At the same time, the organization has been developing other personalities, including Newcombe himself, who co-authored 14 books with Kennedy. He continues as the host of the flagship “Coral Ridge Hour,” which shows segments of recorded Kennedy sermons. The program has been renamed “Truth That Transforms with Dr. D. James Kennedy.”

Coral Ridge Ministries has been renamed Truth in Action Ministries, continuing a slow drift apart of the organizations once headed by the late Rev. D. James Kennedy.

The South Florida broadcast organization keeps the evangelistic focus and conservative political thrust it grew under Kennedy, who died in September 2007. The new name is meant to differentiate it from Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, which Kennedy pastored until he was sidelined by heart problems.

“We have the same goals and purposes, but different directions and style and personalities,” says Jerry Newcombe, senior producer and host of the organization’s main show. “There was some confusion because people thought they were the same.”

Although the church and the broadcast ministry have been separate corporations since 1994, “as long as D. James Kennedy was alive, they were combined in one person,” as Newcombe says.

He adds that the new name is meant to describe a purpose than a geographic location.

He says the name change wasn’t caused by the 2009 split at Coral Ridge Church, which ended in an unsuccessful effort to fire Kennedy’s successor, the Rev. Tullian Tchividjian. But the events did change the impetus of Kennedy’s legacy away from the church and toward the broadcast wing.

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Press Release from Truth In Action below

Coral Ridge Ministries becomes Truth in Action Ministries in July, a transition implemented to aid the outreach as it seeks to advance biblical truth and equip believers to make a difference in their local communities.

The new name, determined after more than a year of prayer, planning, consulting with outside organizations, and talking with ministry friends and supporters, was approved in 2010 by the Board of Coral Ridge Ministries.

The new ministry name is “a means to reach more people and have a bigger impact on the culture by not just educating people on social issues and biblical worldview, but motivating and activating them to make a difference for the Kingdom,” said Hector Padron, Executive Vice President of Truth in Action Ministries.

The new ministry name reaffirms the organization’s existing mission to “introduce people to Christ, nurture and encourage Christians, and reform cultures.”

“We will continue to fulfill Dr. Kennedy’s vision of presenting biblical truth in love and without compromise through the media,” said Padron.

As part of the transition, The Coral Ridge Hour will become Truth that Transforms with Dr. D. James Kennedy, a change effective with the program airing July 3. In addition, the radio program will be changed from Truths that Transform to Truth That Transforms to align with the television program. The name of Cross Examine, a weekly television program launched in 2010 and co-hosted by Dr. Del Tackett, will not change.

The newly renamed TV program, Truth That Transforms with Dr. D. James Kennedy, will continue to present pulpit messages from Dr. Kennedy and insightful features on current moral and social concerns. Viewers will be treated to a fresh, more visually engaging opening to the program, which will continue to be hosted by Dr. Jerry Newcombe.

“Having had the privilege of co-authoring 14 books with Dr. Kennedy, I am thrilled to be part of bringing his biblical and remarkably relevant messages to viewers nationwide each week,” said Dr. Newcombe. “America is desperately in need of moral guidance from God’s Word—and God’s awesome solution to the dilemma of our sin in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Executive Vice President Hector Padron added that “Truth in Action Ministries will bring the truth of God’s Word to today’s generation in relevant and practical ways. It is our prayer and belief that God will do a great work through Truth in Action as we seek to transform our culture for Christ.”