Heartland Church Pastor Charles Sharpe Dies

A well-known pastor and founder of the Heartland community in northeast Missouri has died.

Officials with CNS International Ministries announced the death of Pastor Charles Sharpe, Jr. early Wednesday morning at the age of 89. Sharpe had been in declining health for some time.

As a businessman, Sharpe founded the Ozark National Life Insurance Company in 1964.

The Heartland community sprang from his family farm near LaBelle around 1990, beginning with the Heartland Community Church, and growing into the home of, among other things, recovery programs and Heartland Christian College.

Funeral arrangements are pending for Pastor Charles Sharpe, Jr.