TBN Founder, television evangelist Paul F. Crouch, dies at 79

Founder of Trinity Broadcasting Network, Paul F. Crouch, had died, at the age of 79.

The television evangelist who founded the Trinity Broadcasting Network with his wife and turned it into the world's largest Christian television network, died on Saturday.

Christians and fans learned of Crouch's death, when it was confirmed by the network, which said he had suffered from degenerative heart disease for a decade.

The evangelist served as the face of Trinity Broadcasting, along with his wife, Janice, expanding it from one station in Southern California to thousands of stations, making a nationally syndicated show across the world. He often appeared on camera, microphone in hand, quoting from the Bible and delivering his upbeat brand of Christianity.

The millionaire often faced criticism over lavish spending of the millions of dollars in donations collected through the network. According to NY Times, last year, his granddaughter accused the network of financial improprieties, and her father, Paul Crouch Jr., was forced off the staff.

Crouch and his wife, who met in 1956, founded Trinity Broadcasting Network in 1973 and bought their first station, now called KTBN-TV 40, in Santa Ana. They embraced satellite technology, broadcasting to other states and eventually overseas.

NY Times also report that a video tribute by the network on Saturday, Mr. Crouch could be seen on camera celebrating the network's expansion to new cities. "All over the country, they're coming to know Jesus," he said. "Church, I think we ought to rejoice because the whole world is getting saved."

TBN now runs on 84 satellite channels and more than 18,000 television and cable affiliates, according to the company. Mr. Crouch was the host of a show called "Behind the Scenes" that aired until recently. The network runs sermons from prominent preachers like Joel Osteen and aired a special this month featuring the Rev. Billy Graham, according to tbn.org.

The network also owns the Holy Land Experience theme park in Orlando, Fla.