Televangelist James Robison Dies at 82: The Texas Preacher Who Reached 20 Million Souls
Texas televangelist James Robison, founder of LIFE Outreach International and host of "LIFE Today," has died at the age of 82 on 18 May 2026. Across his six decade ministry he preached the Gospel to more than 20 million people.
LIFE Outreach International Founder and LIFE Today Host Passes as Mike Huckabee Pays Tribute to a Man Who "Shaped a Generation of American Faith"
Texas televangelist James Robison, founder of LIFE Outreach International and host of "LIFE Today," has died at the age of 82 on 18 May 2026. Across his six decade ministry he preached the Gospel to more than 20 million people.
Robison was called to evangelism at age 18, after a life altering encounter with Jesus at age 14. He married Betty in 1963 and raised three children, Randy, Rhonda, and Robin, the last of whom predeceased him.
James Robison Legacy Includes Feeding Programs, Clean Water Initiatives, and Influence Over American Christian Politics
"I worked for James Robison in the 70s as Dir of Comms," wrote former US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. "He and wife Betty were huge influences in my life."
LIFE Outreach grew into a global ministry providing food, clean water, and disaster relief alongside its broadcast evangelism. The LIFE Outreach board has confirmed that the work will continue: the organisation will "press forward with food and clean water programs and broader outreach efforts." Robison was also a quiet architect of the modern American religious right, hosting key meetings of evangelical leaders that helped shape the political mobilisation of Christians from the 1980s onward.
The Crusader's Opinion
James Robison preached the Gospel to twenty million people. Twenty million. He fed the hungry. He dug wells. He stood with the persecuted Church abroad and the unborn at home. The American religious right was built in part on living rooms he convened. Heaven gains a faithful servant today. Pray for Betty, Randy, and Rhonda. Pray for the millions of viewers of LIFE Today who now wonder what comes next. The Lord is not finished with LIFE Outreach. Robison ran his race. Now another generation must run theirs.
Take Action
- Donate: LIFE Outreach International
- Watch: Archive episodes of LIFE Today and reflect on Robison's testimony
- Pray: For Betty Robison, the Robison children, and the LIFE Outreach team
- Share: Memories or favorite Robison messages on social media
- Support: The clean water and food programmes Robison built
