Chester Hensley

[crazyjoe]

...whatever happened to Chester Hensley from Nederland, TX and all of his posse?

[Coonskinner]

He died, and most of the posse went nuts.

[Pastor Keith]

...whatever happened to Chester Hensley from Nederland, TX and all of his posse?

He did have one keen word of knowledge, according to those that saw him, it was one of the most accurate and deep giftings they had ever seen.

Sad to realize gifts don't save us, only a faithful relationship with the Savior does.

[Neck]

He did have one keen word of knowledge, according to those that saw him, it was one of the most accurate and deep giftings they had ever seen.

Sad to realize gifts don't save us, only a faithful relationship with the Savior does.

If you have a faithful relationship with the savior you better have gifts.

[CC1]

He died, and most of the posse went nuts.

ROFL!!!! That pretty much sums it up. You forgot to mention that they thought he was going to raise from the dead and didn't want to bury him.

I remember as a teenager he showed up at Louisiana Campmeeting in a beautiful balck Cadillac Limi with one of his saints dressed up in a Chauffers uniform driving him around.

It was pretty funny. I have always loved limos so I got a kick out of getting to see one close up (not to many of them in La. at that time) but thought it was strange a pastor would be riding a limo. I guess he was an early adopter of the prosperity message?

[winklebottom]

Wow, not a lot of compassion for a grieving congregation....shame on you.

[CC1]

Wow, not a lot of compassion for a grieving congregation....shame on you.

This happened several decades ago. They should be over it by now and realize that he isn't coming back to life.:killinme

[winklebottom]

I realize that....but obviously you remember every minute detail. Hope you've had your limo ride since then.

[Consapostolic1]

Who was he?

[CC1]

I realize that....but obviously you remember every minute detail. Hope you've had your limo ride since then.

Several limo rides. All quite nice.

Seeing a limo at age 14 in rural Louisiana was a big deal! Especially when a big ole Pentecostal Preacher was the owner. Very memorable.

He was a very eccentric figure and those we all tend to remember.

[crazyjoe]

....he could sing also...didn't he come out to a church in central california a lot?.....

[tbpew]

Who was he?


winklebottom,
could you share your understanding with regards to this question?

[Pastor Keith]

....he could sing also...didn't he come out to a church in central california a lot?.....

As I understand it he caused some big stuff in the Tulare/Visalia area, so much that Pastors in the area still remember and shudder!

[winklebottom]

TBPEW

I attended a revival given by Reverend Hensley when I was a teenager. I don't remember limo's or eccintricy, but I do remember him being very kind, funny, a great preacher (to keep a teenagers attention) and a lot of people recieving the Holy Ghost. His church members seemed very loving and genuine, and being called crazy doesn't sit well with me. I understand that was years ago...but there is something to the saying "Rest in Peace"

[Pastor Keith]

TBPEW

I attended a revival given by Reverend Hensley when I was a teenager. I don't remember limo's or eccintricy, but I do remember him being very kind, funny, a great preacher (to keep a teenagers attention) and a lot of people recieving the Holy Ghost. His church members seemed very loving and genuine, and being called crazy doesn't sit well with me. I understand that was years ago...but there is something to the saying "Rest in Peace"

Where did he Pastor at?

[Old Paths]

When he went "nuts" he took a whole congregation with him.

The church split as LEAST 3 ways.

Here's a pic of the old church after hurricane Rita.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a77/OldPath/ChesterHensleysChurch0014-1.jpg

[crazyjoe]

...who is shuddering?....i only have good memories of him......
...nuts??? how did he go nuts???

[tbpew]

TBPEW

I attended a revival given by Reverend Hensley when I was a teenager. I don't remember limo's or eccintricy, but I do remember him being very kind, funny, a great preacher (to keep a teenagers attention) and a lot of people recieving the Holy Ghost. His church members seemed very loving and genuine, and being called crazy doesn't sit well with me. I understand that was years ago...but there is something to the saying "Rest in Peace"

thank you for sharing your memories of this person with us.

