Our Man for All Seasons

By Barbara Edwards

(ED: Grace Communion International [GCI] pastor John Halford passed away at age 73 in October. As a writer, teacher, international trip coordinator, script writer and television presenter, overseas office manager, publisher and author, the world was truly his parish. Barbara Edwards was a good friend and colleague and shared these thoughts in Glendora church on November 29 after attending John’s funeral.)

‘Never a Dull Moment’

By Neil Earle

On my father’s death about the same time as my friend John Halford’s, the local rector urged us to “tell your stories.”

John’s passing of course recalls so many stories. We first met in 1978 when he spoke at our convention in Calgary, Alberta. We ended up working together in the church’s Editorial Department from 1993 to 1996. Never a dull moment. Once I chuckled when he had lobbied HQ to let him visit Africa (a minor feat in itself) where he knew there was much potential for our church. He was dressed in true African tour getup – sort of reminded me of the host of “the Wild Kingdom.” But he took my ribbing in good spirits.

He came back with an article for our magazine “The Challenge of Africa,” which netted $25,000 in spontaneous donations for the various interdenominational charities he had visited in the middle of that sprawling continent. I asked him how it went and he replied with a glint in his eye. “The tigers, the animals, the beasts were awful – but once I got out of Los Angeles things went better.”

That was John. Always seeing the light side.

As writers we pushed each other on. Gene Hogberg and I loved John’s ability to come up with superb titles almost on the spot. A visit to President Carter and Habitat in South Dakota became “Little Houses on the Prairie.” Brilliant! A slag heap in Northern England became “Where the Industrial Revolution Began.” Ingenious! A visit to former Nazi high country was hard to make new but John responded with “The View from Hitler’s Mountain.” Hmmmm. What was that all about? The most intriguing was a visit to cold dreary Holland which became “Why the Dutch beat back the Sea.”

Why did they? Doesn’t it make you want to read more?

Visiting Haiti in the 1980s brought out one of his most poignant and heartfelt write-ups, “To Heal a Nation.” That brought tears to many eyes and he remained a booster and advocate for Haiti till the end of his days. Knowing French he could go there and rally the troops when necessary as our pastor there will attest.

Science and modern technology also stirred John’s interests. He and Tina Kuo-Graham wrote a brochure “Groping in the Light” which neatly summarized everything from Copernicus to Stephen Hawking with Einstein thrown in along the way. Note the beauty of that title. Not another Christian attack on physics but an open-ended invitation to work together in cracking the universe’s codes. John had one of the first Christian takes on Virtual Reality for which he won an invite to speak to a group of scientists around 1995. He used the honorarium to help finance a struggling convention site overseas.

Yes, what a man. What a talent. What a dynamo. It’s safe to say our church will never see his like again.

John Halford made a global impact on the life of multiple thousands. During his illness thousands of cards were displayed on the floor so he could see them. He would simply say, “Amazing.” Each card to him represented a love note from his family. To him it was a carpet of love.

John Halford discusses "Changing Seasons" in this GCI video.

God and Family

I was very privileged to attend the funeral of John Halford in rural Indiana. Amid the grief and sadness the peace, grace and love of our Lord Jesus flowed freely. The service commenced with the ringing of the church bell at St. Paul Lutheran Church where John had served as interim pastor. It sounded 73 times for each year of his life. Every seat was filled. There was joy and laughter amid the grief. Just as John would have it. From students John had taught at Imperial School and Ambassador College in Pasadena, California, to fellow GCI pastors John had mentored and served alongside – the occasion was truly special.

GCI friend and Pastor Rick Shallenberger affirmed John’s love for his family. He said that John left a legacy of investing in the lives of others, following the example of our dear Savior who through the Incarnation invested in us. Rain was forecast but it turned out to be a beautiful day. The service ended with a fitting video of John titled “Changing Seasons.”

After a closing prayer the bell rang again another 73 times. His grandson Kyle, his sons in law, and pastors Jeff Broadnax and Richard Frankel carried the coffin to the hearse. His final resting place is located a few feet from the barn where John loved to work on his special “hands on” projects. Rick prayed a deeply moving committal prayer.

