Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) began preaching at the New Park Street Chapel in London at nineteen years of age. He gained instant fame, and the church grew from 232 members to more than five thousand at the end of his pastorate. Many of his sermons were published each week and regularly sold more than 25,000 copies in twenty languages. Spurgeon read six books per week during his adult life, and read Pilgrim's Progress more than 100 times. In addition to his studying and preaching, Spurgeon also founded the Pastor's College (now Spurgeon's College), various orphanages and schools, mission chapels, and numerous other social institutions.

Elliot Ritzema is the pastoral resources editor for Lexham Press. He is editor of 1,500 Quotations for Preachers, 300 Quotations for Preachers, 400 Prayers for Preachers, and the Study, Apply, Share series. He is also a Lexham English Bible editor, a Faithlife Study Bible contributing editor, and a regular contributor to Bible Study Magazine. He holds an MDiv from Regent College and regularly preaches and teaches at his church.