Preacher, author and church planter Tim Keller, has passed away in New York. He was 72.

Dr Keller who founded the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and its network, also began the City-to-City network for urban ministry and co-founded the Gospel Coalition. 

He was diagnosed stage four pancreatic cancer exactly three years ago, but immunotherapy last year had reduced the number of tumours dramatically. At the time, Dr Keller publicly started that "God has seen it fit to give me more time," however he said he was 'spiritually ready' for whatever the future might bring. “I do know that the resurrection of Jesus Christ really happened," he said in an interview. "And when I die, I will know that resurrection too.”

In March this year, he revealed that new tumours had developed and later that there had been complications from further immunotherapy.

Dr Keller has survived a bout of thyroid cancer in 2002.

His focus on the grace of the gospel of Jesus, and the coming new creation will continue to bring comfort and hope to the hearts of many.

On Thursday, his son Michael released a statement saying his father had been discharged from hospital to receive hospice care at home. 

"Over the past few days, he has asked us to pray with him often," Michael Keller said. "He expressed many times through prayer his desire to go home to be with Jesus. In prayer, he said two nights ago, "I'm thankful for all the people who've prayed for me over the years. I'm thankful for my family, that loves me. I'm thankful for the time God has given me, but I'm ready to see Jesus. I can't wait to see Jesus. Send me home."

"Dr Keller was one of the foremost pastors and preachers of our time," said the Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, in a statement.  "His books, and the movements he founded, led many people to consider the claims of Christ and to follow Jesus. His focus on the grace of the gospel of Jesus, and the coming new creation will continue to bring comfort and hope to the hearts of many."

"We join many others around the world in thanking God for Dr Keller’s life and ministry and pray for Kathy Keller and their family as they grieve his loss and await the day of resurrection."