Skip to main content

Dr. Charles Stanley

Charles F. Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. Throughout his ministry, he demonstrated a keen awareness of people’s needs and provided Christ-centered biblically based principles for everyday life.

CHILDHOOD, EDUCATION, AND FAMILY

Charles Frazier Stanley was born September 25, 1932, in the small town of Dry Fork, Virginia.

The only child of Charley and Rebecca Stanley, Charles came into the world during a time when the entire nation felt the grip of the Great Depression. To make matters worse, just nine months later, his father Charley died at the young age of 29.

However, Charles refused to let the Great Depression or the difficulties of his life define him. Through the excellent counsel and example of his godly mother, Rebecca, he grew up to trust God and obey His Word wholeheartedly.

Through the excellent counsel and example of his godly mother, Rebecca, he grew up to trust God and obey His Word wholeheartedly.

At the age of fourteen, Charles received a clear call to the ministry and—like his father and grandfather before him—he took up the mantle to preach the gospel to whomever would listen.

Rev. Stanley was ordained to the ministry on August 19, 1956 at Moffett Memorial Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia.

Charles received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond in 1956. That same year, on August 19, Dr. Stanley was ordained to the ministry at Moffett Memorial Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia. From there, he pursued his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He later earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in Theology from Luther Rice Seminary.

Charles married Anna "Annie" Margaret Johnson on August 6, 1955. They eventually would have two children together, Andy and Becky. And even though the marriage ended in 2000, Charles has said he wants the world to remember what was best in Annie as the mother of his children and a woman who served God and others with her whole heart. She went home to be with Lord on November 10, 2014.

His son, Charles Andrew “Andy” Stanley, was born on May 16, 1958. Today, Andy is the founder of North Point Ministries and preaches the gospel as the senior pastor of North Point Community Church, a multi-site church based in Alpharetta, Georgia. Andy and his wife, Sandra, live in Milton, Georgia. They have 3 children: Andrew, Garrett, and Allie.

Dr. Stanley’s daughter, Rebecca “Becky” Louise Stanley, was born on June 9, 1961. Today, Becky and her husband, John, live in Dallas, Texas. They have 3 children: Jonathan, Annie, Matthew, and a grandson, William.

Charles Frazier Stanley Jr., was born on September 25, 1932, in the small town of Dry Fork, Virginia.
Charles accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior just before his 12th birthday at the Pentecostal Holiness Church of Danville, Virginia.
Charles loved his mother Rebecca, and she was devoted to her son. Here she is baking one of his favorite desserts, blackberry pie.
Dr. Stanley’s grandfather, George Washington Stanley, was a fiery, Spirit-filled Pentecostal preacher. He planted many churches in Virginia and North Carolina—including the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Danville where Charles accepted Jesus as his Savior.
Dr. Stanley often told of how spending a week with his grandfather, George Washington Stanley, changed the course of his life—teaching him that the most important thing he could do would be to prioritize his relationship with God. Here he is at 16, pictured with his grandfather.
In 1954, Dr. Stanley earned a bachelor of arts in history from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia (1954).
Charles Stanley pictured with his two children: Rebecca (Becky) Louise Stanley, and Andy Stanley.
Dr. Stanley would go on to earn a bachelor of divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas (1957); and master (1968) and doctorate of theology (1971) degrees from Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia, Georgia.
Dr. Stanley served as pastor of several churches before becoming senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia in 1971; Fruitland Baptist near Hendersonville, North Carolina (1957–1959); First Baptist of Fairborn, Ohio (1959–1962); First Baptist of Miami, Florida (1962–1968); and First Baptist of Bartow, Florida (1968).
Because of circumstances at home, Charles spent a great deal of time out by himself—delivering newspapers, on the grassy shore by Fall Creek, or at the church. It was in those solitary moments that Charles learned to pray and trust God.

PASTORATES AND “THE CHAPEL HOUR”

Dr. Stanley began pastoring in 1957 at Fruitland Baptist Church in North Carolina, where he also taught homiletics, preaching, and evangelism at the Fruitland Bible Institute. He went on to serve as pastor of First Baptist Church of Fairborn, Ohio, in 1959; First Baptist Church of Miami, Florida, in 1962, where he also founded the George Mueller Christian School in 1966; and First Baptist Church of Bartow, Florida, in 1968.

During his first pastorate at Fruitland Baptist near Hendersonville, North Carolina (1957–1959), Rev. Stanley also served as the professor of evangelism and preaching at the Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute.

On October 1, 1971, Dr. Stanley became senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia. In 1972, he launched a half-hour program called “The Chapel Hour” on Atlanta stations WXIA-TV 11 and WANX 46.

Looking for a practical Bible teaching program, the Christian Broadcasting Network contacted Dr. Stanley in 1978 to request that the program be included in its new venture—a satellite distribution network to cable systems. That broadcast grew from 16,000 local Atlanta viewers to a nationwide audience in one week.

By 1982, In Touch Ministries was incorporated and began radio syndication.

Rev. Stanley accepted the position of Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, on October 12, 1969. A tumultuous two years later, on October 1, 1971, Dr. Stanley became the historic church’s sixteenth pastor.
In 1972, Dr. Stanley launched a new half-hour program called “The Chapel Hour,” which began airing on WXIA-TV 11 and WANX 46 in color and on WGST 920 on radio.
First Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1848 in the heart of downtown Atlanta.
Dr. Stanley preaching at First Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia.
First Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1848 in the heart of downtown Atlanta.
The first FM radio station—a 100,000-watt border station in McAllen, Texas, KVMV-FM 96.9—began airing “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” in 1980.

