This article is about the televangelist. For the author, see James Robison (author).

James Robison
Robison in 2014
Born (1943-10-09)October 9, 1943
Pasadena, Texas, U.S.
Died May 16, 2026(2026-05-16) (aged 82)
Education B.A. Middle Tenn. State University
Occupations Pastor, televangelist, theologian, author
Spouse
Betty Freeman
​
(m. 1963)​
Children 3
Church
  • Southern Baptist (1965–1980s)
  • Charismatic (1980s–his death 2026)
Congregations served
  • Pastor/Worship Pastor at Restoration Church in Pasadena, Texas
  • Pastor/Worship Pastor at Newchurch Christian Fellowship in Pasadena, Texas
  • Founder, James Robison Evangelistic Ass'n
  • Co-Founder,LIFE Outreach Int'l
  • LIFE Today TV program (syndicated)
Website Official website

James Robison (October 9, 1943 – May 16, 2026) was an American televangelist and the founder and president of the Christian relief organization Life Outreach International.[1]

Life and career

Early life and ministry

Robison was born in Pasadena, Texas, on October 9, 1943. Robison's mother, Myra Wattinger, was a nurse. Robison revealed that he was the product of rape and that his mother placed an advertisement in a newspaper for a couple to take care of him.[2] He spent the first five years of his life with H. D. Hale, a local area pastor, and his wife who answered the advertisement and took Robison in.[2][3]

When he was five years old, his mother took him back, and eventually married the man who had raped her. Robison had a strained relationship with his biological father, who was an alcoholic, and whom he would wind up confronting in a violent manner at the age of 15.[2][3] His father was arrested and Robison went back to the couple who adopted him, with whom his interest in Christianity and preaching was fostered.[3]

Dominionism

In 1979, Robison lost his regular slot on WFAA-TV in Dallas for repeatedly attacking homosexuality, which he said was "almost too repulsive to imagine ... one of the vilest sins known to man."[4] In August 1980, he spoke at the National Affairs Briefing (NAB), held in Dallas's Reunion Arena where he famously said, "I'm sick and tired of hearing about all the radicals and the perverts and the liberals and the leftists and the communists coming out of the closet. It's time for God's people to come out of the closet, out of the churches, and change America!".[4][5][6] According to Mike Huckabee, who was Robison's communications director at the time, that rally was the genesis of the organization Moral Majority.[7]

Robison eventually rose to become one of the more prominent and popular conservative religious leaders in politics during the early 1980s.[citation needed] However, in the mid-1980s, Robison abruptly withdrew from his political activities. He instead began focusing on his own church community, on church unity, and on seeking forgiveness. By his own admission, his demanding schedule had consumed him, and the popularity he had so quickly achieved, together with an increasing desire for more such admiration, had changed him into someone he no longer recognized and did not like. This opinion was held doubly by his wife, Betty.[8] Around this time he changed his religious views from evangelicalism to the charismatic movement, leaving the Southern Baptist Convention in the process.

He with his wife, Betty, had been members of Gateway Church,[9] the DFW megachurch formerly pastored by Robert Morris, who resigned after allegations he sexually abused a minor in the 1980s. It was reported that Robison accompanied Morris in 1987 to meet the family of the 12-year-old girl Morris had abused over a period of years. Robison released a video on X refuting the claim, and added that he had a statement from the victim's attorney saying he was not present at the meeting. Robison went on further to condemn Morris' actions.[10]

In 2010, he convened a meeting in Dallas with several prominent conservative religious leaders, including Richard Land and Tony Perkins, in order to make plans to replace Barack Obama with a more socially conservative president in 2012.[11]

LIFE Today television program

The Robisons' television program, the daily television show LIFE Today, has aired around the world on various television networks, both secular and Christian, such as Trinity Broadcasting Network, and Daystar Television Network. It can also be seen on internet podcasts, as well as the Life Outreach International official website. LIFE Today often features guest interviews, musical guests and real stories from various guest viewers along with segments presenting the ministry's third-world mission outreach programs.[citation needed]

