Megachurch Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty Dies at Age 57
Megachurch Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty, whose network of Bible schools spans across 911 campuses in 93 countries, passed away Sunday – just one month after he was diagnosed with cancer.
According to leaders of his church, Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Okla., Daugherty succumbed to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma just after 4 a.m. Sunday at MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston.
"It was a peaceful passing with his family and loved ones by his side," they announced.
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"We are sad to lose the presence of our pastor, shepherd, father, and brother. We are thankful, however, for his life, love, and influence on the individuals and ministries he inspired for the last 30 years," they added.
Daugherty was only 57 when he died but had done much over the course of his 30 years in ministry. Daugherty was pastor of 17,000-large Victory Christian Center and also founded Victory Christian School, Victory Bible Institute, and Victory World Missions Training Center, and the Tulsa Dreamcenter.
In October 2007, Daugherty was named interim president of Oral Roberts University after then-ORU president Richard Roberts stepped down in the wake of allegations that he misused university funds.
"The world will never be the same because of Billy Joe Daugherty," commented Victory Christian leaders Sunday.
Daugherty is survived by his wife, Sharon, his children – Sarah and Caleb Wehrli, Ruthie and Adam Sanders, John Daugherty, and Paul and Ashley Daugherty – and his mother Iru Daugherty.
In lieu of flowers, Daughtery's family has requested that donations be made to Victory Christian Center Missions to continue advancing Daugherty's vision and ministry.
A memorial service has been scheduled for Daugherty on Nov 30.
