Jack W. Hayford

Broadcasting and hymn writing

Hayford wrote more than 600 hymns and choruses. He wrote and composed the 1978 hymn "Majesty", which has been included in published lists of the top 100 contemporary hymns, and is performed in churches around the world.

Latter years In the late 1990s, Hayford said that he felt called to establish a Pentecostal seminary in Los Angeles to train other pastors, and founded The King's College and Seminary, which later became known as The King's University. In 1999, he resigned as the senior pastor of The Church On The Way to focus on the college, although he briefly returned to help the church through a difficult transition after his successor and son-in-law, Scott Bauer, died suddenly. On October 4, 2004, Hayford was elected to a four-year term as president of the Foursquare denomination, a position he chose not to pursue after that single term. In 2013, Hayford said that he felt called to relocate The King's University to Southlake, Texas, under the stewardship of Gateway Church. In 2015, The Church On The Way, led by senior pastor Tim Clark, honored Hayford with the title of Pastor Emeritus in recognition of his continuing contributions to church management and oversight.

Awards and recognition In March 2014, Hayford was inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He has also won the Gospel Music Association's Dove Award for his part in the album God With Us and the Salvation Army's William Booth Award, as well as serving as Worship Leader on the Men In Worship album.

Over the course of his life, Hayford has also been awarded several honorary degrees, including doctorates from Life Pacific College (Hon. D.Th.), and Oral Roberts University (Hon. D.D.), and one for literature from California Graduate School of Theology (Hon. D.D.).

Personal life On July 4, 1954, Hayford married his college sweetheart, Anna Marie Smith. Their marriage produced four children (Rebecca, Jack III, Mark, and Christa). In early 2016, Anna was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, and died in 2017. Hayford married Valerie Lemire the following year, and they lived in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. He discontinued making public appearances in 2019.

Hayford died at his home in Los Angeles on January 8, 2023, at the age of 88.

Published works The following are some of the published works of the title subject: Prayer is Invading the Impossible. revised ed. (Logos International, 1977) The Key to Everything (Creation House) The Church On The Way (Marshalls Paperbacks, 1985) Moments with Majesty (Multnomah Books, 1990) Kingdom Warfare: Prayer, Spiritual Warfare, and the Ministry of Angels (Tommy Nelson, 1993) The Power and Blessing (Victor Books, 1994) Glory on Your House (Chosen Books, 1994) The Beauty of Spiritual Language (Thomas Nelson, 1996) The Heart of Praise (Regal Books, 1997) Built by the Spirit/Rebuilding the Real You: Nehemiah (Regal Books, 1997) Pastors of Promise(Regal Books, 1997) Hayford's Bible Handbook (Thomas Nelson, 1999) Grounds for Living, sound teaching for sure footing in Growth & Grace (Sovereign, 2001) Rebuilding the Real You (Charisma House, 2013)