Pastor Charles Stanley Cause of Death: What We Know So Far

The Christian community is mourning the loss of one of its most influential and respected leaders, Dr. Charles Stanley, who passed away on April 18, 2023, at the age of 90. Dr. Stanley was the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta for more than 50 years and the founder of In Touch Ministries, a global media ministry that reaches millions of people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was also a prolific author, speaker, and broadcaster, who touched many lives with his biblical wisdom and practical guidance.

But what was the cause of Dr. Stanley’s death? How did he die? And what legacy did he leave behind? Here is what we know so far about the pastor’s passing and his remarkable life.

The Cause of Death

According to In Touch Ministries, Dr. Stanley passed away peacefully at his Atlanta home on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family. No details were shared about the circumstances that led to his death, but some sources suggest that he died of natural causes, considering his advanced age and declining health.

Dr. Stanley had been confined to a big leather chair for the past several months, according to his son Andy Stanley, who is also a pastor and the founder of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. Andy revealed that in the final few weeks with his father, the elder Stanley ended each visit by asking his son to pray for him. On his last visit on Saturday night, Dr. Stanley asked if he could pray for his son instead, “as if he knew” it would be their final conversation.

“Then, as was his habit, he said, ‘I couldn’t be prouder of you Andy,’” Andy wrote on social media. “The source of a word determines its weight. Those were wonderfully weighty words. And his final words to me.”

Andy said he would miss his father every day until he sees him again in heaven.

The Funeral Arrangements

Dr. Stanley’s funeral arrangements have not been announced yet, but according to Fox 5 Atlanta, the public will be able to pay their respects to him as he lies in repose at First Baptist Church Atlanta next Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, Dr. Stanley’s memorial service will be private and by invitation only.

In Touch Ministries asked for prayers for Dr. Stanley’s family and friends during this difficult time and thanked everyone for their love and support.

The Life and Legacy

Dr. Charles Stanley was born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Virginia. He became a Christian at the age of 12 and felt called to preach at 14. He graduated from the University of Richmond with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in theology. He also earned a doctorate in theology from Luther Rice Seminary.

He began his pastoral ministry in 1956 as an associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Miami, Florida. He moved to Atlanta in 1969 to become the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta, where he served until September 2020, when he announced his retirement after more than five decades of faithful service. He was succeeded by Dr. Anthony George as the new senior pastor.

Dr. Stanley also founded In Touch Ministries in 1977 as a radio broadcast ministry that later expanded to television, print, and digital platforms. Today, In Touch Ministries reaches more than 200 countries and territories with the gospel message in more than 100 languages.

Dr. Stanley was also a best-selling author of more than 60 books, including The Gift of Jesus: Meditations for Christmas (2022), How to Listen to God (1985), The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life (1992), and Courageous Faith: My Story From a Life of Obedience (2016). He received numerous awards and honors for his ministry work, such as the ECPA Christian Book Award, the NRB Hall of Fame Award, and the GMA Dove Award.

Dr. Stanley was married to Anna Johnson Stanley from 1958 until their divorce in 2000. They had two children: Andy and Becky. He also had seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Dr. Stanley was known for his clear and practical teaching of God’s Word and his passion for helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. He often said that his life goal was “to obey God in every area of my life and let Him handle all the consequences.” He also had a motto that he lived by: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”

Dr. Stanley’s ministry and legacy will continue to inspire generations of Christians around the world who seek to follow his example of faithfulness, obedience, and love for God and people. He will be greatly missed, but his message will live on. As he once said, “The best is yet to come.”

Doms Desk

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