Ivery Haynes, our CBU founder, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 10, 2022 in his home at age 90. He loved God, his family, and his country. He was a prayer warrior and a godly man.
With a background in IT, Ivery Haynes founded Christian Books Unlimited to reach people with the gospel by placing Christian books in secular shopping establishments. It was in this way that Haynes met Jim Jackson, who was then a businessman. Ivery persuaded Jim to leave his discount drugstore business and “work for God.”
Under Jim’s leadership, CBU invited several authors of Christian books to its first conference in November 1974. Held in the historic Anderson Auditorium in Montreat, NC, Bob Mumford, Kathryn Kuhlman, and Jamie Buckingham attracted a standing-room only crowd of over three thousand people. The success of this initial event launched CBU into a conference ministry that spanned four decades.
Ivery was a graduate of Clevenger Business College, where he met his wife, Annie Lee. They were married 66 years. Ivery was a US Army Veteran, serving in the Korean War and retired as IT Manager with Lowe’s Companies. He was also a member of Celebration Baptist Church; a former deacon of Welcome Home Baptist Church; and a member of the VFW.
Through CBU, Ivery has touched thousands of people all over the world. Praise God for his legacy!