TRIBUTES have been pouring in to the headquarters of Trinity broadcasting Network (TBN) in Los Angeles in honour of the global Christian television network, Paul Franklin Crouch, who went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 30. He would have been 80 on March 30.
Paul, who had been battling with a degenerative heart condition for about a decade had a pacemaker inserted into his body last year. He returned to hospital earlier in the month requiring a ventilator, but was sent home and his health reportedly was improving.
On the list of mourners who have sent condolence messages are Evangelist Billy Graham, Pat Robertson, Christian Broadcasting Network, Jay Sekulow of American Center for Law and Justice, Bishop Thomas Dexter Jakes, Senior Pastor of the Potters House, Pastor Toufik Benedictus "Benny" Hinn, President, Benny Hinn Ministries, Pastor Rod Parsley of World Harvest Church the award-winning gospel music recording artist, BeBe Winans and Evangelist Arthur Blessitt, renowned for carry thhe cross across the globe.
Billy Graham’s message extends "our condolences to the family of Paul Crouch, Sr., who, along with his wife, Jan, founded the Trinity Broadcast Network in 1973 on behalf of everyone at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He and the TBN family have been longtime friends and supporters of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse."
Fellow Christian broadcaster, Pat Robertson of Christian Broadcasting Network said he “was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Crouch, who was a friend for decades. Paul was a pioneer in Christian television; the channels and studios that Paul built around the world are an incredible achievement and will live on as a permanent legacy."
Jay Sekulow on his part wrote: "Paul truly was a pioneer with a powerful vision for delivering the Gospel in a manner that reached millions around the world. He understood the power of the Gospel. His ministry and broadcast operations touched the lives of many in this country and abroad -- including all of us at the ACLJ. Paul will be deeply missed."
Bishop T.D. Jakes described the departed broadcaster as "a giant amongst men who trail-blazed television ministry for the 21st century. His brilliant faith and business acumen brought Christ to many who wouldn't have been otherwise exposed. His legacy lives on through his family, TBN partners everywhere, and the many people that he gave an opportunity. I am numbered amongst those beneficiaries."
Quoting from the book of Psalms, Pastor Benny Hinn wrote: 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints' (Psalm 116:15). Certainly this is true for Dr. Paul Crouch, a man who helped open doors for me and many other ministers, as founder of the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Today my heart is sad, yet I am thankful to God for nearly four decades of a special, life-changing bond with this giant in the faith."
Pastor Rod Parsley had this to say: "Dr. Paul Crouch and his lovely wife Jan saw something in this young Pentecostal preacher, decades ago that perhaps I didn't even realize myself. I will always be grateful that they found a place for Breakthrough and for me on their vast network.... Without Dr. Crouch's faith in me, this ministry simply would not have the national and worldwide influence it has today, and for that I will always be grateful to him and to Jan."
Arthur Blessitt described Paul as a true man of God, who “through TBN led millions to Jesus.... I'll miss my friend, but there is joy in heaven where millions of people are thanking him for sharing Jesus with them."
In his own message, BeBe Winans recalled the relationship between his late dad and Paul Crouch: "My dad loved Paul Crouch and Paul loved my dad. So it is like losing a family member. I can imagine my dad and Paul now sitting at Jesus' feet together."
HOW HAS THE MINISTRY OF PAUL CROUCH AND TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK TOUCH YOUR LIFE AND MINISTRY? DO YOU HAVE A TESTIMONY OR TRIBUTE? KINGDOMPeople magazine is compiling such materials for publication in the next edition going to press shortly. SEND TO kingdompeoplepublisher@gmail.com; kpeditorpublisher@yahoo.co.uk. Feel free to accompany it with photographs.
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