Well-known Baptist pastor, author, and televangelist Charles Stanley passed away at the age of 90.
Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries, beginning in 1972.
"God called our beloved pastor, Dr. Charles Frazier Stanley, home to heaven," says In Touch Ministries on Instagram. "Dr. Stanley lived a faithful life of obedience, dedicated to teaching others how to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Now he is receiving the joy of his soul—seeing his Savior face-to-face."
Stanley was born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. His father passed away before Stanley ever knew him and it was his mother who brought him to church and introduced him to God. Stanley's mother remarried when he was a teenager, and according to Christianity Today, Stanley's stepfather was abusive and an alcoholic.
After graduating high school Stanley, feeling led into ministry, earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Richmond, a bachelor of divinity degree at Southwestern Theological Seminary, and a master of theology and doctor of theology at Luther Rice Seminary.
Stanley was the pastor at First Baptist Church Atlanta for 51 years. He started as associate minister in 1969, which was back when the megachurch had 5,000 members. He continued preaching right up until 2020 when the church had about 15,000 members.
He is survived by his daughter Becky, as well as his well-known pastor son, Andy, the founder and senior pastor of North Point Ministries.
"It was my privilege to meet Dr. Stanley in person in Charlotte, North Carolina at the funeral for Billy Graham," says Greg Laurie on Twitter. "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."
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