From 1977-2011, the First Baptist Church of Atlanta staged a Passion Play (an account of Jesus’ final week leading to His Crucifixion, Death, and Resurrection). Except for a few musicians and union workers, volunteers from the church produced and staged each year’s two-weekend play leading to the celebration of Resurrection Sunday. Pastor Charles Stanley never failed to present the Gospel at the conclusion of each performance.
A Testimony of Charles Stanley's Impact
A Christian named Jean shared a testimony about her mom who got saved at one of First Baptist’s Passion Plays. Jean’s mom approached her already-saved daughter and asked, “What can your God do for me?” Jean suggested her mom read the book of John, which left her with many questions. Jean and her future husband, Larry, invited Jean’s parents to the 1985 Passion Play. When Pastor Stanley shared the Gospel at the play’s finale, Jean’s mom told her everything suddenly came together, and she understood the pastor’s words as truth. Because of a faithful servant (Charles Stanley) who preached the Gospel and two faithful ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), Jean’s mom surrendered her life to the Lord Jesus.
Her conversion angered her husband, but after two years of his wife displaying a changed life in Christ, Bob (Jean’s father) watched First Baptist Church of Atlanta’s televised Sunday service one day when his family was away. Pastor Stanley faithfully shared the Gospel, and Bob was saved that very day.
Memories such as these abound in people impacted by Pastor Charles Stanley’s ministry. As we mourn his passing from this life on earth, we rejoice he is home with Jesus, the Savior He faithfully proclaimed and served for over fifty years while pastor of the Atlanta church.
Early Life and Ministry
Pastor Charles Stanley was born in Dry Fork, Virginia, on September 25, 1932. He grew up in a devout Christian family and accepted Jesus as his savior at the age of 12. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Richmond and earned his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Charles was saved at age twelve. At age fourteen, young Charles Stanley received his call to ministry after being raised by his widowed mother and godly grandfather. His father also served as a Gospel-centered man but died at age twenty-nine, when Charles was only nine months old. Charles gained a high school and college education and later received his Master's and Ph.D. in Theology from Luther Rice Seminary.
In 1959, Pastor Stanley began his ministry at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, as an associate pastor. He became the senior pastor in 1971 and has served in that role ever since. Under his leadership, the church has grown to over 13,000 members and has become one of the country's largest and most influential churches.
He died to this life on April 18, 2023. Ninety years here, forever with Christ. His website obituary recounts Charles Stanley’s mission as a Christ-follower, “Stanley modeled his 65 years of ministry after the Apostle Paul’s message in Acts 20:24: “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about God’s mighty kindness and love.”
Preaching and Teaching
Pastor Charles Stanley is known for his powerful and engaging preaching style. He has a gift for breaking down complex biblical concepts and making them relatable to everyday life. His sermons are broadcast on television and radio stations worldwide, reaching millions of people each week.
In addition to preaching, Pastor Stanley is also a prolific writer. He has written over 35 books, many of which have become bestsellers. His books cover various topics, from Christian living to spiritual growth, and have been translated into multiple languages.
Pastor Charles Stanley's impact and influence extend far beyond the walls of his church. He has been a mentor and spiritual father to many pastors and leaders, and his teachings have inspired countless individuals to deepen their relationship with God. His ministry has also extended to international missions, focusing on reaching the unreached and providing humanitarian aid to those in need.
A Few Observations about Pastor Charles Stanley
In Touch, Charles Stanley’s television and radio outreach beyond his local church had, as the ministry website says, a “mission to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church — Quickly, Clearly, and Irresistibly.” Pastor Stanley began his “Chapel Hour” television broadcast in 1971 and was contacted by the Christian Broadcasting Network in 1978 to be included in its new satellite network, which would reach cable distribution. The audience swelled to a nationwide scope from local Atlanta in one week. Radio syndication began in 1982, and Pastor Charles Stanley pointed people to Christ through his regular Gospel-centered messages. In Touch continues its worldwide ministry through podcasts, an In Touch App, a messenger App, television broadcasts, and the In Touch website.
Charles Stanley loved photography and was an avid photographer, always pointing to the Creator as he described his camera work. He published a book on his photography titled “Landscapes of His Grace: A Visual Devotional.” He captioned his opening picture of three alert lions with these words, “God's handiwork is visible all around us, but His greatest work is our salvation, which He provided for us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. May these photographs, devotionals, and Scriptures help you seek Him and enjoy Him more."
