Haldor Lillenas was born on November 19, 1885, in Shore Island, Norway. He immigrated to the United States as a little boy. He was very lonely in this new country but an old lady befriended him, and taught him the English language. Most importantly, however, she taught him Bible passages and led him to Christ. Mr. Lillenas was raised in the Lutheran religion and became a member of the Lutheran Church at the age of fifteen.
In 1906, he felt that God wanted him to preach and write songs.
He married a songwriter, Bertha Mae Wilson, and they worked together. He was a composer and choirmaster for revivals and crusades. Eventually he became one of the best song leaders in the nation. His salary finally allowed Mr. and Mrs. Lillenas to buy a house of their own. They could not furnish their house very well, but He needed some kind of piano or organ so he bought an organ from his neighbor for five dollars.
Some of the songs he composed are:
- Wonderful Grace of Jesus
- Jesus Will Walk With Me
- The Bible Stands
- It is Glory just to Walk with Him
- Jesus Has lifted Me
- Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace
Mr. Lillenas got his Bible training at the Deets Pacific Bible College in Los Angeles. He pastored in the Church of the Nazarene, and several other churches. Mr. Lillenas pastored several Nazarene churches in California, Texas, Indiana, and Illinois.
In 1924 he founded the Lillenas Music Company, which was later taken over by the Nazarene Publishing Company.
He died at the age of 74 on August 18, 1959 in Aspen, Colorado.
During his life he composed over four thousand hymn texts and tunes, and supplied songs for many evangelists.
Sources
Haldor Lillenas http://www.cyberhymnal.org/biol/i/lillenas_h.htm
A Hymn of Grace: Wonderful Grace of Jesus http://.faithalone.org/journal/1997i/Ward.html
Aigner’s Hymn Corner http://www.joyfulsoundchoir.com/Hymns/WonderfulGraceOfJesus.html
AMAZING HYMN STORIES http://www.tanbible.com/tol_sng/godleadshisdearchildrenalong.htm
Osbeck, K. W. 101 More Hymn Stories. Grand Rapids , Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1985.
