D. James Kennedy Dies at 76

The Rev. D. James Kennedy, author, theologian and pastor of 10,000-member Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., passed away peacefully in his sleep Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 2:15 a.m. He was 76.

“We will miss Dr. Kennedy enormously,” said Frank Wright, president of the National Religious Broadcasters. “His moral leadership and his legacy of impacting the globe for Jesus Christ is unmatched by few in the history of the church. It is our desire to honor him by sustaining and multiplying his impact through Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and all the ministries founded by Dr. Kennedy in the years to come.”

Kennedy had been suffering complications from cardiac arrest since December 2006 and had not been able to return to the Coral Ridge pulpit since his last sermon on Christmas Eve. On Aug. 26 he announced his retirement from active ministry.

He will be remembered for leading Coral Ridge from a few members to 10,000 members, for Evangelism Explosion through which 5 million people gave their lives to Christ in 1996, and also for his extensive broadcast ministry.

His daily radio program, Truths That Transform, is carried on nearly 750 stations while his weekly TV show, The Coral Ridge Hour, is aired over more than 400 stations. Kennedy is survived by his wife of 51 years, Anne, and his daughter, Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy.

“There are all kinds of wonderful things I could say about my dad,” Cassidy said. “But one that stands out is his fine example. He ‘walked the walk’ and ‘practiced what he preached.’ His work for Christ is lasting—it will go on and on and make a difference for eternity.”

Dates and times for a public viewing and funeral are yet to be announced.