Dr. Charles Stanley, senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta and founder of In Touch Ministries, passed away. For over five decades, he served the Atlanta congregation, assuming the role of Senior Pastor in 1971 – the 16th to lead the church since its founding in 1848. Under his leadership, First Baptist Atlanta experienced remarkable growth.
Born in Dry Fork, Virginia in 1932, Dr. Stanley became a prominent figure in religious broadcasting. He established In Touch Ministries in 1977 with the goal of sharing the Gospel globally. His sermons, podcasts, and devotional materials reached an estimated 115 million households weekly across 126 countries. At the time of his death, his broadcasts were accessible worldwide through various media, including radio, shortwave, and television. In the United States alone, his television program aired on 204 stations and seven satellite networks, while his radio program reached 458 stations and was broadcast via shortwave. His significant contributions to religious broadcasting were recognized with his induction into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1988. Beyond broadcasting, Dr. Stanley authored over 60 books, including several New York Times bestsellers, and served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention during the 1980s.
He is survived by his children, Becky and Andy Stanley, founder and senior pastor of Northpoint Ministries. Andy described his father as a role model for pastors. Dr. Stanley was predeceased by his wife, Anna, who passed away in 2014.