James Robison, the influential evangelical preacher known for his nationwide crusades, the long-running Life Today television program, and the humanitarian ministry Life Outreach International, has died. He was 82.
The Life Outreach board of directors announced Robison’s passing on May 17, saying he “devoted his life to sharing the Gospel and bringing hope, help, and healing to those in need around the world.” Robison preached to more than 20 million people during his life, with more than 2 million making decisions for Christ, according to ministry stats.
“Together, James and Betty stewarded a ministry that has touched countless lives and will continue impacting generations to come,” a statement said.
Robison had a “life-changing encounter” with Jesus at the age of 14 and by 18, had sensed a call to become an evangelist, according to a bio on the ministry’s website. Beside him through it all was Betty, his sweetheart since the age of 15, whom he married in 1963. He began preaching in churches and leading crusades across the country and – with encouragement from Billy Graham – founded the James Robison Evangelistic Association.
The ministry continued to grow as Robison pursued a simple daily prayer: “What do You want me to do today, Lord?”
He preached to crowds of 25,000 at a crusade in Mobile, Ala., and 300,000 on the National Mall, while also meeting with political leaders, including Ronald Reagan. A “pivotal encounter” with layperson Milton Green “also led to freedom in his own life, and expanded his reach to include charismatic audiences,” according to the ministry’s bio.
In 1989, James and Betty traveled to Mozambique, where they met missionaries Peter and Ann Pretorius and witnessed the devastating effects of hunger firsthand. In response, they committed to feeding 5,000 children a day, launching Mission Feeding – an outreach that now feeds roughly 350,000 children daily and has helped save more than 24 million children.
“The way to bless God is to bless someone He loves,” he once said. “Bless someone in need.”
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Life Today launched in 1994, becoming the platform that expanded the ministry’s reach far beyond traditional crusades. As the ministry broadened to include humanitarian outreach, the James Robison Evangelistic Association was renamed Life Outreach International to reflect its growing global mission.
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Robison is survived by his wife, Betty. The couple had recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary.
“Though we grieve this tremendous loss, we also celebrate a life faithfully lived in service to God and others,” the board of directors said. “In the months and years ahead, we will faithfully carry on the mission James cared about so deeply – bringing food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, and mostly, the hope of Christ to a hurting world. The mission James gave his life to will continue with the same heart, compassion, and commitment that partners like you have faithfully helped make possible.”
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
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