Charles Stanley steps down as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Atlanta after 50 years

Charles Stanley, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Atlanta has stepped down from the helm of affairs, making way for Dr. Anthony George to take over.

Charles Stanley made this know in a pre-recorded streaming service on Sunday

According to him, 

"Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for taking a few minutes to allow me to give you an important update regarding our church and their plans for the future. 

Earlier this month, I informed the board that I felt the time had come for me to step down as senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta to become Pastor Emeritus as I celebrated my 88th birthday.

So to say i did not rush this decision would certainly be an understatement. One of the reasons this has been such a difficult decision for me, is I love our church. I love all of you and I love all that God has done through our partnership together."

 

Stanley joined the staff of First Baptist Church of Atlanta in 1969 and became Senior Pastor in 1971. In 1972, Stanley launched a half-hour religious television program called The Chapel Hour which was televised on the Christian Broadcasting Network as from 1978.

In 1982, Stanley founded In Touch Ministries with the mission to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church.

"But as much as I love being your pastor I know in my heart this season has come to an end. To be clear, I’m not retiring as you know I don't believe in retirement. I will focus the next season of my life on my opportunities at In Touch. I will continue to preach the gospel as long as God allows and my goal remains the same to get the truth of the gospel to as many people as possible."

Dr Anthony George, the church’s associate pastor since 2012, stated, “Thank you for being strong and of good courage through every battle that you’ve had to fight, through every trial you’ve had to overcome.”

“You have stood tall and confident through all these years while at the same time remaining dependent and prayerful before an almighty God. Because you were a yielded vessel the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through you, has blanketed this globe. Truly, God has been with you wheresoever you have gone.”