Charles Green, a leader in the Latter Rain Movement, president of Harvest Ministries to the World and founding pastor of Word of Faith Ministry in New Orleans, Louisiana, died Aug. 22 at age 95 in Frisco, Texas. Active in traveling, preaching and writing until a short time before his death, he was known as a unifier and builder in the charismatic community who encouraged others with his strong faith.
Green, born Feb. 27, 1926, was a graduate of Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, and a veteran of World War II who spent 14 months in the China-Burma-India theater of operations. He received the Doctor of Theology degree from the Evangelical Seminary of Brazil, the Doctor of Humane Letters from the California Graduate School of Theology and the Doctor of Laws degree from Oral Roberts University. He wrote numerous books and study courses used around the world, including his most recent, Light of Victory, a personal story of his deliverance from fear, anxiety and depression. Churches around the world continue to use his Bible study courses.
Green and his late wife, Barbara, founded The Word of Faith Ministry in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1953, leading their church, Word of Faith Temple (later Faith Church, now Lifegate) to a membership of thousands. Green stepped down as senior pastor prior to the church’s destruction by flooding from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, continuing his itinerant ministry for the remainder of his life.
Green, one of the founders of the Network of Christian Ministries (1982), which brought together Christian leaders from across the U.S. and Canada, served as chairman of its executive board for its first five years. For 25 years, Green was also a board member of Dr. David Yonggi Cho’s Church Growth International in Seoul, Korea, and served many years as a member of the executive board. He also spoke frequently at Cho’s megachurch, the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul. He also served as a member of the board of regents at Oral Roberts University for more than 25 years, serving from 1993-2008 as chairman of the executive board.
“Charles Green was one of most loving pastors I ever met in my 46 years of covering the charismatic movement,” said Charisma founder and CEO Stephen Strang. “He had a huge impact on me personally as a young publisher. I always was inspired by him.
“His influence and calm and reason brought balance in an era where that was badly needed among independent charismatic churches, in my opinion,” Strang added. “He was widely respected by hundreds of other pastors.”
Condolences continue to appear on the Facebook page of Green’s daughter, Cyndy Green Crider, who announced his passing with the words, “Dad is with the Lord & Mom. He is singing every song he ever knew & every verse. Dad was a true servant of God. He was a proud Army veteran. He loved God, his family, his church family & friends & he loved his country. There will be a celebration of life at a later time. We thank you for all your love & prayers.”
Green’s grandson Geoffrey also shared memories of his grandfather via Facebook:
Geoffery’s brother Tyler also posted a Facebook tribute to his grandfather:
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Green leaves behind his son, Michael Green (Linda); daughter, Cyndy Green Crider (Matt); grandsons Geoffrey and Tyler Green and many sons and daughters in the faith. Please join the Charisma News staff in praying for Green’s family and all those touched by his life and ministry.{eoa}
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