[CC1]

crazyjoe,

Your Avatar has to go. It is not fair flaunting the In-N-Out logo in front of those of us who don't have access to one!

It makes me crave a "double double" and fries just looking at it.

[tbpew]

crazyjoe,

Your Avatar has to go. It is not fair flaunting the In-N-Out logo in front of those of us who don't have access to one!

It makes me crave a "double double" and fries just looking at it.
CC, just tell admin and they'll rip it out and not tell anyone why:hypercoffee

[Pastor Keith]

...who is shuddering?....i only have good memories of him......
...nuts??? how did he go nuts???

You don't remember the guns and body guards?

[crazyjoe]

...aah, no!...........

.....by the way I enjoyed my double-double for dinner and watched 'My Name is Earl, The Office, and TIVO'd Survivor.....oh yeah, you guys have to download these programs into your Ipod to watch because sattlelite TV is baaaaaddd!!!.....................

[crazyjoe]

...no i don't remember any guns and bodyguards....i must go back a little farther.....

.....by the way, i enjoyed my double-double last night while watching My Name is Earl, 30 Rock, The Office, and I Tivo'd Survivor, oh yeah, you guys can't do that-you have to download the last year's programs to your Ipod or wait for the DVD and watch it on your monitor-or the most hypocritical-go to a hotel and watch it!! :)

[winklebottom]

wow.........

[Sister Alvear]

I remember him...his singing and preaching...

[winklebottom]

Did any of his children go into the ministry?

[crakjak]

...whatever happened to Chester Hensley from Nederland, TX and all of his posse?

I remember Chester coming to the Texas Campmeeting in Lufkin when I was a kid. He would get up on the stage during singing and alter service and call folks out. His bodyguards or aids would bring folks up for him. He would then speak prophetically to them about their lives. It was very interesting and different to most of us, he never called me up so I have no idea what he had to say. Oh, yeah he brought his limo.

That's all I know, have heard the "nuts" stories but have no good confirmation of any of that.

[Sister Alvear]

Let's remember the good...

[Evang.Benincasa]

...whatever happened to Chester Hensley from Nederland, TX and all of his posse?

Pastor Hebert and His wife had a really good church in DeRidder.
Pastor Hebert's wife was practically raised by the Hensley family.
Pastor Daniel Booth is now over the DeRidder Church called Three Pine Apostolic Church (because years ago the property had three pine trees).

I've heard all sides of the Chester P Hensley story.

In Jesus Name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

[CC1]

...aah, no!...........

.....by the way I enjoyed my double-double for dinner and watched 'My Name is Earl, The Office, and TIVO'd Survivor.....oh yeah, you guys have to download these programs into your Ipod to watch because sattlelite TV is baaaaaddd!!!.....................

Crazy Joe,

I have a Home Theater with a 92" screen. DISH High Def satellite receiver and HD DVR plus a HD DVD player, etc, etc. I don't have to download anything to an ipod or computer!!! (however when I was a kid growing up UPC in Alaska I would have loved to have had the internet and broadband access folks have today)

[Old Paths]

Pastor Hebert and His wife had a really good church in DeRidder.
Pastor Hebert's wife was practically raised by the Hensley family.
Pastor Daniel Booth is now over the DeRidder Church called Three Pine Apostolic Church (because years ago the property had three pine trees).

I've heard all sides of the Chester P Hensley story.

In Jesus Name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com


I've known Bro. Booth for YEARS.

He is originally out of the Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ in Pensacola, FL.

The late Elder B.W. Adams was his pastor.

Here's their website

http://www.threepineapostolics.com/

[ThePastorsCoach]

Dan Booth is a great guy - I am shocked that he moved from Florida to LA!

[josh]

He did have one keen word of knowledge, according to those that saw him, it was one of the most accurate and deep giftings they had ever seen.

Sad to realize gifts don't save us, only a faithful relationship with the Savior does.

He definitely had...and lost it.

