Pastor Jack Hayford, the founding pastor of The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California, died Jan. 8, 2023, at age 88. He served as chancellor of The King’s University in Southlake, Texas, which he founded in 1997, and was president of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel from 2004-2009.
He also wrote over 50 books and composed more than 500 hymns and choruses, including the internationally known and widely recorded “Majesty.” But he was probably best known as “Pastor Jack,” serving The Church on the Way for over three decades.
Born on June 25, 1934, the infant Hayford was gripped by a life-threatening illness and miraculously healed through the prayers of friends and family. Later, he was attacked by polio, and church elders anointed him and prayed for his healing. God granted another miracle.
“These two extraordinary events ignited in Jack’s heart a passion for God and convinced him that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in the contemporary church,” his website says. “Contrary to our preconceptions, God is not economical with healings and miracles,” Hayford said. “Such wondrous works are frequently attending the proclamation of truth in Jesus’ name.”
Hayford’s wife of more than 60 years, Anna, died of pancreatic cancer on March 8, 2017 at age 83. He and Anna had four children: Rebecca, Jack III, Mark and Christina. He married his second wife, Valarie, in 2018.
Randy Remington, president of The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, shares his thoughts about Hayford: “Pastor Jack was a Kingdom ambassador whose influence transcended denominational, generational and global boundaries. Jack’s passion for Spirit-filled worship, fervent intercessory prayer and biblical preaching that revealed Jesus were modeled in his own personal life. He truly embodied the life he invited others into.
“Pastor Jack lived a life devoted to Jesus, one which he never wavered in or strayed from,” he adds. “Thousands of pastors found encouragement, inspiration and lifelong ministry principles through his Pastor’s Schools and conferences. His books, songs and teachings will continue to inspire and mentor generations to come.
“As a Foursquare Pastor, it was always an honor to have his friendship and voice in my life,” Remington says. “He spoke annually at the church I pastored in Beaverton, Oregon, for nearly 50 years in a row … times with him will always be remembered and cherished. In our Foursquare family, ‘we retired his jersey,’ so to speak. There will never be another Jack Hayford.” (SOURCE)
