Pastor Tony Campolo is said to be making slow progress physically, but is fine mentally after having a stroke last week. 

The 85-year-old social activist and co-founder of Red Letter Christians is having trouble speaking after the stroke affected the left side of his face and parts of his body. 

Ash Barker from the organisation told Premier he's stable and determined to recover. 

"He's making very slow progress physically but his mind is quite clear. He needs a lot of rest to save energy for his therapy. 

"As you might expect, Tony is working very hard at therapy. He's quite determined. He's having trouble speaking and for Tony, those who know Tony, him not being able to speak must be difficult for him."

Barker said Campolo's wife Peggy has been sitting outside her husband's window at a health centre since social distancing measures mean she cannot be in a room with him.

The couple have received thousands of messages of support. 

Barker has encouraged people to continue to pray fervently for his recovery.

"He's 85 now so a stroke at his age is a real struggle for him, but he's doing his therapy. 

"Pray that he will be able to be patient with himself and that we'll be able to keep working at the therapy and he'll be recovering and back on air as soon as he can. He loves speaking, so for him to be able to speak again would be wonderful."

Listen to Premier's interview with Ash Barker here: