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Jan Crouch: Trinity Broadcasting Network Co-Founder Suffers ‘Significant’ Stroke

By Angela Woods
Published on: 12:04 PST, May 29, 2016

The family of Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) co-founder Jan Crouch announced on yesterday that the iconic religious television personality has been hospitalized due to a massive stroke. Crouch, 78, was the wife of the late Paul Crouch who passed away in 2013 at the age of 79 from degenerative heart disease. The two founded the network in 1973 and also produced many other television programs that include The Glory of America, Say Yes, and Praise the Lord. Faithful viewers of the network are sending prayer alerts around the globe for her restoration and recovery.

According to Charisma News, the Crouch family is praying for, and asking others to pray for, a “miracle.”

The TBN website posted an official update on Crouch’s condition on yesterday.

“Our sister and TBN co-founder Jan Crouch was taken to the hospital on Wednesday evening, May 25th, after suffering a stroke in the Orlando, Florida area. She is resting comfortably as her physicians and family care for her.”

“As she has throughout her entire life, Jan continues to place her trust in God, and draws strength from the promise of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

“We will share more information as it becomes available. Thank you for praying for Jan and respecting her privacy as medical staff and her family tend to her needs.”

The Gospel Herald reports that Crouch suffered the stroke on Friday (in conflict with other media reports that indicate that the health crisis initiated on Wednesday). The post made by her family on the TBN Facebook page indicates that her condition is indeed life-threatening.

Jan Crouch is hospitalized in Orlando, Florida.

She is currently a member of the Pentecostal Church.

The Christian media pioneer grew up in Columbus, Georgia as the daughter of a pastor and his wife. Her father was a pastor in the Assemblies of God and was also founding president of Southeastern University in Florida. Jan met her husband Paul while attending college and they married in 1957. From that union came two sons, Paul Jr. and Matthew. Both of the Crouch sons are highly visible and active members of TBN leadership.

Jan Crouch has served as vice president and director of network programming and director of programming for TBN’s affiliates since the network’s founding. She is also the president and manager of the popular The Holy Land Experience, a Christian theme park situated in Orlando.

Janice Wendell Bethany “Jan” Crouch also oversaw the programming of such popular Christian networks as The Church Channel, TBN Enlace USA (Spanish), Juce TV, and Smile of a Child.

Charisma News also reports that Crouch’s recovery from her stroke is “unlikely” based on statements made by Christian recording artist Carman on his Facebook page.

“The official word is out… and after careful medical evaluation recovery of any kind is unlikely.”

Carman also credits Crouch and her late husband as building the “greatest Christian network of preaching the gospel in history” in his post.

Jan and Carman have been friends for over 40 years, and he speaks openly about the depth of their friendship when he was struck down with cancer. When he failed to receive requested financial support during that time from churches where he had ministered, Jan Crouch stepped in and paid all of his bills, telling him that she expected nothing more than for him to “just get well.”

TBN’s reach spans around the entire world. It consists of 26 global networks and affiliates, has access to 80-plus satellites, and is broadcast on over 20,000 cable and television affiliates as well as over the Internet.

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