If you grew up in the Charismatic renewal of the 1970s or 80s, the name Bob Mumford likely carries a lot of weight. He was one of the "Fort Lauderdale Five," a man whose voice boomed through cassette tapes and conference halls across the globe. But lately, things have been quiet. People are searching, wondering, and honestly, sometimes assuming the worst given his age.
So, let's get the big question out of the way immediately. Is Bob Mumford still alive? Yes. As of early 2026, Bob Mumford is very much alive.
At 95 years old, he isn't hitting the pavement like he used to in the days of the Shepherding Movement, but he hasn't vanished. While some online archives and older sermon repositories might give the impression of a ministry that has "passed on," the man himself is still here. He’s currently residing in North Carolina with his wife, Judith. They’ve been married since 1956—think about that for a second. That is seventy years of partnership in a world where most things don’t last seven months.
Where is Bob Mumford now?
It’s easy to lose track of figures like Mumford. He doesn't have a TikTok. He isn't chasing viral moments. Instead, he operates through his long-standing ministry, Lifechangers.
He’s still writing. Just recently, at the tail end of 2025, he sent out a greeting to his followers. He’s actually finishing up a new "Plumbline" (his signature short-form teaching booklets) titled Father’s Inheritance, which is slated for release in early 2026.
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It’s kind of wild to think about. Most people at 95 are, understandably, completely checked out. But Mumford still talks about "sensing a shift in the ages." He’s still obsessed with this idea of "Agape" and what it means to be "Human as God Intended."
His health is obviously that of a man in his mid-90s, but his mind remains focused on the "Kingdom themes" that defined his later career. He isn't traveling the world anymore—those days ended a while back—but he’s still the spiritual "Papa" to a specific generation of believers.
Why people get confused about his status
The confusion usually stems from two things: his age and his "disappearance" from the mainstream spotlight.
- The Shepherding Movement Fallout: In the late 80s, Mumford did something almost unheard of for a major Christian leader. He apologized. Publicly. He took responsibility for the abuses and "unbiblical obedience" that happened under his watch during the Shepherding Movement. After that, he didn't try to build a new mega-empire. He went smaller. He focused on "Lifechangers" and deeper, more contemplative teaching.
- The "Missing" Years: Because he isn't on the big conference circuits with the current crop of celebrity pastors, people assume he’s retired or passed away.
- Legacy Sites: Many websites like SermonIndex or CFO Classics list his old sermons, and because the dates on those recordings are from the 70s and 80s, users often mistake them for posthumous archives.
Honestly, the fact that he’s still here is a testament to what he calls "patient endurance."
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The Shepherding Movement: A quick reality check
You can't talk about whether Bob Mumford is still alive without talking about why he matters. In the 1970s, he, along with Derek Prince, Charles Simpson, Don Basham, and Ern Baxter, tried to solve a problem. They saw Charismatic Christians as "flaky" and ungrounded. Their solution? Every "sheep" needed a "shepherd."
It started with good intentions. It ended with people asking permission from their "shepherds" to buy a car or get married.
When it blew up, it blew up hard. Pat Robertson called it "witchcraft." While other leaders doubled down, Mumford eventually stepped back. In 1989, he issued a formal repentance. He admitted he’d ignored warnings from people like Jack Hayford. That humility is actually why he still has a following today. People respect a guy who can admit he messed up.
What is he doing in 2026?
He’s mostly working from home in Raleigh. His ministry, Lifechangers, still functions as a distribution hub for his books and teachings.
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- The Agape Road: This remains his most influential book for the modern era. It’s less about "authority" and more about the Father's love.
- New Teachings: He still records short clips and writes articles. He’s very interested in the concept of "Father's Inheritance" right now.
- Mentorship: He still engages with a small circle of leaders, offering the kind of perspective you can only get when you've lived through nearly a century of church history.
Seeing the bigger picture
It's fascinating to watch the cycle of ministry. Mumford went from being the most controversial man in the American church to a quiet, grandfatherly figure in North Carolina.
If you’re looking for him, don't look on the New York Times Bestseller list. Look at the Lifechangers website or small Kingdom-focused gatherings in the UK and US that still use his curriculum. He’s transitioned from a "commander" to a "contemplative."
Actionable Insights for those following his work
If you're someone who was impacted by Mumford's teaching or you're just curious about his current status, here’s how to stay updated:
- Check the Source: Don't rely on Wikipedia or old sermon sites. The Lifechangers.org website is the only official place for updates on his health and new writings.
- The 2026 Plumbline: Keep an eye out for Father's Inheritance. It’s expected to be one of his final formal contributions to his "Plumbline" series.
- Understand the Shift: If you only know the "Shepherding" Bob Mumford, you’re missing the last 30 years of his life. Read The Agape Road to see how his theology changed from external control to internal transformation.
- Legacy Preservation: If you have old tapes or materials, many archives are currently looking to digitize these for historical purposes, as Mumford’s role in the Charismatic renewal is a major part of 20th-century church history.
Bob Mumford is still here. He's 95, he's still Judith's husband, and he's still trying to figure out what it means to be "Human as God Intended."