Chuck Colson near death, associate says

Apr 18, 2012

WASHINGTON (BP) -- Prison Fellowship Ministries founder Chuck Colson is near death and doctors have urged his family to gather by his bedside, according to a statement from his ministry.

Colson -- a popular Christian author and speaker -- has been hospitalized since Friday, March 30, when his speech became slurred during a conference. Doctors performed surgery the next morning, removing a pool of clotted blood from the surface of his brain. He is 80.

It was thought in the subsequent days after his surgery that his health was improving, but a statement Wednesday (April 18) from Jim Liske, CEO of Prison Fellowship Ministries, said Colson's health had seriously degraded. Colson is a member of First Baptist Church in Naples, Fla.

Liske's full statement follows:

"It is with a heavy, but hopeful heart that I share with you that it appears our friend, brother, and founder will soon be home with the Lord. Chuck’s condition took a decided turn yesterday, and the doctors advised Patty and the family to gather by his bedside. the rest