For two hours every weekday, tucked right in between "Sandy Rios In the Morning" and "Today's Issues," listeners to American Family Radio (AFR) – along with hundreds of other Christian radio stations and TV networks at various times across the U.S. – were graced with the godly wisdom and financial brilliance of Dan Celia:
Celia: "… And most importantly not be grieving the heart of God because you're supporting abortion and pornography and gambling …."
Celia's ministry – Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries – reported on Wednesday that after trying to rally for six weeks in the hospital, "Dan is now in the arms of Jesus."
"My greatest blessings worth talking about have been: Coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as a result of Charles Stanley's ministry, my marriage, children, grandchildren, receiving my second Master's degree in theology, being ordained in 2001, and my service in the military from 1971 to 1977. Beyond that, the rest is insignificant." (Dan Celia)
American Family Association president Tim Wildmon tells AFN it's a huge loss for both ministries. "Dan was just a wonderful Christian brother, a personal friend of mine. He was just so multi-talented," Wildmon shares. "He's going to be sorely missed by American Family Radio listeners."
The AFA president says that in addition to hosting his program on AFR, Celia helped build the American Family Association. "His expertise is what helped us start our AFA Foundation with our charitable gift annuities and such, and so I'm going to miss the brother," Wildmon adds.
Thousands upon thousands of AFR listeners depended on Celia to help them invest their wealth in a way that honors God and build's His Kingdom. Wildmon says AFA will not abandon them.
"… Right now, we are researching some ministries that we can recommend," he reports. "We're working … to find out where we would send folks … to get sound financial advice from a biblical perspective."
Celia is survived by his wife Yvonne, two daughters and seven grandchildren.
Editor's Note: The American Family Association is the parent organization of the American Family News Network, which operates AFN.net.
