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Timothy LaHaye passed away on Monday, July 25, 2016. The minister had a stroke while walking down his driveway Thursday to retrieve a newspaper and did not regain consciousness. He was 90 years old.

LaHaye was a prominent Christian leader, a successful megachurch pastor, the author of multiple nonfiction books and the founder of The Institute for Creation Research as well as several schools.

LaHaye, along with Jerry B. Jenkins, wrote “Left Behind,” a series of 16 novels dealing with Christian end times from an evangelical perspective. In the novels true believers have been taken to heaven in the rapture, leaving the others behind to battle the Antichrist. Over 65 million copies have been sold.

“Thrilled as I am that he is where he has always wanted to be, his departure leaves a void in my soul I don’t expect to fill until I see him again,” Jenkins told Christianity Today.

The “Left Behind” books have been adapted into multiple films, including three starring Kirk Cameron and one featuring Nicolas Cage and Chad Michael Murry. The brand also gave birth to video games.

LaHaye, in an interview with Beliefnet, described his vision of the rapture as “a time of incredible mercy and grace.”

“If you only look at the people who defy God, it’s a negative time. But if you look at the whole population, it’s a blessed time,” he said.

San Diego Christian College was founded by LaHaye, and expressed grief over the passing of a remarkable life.

“Dr. LaHaye has been a friend to me like no other,” said college President Paul Ague. “The impact the LaHayes have had on the students since founding San Diego Christian College in 1970 has been remarkable. Dr. LaHaye was known on SDC’s campus as a constant encourager, a champion of the next generation, and a scholar of biblical wisdom. I have been blessed to call Tim a dear friend, and he will be missed greatly by the SDC Community.”

LaHaye was born in Detroit on April 27, 2016 to Frank and Margaret LaHaye. His father passed away when he was only 9-years-old. The son credited the pastor’s eulogy at the funeral for giving him confidence that they would be reunited.

“All of a sudden, there was hope in my heart I’d see my father again,” LaHaye told the Christian Science Monitor, according to his ministry.

He married Beverly Ratcliffe in 1947, and in 2005 Time magazine named them the “Christian Power Couple.” LaHaye was also named one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America.

As a couple, the LaHayes hosted a radio show and, later, a TV program called “The LaHayes on Family Life.” In keeping with their faith, the show promoted Christian values.

Tim LaHaye left a mark on the Christian community and will be greatly missed for the contributions he made to the world.

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