My dad knew him well. He reached the place where he would enter the church with the lights dimmed, he was dressed in a white robe and a spotlight would follow him all the way to the platform.

Sad, indeed.

[Steve Epley]

Another sad story of Pentecost. He was powerful at one time.

[ThePastorsCoach]

Another sad story of Pentecost. He was powerful at one time.

I had never heard of him and was preaching in Texas. I was walking the aisles and calling people out and some guy comes running down the aisle and screaming & speaking in tongues - "You have the spirit of Chester Hensley"!!! He wrapped a big ole wide neck tie around my neck.
After service the pastor told me a little about CH and he revered him. I gave the pastor the tie and went to my hotel and spent the night in prayer and rebuked the spirit of ANYONE that was on me! . I had no idea who CH was - but I sure did not want his spirit!

[Evang.Benincasa]

I've known Bro. Booth for YEARS.

He is originally out of the Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ in Pensacola, FL.

The late Elder B.W. Adams was his pastor.

Here's their website

http://www.threepineapostolics.com/

Brother Dan Booth is a friend of mine and I preached for Elder B.W. Adams (when he was alive) and also preached for his son. I love the Pensacola church they have a great group there and great worship.

Did you know Brother Stevens from Mountian View Arkansas?

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

[Old Paths]

Brother Dan Booth is a friend of mine and I preached for Elder B.W. Adams (when he was alive) and also preached for his son. I love the Pensacola church they have a great group there and great worship.

Did you know Brother Stevens from Mountian View Arkansas?

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

Yes I knew Bro. Stevens.

Good man.

He married Sis. Booth's Mom.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Was this Brother Booth at the Spoken Word ALJC church at at one time ?

[Old Paths]

Was this Brother Booth at the Spoken Word ALJC church at at one time ?



Yep.

That's him.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Was He also at a UPCI church in Foley also ?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Was He also at a UPCI church in Foley also ?

Yes he was.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Yes I knew Bro. Stevens.

Good man.

He married Sis. Booth's Mom.

I preached for Elder Stevens, his grandson Daniel is over the church now.
Elder Stevens passed away last year.

In Jesus name

Brother Benincasa

www.OnTimeJournal.com

[winklebottom]

what do you all think happens to preachers that makes them do what they do with the limos and all. Power?
I know Bro. Hensley had a God given gift....so sad.
He is not the only one I have heard this happen to. I am not a preacher, but I don't understand what flips or changes in a persons mind to feel that behavior mentioned previously is ok.

[Steve Epley]

I had never heard of him and was preaching in Texas. I was walking the aisles and calling people out and some guy comes running down the aisle and screaming & speaking in tongues - "You have the spirit of Chester Hensley"!!! He wrapped a big ole wide neck tie around my neck.
After service the pastor told me a little about CH and he revered him. I gave the pastor the tie and went to my hotel and spent the night in prayer and rebuked the spirit of ANYONE that was on me! . I had no idea who CH was - but I sure did not want his spirit!

CH was a powerful man at one time.

[BHILL]

CH was a powerful man at one time.

One of the more well known conservative Pastors in our area told how Chester Hensley's spirit appeared to him when he died.He said he was in his car when he appeared and the pastor rebuked him and it left,he didn't know Chester Hensley had died yet.I know that Chester Hensley did not like this pastor .Normally i wouldn't believe a story like this but this is a pastor that most posters on here would know and he is a real solid person.

[winklebottom]

:bangheadwhat????? I am sorry but that is pretty far- fetched. If they didn't like each other, it is easy for someone who is still alive to say whatever they want about the other. It is kinda hard to get the other side on that one.

[BHILL]

:bangheadwhat????? I am sorry but that is pretty far- fetched. If they didn't like each other, it is easy for someone who is still alive to say whatever they want about the other. It is kinda hard to get the other side on that one.

I know it sounds far-fetched but the pastor does not lie or exagerate.This happened and then he found out that Chester Hensley had died.Kind of spooky,I've always thought that it was a demonic spirit.

[winklebottom]

why the dis-like between the two men?? Do you know what happened??

