Prominent Pastors Tony Evans and Chuck Swindoll, as well as former President Donald Trump, were among those who paid their respects to the late Pastor Charles Stanley at a legacy celebration held at his church on Sunday.
The service was held at First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia, where Stanley served as senior pastor for nearly 50 years, and featured several musical selections and messages of remembrance given in person and via video.
Evans, the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship of Dallas, Texas, said in a video message that he wanted “to join the chorus of voices that are celebrating the home-going of Dr. Charles Stanley.”
“We have all been impacted, influenced and transformed by his ministry locally, nationally and internationally,” said Evans. “Through the hard times and the celebratory times, he has stood on the Word of God, preaching it week in and week out.”
“His influence is not just for the time he was here, but should long outlive that time because the Word of God was so poignant and so potent that the truth will keep marching on.”
Pastor Chuck Swindoll of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, gave a video message in which he said he “really admired” Stanley and how the late pastor “handled the Word of God with such ability and such charm.”
“His presentations were always lively and on target, accurate and meaningful. I give thanks for his life,” Swindoll said. “He is at home with the Lord in that perfect place, in that perfect setting with the Savior he preached and loved and knew so well.”
“We say ‘goodbye’ as Heaven says ‘hello.’”
Trump provided a video message for the celebration, giving his condolences and recounting how he “always enjoyed” Stanley’s television program and remembered meeting him during his presidency.
“I will always remember his incredible kindness and humble spirit when he met with me in the Oval Office,” Trump recounted. “As he prayed for me and the nation, I knew God was hearing that prayer.”
“God bless you, Dr. Stanley. God bless you.”
Others who spoke in person or in a video message included Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church, Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Dallas, the Rev. Franklin Graham of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, In Touch Ministries CEO Phillip Bowen and Pastor David Jeremiah of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California.
CREDIT:By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor