One of the premiere Christian authors and theologians of the past century, Tim Keller, passed away on Friday at the age of 72 after being released into hospice care on Thursday following a multi-year battle with cancer.

"It is with a heavy heart that I write today to inform you that Redeemer Presbyterian Church founder and long-time senior pastor, Tim Keller, passed away this morning at age 72, trusting in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection," Bruce Terrell said on behalf of the Redeemer Network Leadership Team. "We are forever grateful for his leadership, heart, and dedication to sharing the love of Christ with others.

Keller founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church in 1989 in the heart of New York City. Keller was a celebrated theologian who reached millions of people with the Gospel and trained generations of believers to grapple with the rising issues of the Western world in the late-20th and 21st centuries.

Here's more from the Christian Post on Keller's upbringing and early life:

Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1950, Keller earned a bachelor of arts from Bucknell University, a master in divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a doctor in ministry from Westminster Theological Seminary.

He served as pastor of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church of Hopewell, Virginia, an associate professor at Westminster, and the director of Mercy Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America.

In 1989, Keller founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York City, a congregation that would eventually grow to have approximately 5,000 average weekly worship attendees.

Keller also led Redeemer City to City, a ministry that seeks to reach inner cities with evangelism and planting efforts. His books include The Reason for God, The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness, The Meaning of Marriage, The Prodigal God, The Songs of Jesus, and The Prodigal Prophet.

Keller was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the hardest forms of cancer to treat, in 2020. In March 2023, Keller said that the the cancer was advancing. He returned to the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda for additional treatment before being released into hospice care this week.

"We are forever grateful for his leadership, heart, and dedication to sharing the love of Christ with others. While we will miss his presence here, we know he is rejoicing with his Savior in heaven," stated Redeemer, as quoted by Church leaders.

Here is what Keller said in his final days, according to his son, Michael Keller.

I'm thankful for all the people who've prayed for me over the years. I'm thankful for my family, that loves me. I'm thankful for the time God has given me, but I'm ready to see Jesus. I can't wait to see Jesus. Send me home.

Michael also posted on Twitter about his father's passing.