Adrian Rogers' Family Statement

At this time of grief, the Rogers family – Mrs. Joyce Rogers; Steve & Cindi Rogers, and their daughter, Renae Rogers; Mike & Gayle Foster, and their sons, Michael & Adrian Foster; David & Kelly Rogers, and their sons, Jonathan & Stephen Rogers; and Bryan & Janice Edmiston, and their children, Angela Luce, and Rachel, Andrew & Breanna Edmiston – would like to thank all who have offered prayers, sent expressions of love and kindness, and given practical help on behalf of our family during these days. We are also especially grateful for the wonderful team of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff, who have given the very best of their time, knowledge, and creative energy, in order to preserve the life of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, and minimize his physical pain.

Although we had all maintained hope up to the very end for a miraculous restoration of his health, we are comforted in the knowledge that he is now resting in the presence of his Lord and Savior to whom he dedicated his life and ministry on this earth. We cling to the assurance of God’s grace, as He, in His infinite wisdom, has determined the right timing of his homecoming.

On various occasions, he had proclaimed: “when my time comes, don’t be sorry for me; I’ll be kicking up gold dust on the streets of glory.” Shortly after being admitted to the hospital diagnosed with cancer-induced pneumonia, he stated “this is a win-win for me,” indicating his confidence that, whether God chose to heal him or not, he was in his hands. Among the last words that he uttered before being hooked up to the ventilator which inhibited his speech during his last days were “I am at perfect peace.” His favorite Bible passage was Romans 8:38-39: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

His last days, spent in the hospital on artificial ventilation, were marked by an unusual sense of spiritual strength and serenity. He maintained his positive attitude and sense of humor up to the very end. Even during this time, in which he was unable to communicate verbally, we all felt his deep love for us. Moments before undergoing intubation, he wrote a note containing the words “I love you!” and the names of his four children and their spouses, his nine grandchildren, and his first great-grandchild, Marianna Rose Luce, born on November 14th. A second note expressed his love for his wife, Joyce, who later commented: “In all our life together, there was never a day that passed that he did not say 'I love you.'"

We, although deeply saddened by our loss, are at the same time profoundly grateful for the many years of happiness we have been blessed to share with this wonderful prince of a man named Adrian Rogers.

*The family kindly requests that any memorials be sent to the “Adrian Rogers Pastor Training Institute” (PTI) , a division of Love Worth Finding Ministries, to go toward the continuance of his ministry and vision to train pastors for the furtherance of the Gospel here and around the world. Gifts may be sent to the “Adrian Rogers Pastor Training Institute,” c/o Love Worth Finding, 2941 Kate Bond Road, Memphis, TN 38133. Or call (901) 382-7900.

Tributes

What Others are Saying about Adrian Rogers . . .

Bobby Welch: "The flags of Christianity in general, and of Southern Baptists in particular, should be at half mast upon this occasion because few and very, very few like Dr. Adrian P. Rogers -– friend, pastor, warrior, statesman, soul winner and inspiration -- seldom arise in one generation."

Morris Chapman: "Adrian Rogers was a model preacher, pastor, evangelist, husband and father. He was an inspiration to untold millions, and the full impact of his life and ministry likely will not be comprehended or calculated this side of eternity. … When I needed counsel, I often sought his advice. Not only was I blessed by listening to his powerful sermons, I looked at his life and saw no greed, no grudges, no jealousies and no egotism. However, I did see Jesus. Adrian was my mentor in the ministry, and became for me a model of the Christian life -- a model for whom I had enormous love and respect."

James T. Draper: "He was a friend who was always loving, always commanded respect, always calling us to do what is right, never wavering in his commitment to God and to His Word, leading us to stand firm in matters that must not be compromised and by his character and extraordinary giftedness, compelling us to follow his leadership. He was a giant in every way."

Richard Land: “Dr. Adrian Rogers was one of the giants of the faith of any era of the Christian church. If there were a Mount Rushmore for Southern Baptists, Dr. Rogers would certainly be on it. Adrian Rogers was perhaps the last half century’s premier example of an expository preacher who used his gifts to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ and His victory for humanity on the cross. While we mourn our loss, we rejoice that Dr. Rogers is now with his Savior in glory. Having already heard from Jesus, ‘Well done, thy good and faithful servant,’ he is now in a place where there is no more pain, no more tears, just Jesus to enjoy for eternity.”