While living on his father-in-law’s homestead farm where he did his writing after serving in England for so many years and from where he ventured forth around the world, John – ever restless – joined the local Lion’s Club. He was a member for seven years and served as President for two years. Under John’s two terms as President the Versailles branch had the joy of purchasing their own Lion’s club building. That was just like John. He was always reaching out for new members. Along with keeping the meetings interesting, he was very entertaining. His fellow Lions saw in him what most of the far-flung GCI had already seen – he had this wonderful wholesomeness and approachableness and sense of humor.

A Floral Tribute

The presiding Lions president presented the Halford family with five carnations. Each carnation represented a letter spelling out LIONS. The first was given to Pat, John’s wife. It represented “Loyalty,” dedication to country, community and home. John was loyal to Pat and the children. He was loyal to the code of LIONS, International. But most of all they knew he was loyal to his God and Savior.

The second carnation went to John’s youngest daughter – Judy Hoban. It represented the letter “I” – bespeaking individual integrity. The Lion’s president saw John as very firm about codes of conduct and yet expressed with compassionate concern. There was one individual John just refused to publically shame or embarrass even though it seemed justified. There he was, an English transplant in the great American heartland, standing at the end of his life for the values he had caught and taught from his worldwide friends and family! How beautiful.

The third flower went to his oldest daughter, Becky. It stood for the letter “O” – Our flag and Our language. John loved being an American citizen. And he liked to remind everyone he came by it legally, going though all the procedures necessary.

The fourth flower given to his sister Gerrie Bayley stood for “N” which the Lions explained bespoke “newness.” John typically was bursting with new ideas, new hopes, new ambitions for businesses, professionals, and for students. His creativity was legendary. He wanted the Lions clubs of his region to be united rather than give in to competition – a noble endeavor.

The fifth carnation given to John's son-in-law Chris Hoban conveyed the letter “S” which stood for Service. Do unto others. John was not a finger-pointer, telling others what to do. He was “hands on.” He labored to see the community prosper. Few knew he was serving as interim pastor for the Lutheran church before his illness. What a way for a minister to spend the golden years, especially for a pastor. But then John had a servant’s heart that was reflected all across his busy life.

The Lion’s President said John reminded him of Jesus’ tribute to John the Baptizer – he was a shining light. John’s legacy, they affirmed, will continue.

Chugait and Fong started a bilingual school for young children in Thailand.

The World Traveler

Even though American thanksgiving was John’s favorite holiday – he loved having his family around him – his 50 years of ministry took him around the world and back again. A Facebook friend commented that when he led church tours to Thailand he insisted on visiting the northern villagers called the Karen people. As John’s life ebbed he received an inspiring note from Chugait Garmolgomut, one of the first students from Thailand to study at Ambassador College in Pasadena where John taught. After Chugait’s graduation John‘s close colleague, Herman Hoeh, gave him $100 and told Chugait to start a school in Thailand. He approached John wondering what to do. John said that he would mentor him. He did. Chugait started a bilingual pre-school in Thailand, which began in Chugait and his wife’s basement. He called it Ambassador Bilingual School (or ABS) teaching English and reflecting Ambassador College values. ABS now serves more than 2,000 students a year in two branches of their language schools. They also run a kindergarten and Ambassador grade school, which serves another 900+ students. In December 2013 John (and Rod Matthews) went there to dedicate a new high school building and donate books for the library he had collected from GCI members.

The $100 gift and John’s mentoring has borne rich fruit. Chugait and his wife hope to build an Ambassador University in Thailand and it will have special place to honor Messrs Hoeh and Halford. Chugait commented that John committed to him for 30 years to ensure that he was successful. This is just one example of John’s international influence.

Mike Feazell, retired Vice president of GCI, stated: “John Halford simply by being himself, has generated more good will and had more positive impact on the widest range of people than any other single person in the annals of our denomination. He is much loved and will be sorely missed....”

This is so true. We are all thankful for the life of John Halford, a life that made a difference.