‘In Touch’ host, founder Dr. Charles Stanley dies

The founder of In Touch Ministries has died.

Dr. Charles Stanley was 90 years old.

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In Touch Ministries announced Stanley’s death on Tuesday saying that “God called our beloved pastor, Dr. Charles Stanley, home to heaven.”

According to his official biography, Stanley was born in 1932 in Dry Fork, Virginia. He was the only child of Charley and Rebecca Stanley. His father died only nine months after the birth of his son.

When Stanley was 14, he said he received his call to serve God, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond in 1956 and was ordained that same year, serving Moffett Memorial Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia. He earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and eventually his master’s and doctorate degrees in Theology from Luther Rice Seminary.

He also served churches in North Carolina, Ohio and Florida, before moving to Georgia.

WSB reported that Dr. Stanley had joined the staff of First Baptist Church of Atlanta in 1969 before becoming senior pastor in 1971 and then pastor emeritus in 2020.

After becoming senior pastor, he founded a religious show, “In Touch,” in 1978, which airs on more than 4,000 television, radio and satellite stations worldwide, according to CBN. His sermons are translated into 127 languages.

Dr. Stanley’s son, Andy Stanley is himself a pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta.

WSB reported that the church released a statement about Dr. Stanley’s death saying:

“Our hearts are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Charles Stanley. In this time of loss, we are comforted in knowing that his faith has now become sight. The glories of heaven are now his, a reality he taught us and millions of others around the world throughout his years of faithful preaching.”

In addition to his ministry, Dr. Stanley was a published author of more than 70 books and a photographer with many of his photos being used through In Touch Ministries’ products and website.

Dr. Stanley married Anna “Annie” Margaret Johnson in 1955. She passed away in 2014. Dr. Stanley leaves behind his son and daughter Becky.

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