Posted on Apr 10, 2012 | by Staff

WASHINGTON (BP) -- Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson remains in critical condition following surgery on the surface of his brain but has made "slow" yet "encouraging" progress toward recovery, according to a statement from his ministry.

Chuck Colson

Colson has been hospitalized since Friday, March 30, when his speech became slurred during a conference. Doctors performed surgery the next morning, removing a pool of clotted blood from the surface of his brain.

Over the Easter weekend, Colson "hit some important milestones," the April 10 statement said.

"He was awake for several hours on Holy Saturday, and he was taken off the ventilator. He was also able to speak for brief periods," the statement said. "Showing his characteristic grace, he said, 'Thank you very much,' to a nurse, even though she had to perform an uncomfortable procedure, and he also gave an affectionate greeting to Patty, his wife of more than four decades."

His improvements are proceeding at a "slow pace" but his medical team says his vital sights are "excellent."

Prison Fellowship CEO Jim Liske asked for continued prayer for Colson and his family, saying that "in situations like this, bad things happen fast and good things happen slowly," and encouraged them to remain diligent in prayer over the weeks to come.

It was the first time in 34 years that Colson did not spend Easter in prison, telling inmates about Christ.

Author Eric Metaxas is filling in for Colson and voicing the Breakpoint radio commentaries.
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Compiled by Michael Foust, associate editor of Baptist Press.