Charles Simpson obit

Charles Simpson, Pioneer in Charismatic Renewal Movement, Dies at 86

 

He was not on the list.

Pastor and author Charles Simpson, founder of Charles Simpson Ministries and pioneer in the charismatic renewal movement, died on Feb. 14 at age 86 after an extended illness. His son, Stephen Simpson, who now leads CSM, announced his father’s death on social media:

The elder Simpson had a life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit in the 1960s and, as he shared this experience, he became a part of the worldwide charismatic renewal, serving in leadership with icons such as Don Basham, Bob Mumford and Derek Prince. He co-founded Covenant Life Church in Mobile, Alabama; helped launch “New Wine,” a charismatic Bible-teaching magazine, in 1969; served on the board of Integrity Media and wrote numerous books.

In 2013, Chosen Books released his “Straight Answers to 21 Honest Questions About Prayer,” which became his bestselling book. Simpson also contributed commentary for the Spirit-Filled Life Bible.

Born in New Orleans in 1937, he graduated from William Carey College and attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His wife, Carolyn Dix Simpson, whom he married in 1960, preceded him in death in 2008.

Born in New Orleans in 1937, Brother Charles grew up as the son of a Baptist pastor in the bayous of Louisiana, and then later in southern Alabama. He responded to God’s call into ministry in 1955 at the age of eighteen, and two years later, he became the Pastor of a small Baptist church in Mobile, Alabama. Brother Charles completed his Bachelor’s Degree at William Carey College, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 1959, and attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

In 1964, he experienced a profound personal spiritual renewal and began traveling and teaching in churches worldwide. He became widely recognized as a pioneer in the modern Charismatic Renewal Movement. Charles Simpson became part of the inaugural issue of New Wine Magazine, an international publication dedicated to Christian Growth, in 1969. During the next seventeen years, Charles wrote and served alongside other notable Bible teachers on the board of New Wine, including Don Basham, Ern Baxter, Bob Mumford and Derek Prince.

Brother Charles and a team of pastors founded Covenant Church of Mobile in 1973, based on organic home cell-groups centered on making disciples of Jesus Christ and extending Christ’s Kingdom around the world.

In 1985, out of a strong ongoing emphasis on praise and worship, New Wine gave birth to Integrity Media which became the largest praise and worship music company in the world, led by Michael Coleman. (Brother Charles served on Integrity’s Board of Directors from 1985 to 2011, until Integrity Media became part of the David C. Cook Company.)

Charles Simpson is the author of numerous books, including Courageous Living, The Challenge to Care, Ants, Vines and Churches, and Straight Answers to 21 Honest Questions about Prayer. He served as the Senior Editor of The Covenant and the Kingdom Bible study curriculum and contributed commentary for the Spirit-Filled Life Bible. Brother Charles received his honorary doctorate from the American Center for Theological Studies in 1998.

Today, he serves as a spiritual father to many pastors and as a consultant to churches and businesses, traveling and ministering globally. He is the Editor-in-Chief of One-to-One™ magazine, and is a featured writer in every issue. Under the banner of CSM Publishing, One-to-One and its related website, audio, video, books, and monthly Pastoral Letters reach around the world.