Saluting Charles Stanley, Broadcast Giant and TWR Partner

Members of the worldwide TWR family are saying “Well done, faithful servant” as they pay tribute this week to pastor, author, broadcaster and ministry partner Charles Stanley.

Dr. Stanley, whose In Touch preaching program is heard weekly over hundreds of radio and TV stations in the United States and globally over TWR’s communication network, passed away at age 90 on Tuesday, April 18, in Atlanta. TWR President Lauren Libby described Dr. Stanley as a leading Christian communicator and statesman and observed that he helped believers around the world grow in faith through his TWR broadcasts.

“Dr. Stanley talked about heaven and told people that Jesus gave eternal life, and I’m sure that today he’s experiencing the reality of that message he spread across the world,” Libby said. “Every time one of these great Christian gentlemen goes home to be with the Lord, there is a huge vacuum left, and we feel a vacuum with Dr. Stanley’s departure.”

Dr. Stanley’s first pastorate began in 1957 at Fruitland Baptist Church in North Carolina and, following tenures at other churches, he was called in 1971 to First Baptist Church of Atlanta, where he served until his passing. In Atlanta he founded In Touch Ministries (ITM) and launched the broadcast preaching outreach that today is distributed over thousands of outlets around the world.

He also served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention and was inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1988. His 70-plus books sold over 10 million copies.

ITM began its partnership with TWR 36 years ago, and during that time has broadcast Dr. Stanley’s messages in 81 languages. Today the program goes out in 26 languages to a wide variety of countries ranging from Albania to Zimbabwe.

“Only on the other side of eternity will we understand and know the countless people around the world who have come to know Jesus, been discipled and had their lives transformed through Dr. Stanley's teaching,” said Ralf Stores, TWR’s director of Global Media Services in a personal note to ITM. “What an amazing legacy, and I know that in years to come the legacy will continue as you and others continue what Dr. Stanley began.”

Responses by listeners of TWR’s In Touch broadcasts reflect the impact that Dr. Stanley’s teaching had on countless lives. A woman who listens to the Hausa-language broadcast in Nigeria said, “I cannot appreciate you enough as a widow. Your teachings are comforting me more and more. I pray for more grace to keep on helping us through God's Word.”

In India, a listener of the Gujarati translation of In Touch said, “When I was sick, I did all the rituals and false worship and even sought the help of black magicians. One night, I had listened to your program … and learned that Jesus can heal us and solve our problems. I was able to experience peace and joy.”

Dr. Stanley is survived by his son, Andy Stanley; daughter, Becky Stanley Broderson; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his former wife, Anna Johnson Stanley. Thes family has specified that his memorial service be a private gathering.