In addition to a pandemic and widespread protests, 2020 saw the passing of many Christian leaders and ministry figures. Some were controversial, others widely accepted. Here are 6 notable Christians who died this year.
Jack Van Impe (Jan. 18, 2020) -Televangelist Jack Van Impe, the host of “Jack Van Impe Presents,” who over the span of nearly 70 years of ministry work reportedly led 8 million people to Christ, died at age 88. Dr. Van Impe became known as ‘The Walking Bible’ because he memorized large portions of Scripture, inspiring young people to do the same,” tweeted the Rev. Franklin Graham in January in condolence.
Joseph Lowery ( March 27, 2020)- The Rev. Joseph Lowery, a prominent civil rights activist, who along with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, died at age 98. For his work, Lowery received many honors, including an NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award and twice being named by Essence magazine as one of the “Fifteen Greatest Black Preachers.”
Ravi Zacharias ( May 19, 2020)- Prominent Christian apologetics author, radio personality, and speaker Ravi Zacharias died at age 74, following a lengthy battle with a rare form of cancer. Born in India, Zacharias had a born again religious experience as a teenager following a suicide attempt and became a world-renowned Christian apologetics figure. .
Florence Littauer ( July 11, 2020)- Bestselling Christian self-help author and speaker Florence Littauer, who wrote more than 40 books and addressed hundreds of thousands over a 50-year public career, died at age 92. Littauer is regarded as a pioneer in women’s ministry, as she was a popular speaker at Christian ministry events during the 1970s, at a time when men dominated the speaking circuit.
Luci Swindoll –(Oct. 20, 2020)- Luci Swindoll, an author and longtime speaker for Women of Faith, one the largest women’s conferences in the United States, died at age 88 from COVID-19 complications. Notable books of hers included, I Married Adventure: Looking at Life Through the Lens of Possibility, and Doing Life Differently: The Art of Living with Imagination.
Harry Jackson (Nov. 9, 2020)- Bishop Harry Jackson Jr., a megachurch pastor and longtime conservative Christian activist who was an evangelical adviser to President Donald Trump, died at age 66. Jackson served as lead pastor of Hope Christian Church of Beltsville, Maryland, and chaired the High Impact Leadership Coalition as well as Harry Jackson Ministries.