Charles Stanley - # 302

Charles Stanley dead: Renowned Christian evangelist and broadcaster dies at 90

 

 He was number 302 on the list.

Dr. Charles Stanley is being remembered by faith leaders as a “Christian powerhouse” following his death on Tuesday.

Stanley was a prominent evangelical Christian broadcaster, author, Bible teacher, former Southern Baptist Convention president, former senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta, and founder of In Touch Ministries. He died Tuesday morning at his home at the age of 90.

The Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders, noted Stanley’s legacy of faithful teaching and living.

“Charles Stanley was a Christian icon, and a true media pioneer whose sermons were watched by countless millions,” Moore tweeted. “Dr. Stanley believed the Bible, and he taught its precepts faithfully — and without fanfare — for his entire life. He taught that Christians should just ‘obey God’s word and leave all the consequences to him.’”

Skip Heitzig, a prominent pastor at the Calvary Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, called Stanley a “Christian powerhouse who was faithfully and wholly dedicated to the Word of God.”

“Charles lived what he preached and brought countless individuals to the love of Jesus along the way,” Heitzig said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “Well done, good and faithful servant. You will be missed.”

Stanley began In Touch Ministries in 1977 and began radio syndication in 1983 with sermons, podcasts, and devotionals reaching more than 115 million households, according to the organization’s website.

“Dr. Stanley’s preaching and pulpit ministry was nothing short of iconic,” said Liberty University Chancellor Jonathan Falwell, also a pastor. “A preacher among preachers, he left an indelible mark upon several generations of men in Gospel ministry. He was a friend of my father’s and a well-known friend of Liberty University. The entire Liberty family joins countless others in honoring the memory of Dr. Stanley and praying for his family.”

In 1988, Stanley was inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He additionally had several New York Times bestsellers among his 60 published books.

“Charles Stanley went to Heaven today. He made his mark on this world for the Gospel and his incredible teaching of God’s Word,” tweeted Harvest Crusades founder Greg Laurie, also a pastor. “I like so many others was blessed by hearing his messages on the radio and TV and he was a trusted voice we have all been encouraged by.”

Stanley married Anna Margaret Johnson in 1955. Together they had two children, Andy and Becky.

He is survived by his children.

Stanley joined the staff of First Baptist Church of Atlanta in 1969 and became senior pastor in 1971.

In 1972, Stanley launched a half-hour religious television program called The Chapel Hour. In 1977, Stanley founded In Touch Ministries with the mission to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church. The Christian Broadcasting Network began televising In Touch in 1978. The show has since been translated in 50 languages. In the United States, In Touch is broadcast on approximately 500 radio stations, 300 television stations, and several satellite networks including The Inspiration Network (INSP) and Trinity Broadcasting Network. Stanley's sermons, along with other audio and video programming, are available on the In Touch website. The ministry also publishes In Touch magazine. In Touch uses tools like radio, television, magazines and digital media in its effort to advance the Gospel as quickly as possible. Stanley took the ministry name In Touch from a Living Bible he owned.

Stanley's writings and broadcasts address issues such as finances, parenting, personal crises, emotional matters, relationships, and Protestantism. According to the In Touch website, "Dr. Stanley fervently believes the Bible to be the inerrant Word of God, a belief strongly reflected in his teaching."

In 1985, Charles Stanley was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

In 2005, Stanley invited Lisa Ryan to co-host a question-and-answer segment called "Bring It Home", which aired after his on-air sermon, a segment intended to help the audience better grasp the content of the sermon through questions the average listener might ask. Ryan's participation ended in late 2006, the segment continuing with Stanley alone. In early 2007, Stanley began using the final segment of the In Touch TV and radio programs to teach on his "30 Life Principles".

In 2017, Stanley named Anthony George to succeed him as senior pastor of First Baptist Church at some point in the future. On September 13, 2020, Stanley announced his retirement as senior pastor and transition to pastor emeritus, but noted that he would continue to work at In Touch Ministries.

Stanley's son, Andy, is the pastor of North Point Community Church in nearby Alpharetta, Georgia.

In addition to his work in Christian ministry, Stanley was an avid photographer. Much of his photographic work is featured in the In Touch magazine, as well as in other materials printed by the ministry, such as the In Touch wall and desk calendars.

Stanley's wife of more than 40 years, Anna J. Stanley, filed for divorce on June 22, 1993, following their separation in spring of 1992. The two of them agreed that Anna would amend the lawsuit to seek a legal separation instead ("separate maintenance"), while seeking reconciliation. She again filed for divorce on March 20, 1995. The Moody Radio Network station in Atlanta (then-WAFS) took Stanley's daily broadcast off the air during that time, as managers concluded that there was no sign of reconciliation. The Stanleys were legally separated at the time that divorce papers were filed for the last time on February 16, 2000. A judge signed the final divorce decree on May 11, 2000.