Voddie Baucham Jr., a prominent evangelical preacher, author and educator, has died at the age of 56.

According to a statement posted Thursday by Founders Ministries, Baucham died earlier in the day following an "emergency medical incident."

“We are saddened to inform friends that our dear brother, Voddie Baucham Jr., has left the land of the dying and entered the land of the living,” the ministry wrote on Facebook. “Earlier today… he entered into his rest and the immediate presence of the Saviour whom he loved, trusted, and served since he was converted as a college student.”

Founders Ministries asked for prayers for Baucham’s wife, Bridget, along with their children and grandchildren. The ministry linked to a full statement on its website, though the site appeared to be down, possibly due to high traffic.

Leader in theological education and conservative ministry

Baucham was the founding president of Founders Seminary in Cape Coral, Florida, and served on the board of Founders Ministries. He previously spent nine years as Dean of Theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia.

Known for his fiery preaching and firm stance on conservative theology, Baucham was a leading figure in Reformed evangelical circles. He authored several books on family discipleship and cultural issues, including Family Driven Faith, Fault Lines, and What He Must Be: ...If He Wants to Marry My Daughter.

Critic of critical race theory and modern social movements

Baucham was a vocal critic of public education, feminism and critical race theory—positions that earned him both a devoted following and significant criticism.

His 2021 book Fault Lines argued that critical race theory and intersectionality were incompatible with Christianity and amounted to a competing worldview. While praised by many conservative evangelicals, the book also drew backlash, including accusations of plagiarism and misquotation. The publisher denied the claims, calling them a matter of style.

Baucham also drew criticism for his teachings on gender roles and biblical patriarchy. He opposed women in political leadership and supported the "stay-at-home daughter" movement, views that sparked controversy even within Christian communities.

Personal life and ministry

Born in Los Angeles in 1969, Baucham became a Christian in college and went on to earn degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also studied at the University of Oxford and founded Voddie Baucham Ministries in 1993.

He pastored Grace Family Baptist Church in Texas before moving to Zambia in 2015. He returned to the U.S. in 2024 and helped launch Founders Seminary in early 2025.

Baucham had previously faced serious health challenges, including a heart failure diagnosis in 2021 that required treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Florida.

He is survived by his wife, Bridget, and their nine children.