Jerry Rankin: “Adrian Rogers was a great man of integrity who provided outstanding leadership to our convention. In addition, for us the passing of Adrian is not just the death of a great Baptist statesman, but the passing of a member of the family. In a real sense, he is one of ours. Adrian has given one of his children to the mission field. His son, David, serves with us in Western Europe."

Robert E. Reccord: "Adrian was a friend and mentor to me and so many others who greatly admired his stewardship of the many gifts with which God blessed him. Our denomination owes him a deep debt of gratitude for the courageous leadership he gave during the critical years that placed us back on such a firm foundation. The ministry at Bellevue and the thousands of lives changed through it will live on as an enduring testimony to his legacy and an example of how God can work so mightily through a humble and committed servant. No one can fill his shoes, but I pray we will all aspire to walk in the faith and obedience to God he so remarkably demonstrated."

O.S. Hawkins: "When I heard early this morning of Adrian's death my mind raced to 1 Samuel 9:6: 'Behold, there is in this city a man of God who is an honorable man. … He can show us the way we should go.' Adrian Rogers was our 'man of God' and he showed us 'the way' in every aspect of his life. Fittingly, he has now led the way for us again and today he has looked upon the face of Christ in glory! Our prayers and love are with Joyce and the family."

Paul Pressler: "The passing of Adrian Rogers stills the voice of one of the greatest preachers of the Gospel who ever lived. He was a genuine man who loved people, who loved the Lord and who served everyone. It is a terrible loss for the Kingdom and a wonderful gain for heaven."

Daniel Akin: "Southern Baptists have lost perhaps their greatest leader and statesman in the death of Adrian Rogers. He was one of those rare individuals who truly was bigger than life. Few men have impacted so many as did this spiritual giant. He was the face and voice of the Conservative Resurgence and one of the greatest preachers God’s people have ever had the joy to hear. Dr. Rogers exemplified what it meant to be a man of God. He modeled for all of us how to preach the Word, pastor a Church, love your wife and lead your family. He will be sorely missed, and future Pastors’ Conferences will simply not be the same without his commanding presence and booming voice. He was my hero and I will miss him."

R. Albert Mohler Jr.: "Dr. Rogers was a lion in our midst -- the man God used to serve as leader and voice for a great resurgence of biblical Christianity. He was a man of tremendous gifts, whose booming voice was matched by a gift for words and a powerful delivery. He dominated the pulpit as few men ever have, preaching the Word and calling sinners to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a modern-day 'Prince of Preachers' whose personal example served to encourage thousands of others to greater faithfulness in preaching the Word of God."

Paige Patterson: "No more than 'half a hallelujah' for Adrian Rogers. He is home with Jesus with a full hallelujah! While we rejoice for him, he leaves a vacancy in my heart more massive than the sweep of the Grand Canyon. So many contributed massively and heroically, but in my estimation Adrian was the one human, essential prophet in returning the SBC to the faith of its fathers. Whether the discussion is compassion, mental alacrity, sense of humor, prowess in the pulpit, passion for Jesus and for lost sinners, or just faithful encouragement of the brethren, Adrian Rogers brought it all to Southern Baptists. If we Baptists had a Hall of Fame, Dr. Rogers would be enshrined tomorrow."

R. Philip Roberts: "Dr. Rogers will remain forever in our thoughts and memories. His leadership in helping return the Southern Baptist Convention back to a Christ-honoring doctrinal position that is firmly grounded in the trustworthy Bible has endeared him in our hearts. Although we are sad by his passing, we rejoice knowing that one day all of us who knew Dr. Rogers, and who know the Savior whom he served, the Lord Jesus Christ, will find ourselves together again -– lost in wonder, love and praise at the throne of our Lord."

James Dobson: "There is no one in America whom I respected more than Dr. Rogers. He has been a faithful friend to me and to the ministry of Focus on the Family for many years, serving as a voice of wisdom, encouragement and admonition on our Board of Directors. He was also a staunch ally in the battle to defend biblical values in our culture.

"Most importantly, Dr. Rogers was responsible for impacting countless people through the faithful preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That was the defining passion of his life, from the day I first met him until the very end. For that reason, our sorrow at his passing is mixed with joy and thankfulness. We know that he is now free from the shackles of this earthly existence, and that he has entered into the very presence of the God he loved so deeply and served so diligently."

Beverly LaHaye: "Adrian Rogers was a true spiritual giant. We offer our deepest condolences to his wife, Joyce, and his four children and nine grandchildren. Adrian's life and ministry were a blessing to many. We take comfort in the assurance that he is now rejoicing in Heaven with his personal Lord and Savior."

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