In Touch Ministries Explained

In Touch Ministries
Formation:1972
Purpose:Evangelical Ministry
Headquarters:Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Leader Name:Charles Stanley
Subsidiaries:In Touch Foundation
Website:https://www.intouch.org/

In Touch Ministries is a Christian evangelical organization that produces and distributes media and resources, including radio and television programs, podcasts, articles, and books, with the goal of spreading the message of the Gospel and helping people grow in their faith. The organization was founded by Dr. Charles Stanley, a pastor and author, and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

In Touch Ministries operates in multiple languages and reaches people around the world through various platforms, including its website, social media, and partnerships with churches and other organizations. In addition to its media and resource production, In Touch Ministries also sponsors mission trips and other outreach programs to serve communities in need.

History

In Touch Ministries began as a television and radio ministry in 1972, one year after Stanley became the senior pastor of First Baptist Atlanta.[1] [2] In 1977, In Touch Ministries was founded by Charles Stanley.[3]

The series In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley began airing in 1978. [4]

Stanley, whose Sunday services are broadcast throughout the United States on the ministry's In Touch television program, was rated the third most influential pastor, behind Billy Graham and Charles Swindoll, in a 2010 survey by LifeWay.[5]

The ministry states "At In Touch Ministries, our mission is to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church. We remain committed to advancing the gospel from person to person and place to place as quickly, clearly, and irresistibly as possible."[6]

FamilyNet

See main article: FamilyNet.

In October 2007, In Touch purchased FamilyNet, a cable network with mostly Christian-based programming, from the Southern Baptists' North American Mission Board.[7] In December 2009, In Touch sold the network to the ComStar Media Fund,[8] a private company co-owned by Robert A. Schuller.[9]

Purpose

In Touch's stated purpose for existence is sharing the gospel through the teachings of Charles Stanley. The main outreach tools used by the ministry are television, radio, magazine, and the internet.

In Touch's radio and television programs are broadcast in over 50 languages.

Theme

Stanley's teachings are based on biblical principles and life application lessons. The televised version is bulleted with key points and the methods through which the issue can be resolved are presented simultaneously with his sermon.

Subsidiaries

In Touch Foundation

In Touch Foundation is the charitable subsidiary of In Touch Ministries and exists to support its global outreach.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Nicola Menzie, Charles Stanley's Ministry Launches 'Missing Persons Project' to Regain 'Forgotten Members', christianpost.com, US, April 26, 2013
  2. John Blake, Two preaching giants and the 'betrayal' that tore them apart, cnn.com, US, November 19, 2012
  3. Emily McFarlan Miller, Influential pastor, Charles Stanley, steps down at First Baptist Church Atlanta after 50 years, religionnews.com, US, September 14, 2020
  4. Mark Ward Sr., The Electronic Church in the Digital Age: Cultural Impacts of Evangelical Mass Media , ABC-CLIO, US, 2015, p. 289
  5. APNews, Billy Graham tops poll of most influential living preachers, baptistnews.com, US, February 2, 2010
  6. http://www.intouch.org InTouch.org, the homepage of In Touch Ministries; accessed September 22, 2018
  7. Web site: NAMB completes FamilyNet sale to In Touch. November 7, 2007. Baptist Press via the Florida Baptist Witness. June 20, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20120307100030/http://www.gofbw.com/news.asp?ID=8040. March 7, 2012. dead.
  8. Web site: ComStar Media Fund acquires FamilyNet Television and FamilyNet Radio. December 11, 2009. Satellite Spotlight.
  9. Web site: FamilyNet sold again. January 26, 2010. Baptist Press via the Florida Baptist Witness. June 20, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20120307100035/http://www.gofbw.com/news.asp?ID=11245. March 7, 2012. dead.
  10. Web site: In Touch Foundation . www.intouch.org . 15 December 2022.