Christian retreat

In 1974, the James Robison Evangelistic Association purchased a hunting and fishing lodge near Hawkins, Texas, which the association developed into Brookhaven Retreat, a not-for-profit Christian camp and retreat center, still in operation today under different management.[citation needed]

Literary works

Robison authored more than a dozen books, including True Prosperity, Thank God I'm Free and My Father's Face. His book The Absolutes: Freedom's Only Hope (Tyndale House), Living In Love (Waterbrook Multnomah), Indivisible (Hachette), and "God of All Creation" (Waterbrook Multnomah).[12]

The Stream

In 2015, Robison launched The Stream, based in Fort Worth, Texas,[13] a "national daily where those concerned about our nation's perilous course can gather for news, wisdom and inspiration."[14][15]

Personal life and death

Robison met his wife, Betty Freeman, while a student at Pasadena High School, and they wed on February 23, 1963, when both were 19.[16] The couple, who together hosted the daily television program LIFE Today, started their ministry together in late 1965 and then went into full-time television ministry, through the Rev. Dr. Billy Graham, in 1968. James and Betty had three children, two biological daughters and one adopted son,[17] and 11 grandchildren, and resided in Fort Worth, where their program LIFE Today and their ministry LIFE Outreach are based.[16][18] They lost their daughter Robin to throat cancer in late 2012.[19]

Robison died on May 16, 2026, at the age of 82.[20] LIFE Outreach International announced his death the next day.[21]

Selected bibliography

  • The Absolutes: Freedom's Only Hope
  • True Prosperity
  • The Soul of a Nation

References

  1. ^ "James Robinson Biography on JamesRobison.net". Retrieved April 16, 2017.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ a b c Gonzalez, Ellysa (January 12, 2015). "Evangelist James Robison to speak at Heartline fundraiser". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
  3. ^ a b c Andrews, Sherry (August 11, 2015). "James Robison: Deliverance From Demons Helps Transform Fiery Preacher". Charisma Magazine Online.
  4. ^ a b William Martin (April 1981). "God's Angry Man". Texas Monthly. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  5. ^ "Transcript: The Roots of Evangelicals' Political Fervor". retroreport.org. October 29, 2018.
  6. ^ "Christian Soldiers March to Different Drummers". The Washington Post. December 26, 1984.
  7. ^ Levy, Ariel (June 28, 2010). "Prodigal Son". The New Yorker. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  8. ^ Durant, Jayme (May 1, 2004). "The remaking of a televangelist". Today's Christian. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  9. ^ Charlotte Stewart (November 13, 2010). "New building opens at Gateway Church". Longview News-Journal. p. C1.
  10. ^ Kumar, Anugrah (June 22, 2024). "Robert Morris scandal: James Robison refutes claims he met with victim's family, knew she was 12". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  11. ^ Kaylor, Brian (November 15, 2010). "Conservative Christian Leaders Plot to Replace Obama". Ethics Daily. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  12. ^ http://www.jamesrobison.net/?q=about About James Robison: FAQ
  13. ^ International, LIFE Outreach. "Words of LIFE". lifetoday.org. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  14. ^ "The Stream Launches Wednesday, Jan.28". Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  15. ^ "James Robison launches website to address nation's 'perilous course'". Star-Telegram. January 22, 2015.
  16. ^ a b "James & Betty Robison". lifetoday.org.
  17. ^ "Goodbye for Now, Sweet Robin". jamesrobison.net. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  18. ^ International, LIFE Outreach. "James and Betty Robison". Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  19. ^ Robison, James. "James Robison Pays Tribute to Late Daughter". Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  20. ^ Volmert, Isabella (May 18, 2026). "Texas televangelist James Robison dies at 82". Dallas News. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  21. ^ "Rev. James Robison Dies: LIFE Outreach International Founder Passes Away at 81". Charisma. May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 17, 2026.