D. James Kennedy, senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has retired, the church announced yesterday. Kennedy, 76, suffered a cardiac arrest four days after preaching at the church last Christmas Eve and has since been unable to return to the pulpit.

“Dr. Kennedy's moral leadership and his legacy of impacting the globe for Jesus Christ are matched by few in recent Church history,” the Rev. Ronald L. Siegenthaler, executive minister at the church, said in a news release. “It is our desire to honor him by sustaining and multiplying his impact through Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church as well as all of the ministries he founded.”

“We thank the Lord for His faithfulness to my father over nearly one-half century, through the impact this church has made in the lives of people in this congregation and community and the influence he has had on countless individuals around the world through radio and television,” said daughter Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy.

Kennedy is author of more than 65 books. He founded Evangelism Explosion International, and is founder and president of Coral Ridge Ministries, which produces his radio program “Truths That Transform” and TV outreach, The Coral Ridge Hour.

A tribute service honoring his ministry will be held at the church Sunday, Sept. 23.

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