Pastor Stanley’s favored Bible version was the New American Standard. Visitors to his church when he preached, and those who watched him on television or via website sermons often saw Pastor Stanley standing before his congregation, not behind a pulpit, but alone on the platform with just his large Bible opened to the passage about which he was preaching.
Charles Stanley, The Author and Speaker
From his publisher, Simon and Shuster’s website, “Dr. Charles F. Stanley is a New York Times bestselling author who has written more than sixty books, with sales of more than ten million copies. He has been senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1971, and his outreach ministry — In Touch — reaches more than 2,800 radio and television outlets in more than fifty languages. Dr. Stanley was inducted into the National Religious Broadcaster’s (NRB) Hall of Fame in 1988. Dr. Stanley’s goal is best represented by In Touch Ministries’ mission statement: to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church. This is because, as he says, “It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.”
As you regard photographs taken of Pastor Stanley, what stands out is his appearance as a humble man, who would rather you see Christ in him rather than just his own visage. His sermons, books, photographs, devotionals, and life all pointed to Jesus Christ the Savior.
In the preface to his Life Principles Study Bible, Charles Stanley shared how he loved his godly and “tremendously wise” grandfather, whom Stanley says taught him two important principles. He told Charles to “obey God and leave the consequences to Him. No matter what He tells you to do, do it and trust Him for the outcome.” Stanley adds, “This is a principle I have learned to live by each day.” The second principle his grandfather taught him was reading his Bible daily. When Charles received his late grandfather’s Bible, the Scriptures showed the man lived by what he taught, with worn pages and many underlined passages and notes.
When Pastor Charles Stanley retired from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta and became pastor emeritus, he said, “I’ll continue to preach the gospel as long as God allows, and my goal remains the same: to get the truth of the gospel to as many people as possible as quickly as possible in the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God,”
As the keynote speaker for the National Religious Broadcasters First Amendment Luncheon on May 4, 2017, Pastor Stanley spoke about “the greatest lesson he’s ever learned.” In his speech, which focused on our prayer life, he said, “One of my favorite passages about Jesus is in Mark 1:35.” After he read the verse aloud, he shared that when he was young, he had a paper route, and he had to rise at 5:30 in the morning when it was still dark. He said he was afraid of the dark and would say a prayer before leaving his house to deliver the papers. He then shared, “What I didn’t realize was God was working in my life to build a tremendous habit: getting up early in the morning and talking to God. And if I didn’t gain anything else from that paper route, I gained the most important thing I could possibly learn.”
He continued, “Whatever drives us to our knees for direction and to ask for help [from God], well, that’s good.” He thanked God for teaching the most important thing in his life, to pray,” and he added he heard God say, “Whatever you will accomplish in life, you will accomplish on your knees.” He went on to say he asked God to teach him how to pray and how to trust Him. “God is faithful to direct us in any circumstance if we listen to Him. Talking to Him, listening to Him. and trusting Him is what life’s all about.”
No Christian life is without its trials and persecutions (2 Timothy 3:12), and Charles Stanley saw his share, but he remained true to his calling as a pastor and Gospel messenger as he prayed, listened, and trusted God.
Charles Stanley's Legacy
Looking back at where Charles Stanley was born, in Christ, his life was anything but dry (Dry Fork, VA) and bland (Bland County). His was a rich and overflowing life. In sharing the Gospel, he extended a “full fork” to others — one filled with the proclamation of the Gospel. And his life was full and interesting because of Christ’s work in and through him. God used this teachable, praying man to reach many people for His kingdom, and one day, a grand reunion will take place in heaven, all to the praise of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Charles Stanley's legacy is one of faith, dedication, and service. He has remained steadfast in his commitment to preaching the gospel and has inspired generations to live a life devoted to Christ. As he continues to serve as the senior pastor of First Baptist Church, his legacy will continue to impact the lives of many for years to come.
In conclusion, Pastor Charles Stanley is a true example of a servant of God, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire and guide others in their faith journey. Have you been impacted by Pastor Stanley's ministry? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Visit Charles Stanley's Website for more information about his life and legacy.
Photo credit: ©Charles Stanley/SWNdesign
Lisa Loraine Baker is the multiple award-winning author of Someplace to be Somebody. She writes fiction and nonfiction. In addition to writing for the Salem Web Network, Lisa serves as a Word Weavers’ mentor and is part of a critique group. Lisa and her husband, Stephen, a pastor, live in a small Ohio village with their crazy cat, Lewis.