In Touch Ministries

{{Infobox organization

| name = In Touch Ministries

| formation = 1972

| image = In Touch Ministries Logo.svg

| 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. Nicola Menzie, [https://www.christianpost.com/news/charles-stanleys-ministry-launches-missing-persons-project-to-regain-forgotten-members.html Charles Stanley's Ministry Launches 'Missing Persons Project' to Regain 'Forgotten Members'], christianpost.com, US, April 26, 2013 John Blake, [https://www.cnn.com/2012/11/17/us/andy-stanley/index.html Two preaching giants and the 'betrayal' that tore them apart], cnn.com, US, November 19, 2012 In 1977, In Touch Ministries was founded by Charles Stanley. Emily McFarlan Miller, [https://religionnews.com/2020/09/14/influential-pastor-charles-stanley-steps-down-at-first-baptist-church-atlanta-after-50-years/ Influential pastor, Charles Stanley, steps down at First Baptist Church Atlanta after 50 years], religionnews.com, US, September 14, 2020

The series In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley began airing in 1978. Mark Ward Sr., The Electronic Church in the Digital Age: Cultural Impacts of Evangelical Mass Media , ABC-CLIO, US, 2015, p. 289

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. APNews, [https://baptistnews.com/article/billy-graham-tops-poll-of-most-influential-living-preachers-2/ Billy Graham tops poll of most influential living preachers], baptistnews.com, US, February 2, 2010

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."[http://www.intouch.org InTouch.org, the homepage of In Touch Ministries; accessed September 22, 2018]

FamilyNet

In October 2007, In Touch purchased FamilyNet, a cable network with mostly Christian-based programming, from the Southern Baptists' North American Mission Board.{{cite web|url=http://www.gofbw.com/news.asp?ID=8040|title=NAMB completes FamilyNet sale to In Touch|date=November 7, 2007|publisher=Baptist Press via the Florida Baptist Witness|access-date=June 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307100030/http://www.gofbw.com/news.asp?ID=8040|archive-date=March 7, 2012|url-status=dead}} In December 2009, In Touch sold the network to the ComStar Media Fund,{{cite web|url=http://satellite.tmcnet.com/news/2009/12/11/4528432.htm|title=ComStar Media Fund acquires FamilyNet Television and FamilyNet Radio|date=December 11, 2009|publisher=Satellite Spotlight}} a private company co-owned by Robert A. Schuller.{{cite web|url=http://www.gofbw.com/news.asp?ID=11245|title=FamilyNet sold again|date=January 26, 2010|publisher=Baptist Press via the Florida Baptist Witness|access-date=June 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307100035/http://www.gofbw.com/news.asp?ID=11245|archive-date=March 7, 2012|url-status=dead}}

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.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} The televised version is bulleted with key points and the methods through which the issue can be resolved are presented simultaneously with his sermon.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

Subsidiaries

= In Touch Foundation =

In Touch Foundation is the charitable subsidiary of In Touch Ministries and exists to support its global outreach.{{cite web |title=In Touch Foundation |url=https://www.intouch.org/foundation |website=www.intouch.org |access-date=15 December 2022}}

References

External links

[http://www.intouch.org In Touch Website]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20060821110006/http://ww2.intouch.org/site/c.7nKFISNvEqG/b.1074797/k.AC41/The_InTouch_Story.htm In Touch History]
[http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2003/04/15/in_touch/ Onward Christian soldiers] from Salon.com
[http://www.ecfa.org/MemberProfile.aspx?ID=5482 Financial profile] from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability
[http://touchbible.org/news/media-packet Trademark Issues]

Category:American Christian radio programs

Category:Evangelical parachurch organizations

Category:Evangelicalism in Georgia (U.S. state)