Influential Pastor, Author, and Christian Broadcaster Dr. Charles Stanley Passes Away at 90

Benjamin Gill
04-18-2023

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Prominent pastor, author, and Christian broadcaster Dr. Charles Stanley has passed away. He died on Tuesday morning, April 18, at 90 years old.

In 65 years of ministry, Dr. Stanley helped to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world through his Bible-teaching ministry. 

He had led First Baptist Church Atlanta for 50 years, but he stepped back from that role in 2020. Today, the Atlanta church's membership includes people from 98 countries of origin, making them among the most ethnically diverse congregations in America.

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His son, Andy Stanley, is also well known as the founder of the North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia where he is the senior pastor.

The elder Stanley was also the founder of In Touch Ministries which he founded in 1977 to spread Bible teaching around the world via radio and television broadcasts. The ministry announced in a post, "In Touch Family, this morning, God called our beloved pastor, Dr. Charles Stanley, home to heaven. Dr. Stanley lived a life of obedience and is now receiving the joy of his soul—seeing his Savior face-to-face. Please join us in praying for the Stanley family."

CBN Founder and Regent Unversity Chancellor Pat Robertson echoed that tribute, saying, "I join with thousands of friends of Charles Stanley to mourn his passing. He was a great man of God, a wonderful Bible teacher, and his influence reached all around the world. To those of us who know Jesus, we don't mourn the fact that one of his saints comes home, although at the same time, that doesn't take the sorrow from our hearts."

Over the decades, Stanley gained global influence as both an author and a Christian broadcaster. He sold more than 10 million copies of his more than 70 books, the latest of which was published in 2023.  And his ministry reports the "In Touch" program is broadcast on more than 4,000 television, radio, and satellite networks and stations worldwide, with his sermons being translated into 127 heart languages.

Johnnie Moore, president of the Congress of Christian Leaders, tweeted a sentiment that many Christians can relate to: "Some of my own earliest memories are of being in my grandmother’s house, and she would always have Charles Stanley on television. Like millions of others, I think she watched every single one of his sermons, twice."

National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), the nation's leading association of Christian communicators, mourned the news of Stanley's passing.

"Dr. Stanley leaves behind a lasting legacy as a torch-bearer and trailblazer of Gospel ministry and Christian broadcasting," said NRB President & CEO Troy A. Miller. "We were blessed to have such a faithful servant of the Lord as a veteran NRB member and a faithful supporter and encourager of the work of NRB. Our condolences and prayers are with Dr. Stanley's family. Although we mourn his loss in this life, it is a joy to know that he is with his Lord and Savior."

CLICK HERE TO WATCH: In a CBN News Interview, Franklin Graham Honors the Godly Legacy of Dr. Charles Stanley

Another Christian broadcaster and pastor, Dr. David Jeremiah, said in a statement, "Charles Stanley was not only a knowledgeable and faithful Bible teacher who loved and obeyed God, he was also a man of great character, and a humble and gracious friend. Who can count the number of souls his life and ministry made an impact on? His steadfast commitment to preaching the Gospel will be remembered for generations. He has blessed me and the world tremendously, and I will see him again some day in glory."

READ: George Verwer, Evangelist and Founder of Operation Mobilization, Passes Away at 84

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Countless other pastors gleaned from Stanley's teaching efforts, and many of them were quick to honor him after learning of his passing.

Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California tweeted, "Charles Stanley went to Heaven today. He made his mark on this world for the Gospel and his incredible teaching of God's Word. 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. It was my privilege to meet Dr. Stanley in person in Charlotte, North Carolina at the funeral for Billy Graham. He was warm and gracious. No doubt, he has already heard Jesus say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.' Charles Stanley will be greatly missed."

Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas said, "Charles Stanley…a spiritual legacy that will last for generations. I am grateful for the preaching ministry of this man and his commitment to the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. All the praise goes to Jesus."

And Dr. James Dobson said, "Charles Stanley was a lion of the faith. An effective evangelist and teacher of the Bible, Stanley had a straightforward take on how to live the Christian life - trust Scripture and obey God. That simple mantra undergirds his legacy and no doubt is reflected in the faith of countless Christians who have been impacted by his ministry. Shirley and I extend our deepest condolences to the entire Stanley family."

Charles Stanley was preceded in death by his former wife Anna Stanley who had divorced him in 2000. She died in November 2014. They are survived by their son Andy Stanley; daughter Becky Stanley Broderson; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and half-sister Susie Cox. 

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Gill

Benjamin Gill oversees all web content as the Multimedia Manager for CBNNews.com. He has been on staff with CBN News as an internet and broadcast producer since 2000. You can follow him on Twitter @BenGillCBN. Here are some of his commentaries and articles: Pursuing Truth in a World of Fake News: Reflections of a Christian Journalist After 20 Years with CBN News The Breaking Point: Pandemic Pain, Persistent Prayer, and God's Bigger Picture Plagues, the End Times, and Trusting in God's Protection: 'You Will Hear Us and Rescue Us' 12 Powerful Bible Verses to Build Your Faith and Fight Fear
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