Rev. Mark H. Creech, executive director, expresses personal influence of Dr. Kennedy at his passing

Contact: Rev. Mark H. Creech, Executive Director, Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc., 919-787-0606, calact@aol.com

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. D. James Kennedy, senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, founder of Coral Ridge Ministries, Evangelism Explosion, Westminster Academy, and Knox Seminary, passed away today at 2:15 a.m. His wife and daughter were at his side. Dr. Kennedy's death is the result of complications due to a heart attack he suffered in December of 2006.

Rev. Mark H. Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina noted:

"No one in our time has probably understood with greater depth, conveyed with greater passion, or equipped the church with greater skill to fulfill its twofold mission -- the Cultural Mandate and the Great Commission -- than Dr. Kennedy.

"My own ministry has been significantly influenced by him. Twenty-two years ago, I was certified as a teacher/trainer in the Evangelism Explosion technique of presenting the gospel.  To this day, I use that means of presenting our Lord's terms of redemption to the lost.

"In 1999, Dr. Kennedy wrote me on behalf of Reclaiming America for Christ, inviting me to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to receive their Salt and Light award for Outstanding Pastor at the Reclaiming America for Christ Conference.

"Receiving that award was a watershed event in my ministry that led to my eventually becoming the executive director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina -- a Christian public policy organization that has a full time presence in the North Carolina General Assembly and lobbies state lawmakers from a Christian worldview.

"Like myself, there are literally thousands -- even millions -- who could testify to some life-changing influence of Dr. Kennedy on their lives. Because of his ministry, the ranks of a vast multitude of believers swell with those willing to give everything to Christ in turning back the godlessness of our day. This is just one of the reasons I am encouraged to believe what Dr. Kennedy set out to do will ultimately come to pass -- America will be reclaimed for Christ!"

The Christian Action League extends its sympathies to the family, church, and other ministries related to Dr. Kennedy.

According to Coral Ridge Ministries, funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.  A legacy Web site, www.DJamesKennedy.org, has been developed to pay tribute to the life and faith of Dr. Kennedy.