Andy Stanley Reveals Charles Stanley’s Last Words Before Dying
Megachurch in the state of Georgia Pastor Andy Stanley has expressed his sadness over the loss of his father, Pastor Charles Stanley, by saying, “Every day until I see him again.”
The pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, shared some memories of his final weeks with his father, the former head pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta and a notable Evangelical broadcaster, on Twitter a day after his death.
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Four pictures were included that showed him with Charles Stanley.
These last weeks with my dad have meant more to me than I can express. Each time I saw him, he begged me to pray for him as we said goodbye. Obviously, I did that. Stanley wrote, “I’m on my knees next to the big leather chair where he’s been stuck for months.”
Andy Stanley Reveals Charles Stanley’s Last Words Before Dying
“But as I was leaving his house this past Saturday night, he asked if he could pray for me. As if he knew. Then, as was his habit, he said, ‘I couldn’t be prouder of you, Andy.'”
Andy Stanley stated those were the last words that his father said to him, calling them “wonderfully weighty words.”
“I’ll miss him every day until I see him again,” Stanley concluded.
Andy and Charles Stanley had a rocky relationship as the latter began his ministry work, with the two having a yearslong falling out. Anna Stanley (Andy’s mother) filed for divorce in 1993, and it was finalized in 2000.
The two would eventually reconcile, with CNN running a feature story in 2012 detailing the tenuous history between father and son and the steps they took to mend their fractured relationship.
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Charles Stanley died on Tuesday morning, months shy of his 91st birthday. In Touch Ministries, which Charles Stanley founded, announced his passing.
“Dr. Stanley lived a faithful life of obedience, dedicated to teaching others how to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Now he is receiving the joy of his soul — seeing his Savior face-to-face,” stated In Touch.
Andy Stanley Reveals Charles Stanley’s Last Words Before Dying
In addition to leading In Touch Ministries, Charles Stanley was also a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention in the 1980s, serving two one-year terms. He also served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta from 1971 until 2020. He wrote numerous books.
Other Christian leaders have given their condolences, including Greg Laurie, pastor of the California-based megachurch Harvest Christian Fellowship.
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“He made his mark on this world for the Gospel and his incredible teaching of God’s Word. I, like so many others, was blessed by hearing his messages on the radio and TV, and he was a trusted voice we have all been encouraged by,” stated Laurie.
“It was my privilege to meet Dr. Stanley in person in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the funeral for Billy Graham. He was warm and gracious. No doubt, he has already heard Jesus say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’ Charles Stanley will be greatly missed.”
