On Friday the family of Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God and a popular Baptist minister, posted on his website, blackaby.net that he was was no longer missing, and thanked supporters for their prayers.
“The Blackaby family would like everyone to know that Henry has been found and is safe. His health concerns are being addressed and we will keep everyone posted with the news. We wish to express to everyone our appreciation and gratitude for the prayers and concern over the last 29 hours. Henry has taught us that we can experience God in the good and the bad times. We thank God that we have experienced his grace, peace, and faithfulness in these times.”
Baptist Press now reports that Blackaby will need surgery after suffering a heart attack Thursday while driving in Atlanta, becoming confused and traveling for 29 hours before police found him Sept. 20 in Tifton, Ga., about 150 miles southeast of his home.
Henry Blackaby update: will need at least 4 bypasses done ASAP. Heart in bad shape. Please continue to pray. Surgery maybe Sunday.
— Richard Blackaby (@richardblackaby) September 21, 2013
Blackaby “seems to be in good spirits and lucid,” the Blackaby family said in a statement posted on the Blackaby Ministries International website around 6 p.m. Eastern time Saturday.
Apparently, Blackaby was on his way to pick up his wife Marilynn from an appointment when he suffered a heart attack, according to the statement.
“He did not have his cell phone with him nor insulin for his diabetes,” the statement said. “As a result, his blood sugar rose and his kidneys began to struggle as well. The family was able to track his movements as he used a credit card to make occasional purchases. The police assigned a detective group to monitor his movements and to track him down. Hundreds of volunteers, many from his church at First Baptist Church Jonesboro, GA drove all over the city looking for him. He is currently in a hospital undergoing extensive tests.”
After Henry Blackaby went missing, his website offered updates on sightings. It also urged readers to pray for his safe return. Twitter was also abuzz with fans encouraging his family and posting updates. Blackaby had been missing since Thursday afternoon after leaving his home near Atlanta. Henry suffers diabetes, and family members feared that he may have been affected by the condition and unable to find his way back home.
Henry Blackaby update: He has been found! Doctors are checking him to see if he is OK, but he is safe. THANK YOU for your prayers!
— Richard Blackaby (@richardblackaby) September 21, 2013
Image via blackaby.net
