Charles Frazier Stanley was born just nine months before his father died. Stanley grew up in rural Dry Fork in the outskirts of Virginia. At age 14, Stanley was called to work in Christian Ministry.Later, he graduated from the University of Richmond. He received a divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological seminary, in Forth Worth, Texas,Finally, he received his Masters and Doctorate, both in theology ,  from Luther-Rice Seminary  in Florida (later relocated to Atlanta).