The Legacy of Pat Robertson

The world has lost a champion of Christian faith and American liberty. Here at the ACLJ, and for me personally, we lost an invaluable friend, colleague, and supporter – Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson.

Pat Robertson passed away this morning, June 8th, at the age of 93. I am saddened to lose him, but all of us who were blessed to know him and his family and worked closely at his side are rejoicing to know that Pat has been reunited with his beloved wife, Dede, in the presence of our Lord.

Pat was prolific in his lifetime of ministry, and though he was a true icon in Christian broadcasting, he was always humble. In 1961, Pat established the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) – the first Christian broadcasting network on American television – bringing the Gospel into American living rooms. His syndicated program, The 700 Club, played a major role in shaping the hearts and minds of so many of us, presenting news and world events from a faith-based perspective every day for decades.

He went on to found Regent University, which has become a leading Christian university in America, with over 30,000 alumni since its inception in 1977 – and where my son Jordan earned his law degree and I earned my doctorate in leadership.

Pat not only taught the Word of God, but he also lived it. By establishing a non-profit organization called Operation Blessing, Pat was able to demonstrate the love of Jesus by providing food, clean water, medical care, and more to those suffering and in need. It’s immeasurable how many lives were changed, even saved, because of Pat.

But on a much more personal note, it was Pat Robertson who founded your American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and asked me to lead it as Chief Counsel. The ACLJ has helped change the lives of countless individuals. Our mission has continued for over 33 years and will have a lasting legacy in defense of the Constitution.

Pat was a believer in the law, having earned his own Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Yale and even ran for President of the United States in 1988. He saw firsthand the rise in hostile attitudes toward faith and religious liberty beginning to threaten our constitutional rights as believers and anticipated the need for Christian representation to protect those freedoms here in the U.S. and religious liberties around the globe.

My heart is deeply saddened by the passing of my friend Dr. Pat Robertson. But I am forever grateful for the legacy and the mission he left for us all to carry on. And carry it on, we will.

From everyone at the ACLJ, all of our members, my family, and me, thank you, Pat.