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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 preaches about the living God who moves among us, emphasizing the need for deep contrition and humility to seek Him, as He reveals Himself by His loving power. The sermon highlights the power of the Word of God, ignited by the Holy Spirit, to penetrate hearts, cut through sin, and destroy unbelief. It calls for adoration of the living Christ, seeking peace, forgiveness, and healing, while acknowledging His majesty, holiness, and unchanging nature.
Behold the Living God
Behold the living God who moves among us now. The Lord of all creation comes with one eternal vow. To those who humbly seek Him, who deep contrition feel, By His own loving power He will Himself reveal. Behold the Word of God, declared in Spirit power; Ignited by the Holy Ghost, its pages glow this hour. Lord, penetrate our hearts; now Thy Holy Sword unsheath. Cut through our bent to sinning, destroy our unbelief. Behold the living Christ, His presence now we feel. O loving Lord, be now adored, as reverently we kneel. Speak peace and full forgiveness, establish full control. Extend Thy hand in healing; all broken lives make whole. Behold the living God, His majesty confess, His holiness extol in awe, declare His changelessness. With open hearts we worship, with upraised hands we praise. Our voices laud in concert, Thou Lord, Ancient of Days. Refrain: Blessed Holy Spirit, move among us now Show to us Thy Presence, Thy best gifts endow. Exalt the name of Jesus, anoint the Word proclaimed. Transform, refill, consume us with sacred tongues of flame.
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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.