Charles F. Stanley is the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. He demonstrates a keen awareness of people's needs and provides 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.
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.
Dr. Stanley knows 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 says, “It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.” Certainly, the Lord is working 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)
