Our Pastors

Apostle Lesley Ford Jr. was born the youngest of seven siblings on April 2, 1943 in Goodman Mississippi, to Lesley and Mary Ford. Shortly after his birth, the Ford family moved to Waterloo, Iowa where Apostle Ford spent his entire boyhood. After graduating from East Waterloo High School, Apostle Ford enlisted in the United States Air Force serving as an airplane mechanic, during the Vietnam War. Apostle Ford moved to Minnesota after his tour of duty and began his professional life, which included impressive careers at Honeywell and Control Data.

Apostle Ford's Christian Life began in 1970, when he gave his life to Jesus Christ. Apostle Ford grew under the leadership of Elder Earl Demmings, Pastor of First Church of God in Christ. In September of 1983, with just 7 people, the Living Word Church of God in Christ was born. In 1986, the Living Word changed it's affiliation to The Living Word Church & World Outreach Ministries, a non-denominational ministry, with a partner base that has seen phenomenal growth, with an average annual growth rate of 15% since 1998. The Living Word is presently serving a congregation of more than 400 people.

This growth is a representation of Apostle Ford's strong anointing as a Preacher/Teacher, to touch the lives of those that are lost and dying, by preaching the uncompromising, unadulterated word of God, that ministers to the lost and dying. Apostle Ford's mission is to enable, equip and empower men and women, boys and girls, for the work of the ministry.

The Living Word Church & World Outreach Ministries is the parent church to 5 offspring ministries, birthed from within. Apostle Ford is a member of a Pastor Council, in partnership with 23 other Twin Cities Churches.

The mandate of The Living Word Church & World Outreach Ministries is “Souls At Any Cost.” The Living Word Church lives out that mandate by hosting several local outreach events within the Twin Cities area, as well as spreading the gospel in countries including Japan, Haiti, Belize, Rome, Italy, Capetown and Johannesburg South Africa, Costa Rica, Panama and Ethiopia.

Apostle Ford has been married to his wife Rosella for 43 years. He is the father of 4 adult children and has 7 grandchildren. They are a resident of Roseville, MN.

Rosella Ford, Lead Assistant Pastor

Pastor Rosella Ford, Along with her husband, Apostle Lesley Ford, Sr., is the Co-Pastor of The Living Word Church & World Outreach Ministries. Since its beginning on September 21, 1983, Pastor Rosella has contributed to the growth through her strong attributes of love, sensitivity, care, exhortation, compassion and the desire to see individuals grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. She also longs to see believers become clear about the destiny and call of God on their lives.

Pastor Rosella attended Spiritual Life Bible College for two years and was thereafter ordained as a licensed Minister on July 19, 1987.

She is the Founder and President of Operation Stretch Ministries Inc., which is a program designed to instruct individuals and families, within the ministry, on how to manage their lives more efficiently and become economically stable through biblical principles and live the abundant life Jesus speaks about in John 10:10: (KJV).

She is also a member of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board at The Living Word Church & World Outreach Ministries.