When he was in the eighth grade, his father waged a bruising battle to become senior pastor of First Baptist. He tells this story in ' Deep and Wide,' his new book about his father and the evolution of his own ministry: What Andy remembers most about growing up with his father is not his fame, but his resolve. I never heard that talk, 'You're the pastor's son and you need to be an example.' ' His father never raised him to be a pastor. It's an impressive sight, but it's not the type of life Andy envisioned for himself growing up. A mammoth portrait of a smiling Charles Stanley hangs just inside and bears the inscription: 'Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.' A large American flag stands near its entrance, beside a row of gushing fountains. In Touch Ministries sits like a Greek temple on the crest of a hill overlooking the Atlanta skyline. Tall and lean, he delivers homespun sermons in a rich baritone while holding his black leather Bible aloft for emphasis. He has preached from the pulpit of First Baptist Church Atlanta for 40 years. In 'Deep & Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend,' Andy Stanley talks about his relationship with his father and the evolution of his ministry. Millions of people around the globe grew up with the sound of his sermons ringing in their ears. 'I instantly knew that God could use him.'Ĭharles knows something about preaching. Neither man has ever fully explained the events that tore them apart 19 years ago - until now.Ĭharles Stanley remembers the first time he heard his son preach. Imagine if Steve Jobs had a son, who created a company that rivaled Apple in size and innovation - and they barely spoke to one another. There's no father-son preaching duo quite like the Stanleys. you'd have to crawl over me to get to him,' Charles Stanley, now 80, says.' I would have stood by him, no matter what. 'I felt like this was a huge battle, and if Andy had been in a huge battle. The experience wounded his father as well.

'I understand drive-by shootings,' he told his wife one day. The experience enraged Andy so much it scared him: Charles Stanley, a Southern Baptist megachurch pastor and founder of In Touch Ministries, a global evangelistic organization. He was swept up in a struggle against another famous televangelist - his father, the Rev. Things get weird.'Īt 54, Andy knows something about weirdness. 'Now they have to control, maintain and protect it. As soon as somebody thinks forever, that's when they close their hand,' he says, slowly clenching his fist.

'One day we're not going to be the coolest church. 'I tell my staff everything has a season,' he says, leaning back in an office chair while wearing a flannel shirt, faded jeans and tan hiking boots. Fans watch him on television or flock to his leadership seminars pastors study his DVDs for preaching tips his ministries' website gets at least a million downloads per month. A lanky man with close-cropped hair and an 'aw-shucks' demeanor, he is alone as he steps out of his office to greet a visitor to his ministry's sprawling office complex in suburban Atlanta.Īt least 33,000 people attend one of Andy's seven churches each Sunday. Today he has found fame, and infamy, on another stage.Īndy Stanley is the founder of North Point Ministries, one of the largest Christian organizations in the nation. As a teenager, Andy decided he was going to be a rock star after seeing Elton John perform live.

Pastor teleprompt