He was also the founder of In Touch Ministries. The influential Atlanta faith leader passed away peacefully at his home.

“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,” In Touch Ministries tweeted.

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Gospel musician and a friend of Stanley, Gerald Wolfe, tweeted, “Earlier today, I received the news that Dr. Charles Stanley passed away at his home, early this morning. My friend is now having a GREAT day in the literal presence of The Lord he has so faithfully taught others about for so many years. His faith has become sight! We WILL meet again!”

Who was Dr. Charles Stanley? 

Dr. Charles Stanley pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to that, he had served as a senior pastor for 49 years. He was both the founder and the president of In Touch Ministries. It widely broadcast Stanley’s sermons through television and radio.

From 1984 to 1986, he also served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

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Stanley was born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He became a born-again Christian at the age of 12. At 14, he began his life’s work in Christian ministry. He earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Richmond. He then studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and earned a Master of Divinity. He has also earned a Master of Theology and a Doctor of Theology degree from Luther Rice Seminary in Florida.

In 1972, Stanley launched a religious television program called The Chapel Hour. Stanley’s writings and broadcasts discuss topics such as finances, parenting, personal crises, emotional matters, relationships, and Protestantism.

Stanley was married to Anna J. Stanley. However, they separated in the Spring of 1992, and subsequently filed for divorce on June 22, 1993, after being married for 40 years. They had two children – a daughter Becky, whom Stanley occasionally mentioned in his sermons, and son, Andy, who has gone on to follow in his father’s footsteps and become the pastor of North Point Community Church in nearby Alpharetta, Georgia.