IN TOUCH MINISTRIES

Today, the “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” program reaches almost every major market in the United States, broadcasting to more than 115 million households domestically with the message of Christ’s sufficiency for life’s demands.

Dr. Stanley was inducted into the National Religious Broadcaster’s (NRB) Hall of Fame in 1988 and also served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984–1986).

However, a turning point for Dr. Stanley’s ministry came in August 1989, when he spoke in Kansas City, Missouri, for an ITM rally. He returned to his hotel room to seek God’s guidance on a matter, and, as he prayed, his mind kept returning to Psalm 67:2 (TLB), “Send us around the world with the news of Your saving power and Your eternal plan for all mankind.”

Dr. Stanley said, “When I was done praying, I got up and looked out the large window at the Coliseum where the rally was being held. Right next to it was a rooftop covered with satellite dishes and broadcast antennas.

“When I was done praying, I got up and looked out the large window at the Coliseum where the rally was being held. Right next to it was a rooftop covered with satellite dishes and broadcast antennas…”

In that moment, God said to me, ‘That’s the way I’m going to do it. That is how I will use you to send the gospel around the world.’”

From that point on, Dr. Stanley tirelessly sought out and employed innovative technologies to send the message of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.

The “In Touch” program is broadcast on more than 4,000 television, radio, and satellite networks and stations worldwide, and his sermons have been translated into 127 heart languages.

In 2006, Dr. Stanley’s messages were translated into the 100th language, marking the achievement of a long-time goal for his ministry. As of today, Dr. Stanley’s sermons have been translated into 127 heart languages.
God called Dr. Stanley to serve at First Baptist Church Atlanta in 1969, but He also gave him a vision for getting the gospel outside the four walls of the church building.
In 1977, Dr. Stanley was approached by the Christian Broadcasting Network for sermons. Suddenly, the program went from reaching viewers in Atlanta to touching a nationwide audience.
Dr. Stanley decided to rename “The Chapel Hour” to give the program a more meaningful title. He chose “In Touch,” inspired by a Living Bible devotional he owned with the same name.
This photo from 1954 is of the building that would become In Touch Ministries’ first home. The Capital Oldsmobile and Cadillac car dealership was located across the street from the Biltmore Hotel at the corner of West Peachtree Street and Fifth Street.
The “In Touch” program is broadcast on more than 4,000 television channels.
A partner is watching the In Touch program on television.
Dr. Stanley is participating in a radio interview.
Lisa Ryan interviews Dr. Stanley in an after-sermon segment.
Behind the scenes, in the In Touch Ministries’ broadcast control room.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. Stanley became interested in photography in 1962 during a mission trip to Haiti. At the time, he didn’t even own a camera and had to borrow one. But from those first black and white prints, he was riveted by the experience—photography became his favorite hobby.

Over the years, Dr. Stanley has had the privilege of traveling the world to unique locales to photograph beautiful landscapes and historic landmarks. These trips have often been a special time of communing with the Lord, and he has heard God speak to him in mighty ways on many of these occasions.

These trips have often been a special time of communing with the Lord, and he has heard God speak to him in mighty ways on many of these occasions.

Dr. Stanley has published a couple of photography books and his work can be seen featured throughout many of In Touch Ministries’ products, gifts, and website.

Dr. Stanley is an avid photographer. He became interested in photography as a hobby in January of 1962, during a mission trip with 17 other pastors to Haiti.
Dr. Stanley on a photographic excursion in Antarctica.
Dr. Stanley was blessed throughout his life to capture images from every continent in the world, including Antarctica.
Dr. Stanley prepares to photograph magnificent sand dunes.
Dr. Stanley on a photographic excursion in Africa.

BOOKS

Dr. Stanley is a New York Times best-selling author who has written more than 70 books. Over the years, he has written extensively on the topics of prayer, emotions, spiritual warfare, and the Holy Spirit, among others.

His readers always appreciate how he breaks down complex theological ideas into practical principles for everyday living. His biblical teachings have been published as gift books, devotionals, study guides, and within the pages of the Life Principles Bibles.

Anyone looking to understand more about God’s Word can always find insights in his published works. Visit store.intouch.org to view or purchase his current publications.

Dr. Stanley is at Barnes & Noble signing his book, Turning the Tide.

A LEGACY OF FAITH

Dr. Stanley knew that it isn’t by one’s strength or talent that people find hope and salvation, but in Christ working through willing, obedient vessels.

He said, “It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.” Certainly, the Lord worked powerfully through the obedient, submitted life of Dr. Charles Stanley.

“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.”
Acts 20:24 (TLB)

Dr. Stanley leads First Baptist Church Atlanta in prayer.
In Touch Ministries began sending In Touch Messengers—solar-powered audio devices with the Bible and Dr. Stanley’s sermons—to U.S. military troops in May 2007.
In Touch would go on to distribute Messengers around the world in more than 100 languages, including Spanish, French, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, Hindi, Indonesian, Telugu, and Bengali.
Louie Giglio, Dr. Stanley, and Andy Stanley talk about ministry.
In 2017, Dr. Stanley prayed with Louie Giglio for the thousands of college students attending the passion conference.
In 2015, the Messenger Lab was born, expanding the Messenger ministry into more devices.
Dr. Stanley always says, “Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.” This is possible as we know the Father through prayer and His Word.