Richard Blackaby, president of Blackaby Ministries International (BMI), is requesting prayers for his father, bestselling author and influential evangelical pastor Henry Blackaby. On Oct. 19, Richard Blackaby shared that his father had been admitted to the ICU “due to some form of blockage that is causing him to have excessive fluids and trouble breathing” plus lots of coughing. In an update four days later, the news was looking up and Henry was out of ICU.
But early on Oct. 27, Richard Blackaby shared this message on social media: “Henry Blackaby update: Dad took a turn for the worse last night. Heart rate dropped dramatically. He has not been eating well and his organs are in distress. Please pray his heart issues are resolved and he is able to eat more and regain his strength. We appreciate your prayers!”
Henry Blackaby update: Dad took a turn for the worse last night. Heart rate dropped dramatically. He has not been eating well and his organs are in distress. Please pray his heart issues are resolved and he is able to eat more and regain his strength. We appreciate your prayers! pic.twitter.com/ctr0AD8Vyj
— Richard Blackaby (@richardblackaby) October 27, 2023
‘Experiencing God’ Author Henry Blackaby
Dr. Henry Blackaby, founder and president emeritus of BMI, has pastored churches in Canada and California. He also planted churches and served as a music director and an education director.
Blackaby’s many books about Christian faith and leadership have been translated into 40 languages worldwide. His bestseller “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God,” first published in 1990, has sold more than 7 million copies. It led to the award-winning devotionals “Experiencing God Together” and “Experiencing God Day by Day.”
Blackaby, 88, also served in several leadership roles within the Southern Baptist Convention. He was on staff at the North American Mission Board, was a special assistant to the presidents of the International Mission Board and Lifeway Christian Resources, and served as president of Canadian Baptist Theological College for seven years.
In September 2022, Blackaby’s wife of 62 years, Marilyn Blackaby, died at age 83. The couple have five children, and 14 grandchildren. All five Blackaby children—including four sons who earned Ph.D.s—serve in Christian ministry.
Henry Blackaby Had a Health Scare a Decade Ago
Ten years ago, Henry Blackaby had successful quadruple bypass surgery after a frightening incident. The pastor, who has diabetes, suffered a heart attack in September 2013 while driving in Atlanta. For 29 hours, he went missing and drove around the area disoriented. Hundreds of volunteers—including many from his church—searched for him.
“God heard and answered the prayers of his people!” Blackaby’s family said in a statement after he was located. “We believe God has some special tasks remaining for Henry to do.”
