{"id":5849,"date":"2026-05-19T13:01:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T13:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/?p=5849"},"modified":"2026-05-19T13:01:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T13:01:17","slug":"james-robison-dies-at-82-leaving-legacy-of-global-gospel-outreach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/2026\/05\/james-robison-dies-at-82-leaving-legacy-of-global-gospel-outreach.html","title":{"rendered":"James Robison Dies at 82, Leaving Legacy of Global Gospel Outreach"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Gage Skidmore \/ Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Texas-based televangelist James Robison, founder of LIFE Outreach International and longtime host of the Christian television program LIFE Today, has died at the age of 82.<\/p>\n

The ministry’s board of directors confirmed Robison’s death<\/a> in a statement shared on social media. No cause of death had been publicly disclosed at the time of the announcement.<\/p>\n

“James devoted his life to sharing the Gospel and bringing hope, help, and healing to those in need around the world,” the board said. The statement also assured supporters that the ministry’s mission would continue through its food distribution, clean water initiatives, disaster relief work and global evangelism efforts.<\/p>\n

For decades, Robison was a recognizable voice in evangelical Christianity through television broadcasts, crusades and humanitarian outreach. According to his ministry website, more than 20 million people heard him preach during his lifetime.<\/p>\n

Born into difficult circumstances and raised in hardship, Robison often shared his testimony<\/a> of encountering Jesus Christ at age 14 \u2014 a moment he described as life-changing. By age 18, he believed he had been called into evangelistic ministry, beginning a career that would span more than six decades.<\/p>\n

Alongside his wife, Betty Robison, whom he married in 1963, Robison helped build LIFE Outreach International into a worldwide ministry known not only for preaching the Gospel but also for practical humanitarian aid. The couple ministered together for more than 60 years.<\/p>\n

Robison is survived by<\/a> Betty, son Randy and daughter Rhonda. Their daughter Robin died previously, according to a tribute shared by Bunni Pounds, president of Christians Engaged.<\/p>\n

Several Christian leaders and public figures honored Robison following news of his passing, including Mike Huckabee, who once worked for the evangelist.<\/p>\n

“I worked for James Robison in the 70’s as Director of Communications. He & wife Betty were huge influences in my life,” Huckabee wrote on X<\/a>. “My middle son’s middle name is ‘James’ after him. His death hits hard. He mentored me in so many ways.”<\/p>\n

Pounds also reflected on Robison’s spiritual impact, describing him as a father figure who encouraged her faith and leadership. “If it wasn’t for James \u2026 I wouldn’t have understood John 17 and Jesus’ passion for His Body to be One and His passion for the lost and hurting,” she wrote. “If he hadn’t been like a father to me, speaking identity over me at key moments of my journey, I would not have had the courage to go on.”<\/p>\n

As tributes continue to pour in, LIFE Outreach International’s board has asked supporters to pray for Betty Robison and the ministry family as they mourn the loss of a man many viewed as one of the most influential Christian broadcasters and evangelists of his generation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Texas-based televangelist James Robison, founder of LIFE Outreach International and longtime host of the Christian television program LIFE Today, has died at the age of 82. The ministry’s board of directors confirmed Robison’s death in a statement shared on social media. No cause of death had been publicly disclosed at the time of the announcement.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":5852,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nJames Robison Dies at 82, Leaving Legacy of Global Gospel Outreach<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Televangelist James Robison dies at 82, leaving behind a global ministry legacy centered on the Gospel, compassion and outreach.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/2026\/05\/james-robison-dies-at-82-leaving-legacy-of-global-gospel-outreach.html\" 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