Southern Baptist · Late 20th–Early 21st Century

Charles Frazier Stanley

September 25, 1932 – April 18, 2023

Senior pastor of First Baptist Atlanta from 1971 to 2020 and founder of In Touch Ministries. His daily broadcast In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley reached more than 100 countries in 100+ languages.

Tradition

Southern Baptist

Era

Late 20th–Early 21st Century

Preserved Sermons

2,500+

Biography

Charles Frazier Stanley was born in Dry Fork, Virginia, nine months before his father died. Raised in poverty by his mother and a difficult stepfather, Stanley credited an evangelical Sunday school teacher with his conversion at age twelve and his sense of calling at age fourteen. He earned degrees from the University of Richmond, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Luther Rice Seminary. In 1971 he became senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, a position he held for almost fifty years. In 1972 he started a 30-minute weekly broadcast called 'The Chapel Hour' that grew into In Touch Ministries — by his death, In Touch was broadcasting in more than 50 languages on more than 1,200 stations worldwide, distributing the In Touch Messenger audio Bible to remote communities in over 100 nations. Stanley served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984–1986) during the conservative resurgence. His preaching emphasized clear, practical applications of Scripture to daily life, a strong focus on the Holy Spirit's leading, and a heartfelt evangelistic appeal in nearly every sermon.

Legacy

Stanley pioneered the use of broadcast media and audio Bibles for global evangelism. The In Touch Messenger — a small solar-powered audio Bible — has been distributed in the millions to oral cultures and persecuted regions. His Life Principles Bible and devotionals remain among the bestselling evangelical study resources of the past forty years.

Notable Sermons

Copyright & Usage

All sermons by Charles Stanley remain copyrighted by In Touch Ministries. The archive below links to the official In Touch site where sermons, devotionals, and study materials are freely accessible for personal study but not redistribution.

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