Contact: Sarah Rode, Concerned Women for America, 202-488-7000 ext. 127

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 /Christian Newswire/ -- Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (CRPC) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, announced on Sunday the retirement of Founder and Senior Minister Dr. D. James Kennedy, who has served CRPC since 1959.  News of his retirement results from complications of a cardiac arrest endured in December of 2006.

Beverly LaHaye, Founder and Chairman of Concerned Women for America (CWA), has known Dr. Kennedy as a man of remarkable faith and a friend for many years.  "Jim Kennedy's spiritual leadership and tremendous capacity to touch the lives of millions is a great inspiration to all.  I have had the honor of working with him to restore a culture of life to the nation we both love so dearly.  I've always admired especially his legendary dedication to effective evangelism.  I'll say this much, if anyone deserves a good rest, it's D. James Kennedy.  I know all the members of CWA join me in praying for a complete restoration of Dr. Kennedy's health and a truly wonderful retirement."

"Dr. Kennedy is one of the nation's most respected Christian leaders," says CWA President Wendy Wright.  "His teachings on the positive influence of Christianity on Western Civilization and America have motivated modern-day Christians to impact our culture and country.  Dr. Kennedy's work will live on long past his retirement.  We wish him and his family the best as he enters retirement."

In 1974, Dr. Kennedy started Coral Ridge Ministries, an organization that shares the Gospel through radio and televised broadcasting.  His audience today stands at 3.5 million people weekly and is covered by over 750 radio outlets and more than 600 radio stations.

Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.