Dr. Charles Stanley, Legendary Atlanta Pastor, Broadcaster and Author, Dies at 90
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Peyton Garland
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- Updated Apr 24, 2023
Dr. Charles Frazier Stanley passed away at age 90 on Tuesday morning, April 18th, 2023. Buck Lanford with Fox 5 News confirmed that he died peacefully in his Atlanta home.
Dr. Stanley, a Virginia native, was raised in a single-parent home and felt called to ministry at age 14. He then pursued and completed his theological studies, earning a Master's and Doctor of Theology from Luther Rice Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.
For over five decades, Dr. Stanley faithfully served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Atlanta, and under his leadership, this metro church witnessed miraculous growth. Just prior to the turn of the millennium, First Baptist Atlanta relocated within the city to house its over 15,000 members—noted for their diversity (unprecedented for many churches with old Georgia roots).
Nevertheless, Dr. Stanley remained faithful to the conservative Word of God, hosting famous broadcasts, writing countless books, and preaching devout sermons that never strayed from the truth or embodied today’s cultural understanding of socially influenced “mega-church” trends.
Dr. Stanley was stalwart and steady in his faith, most noted for his relentless obedience to the gospel’s call. The formal obituary shares that Dr. Stanley often said to “obey God and leave all the consequences to him.”
Dr. Stanley’s sermons, broadcasts, podcasts, devotionals, etc., have been heard in over 115 million homes per week, reaching over 120 countries for the gospel. However, his resume of dedication and faith doesn’t stop there. In the 1980s, Dr. Stanley served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and by 1988, he was named to the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
His most noted broadcast show, In Touch Ministries, tweets: “In Touch Family, this morning, God called our beloved pastor, Dr. Charles Stanley, home to heaven. Dr. Stanley lived a life of obedience and is now receiving the joy of his soul—seeing his Savior face-to-face. Please join us in praying for the Stanley family.”
Dr. Stanley leaves behind a legacy of faith. His son, Andy Stanley, is the lead pastor of a multisite church in Atlanta, North Point Community Church. Their congregation shares, “Dr. Stanley gave his life to preaching the gospel and leaves a legacy worth celebrating. Thank you for joining us in prayer for the Stanley family.”
On September 25th, 2020, Dr. Stanley’s 88th birthday, Andy tweeted this: “Since I was a kid people have asked me, ‘What’s it like to have Dr. Stanley as a father?’ My answer? Amazing! Thanks [Dad] for the opportunities. Thanks for believing in me. Thanks for prioritizing family over ministry. I never felt like I was competing with the church for your affection or attention. I love you.”
Dr. Charles Frazier Stanley will remain a legend, a true pioneer of the Christian faith, not only for his statistically untouchable resume regarding podcast downloads and New York Times Bestsellers but as a man who understood that the reckless pursuit of the gospel meant never leaving a stranger or his family at home unseen or unloved.
Dr. Stanley is survived by his son, Andy Stanley, daughter Becky Stanley Broderson, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, those seeking to pay their respects make a donation to In Touch Ministries.
Click here to visit his memorial site.
Listen to Charles Stanley sermons with In Touch Ministries on OnePlace.com and watch on LightSource.com.
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Photo Credit: ©Department of Defense/Sgt. Nancy Lugo/Public Domain
