Yesterday, as Jan and I drove back home from Portland, Oregon, I heard of the passing of Jack Hayford. When I received the news, something pierced my heart. It was both a sorrow and a thanksgiving for a life of a man I loved and admired. I needed a day to gather my thoughts and sort my emotions before I made a comment on the impact of his life on me personally.
Pastor Jack was a special and unusually gifted man. One thing I so appreciated about him was his willingness to take the time to connect and engage with people. I can recall an email exchange that took place between us years ago as he patiently and in a fatherly tone, helped me see a much larger image than my short-sighted opinion could grasp at the time. I remember the phone call we had when he agreed to write the foreword for my first book, Prayers from the Throne of God. In that phone call, he invited me to speak at his yearly leadership conference at Church on the Way to unpack the contents of my book. When I hung up the phone, I began to literally tremble under the influence of the favor and affirmation he extended to me.
As a young pastor just starting out in ministry, I used what little available money we had at the time to purchase as many of Jack’s teachings on leadership, the Church, and worship as we could afford. His wisdom crafted the beginnings of my journey as a young pastor.
Jack Hayford was a true General of the faith who had a profound impact on so many of those of us who looked to him for answers to the most challenging questions we would experience in life and ministry. He was and continues to be a gift to the Body of Christ. Thank you, Jack. I will be forever grateful for your life.
Though we never experienced the personal connection that you were privileged to enjoy, we join you in sorrow at his passing yet thankfulness for his influence in our lives. Jack Hayford’s preaching and writing brought understanding of God and joy in the Lord to so very many in his own church and the church at large.