by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
JERUSALEM/AUSTIN (Worthy News) – James Robison, the Texas-based televangelist who founded LIFE Outreach International, has died at the age of 82, ministry officials said. The cause of death was not immediately announced.
The ministry’s board of directors confirmed that he died Saturday, but stressed the mission Robison devoted his life to would continue.
Prominent evangelical leaders in the United States paid tribute to Robison following news of his death, including Franklin Graham.
“I was saddened to learn that James Robison passed away,” Graham wrote on social media. “He was a powerful preacher and a great encourager. I will miss him, but I’ll see him again one day in Heaven,” the evangelist added.
GLOBAL EVANGELISM
“James devoted his life to sharing the Gospel and bringing hope, help, and healing to those in need around the world,” the board wrote, adding that the organization would continue its food, clean water, disaster relief, and evangelistic outreach programs.
Robison hosted “LIFE Today,” a long-running Christian television program broadcast internationally, and helped build LIFE Outreach International into a ministry known for humanitarian aid projects and evangelism in some of the world’s poorest regions.
According to LIFE Outreach International, more than 20 million people heard Robison preach during decades of evangelistic work and humanitarian outreach.
Robison often spoke publicly about being born under difficult circumstances and growing up in poverty before having what he described as a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ at age 14.
LIFE CHANGING FAITH
He said he felt called to become an evangelist at age 18.
Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel who previously served as a Baptist pastor and governor of Arkansas, said Robison and his wife Betty deeply influenced his life and ministry.
“I worked for James Robison in the 70s as director of communications,” Huckabee wrote on X. “His death hits hard. He mentored me in so many ways.”
Robison and his wife, Betty Robison, married in 1963 and spent more than six decades in evangelism and aid work together.
FAMILY AND LEGACY
He is survived by Betty Robison, son Randy, and daughter Rhonda. A daughter, Robin, died earlier.
Bunni Pounds, president of the Christians Engaged group, described Robison as a spiritual father figure who encouraged her during difficult periods in ministry.
LIFE Outreach International’s board asked supporters worldwide to pray for the Robison family and the ministry in the days ahead.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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