obituary
Albert Raboteau, expert on African American religious history, dead at 78
By Adelle M. Banks — September 24, 2021
(RNS) — The scholar ‘was the Godfather of Afro-American Religious Studies & the North Star of deep Christian political sensibilities!’ said colleague Cornel West.
Timothy Stewart, Progressive National Baptists’ international president, dead at 64
By Adelle M. Banks — September 23, 2021
(RNS) — ‘He was the first President from the International Region in Progressive’s 60 year history,’ his denomination said.
Korean pastor David Yonggi Cho, founder of one of the world’s largest churches, has died
By Bob Smietana — September 14, 2021
(RNS) — Cho, who preached a Korean version of the prosperity gospel, remained a beloved figure even after being convicted of embezzlement.
Former NBA player Stan McKenzie, husband of first woman AME Church bishop, dead at 76
By Adelle M. Banks — July 21, 2021
(RNS) — Less than two weeks before, his wife — Bishop Vashti McKenzie — thanked her spouse as she made farewell remarks at the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s General Conference.
Bob Abernethy, host and founder of ‘Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly,’ dies at 93
By Adelle M. Banks — May 3, 2021
(RNS) — ‘It has been a great privilege to report the many ways people of faith worship and serve others,’ he said as the show concluded.
Luis Palau, globe-trotting evangelist, is dead at 86
By Mark I. Pinsky — March 11, 2021
(RNS) — Over the past half century, the Luis Palau Association, based in Beaverton, Oregon, estimates that it has reached 30 million people in 75 countries.
Joanne Rogers, widow of ‘Mr. Rogers,’ dead at age 92
By Adelle M. Banks — January 14, 2021
(RNS) — The longtime partner of Fred Rogers continued aiding organizations in Pittsburgh — where her husband’s program was produced — as recently as last year.
Faith leaders and religion influencers who died in 2020
By Adelle M. Banks — December 29, 2020
(RNS) — Losses in the religion world included people known for their contributions to preaching, civil rights or music.
Ron Lindner, professional angler who inspired many with his fishing and faith, dies at age 86
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 16, 2020
(RNS) — At his brother’s funeral earlier this month, Al Lindner said many people may not realize how deeply he had studied the Bible.
William Bobby McClain, leader in United Methodist Church and civil rights movement, dies at 82
By Emily McFarlan Miller — November 19, 2020
(RNS) — McClain was a pastor and professor who not only shaped the lives of the students he taught but also countless United Methodists with the creation of the groundbreaking hymnal 'Songs of Zion' and as an original member of the group that organized Black Methodists for Church Renewal.
Suicide, complicated grief and the hidden darkness of the heart
By Jana Riess — October 15, 2020
(RNS) — Do we ever truly know people?
John Lewis, preaching politician and civil rights activist, dies at 80
By Adelle M. Banks — July 18, 2020
(RNS) — From childhood, when Lewis preached to chickens on his family farm, to his twilight years, faith was the fuel of his life.
Rev. C.T. Vivian, longtime civil rights activist, dies at 95
By Adelle M. Banks — July 17, 2020
(RNS) — Vivian gained global attention in 1965, when he confronted a sheriff on the steps of a courthouse as activists attempted to register to vote.
Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias dies of cancer at 74
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 19, 2020
(RNS) — Prominent evangelical Christians shared their appreciation for the apologist as news spread earlier this month he had returned home to Atlanta from the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he had been receiving treatment for cancer.
Little Richard: Six examples of how religion played a role in his life
By Adelle M. Banks — May 11, 2020
(RNS) — ‘I consider my music sacred,’ the performer of songs like ‘Tutti Frutti’ and ‘Long Tall Sally’ once told an interviewer.
