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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 existence of God and the way to find Him through Jesus Christ. He shares a personal testimony of a young atheist lawyer who found God's grace and salvation through attending church and accepting Jesus as his Savior. The preacher emphasizes the life-changing impact of accepting Christ, leading to renewed purpose, eternal salvation, and blessings in various aspects of life.
Does God Exist?
Does God exist? The simple answer is YES. But, who is He and how do we find Him? Please take a moment and read what follows. It may change your life. Approximately, two thousand years ago Jesus said: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-6) Since Jesus spoke these words, millions of men and women have come to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior, but who is He and why should we believe in Him? My own testimony may help you decide. The story begins twenty-five years ago when a young atheist lawyer with his wife and two-year-old daughter decided to attend a small church in Van Nuys, California. He decided to go to church not because he wanted to find God but rather because he knew something was missing in his life, and he felt he might find an answer – at least a partial answer – at the church. He was fortunate. A young pastor by the name of Jack Hayford was preaching. Pastor Hayford seemed to know what he was talking about, and most importantly, he seemed to have a deep and abiding faith. The lawyer decided that there must be something of substance to what was being preached. He came back the next Sunday, and the next, and the next. As he listened, he became more and more convinced of the existence of God and that Christ had died for his sins. Finally, one Sunday, he looked the preacher in the eye and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. The lawyer received salvation and another story began – the need, the gift, of growing in the Lord. Look back on it now from the prospective of twenty-five years later, it all seems to be a miracle of God’s grace. I was so full of myself. As a lawyer, a thinker and a doer, I had little time for anyone else. As time progressed, I was given the opportunity to teach other men and women what I had learned from the Bible and the teachings of Jack Hayford. Today I am an adjunct professor of Christian Disciplines and a trustee with The King’s College and Seminary. I am also a man who has been blessed with a wonderful wife, daughter, son-in-law, friends, and importantly for our purposes here, a great pastor and teacher – Jack Hayford. I attribute a great deal of the blessing I have received from the sound biblical teachings of Pastor Hayford. God exists and the way to Him is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Accepting Christ as your Savior will change your life by giving it renewed meaning and purpose, and eternal salvation. Through the centuries, millions of men and women have come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and His influence has permeated all of society. The conclusion is inescapable—each of us need to closely examine who Jesus is and accept Him as our personal Savior.
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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.