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Jack Hayford
Jack Hayford (June 25, 1934 – January 8, 2023) was an American preacher, author, and Pentecostal leader whose calling from God transformed worship and ministry within the Church of the Foursquare Gospel and beyond for over six decades. Born in Los Angeles, California, to Jack Hayford Sr., a former military officer turned switchman, and Anita Dolores Farnsworth, a Bible teacher, he faced life-threatening illness as an infant and polio at age four, both miraculously healed through prayer, igniting his lifelong passion for God’s power. He graduated from L.I.F.E. Bible College in 1956 and earned a second bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University in 1970, grounding his ministry in practical theology. Hayford’s calling from God was affirmed in 1969 when he became pastor of First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys—later The Church on the Way—growing it from 18 members to over 10,000 by the 1980s, serving until 1999 with a brief return after his successor’s death in 2003. Ordained in 1956, he preached a balanced gospel, emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s vitality, notably through his hymn “Majesty” (1978) and over 600 songs, alongside founding The King’s University in 1997 and serving as Foursquare president (2004–2009). His sermons and over 50 books, like Worship His Majesty, called believers to Spirit-filled living and unity across denominations. Married twice—first to Anna Marie Smith in 1954, with four children (Rebecca, Jack III, Mark, Christa), until her death in 2017, then to Valerie Lemire in 2018—he passed away at age 88 in Los Angeles, California.
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Jack Hayford emphasizes the importance of looking back at our journey to gain clarity on our current direction. He highlights the significance of praise in our lives, urging believers to make it a constant practice and to understand its role in their spiritual growth. By drawing insights from Acts 16, Psalms 26, and Job 38, he illustrates how praise can bring breakthroughs, pave the way for God's purpose, and align us with the heavenly worship. Hayford encourages the congregation to join in continuous praise, as it not only brings personal release but also impacts the world around them and leads many into the Kingdom of God.
Praise Is Your Pathway
Many times the best way to be certain of the direction you're going is to look back and see where you've been. Periodically, over the years, the Lord presses specific points upon us—points of truth He seeks us to acknowledge in the ongoing pattern of life. It is to these we turn, as to milestone markers. Has praise been a hallmark of your life? Has praise been your constant practice? Has your understanding of praise and its role in your life been growing with the passing months and years? A few basic reminders from Scripture can bring your life back on track.… From Acts 16:19-34: Darkness surrounds this hour as it did Paul and Silas in the Philippian prison. Their praise brought God's hand by an earthquake and out of the night a hopeless jailer was saved. Now, let your praises rise! As you praise continually, spiritual shock waves go out into the world around you. It will bring your release and the release of many into the Kingdom of God. From Psalm 26: Praise is your pathway through the mired circumstances of the present world. Your step will be uncertain and slide unless you recognize that your praises form stepping-stones by which the Father paves your way into the future purpose He has for you. From Job 38:4-7: As the morning stars sang His praise at creation, accompanying His great display of power with their worship, let your voices join with the heavenly song. Praise the Lord. Sing unto the Lord. Sing with your spirit and sing with your understanding, for as you sing praises unto Him, He continues His great creative working…and in your midst you shall see the marvelous works of God, the Lord of the new creation. “Let's just praise the Lord.” Some might suggest this as a rather closed view of things. I disagree. It's the open door to everything, and the pathway God directs us to walk.
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Jack Hayford (June 25, 1934 – January 8, 2023) was an American preacher, author, and Pentecostal leader whose calling from God transformed worship and ministry within the Church of the Foursquare Gospel and beyond for over six decades. Born in Los Angeles, California, to Jack Hayford Sr., a former military officer turned switchman, and Anita Dolores Farnsworth, a Bible teacher, he faced life-threatening illness as an infant and polio at age four, both miraculously healed through prayer, igniting his lifelong passion for God’s power. He graduated from L.I.F.E. Bible College in 1956 and earned a second bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University in 1970, grounding his ministry in practical theology. Hayford’s calling from God was affirmed in 1969 when he became pastor of First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys—later The Church on the Way—growing it from 18 members to over 10,000 by the 1980s, serving until 1999 with a brief return after his successor’s death in 2003. Ordained in 1956, he preached a balanced gospel, emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s vitality, notably through his hymn “Majesty” (1978) and over 600 songs, alongside founding The King’s University in 1997 and serving as Foursquare president (2004–2009). His sermons and over 50 books, like Worship His Majesty, called believers to Spirit-filled living and unity across denominations. Married twice—first to Anna Marie Smith in 1954, with four children (Rebecca, Jack III, Mark, Christa), until her death in 2017, then to Valerie Lemire in 2018—he passed away at age 88 in Los Angeles, California.