Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg (born May 22, 1952) is a retired Scottish pastor who served a significant portion of his ministry in America. He is the former senior pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio. He leads ‘’Truth for Life’’, a preaching and teaching ministry that broadcasts his sermons daily to more than 1,800 radio stations in North America. Begg is the author and editor of numerous books.

Early life and education Begg was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 22, 1952. With regard to career, Begg first considered law, but “sensed a call to pastoral ministry” which redirected his path of study.

He graduated from the London School of Theology (LST), Career Alistair Begg graduated from the London School of Theology. He worked as a pastor for eight years in Scotland, both at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church, near Glasgow. In 1983, he became senior pastor at Parkside Church in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, and worked there until retiring in 2025.

Radio ministry Begg's content is the mainstay of, and he leads ‘’Truth for Life’’, a preaching and teaching ministry broadcasting his sermons daily to more than 1,800 radio stations in North America. He has published several devotional books based on his radio talks.

Influences

Among Begg's stated influences—first, as stated by Peter A. Lillback, president of Westminster Theological Seminary, were Eric J. Alexander, Sinclair B. Ferguson, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Richard C. Lucas, Alex Motyer, and Derek J. Prime.

Controversy In January 2024, Begg received criticism for advising a grandmother to attend her grandson's wedding to a transgender person. Critics included Owen Strachan, provost of Grace Bible Theological Seminary in Conway, Arkansas, and Steve Jordahl of the American Family Association, the latter of which removed Begg's Truth for Life broadcasts from its American Family Radio network.

Awards and recognition Begg has received several honorary degrees, including Doctor of Divinity degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary (May 28, 2009)

Personal life Begg left his native Scotland, after three decades, in 1983 when he took his position at Parkside,

Begg married his wife Susan, an American, in 1975. They have three grown children, and several grandchildren.