Dr. Ankerberg is a graduate of the University of Illinois—Chicago, and holds three advanced degrees, including a Master of Arts in Church History and Philosophy of Christian Thought and Master of Divinity (with honors) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary. He has spoken at more than 78 American universities, numerous nationwide conferences, and worldwide at major events across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He and his wife Darlene live in Chattanooga, Tennessee and have one grown daughter, Michelle.

The biggest turning point in John Ankerberg's life happened while he was still in high school. His family moved at that time, changing houses and also schools. A few weeks before school started, he was at a teen summer camp and heard a message asking 'will you be a witness for Christ?' He remembers sitting in an empty baseball diamond wrestling with God over this question, because he knew that for him that meant bringing his Bible with him to his new school and being vocal about his faith. It wasn't an easy decision, or one he made lightly, but Dr. Ankerberg says, "God won that fight... and that was a turning point, basically for my whole ministry." Bringing a Bible to school meant that kids asked questions, and those questions needed answers. His standard response was, "I don't know the answer to that, but let me find out and get back to you." These types of conversations with classmates prepared him for leading student ministries with his peers, then later doing college outreach, and speaking at evangelical crusades domestically and internationally.