Prominent local church leader Dr. Charles Stanley died Tuesday at his Atlanta home. He was 90.

Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and served as senior pastor of First Baptist in Atlanta for nearly 50 years.

Stanley joined the staff of First Baptist Church of Atlanta in 1969 and became the senior pastor in 1971. He became pastor emeritus in 2020.

In 1978, he launched a religious show, In Touch, which was aired on the Christian Broadcasting Network and has been translated into 50 languages.

Stanley also served two one-year terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Stanley’s son, Andy Stanley, is the pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta.

The church released a statement on Stanley’s death, saying:

“Our hearts are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Charles Stanley. In this time of loss, we are comforted in knowing that his faith has now become sight. The glories of heaven are now his, a reality he taught us and millions of others around the world throughout his years of faithful preaching.”

Stanley is survived by his son Andy and daughter Becky.

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