Transitions August 2010

Veteran healing evangelist Charles Hunter died June 21 at age 89 after several years of declining health. He and his wife, Frances, spent nearly 40 years leading healing crusades worldwide before her death last year at age 93. A memorial service was to be held July 14, the anniversary of his wife’s passing.

Ted and Gayle Haggard launched a new congregation in Colorado Springs, Colo., called St. James Church. Ted Haggard, who in 2006 resigned as pastor of 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs after confessing to sexual immorality with a male prostitute, said the church was for sinners and for people who have hit rock bottom and people who want to help people who have hit rock bottom.

Veteran basketball coach John Wooden, an outspoken Christian, died of natural causes June 4 at age 99. Wooden, who wrote several Christian books, led his UCLA basketball team to an unsurpassed record of 10 national championships between 1964 and 1975.

The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel elected Glenn Burris as its president in May. Burris had served as interim president since September and succeeds Jack Hayford. Meanwhile, Atlanta pastor Bryant Wright was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, succeeding Johnny H

Christian music pioneer Dana Key died June 6 of a ruptured pulmonary embolism at age 56. The former member of duo DeGarmo & Key co-founded Forefront Records and the Christian rock label Ardent Records, and served as pastor of a small church in Cordova, Tenn., called The Love of Christ Church.

Cornerstone Television President Charles R. Hembree died June 10 at his home in Murrysville, Pa. He was 72. A National Religious Broadcasters board member, Hembree wrote more than 70 books and hosted a daily TV program called “Quick Study” that takes viewers through the Bible in one year.”