His worldwide television ministry "In Touch" reaches hundreds of thousands weekly. I loved what Dr. David Jeremiah said at the memorial service regarding Dr. Stanley. It would have been easy for him to say he was going to commit himself to the TV Ministry and just do that, but he didn't. He loved pastoring his people at FBC Atlanta.
The term America's Pastor has been thrown around loosely about other preachers, but in many ways Dr. Stanley was. His down to earth delivery and pastor/shepherd like voice as he opened the word of God, are things that we all loved about him. There are some Ohio ties as well. He Pastored the FBC of Fairborn years before being recognized as FBC Atlanta's Pastor.
Becoming Pastor here in Camden in 1993, before arriving I worked as a Letter Sorting Machine Operator (LSM) for the Post Office in Dayton. Back then you could wear head sets. I had a FM Walkman which allowed me in the evenings to listen to christian radio. In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley was one that always drew my attention. His messages got me through many long nights.
It was a thrill to be introduced to him, by Dr. Ernest Easley and join he and his boys, Jonah and Jordan, for dessert one year with Dr. Stanley at the SBC Annual Meeting. I was like a little boy meeting his baseball hero. The Easley boys had been on staff with him at one point.
During his memorial service, one speaker shared regarding his style, " He would simply come out, Bible in hand, look into the camera and ask a question. He would then spend the next 30 minutes answering the question." He may have said hour, it seemed like one speaker indicated he wanted hour slots .
An accomplished photographer, I wonder what the glory of heaven is compared to the many pictures of God's creation he loved.
The Church is losing some giants. but here are some common threads that we need to remember.
Faithfulness and the Word of God. He never wavered on Jesus, the cross, or sin. May we continue to do the same week in and week out. Thank you Dr. Stanley for the impact you have had on my parents, my life, and our Church.
