Jud Wilhite is an author, speaker and senior pastor of Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. His passion is to help people far from God experience his radical grace in Jesus. As a teenager, Jud wrestled with addiction for several years before surrendering his life to God. The grace God extended through a local church community saved his life. Out of that experience Jud dedicated his life to help others who are hurting find healing, and to do it through the local church.
Central is consistently listed as one of the largest and fastest growing churches in America. With four physical locations in Las Vegas and a growing online campus, Central innovated the launching of multi-site church campuses inside prisons in several states with God Behind Bars. In a recent survey, over ninety percent of people surveyed at Central said that God “saved their lives” through the church.
Jud is the author of several books, including the ECPA best-sellers Torn and Throw it Down, Uncensored Grace and Eyes Wide Open. He’s been interview by media outlets including NBC, FOX and The 700 Club and has written many articles for publications including The Washington Post, Beliefnet, and Christianity Today Online.
Jud co-founded People of the Second Chance with Mike Foster. People of the Second Chance is a blog and movement of people championing grace and love in our culture.
Jud graduated from Dallas Christian College and holds a master’s degree from Lincoln Seminary. He is an espresso fanatic and loves playing and studying guitar. His wife, Lori, leads a dynamic blog and community of faith for pastor’s wives and women in ministry called Leading and Loving It. He and Lori have two kids and live in the Las Vegas area.