of Born to Blaze Ministries.

Works
''ISBN 0976291002 ISBN 0976291010
 * ''Changing Of The Guard - The Rising Generation. 2005.
 * Love Speaks: 21 Ways to Recognize God's Multi-Faceted Voice. 2016.