Henry Blackaby Has Successful Quadruple Bypass Surgery Days After Being Reported Missing
'Experiencing God' Author Had Heart Attack While Driving, Became Disoriented and Went Off Map
The family of Experiencing God author Henry Blackaby revealed that the patriarch has come out of successful heart surgery on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack last week during a 29-hour period in which he was reported missing.
"Henry Blackaby is out of surgery this morning. The surgeon indicated the quadruple bypass surgery could not have gone better," reads a statement from the Blackaby family posted online.
"Henry has been living with blocked or 70 percent blocked arteries for several years. The doctor claims he will feel much better once his recovery is complete. Please pray for his recovery and that there will be no complications," the statement adds. Blackaby, 78, could remain in hospital until the weekend.
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Family members have expressed appreciation for the many "kind wishes" and prayers that were offered on his behalf. They were hopeful that he would soon be active.
"We believe God has some special tasks remaining for Henry to do and we know he will be eager to undertake them as soon as he is better!"
It was revealed over the weekend that Blackaby, a former president of the Canadian Southern Baptist Conference, would be undergoing emergency surgery just days after being reported missing.
The Christian author and minister, who also has diabetes, experienced a heart attack while driving in Atlanta, Ga., on September 19 and went missing for 29 hours. His family was able, with the help of local law enforcement, to track him down through credit card purchases he made. Others also have been credited with helping to find Blackaby.
"Hundreds of volunteers, many from his church at First Baptist Church Jonesboro, (Georgia) drove all over the city looking for him," the family reported. "... We appreciate your prayers. With Henry disoriented, suffering from a heart attack, and driving for 29 hours throughout the night, all over Atlanta, it is clear that GOD HEARD AND ANSWERED THE PRAYERS OF HIS PEOPLE! Thank you to everyone who prayed and helped in the search."
Blackaby is best-known for his pivotal leadership book Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God. The book, originally published in 1990, has sold more than 7 million copies worldwide. The Christian minister and author lives with his wife, Marilynn, in Rex, Ga., and they have fourteen grandchildren by their five children (Richard, Tom, Melvin, Norman, and Carrie), all of whom serve in Christian ministry.
