Reverend Jerry Falwell, a controversial Christian figure, has died at the age of 73 from a heart attack where he will leave "a gigantic vacuum in the evangelical world," said Reverend Billy Graham.
Reverend Falwell, founder of Liberty University and the Thomas Road Baptist Church oversaw both religious institutions grew from a small group to attracting a large gathering, numbering in the tens of thousands.
The Baptist Press reported that Falwell had a history of heart problems, where he was found unconscious in his office and without a pulse, and subsequent efforts to revive him failed. He was pronounced dead at 12:40 p.m. E.T.
Pastor Frank Page, the Southern Baptist Convention President said that Reverend Falwell never aspire to be anything other than a pastor who desperately wanted Americans to understand God. Even though some might not agree with him, Pastor Page said that all admired his passion and commitment to the cause of Christ.
"His ministry must be seen from the perspective of being a pastor," Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page, who serves as pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C., told Baptist Press. "Dr. Falwell never aspired to be anything other than a pastor who spoke prophetically the Word of God. Not everyone agreed with his stances, but all should admire his passion and commitment to the cause of Christ to the end. He desperately wanted our culture to understand God and to understand where obedience and disobedience lead."
President George W. Bush released a press statement saying his lasting contribution was the establishment of Liberty University, where the university taught young people to remain true to their conviction and rely upon the Word of God in every stage of their lives.
"One of his lasting contributions was the establishment of Liberty University, where he taught young people to remain true to their convictions and rely upon God's word throughout each stage of their lives," said President Bush.
To those who were not Christians, Falwell was known for his involvement in conservative politics, where he helped established and organized the Moral Majority, a coalition of religious leaders who were pro-family that helped elect President Ronald Regan in 1979. He was also known for his strong stance on social issues such as homosexuality and abortion.
Falwell leaves behind his wife, Macel -- they were married 49 years -- as well as three grown children and eight grandchildren.