Televangelist and Crystal Cathedral megachurch founder Robert Schuller, known worldwide for his weekly “Hour of Power” broadcasts, died in Southern California on Thursday, his grandson said.

The 88-year-old Schuller had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2013. His widely-viewed television broadcasts featured celebrity guests and drew tens of millions of viewers.

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“My Grandfather Robert H. Schuller passed this morning into eternal life with Christ,” Pastor Bobby Schuller said in a post on Twitter.

Supporters had said on Wednesday that the elder Schuller’s condition was swiftly declining, and they called for prayers for him and his family.

“What a man! Thank you Dr Schuller … So glad we lived in your time!” read a testimonial posted by one mourner on the Facebook page of Shepherd’s Grove, which hosts Crystal Cathedral Ministries’ services.

(Reporting by Daniel Wallis in Denver and Suzannah Gonzales in Chicago; Editing by Fiona Ortiz and Susan Heavey)