Former Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) president Charles Stanley has announced he and his wife have divorced.
Stanley, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, and his wife, Anna, have been separated for almost seven years.
“On February 16, 2000, my wife filed for divorce,” Stanley told his congregation during May 21 morning services.
“The case was filed as an uncontested divorce, and all terms of the divorce have been agreed upon by both parties,” he added.
Stanley, 67, thanked his congregation for its continuing support. “In the last seven years (God) has affirmed — and you have affirmed — my commitment to preach the gospel in a way that is touching the entire world,” he said.
“As I have shared with you many times, God has assured me I’m where He wants me to be, doing what He has called me to do. I remain committed to that call,” Stanley added.
The Stanley’s marriage, which lasted 44 years, has long been a troubled one.
Stanley, who like other leaders of the SBC, has been a prominent spokesman for conservative values, at one time told his congregation he would resign if he got divorced.
But he said he was encouraged to continue his ministry.
“The love you have shown me and the love I have for you have encouraged me to remain faithful to God’s call on my life,” Stanley told the congregation.
Gearl Spicer, administrative pastor, spoke on behalf of the church’s leadership after Stanley addressed the congregation.
“In many ways, this experience of seven yeas has prepared Dr. Stanley in a unique way to minister to us and the world,” Spicer said.
He added, “It is my biblical, spiritual, and personal conviction that God has positioned Dr. Stanley in a place where is personal pain has validated his ability to minister to all of us.”
The congregation gave Stanley a standing ovation to affirm their support of his leadership and then prayed for all of the parties affected by the divorce.
Stanley, a best-selling author, also is founder of In Touch Ministries, a radio and television ministry that is seen on more than 300 television stations and heard on more than 800 radio stations.
He was president of the SBC in the mid-1980s and has been the spiritual leader of the 14,000-member Atlanta church for three decades. (RNS)
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