Apostle Lesley Ford Jr. · Pastor Rosella Ford
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 where he served 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 and 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 500 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 uncompromised, 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 and World Outreach Ministries is the parent church to 5 offspring ministries, birthed from within. Apostle Ford, in partnership with 23 other Twin Cities Churches.
The mandate of The Living Word Church and 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 5 grandchildren. They are a resident of Roseville, MN.
Pastor Rosella Ford, Along with her husband, Apostle Lesley Ford, is the Co-Pastor of The Living Word Church and 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 instructs 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 and World Outreach Ministries.
Pastor Rosella Ford has been married for 43 years to Apostle Lesley Ford Jr., Senior Pastor and Founder of The Living Word Church and World Outreach Ministries. They have 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren.
Pastor Melvin A. Collins, A native of Chicago, IL relocated in 1979 to Minneapolis, MN to pursue his biblical studies at North Central Bible College in Pastoral Studies.
Along with his wife, in 1983 he returned to Chicago to intern as the New Converts Pastor for Southside Tabernacle Assembly of God.
As an intern, he was involved in the Inner City Workers Conference (ICWC) organization. He was responsible for disciplining new believers for a minimum of six months to one year, monitoring their spiritual growth and development. Pastor Collins also functioned as Pastor in several locations around the U.S. temporarily relieving Pastors for brief times of absences. Upon completing his internship, he became an Assistant Pastor for Lively Stone Apostolic Church located in Chicago, under the Leadership of Elder George E. Shaw.
In 1991, Pastor Collins and his family returned to Minneapolis, and shortly their after joined The Living Word Church and World Outreach Ministries. He received his full ordination in 1994 as Assistant Pastor. Pastor Collins is active in the Adult and Youth Prison Ministries.
Pastor Collins has 7 children. DeAnthony, LeMuel, Melvin Jr., Joshua, David, Moriah and Elijah.
