Inaugural Jack W. Hayford Lifetime Achievement Award
By Jon Chasteen, Ed.D.
President, The King’s University
For more than 23 years, The King’s University has trained ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 2 Kings chapter 2, the waters of the Jordan River separated when Elijah took his mantle and struck the surface. Under the visionary leadership of our founder, Pastor Jack Hayford, The King’s University has seen God part the waters that stood in our way many times. Just a few verses later in 2 Kings, Elijah passed his mantle of anointing to Elisha who later returned to the Jordan River and used it to strike the water, just as his predecessor had done. Likewise, through a God-ordained relationship, the mantle of The King’s University was passed to Pastor Robert Morris and Gateway Church some seven years ago. In the same way, we have seen Pastor Robert strike the waters and watched them part.
On October 20, 2020, TKU celebrated this God-ordained union, and awarded the inaugural Jack W. Hayford Lifetime Achievement Award to Pastor Robert and Debbie Morris. It was befitting that Pastor Robert, a spiritual son of Pastor Jack, receive this award. Both men have spoken of the powerful influence each has made on the other. Pastor Jack in a recorded message recounted how God spoke to him regarding moving the main campus of The King’s from Van Nuys to Southlake, Texas. “I still get goosebumps telling the story,” Pastor Jack said as he shared how the Lord spoke to him and Pastor Robert almost simultaneously regarding assuming the mantle of TKU.
“The King’s University and The Board of Trustees are honored to present the first ever Jack W. Hayford Lifetime Achievement Award to Pastor Robert Morris and Debbie Morris. This award is given in recognition of their lives, stewardship, generosity, and determination to advance the calling to train the next generation of Church leaders. We recognize the Holy Spirit’s plan for TKU through the transfer of oversight from Pastor Jack to Pastor Robert. This trust has resulted in TKU’s profound growth, attracting students from around the world, embracing multiple schools of study, and advancing the kingdom of God.”
Through the generosity of Pastor Robert and Debbie and Gateway Church, The Blessed Life Scholarship has awarded almost $1.9 million in scholarship assistance to more than a thousand TKU students. That’s more than a thousand pastors, missionaries, worship leaders, Christian counselors, and those called to be salt and light in the marketplace. Because of this and much more, we honored Pastor Robert and Debbie at the 2020 Evening at The King’s Fall Dinner.
It was a remarkable evening celebrating a remarkable year for The King’s. Despite the uncertainty and turmoil our world has faced in 2020, The King’s University experienced record enrollment for the Fall semester. God’s hand of provision has led us through the first twenty years at TKU and will continue to do so throughout the next twenty and beyond. As Pastor Jack said, “folks we’re in the young season, we’re just getting started.”
We invite you to join us in our mission to train the next generation of leaders who will carry the mantle of Pastor Jack and Pastor Robert. Elisha asked to receive a double portion of the anointing that was on Elijah. My prayer is the same for the future of TKU, and for you as well.
Would you prayerfully consider sowing a seed into the Jack Hayford Endowment at The King’s University?
The team here at Jack Hayford Ministries, wanted to personally let you know, if you haven’t heard already, that the “Apostolos Christou Award” that Pastor Jack has awarded to many worthy leaders over the years has been renamed “The Jack W. Hayford Lifetime Achievement Award.” This is such an honor for Pastor Jack and his legacy to be esteemed and honored for many years to come. We wanted to give you an opportunity to support the vision that Pastor Jack launched so many years ago.
We also are very excited to let you know the long-awaited book, Pastor Jack: The Authorized Biography of Jack Hayford, was released in October by Dr. David Moore.
This engaging biography of the pastor of pastors, whom Christianity Today called “The Pentecostal Gold Standard,” invites readers into the fascinating life and faith of Pastor Jack Hayford, a true man of God.
For Pastor Jack, David Moore was granted unrestricted access to Hayford’s journals and personal correspondence and completed over 60 hours of personal interviews to offer the first authorized biography of this extraordinary man. From the miraculous healings he experienced as a child to the moment he sensed God calling him to the pastorate for more than 60 years of fruitful ministry, Hayford has witnessed and proclaimed God’s mighty works with boldness and grace. This exploration of his life and legacy will inspire Hayford’s lifelong followers as well as those new to his words and faith.
As a “thank you” for your support of $50 or more to support Jack Hayford Ministries, we would like to send you Pastor Jack’s newly released book, “Pastor Jack: The Authorized Biography of Jack Hayford”
