Charles Stanley was born on September 25, 1932, in Dry Fork, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and became a notable American Southern Baptist pastor and writer. His father, Charles, died when he was nine months old, leaving him to be raised by his mother. Stanley's family moved frequently during his childhood, making it difficult for him to build long-term friendships. Despite this, he became a born-again Christian at the age of 12 and began preaching in his local church at the age of 14. Stanley attended the University of Richmond and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. In 1958, he received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1956, he was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister. Stanley began his ministry as an associate pastor at the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, after finishing his studies. He was named senior pastor of Atlanta's First Baptist Church in 1969, a position he held for 49 years. During his tenure, the church developed to become one of the largest in the country, with over 16,000 members. Stanley was well-known for his conservative ideas and dedication to gospel preaching. He held that the Bible was God's inspired word and that it should serve as the foundation for all Christian teaching. He also valued personal evangelism and urged his church to share their religion with others. Stanley was well-known for his conservative ideas and dedication to gospel preaching. He held that the Bible was God's inspired word and that it should serve as the foundation for all Christian teaching. He also valued personal evangelism and urged his church to share their religion with others. Stanley stayed steadfast in his faith and in his calling to preach the gospel throughout his ministry. From 1984 to 1986, he was president of the Southern Baptist Convention for two one-year terms. He also created "30 Life Principles," which he believed were necessary for leading a successful life. Stanley retired from the First Baptist Church of Atlanta in 2020, although he continued to preach and write until his death on April 18, 2023. His legacy as a pastor, writer, and preacher will live on to inspire future generations of Christians.