Posted on 12/29/2006 4:53:07 PM PST by Tim Long
75-year-old founder of Coral Ridge Ministries in 'grave condition'
D. James Kennedy, author, theologian, biblican scholar, pastor of the 10,000-member "Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church" in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and founder of the highly influential Coral Ridge Ministries, suffered a major heart attack last night and is in grave condition, ministry officials tell WND.
According to Mary Ann Bunker, Kennedy's long-time personal assistant, the 75-year-old religious leader had a "severe" cardiac arrest last evening.
"He was home at the time," she said, noting that "the last time he preached was on Christmas Eve. He was home in the kitchen. He fell, and his wife caught him, and gave him CPR until the ambulance arrived."
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Kennedy was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale. "The ambulance got [to Kennedy's home] in four to five minutes," said Bunker, "and the hospital was less than five blocks away. And the doctors were ready for him before the ambulance even arrived."
Although Kennedy's condition is classified as "grave" as he remains on life support, including a ventilator, this afternoon he is "showing signs of improvement," Bunker told WND, "recognizing people, [and] he had reflexes in his hand and feet."
"He is more cognizant today," nodding in acknowledgement, making eye contact with visitors, and is "very conscious," Bunker added.
Fortunately, a CAT scan turned out normal, not disclosing any brain damage or other complications resulting from the heart attack.
Coral Ridge Senior Producer Jerry Newcombe, who has co-authored many books with Kennedy, told WND another Presbyterian minister visited Kennedy and read scripture to him – to which he responded strongly.
In fact, on the Reformation 21 website, a blog of the Alliance of Confession Evangelicals, Rev. Richard Phillips posted the following:
I want to thank everyone who is praying for Dr. D. James Kennedy. His condition is improved, though very serious. I spent a good deal of time with him today, praying and reading Scripture. He recognized me and was clearly responsive, although his condition remains very serious. Please pray for continued improvement and a full restoration to health. I was able to assure him of the prayers of many Christians and he was able smile in response. Another post by Phillips referred to Kennedy's deteriorating health condition in recent times:
Please pray for Dr. D. James Kennedy, his wife and daughter, and Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. Dr. Kennedy is in grave condition following a heart attack last evening. Jim's health has deteriorated markedly in the last several months, and he has manfully continued his ministry to the best of his ability. During all my interactions with him even during this trying time, he has exhibited his characteristic good cheer, charm, and force of mind. Along with being a man with great vision for the kingdom of Christ, Jim Kennedy is a true Christian gentleman. Please pray for God to restore him to full health and give him grace as his situation should require.
In 1978, Kennedy launched his weekly one-hour television show, "The Coral Ridge Hour," which is broadcast nationally every Sunday morning on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, as well as syndicated on various other networks. Available to 81 percent of the nation's television households, "The Coral Ridge Hour" has the greatest number of TV station affiliates of any religious program in the U.S.
This Sunday's "Coral Ridge Hour" will feature a special documentary titled "What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?"
Hosted by Kennedy and filmed in Europe, South America, India, and the United States, the program consults scientists, historians, philosophers, and theologians to weigh the impact of Jesus on the last 2,000 years. It shows how the rise of science, mass education, a high regard for human life, hospitals, charity, representative government, and the elevation of women can all be traced to the impact of Christ and his followers in the last two millennia.
"We're going to tell the truth – withheld from most Americans for the last half century – that Christ has been the greatest benefactor to the human race that the world has ever known," said Kennedy.
I agree.
bttt
Prayers........I watch him from time to time.........
Prayers are one of the perqs of his job.
Our prayers for Dr. Kennedy...
Prayers up.
Praying, praying, praying.
I don't agree with everything he's said or done but I wish him well.
I watch D. James Kennedy every week. I'll to be praying fervently for his total recovery. We need him.
I'm sure God will throw a miracle his way.
One of the finest statesmen of our generation, Godspeed his healing or Homecoming as He may will.
Prayers up!
He is also not afraid to take on leftists who hate God and our country. We wil pray for him and his family.
prayer bump
In an age of such wicked people, he's a Godly man. May God's will be done.
Dear God our Father,
through Your loving kindness I Affirm in faith that You are now placing Your hand of healing upon our loved one. You know our concern. Know Also of our love for You and our faith that You will grant restoration and recovery to this one who is so dear to us.
In Christ’s name, Amen.
amen
Ditto that!
In Jesus' Holy name.
Amen.
A good man. May the Lord be with him and his family in their time of need.
I'll pray a selfish prayer that his duties here may still be unfinished. Certainly, He is a man who has discovered his calling.
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