In Touch Ministries

{{Short description|American evangelical ministry}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                = In Touch Ministries
| formation           = 1972
| image               = In Touch Ministries Logo.svg
| purpose             = Evangelical Ministry
| headquarters        = [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]], United States
| leader_name         = Charles Stanley
| subsidiaries        = In Touch Foundation
| website             = https://www.intouch.org/
}}

'''In Touch Ministries''' is a [[Christianity|Christian]] evangelical organization that produces and distributes media and resources, including radio and [[In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley|television programs]], [[Podcast|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 [[Charles Stanley|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 [[Short-term mission|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 Church (Atlanta)|First Baptist Atlanta]].<ref> 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 </ref><ref> 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 </ref> In 1977, In Touch Ministries was founded by [[Charles Stanley (pastor)|Charles Stanley]].<ref> 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 </ref>

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

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 Christian Resources|LifeWay]].<ref> 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 </ref> 

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."<ref name="INTCH">[http://www.intouch.org InTouch.org, the homepage of In Touch Ministries; accessed September 22, 2018]</ref>

==FamilyNet==
{{main|FamilyNet}}

In October 2007, In Touch purchased [[FamilyNet]], a cable network with mostly Christian-based programming, from the Southern Baptists' [[North American Mission Board]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>  In December 2009, In Touch sold the network to the ComStar Media Fund,<ref>{{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}}</ref> a private company co-owned by [[Robert A. Schuller]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Purpose==
InTouch'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. 

InTouch'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.<ref name="foundation">{{cite web |title=In Touch Foundation |url=https://www.intouch.org/foundation |website=www.intouch.org |access-date=15 December 2022}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==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)]]


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