Pastor Jack Hayford, a Christian minister, died in his sleep on January 8, 2023. The preacher was reportedly 88 years old when he died. According to his family, Jack Hayford died peacefully and ate dinner with his wife, Valarie, the night of his death, as well as talking to his grandchildren.
Jack Hayford, popularly known as Pastor Jack, founded The Church On The Way in Van Nuys, California, and was its founding pastor for over 30 years. His work as a bestselling novelist has also been recognized as he wrote and co-wrote more than 50 novels. Apart from that, the pastor wrote 500 hymns and choruses. Majesty was one of the pastor’s best-known hymns of praise.
In 1997, Pastor Jack also founded King’s University in Southlake, Texas. He was the chancellor of the university until he handed over the office to Pastor Robert Morris. King University announced the death of its founder, Jack Hayford, in a public statement, saying:
“Pastor Jack Hayford, Founder and Chancellor Emeritus of The King’s University and Seminary (TKU), passed away at his residence in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, January 8.”
“Except my father, no one has influenced me more for the kingdom than Reverend Jack Hayford”: Netizens mourn the death of the late pastor.
As a pastor, Jack touched many people’s lives, and immediately after his passing, social media was flooded with tributes as people shared their memories and feelings about him. A man, who happens to be the previous president of Foursquare Church, took to Twitter to discuss how his life was influenced by none other than his father and the pastor. He claimed:
“Apart from my father, no one has influenced me more for the kingdom than the Reverend Jack Hayford. Valarie, his wife, called me early this morning to tell me that he had quietly passed on to his heavenly reward. No one I know has had a greater influence on the Body of Christ than he has.”
Early this morning my dear friend Pastor Jack Hayford went home to be with Jesus. He was 88 years old and was a preacher, teacher, servant and man of God. For me personally, he was my mentor and spiritual father, and I am so thankful for his influence in my life. pic.twitter.com/aFK88kZhBv
— Robert Morris (@PsRobertMorris) January 8, 2023
I will miss Reverend Jack Hayford. He stood by my side on my darkest day at New Life. He has served as a superintendent for the past 15 years. He passed on in glory today at the age of 88. pic.twitter.com/K4zsNzlEEK
— Brady Boyd (@pastorbrady) January 9, 2023
Pastor Jack, former president of Foursquare Gospel, is remembered.
Jack was a well-known Christian leader who was admired by the general public for his teachings and wisdom. In addition to his other roles, he served as the president of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (ICFG) from 2004 to 2009. When the pastor died, Foursquare Church paid tribute to the former president with a series of tweets.
Randy Remington, the current president of the Church, also issued a statement saying:
“Pastor Jack was a Kingdom Ambassador whose impact spanned denominations, generations and continents. Jack’s personal life was modeled by his zeal for Spirit-filled worship, fervent intercession, and biblical teaching that exposed Jesus. He was actually living the life he wanted others to participate in.”
His four daughters, 11 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his second wife, Valarie, survive him. Hayford’s first wife, Anna Smith, died in 2017, after which the pastor remarried and married Valarie.
