Bill McCartney (1940–2025), founder of the Promise Keepers 

Bill McCartney was a longtime football coach for the Colorado Buffaloes, leading the team to three straight Big Eight Conference titles, while forming the Promise Keepers ministry at the same time. 

Tony Campolo (1935–2024), Red-Letter Christians co-founder

Tony Campolo was a pastor, sociologist, author, and spiritual advisor who penned dozens of books, was a popular television-show guest, and co-founded the Red-Letter Christian movement.

Sam Butcher (1939–2024), Precious Moments founder and artist

Sam Butcher was an artist who founded Precious Moments and designed many of their Christian-themed collectible figurines.

Mandisa (1976–2024), Grammy-winning American Idol finalist

Mandisa was a contemporary Christian singer who came to prominence when she competed in season five of “American Idol” in 2006.

John Delendick (1949–2023), FDNY chaplain on 9/11

Rev. Monsignor John Delendick was a Catholic chaplain with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) who comforted firefighters and their families at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks.

Carlton Pearson (1953–2023), megachurch founder who denied hell 

Carlton Pearson was a megachurch founder who embraced the idea of universal reconciliation, a fringe Christian doctrine that asserts there is no hell, and all souls will eventually be welcomed by God, and was branded as a heretic by the evangelical fundamentalist church as a result. 

Rosalynn Carter (1927–2023), former first lady of the United States

Rosalynn Carter was first lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981, wife to 39th President Jimmy Carter.

Mylon LeFevre (1944–2023), singer for Mylon and Broken Heart

Mylon LeFevre was a Gospel Music Hall of Fame Christian rock singer who is best known for his work with Mylon and Broken Heart. 

Sarah Young (1946–2023), Jesus Calling devotional author 

Sarah Young was the author of the bestselling daily devotional “Jesus Calling.”

Luis Palau (1934–2021), evangelist called “the Billy Graham of Latin America”

Luis Palau was a popular Christian evangelist who worked with and became one of his successors as he preached to the Spanish-speaking audience.

Dianna Ortiz (1958–2021), nun who survived kidnapping and founded anti-torture group

Dianna Ortiz was a Catholic nun who was abducted and tortured while serving as a missionary in Guatemala, and later foundedtheTorture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International(TASSC).

Carman (1956–2021), contemporary Christian singer and songwriter

Carman was a popular contemporary Christian singer and songwriter known for songs including “The Champion.”

Melvin Banks (1934–2021), founder of Christian publishing house Urban Ministries, Inc.

Melvin Banks was the founder of Urban Ministries, Inc., the largest Black Christian publishing house in the U.S.

Rance Allen (1948–2020), gospel music legend

Rance Allen was the lead singer of the popular gospel band the Rance Allen Group.

Ravi Zacharias (1946–2020), popular Christian evangelist

Ravi Zachariaswas a popular Christian evangelistwhofoundedtheRavi Zacharias International Ministriesin Atlanta.

Jeff Fenholt (1950–2019), original star of “Jesus Christ Superstar” on Broadway

Jeff Fenholt starred in the original Broadway production of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” playing the title role.

Richard Proudfit (1929–2018), founder of Feed My Starving Children charity

Richard Proudfit founded Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), a Christian non-profit organization that sends nutritious meals to hungry children worldwide.

Rev. Billy Graham (1918–2018), preacher who counseled U.S. presidents

MONTREAT, N.C. (AP) — The Rev. Billy Graham, who transformed American religious life through his preaching and activism, becoming a counselor to presidents and the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history, died Wednesday. He was 99.

Jerusalem Attack Victims

Two Israeli policemen were killed in the Old City.

Cairo Cathedral Bombing Victims

At least 25 people have died, and dozens more were wounded early Sunday in a bombing attack in a Coptic church in Cairo, Egypt, according to CNN and the government-sponsored Al-Ahram news outlet.

The True Story of Nat Turner

A new movie premiering this weekend, "The Birth of a Nation," dramatizes the life of Nat Turner and the story of the 1831 slave revolt he led. While the movie will make Turner’s story more familiar to many, it does take liberties with many details. What is the true story of Nat Turner?

They Made a Joyful Noise

We've lost many gospel singers in recent weeks. The renowned , who famously sang with James Cleveland’s Gospel Chimes and Bill Gaither’s Homecoming crew, died Sept. 26, 2011 at age 73.