Before She Died, Marilyn Hickey Said This

The global evangelical community and multiple generations of faith-based television viewers are reflecting on a profound spiritual transition following the passing of Dr. Marilyn Hickey. The pioneering Christian minister, author, and global evangelist—who spent decades covering the earth with God’s Word—went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the age of 94.

The heartbreaking news was shared on Sunday by her daughter, ministry partner, and fellow Bible teacher, Sarah Bowling, through a deeply moving statement: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dr. Marilyn Hickey… Though we mourn this loss, we find peace in knowing she is now in the presence of the Lord and her ministry will continue for generations to come.”

While millions are mourning the loss of a woman who once drew a historic crowd of over 400,000 people in Pakistan, her final televised message from her home in Colorado serves as a timeless, prophetic blueprint for believers facing a chaotic world. Sitting beneath a cherished painting collected by her late husband, Dr. Hickey delivered a powerful, final masterclass on the absolute necessity of shifting your focus away from earthly distractions.

The Vision: “Lift Up Your Eyes”

In what has now become her final spiritual testament, Dr. Hickey addressed the heavy, discouraging nature of modern media, noting that turning on the news can easily cause a person to look down in despair. Her final directive to the world was a call to action rooted deeply in scripture: “Lift up your eyes. Don’t look down. Lift them up.”

Using the foundational timeline of the Bible, she broke down exactly how a shift in physical and spiritual vision triggers a breakthrough in separate areas of life:

The Power of Separation (Abraham): Dr. Hickey emphasized that God told Abraham to lift his eyes only after he separated himself from the negative influence of Lot. In a candid, direct moment, she challenged viewers to evaluate their inner circles: “Sometimes we need to get some people out of our lives. They’re not a good influence… and until he got away from the influences, God could not give him his directions.”

Releasing Personal Desires (Moses): Referencing Deuteronomy 3:27, she detailed how God instructed Moses to ascend the top of Pisgah and view the Promised Land from every direction, even though he was forbidden from crossing the Jordan. God’s plan required Moses to look past his immediate emotional disappointments and lock his eyes entirely on the sovereign will of the Lord.

Overcoming Human Emotion for Global Purpose

Reflecting on her early years, Dr. Hickey shared a highly personal story about her college days, revealing a moment where she was deeply infatuated with a man six years her senior. She had envisioned a quiet, traditional life teaching in North Dakota just to be near him.

However, when she asked God for direction, North Dakota was completely erased from her map.

A Choice of Destiny: “Imagine, I could be making blueberry jam in North Dakota, or I could be going around the world with the gospel,” she noted with her trademark laughter. “Can you release yourself to God and believe that He has something better for you than the things you are involved in with your emotions?”

Divine Strategy for Prosperity and Protection

Her final teaching session heavily detailed the lives of Jacob and Balaam as ultimate examples of how lifting your eyes acts as a shield against worldly hostility. She noted that Jacob was able to prosper and outsmart a deceitful, “thug” father-in-law because God showed him a specific supernatural strategy in a dream.

Similarly, when the prophet Balaam lifted his eyes to curse the tribes of Israel, the Spirit of God completely took over his faculties, transforming a intended curse into a historic blessing.

“Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant”

Dr. Marilyn Hickey’s final days were a beautiful reflection of the message she preached for over sixty years. She passed from this life not in fear or defeat, but with her eyes completely locked on the eternal horizon. She leaves behind a staggering legacy of thousands of media broadcasts, dozens of theological books, and a global ministry footprint that shattered cultural and religious barriers across Muslim-dominated nations.

As the evangelical world gathers to celebrate her triumphant homecoming, the echoing reminder of her final sermon remains entirely clear to the Rowdy Nation of faith: stop looking down at the storms of this world, let the Bible read you every single morning, and lift up your eyes to see the expansive, beautiful territory God has already marked out for your life.