Henry Blackaby’s Son: Father’s Heart Is in Bad Shape, Needs Surgery ASAP

After going missing for 29 hours last week and setting off intercession around the world, details are emerging about what happened to popular Southern Baptist author Henry Blackaby.

Blackaby, 78, is set to have surgery after a heart attack last week, according to the Baptist Press. Police found the Experiencing God author 150 miles away from his home on Friday.

“The Blackaby family would like everyone to know that Henry has been found and is safe,” the Blackaby family said in a statement posted on the Blackaby Ministries International website Friday. “His health concerns are being addressed and we will keep everyone posted with the news.”

Blackaby ended up in Tifton, Ga., after suffering a heart attack and becoming disoriented on his way to pick up his wife, Marilyn.

“He did not have his cell phone with him nor insulin for his diabetes,” the Blackaby family explains. “As a result, his blood sugar rose and his kidneys began to struggle as well.

“The family was able to track his movements as he used a credit card to make occasional purchases. Police assigned a detective group to monitor his movements and to track him down. Hundreds of volunteers, many from his church at First Baptist Church Jonesboro, Ga., drove all over the city looking for him. He is currently in a hospital undergoing extensive tests.”

Richard Blackaby, the author’s son, is asking for the intercession to continue. He reports his father’s heart is in “bad shape.”

“Will need at least 4 bypasses done ASAP,” Richard announced Saturday via Twitter. “Please continue to pray. Surgery may be Sunday.”

Henry and Marilyn Blackaby served in churches in California before serving 18 years in Canada, where they saw many new churches begin. They raised their five children in Canada. It was also at that time that God taught the Blackabys the truths concerning walking with God that would eventually become the basis for the best-selling book Experiencing God.

Raised in that environment, all five children sensed a unique call of God into ministry. Their oldest son, Richard, currently serves as president of Blackaby Ministries International and resides in Greenville, S.C. Thomas Blackaby is the former senior pastor of North Sea Baptist Church in Stavanger, Norway, and now is director of international ministries for Blackaby Ministries International. He and his family reside in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Melvin Blackaby is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Ga. Norman Blackaby is a professor at Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Texas. Carrie Blackaby-Webb is a career missionary serving in Germany.