Dr. Charles Stanley, the founder of In Touch Ministries and the former senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, passed away on April 18, 2023, at his home in Atlanta. He was 90 years old and had served in ministry for more than seven decades. His death was mourned by millions of Christians around the world who had been inspired by his practical and biblical teaching.
A Life of Faith and Obedience
Dr. Stanley was born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Virginia, to Charley and Rebecca Stanley. His father died when he was only nine months old, leaving his mother to raise him alone. He grew up in a poor and rural area, but he learned to trust God and obey His Word from his godly mother and grandfather.
At the age of 14, he felt a clear call to the ministry and decided to follow God’s will for his life. He pursued his education at various institutions, including the University of Richmond, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Luther Rice Seminary. He also served as a pastor at several churches in North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, and Georgia.
In 1971, he became the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, where he led the congregation for over 50 years. He also founded In Touch Ministries in 1972, which started as a radio program called “The Chapel Hour” and later expanded to television, print, and digital media. His daily broadcast, “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley,” reached millions of people in every nation and in more than 50 languages.
Dr. Stanley was also a prolific author, who wrote more than 70 books on various topics such as prayer, faith, grace, forgiveness, and spiritual warfare. Some of his best-selling books include “How to Listen to God,” “The Gift of Forgiveness,” “Handle with Prayer,” and “30 Life Principles.”
A Legacy of Love and Impact
Dr. Stanley’s death was announced by his son, Andy Stanley, who is also a well-known pastor and author. Andy Stanley said that his father’s last words to him were “I couldn’t be prouder of you Andy.” He also said that his father died peacefully at home and that he would miss him every day until he sees him again in heaven.
Dr. Stanley’s ministry also released a statement on its website, saying that he was “a faithful and obedient servant” who had “impacted the church and the kingdom of God in ways that no one can fully comprehend.” The statement also said that Dr. Stanley’s life’s purpose was “to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church.”
Many other Christian leaders and celebrities expressed their condolences and tributes to Dr. Stanley on social media. Some of them included Franklin Graham, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Tim Tebow, Kirk Cameron, and Mike Huckabee.
Dr. Stanley’s funeral service was held on April 22 at First Baptist Church of Atlanta. It was livestreamed on the In Touch Ministries website for those who could not attend in person. The service featured music by the church choir and orchestra, as well as messages by Andy Stanley, Anthony George (the current senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta), Mark Richt (the former head coach of the University of Georgia football team), and Charles Frazier (Dr. Stanley’s grandson).
A Cause of Death Not Disclosed
The cause of Dr. Stanley’s death was not officially disclosed by his family or his ministry. However, some sources speculated that he died of natural causes or old age. There were no reports of him suffering from any illness or disease before his death.
According to Learn Religions, Dr. Stanley had a troubled marriage that ended in divorce in 2000 after 44 years. His ex-wife, Anna J. Stanley, died in 2014 at the age of 83. Dr. Stanley had two children with Anna: Andy Stanley and Becky Stanley Brodersen. He also had seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Dr. Stanley’s death came as a shock to many of his fans and followers who had admired him for his faithfulness and integrity. He was known for his motto: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.” He lived by this principle until the end of his life.
Dr. Charles Stanley will be remembered as one of the most influential pastors and teachers of our time. His legacy will continue through his ministry, his books, his family, and his millions of listeners and viewers who have been touched by his message of God’s love and grace.
May he rest in peace with his Savior Jesus Christ.
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