[winklebottom]

It must have been pretty bad for his spirit to hang around and torment him in a car...........

[BHILL]

why the dis-like between the two men?? Do you know what happened??

Chester Hensley was best friends with my pastor and my pastor messed up and our church split,the con pastor then took the split.I believe thats why CH didn't like him,and I believe the con pastor thought CH was nuts.

[Whole Hearted]

Chester Hensley was best friends with my pastor and my pastor messed up and our church split,the con pastor then took the split.I believe thats why CH didn't like him,and I believe the con pastor thought CH was nuts.

I grew up about 20 miles away from where Hensley pastor and I agree, in his last few years he was nuts.

[winklebottom]

I have heard so many sad stories (even on this website) of congregations who's pastor had "gone nuts" and I still don't understand, I guess I am nieve, how the people let it happen right before their eyes....or other preachers don't step up to the plate and offer help and guidance. I feel so bad for the saints who put their every hope and faith in their pastor, just to see it crash around them in confusion...

[Whole Hearted]

I have heard so many sad stories (even on this website) of congregations who's pastor had "gone nuts" and I still don't understand, I guess I am nieve, how the people let it happen right before their eyes....or other preachers don't step up to the plate and offer help and guidance. I feel so bad for the saints who put their every hope and faith in their pastor, just to see it crash around them in confusion...

I agree it is sad and yes there are way to many sad stories out there.

[stasis]

Chester Hensley is a folk legend among some people.

I hear tales of many miraculous things happening during his ministry. I've even heard it said that he was able to move the sun across the sky and direct the wind with his fingers. I guess some people actually believe these things, despite the fact that if the sun moved out of place a decimal of a degree everything on earth would be destroyed, let alone the actual concept that God would give someone the ability to jerk the sun around (or the Earth) just for kicks on a Tuesday afternoon in the park or something. I mean, it sounds like Elisha had nothing on this guy.

I understand that when Chester Hensley died (in a car accident, or of cancer... I've heard two different stories), his congregation placed his casket within a hexagram, aka 'star of david' or 'seal of solomon', and hoped he would rise from the dead. He didn't.

For a while it seems some people regarded him as a kind of Pentecostal or Charismatic super-saint after he died... Like William Branham, I suppose. Everyone thought they inherited his ministry, or had been passed 'the mantle'. In fact, I think some preachers in the SE Texas area still believe they are the 'chosen one'. I never knew the man personally. He may have been a pleasant person, but it sounds like the stories of his ministry have become more and more distorted over time after his death. I mean, I hear all kinds of fantastic tales... gigantic fireballs flying out of baptistries and floating around the auditorium... Thousands of people being miraculously healed of diseases, ditch water miraculously turning into gasoline (instead of wine) to fill an empty fuel tank.

I personally would have liked to see a quadraplegic suddenly grow four new limbs, but I tend to doubt that happened. I mean, God can do anything he wants, but i'll have a healthy skepticism regarding the tales I've heard.

I also heard a person who was a member of Chester's church say that one of the seals of Revelation were opened during one of his church services... The Sixth Seal, I believe. Which is odd, because I thought only the lamb was worthy to open the seals. Perhaps the lamb decided to announce it's opening one night or something... sounds sort of like a grand-opening ceremony where someone cuts a ribbon with a gigantic pair of scissors, only probably with lots of freaky yelling and such.

It's funny how you always hear of such amazing miracles from other people who heard it from someone else who heard it from someone else. EG "Brother so-and-so went on a missionary trip to the Congo and raised someone from the dead!" Not that I don't believe miracles can happen. Obviously God can do anything he wants to do.

I also heard that in his latter days Chester was on a 'Nazarite Fast', and wouldn't shave. Someone named Randy Clark reportedly lambasted him about this quite a bit. Of course, Randy Clark also married a lady who was trinitarian (her name is Renee, they're still married.), and Chester wasn't too big on trinitarians, so he prophesied that this marriage would destroy Randy's 'ministry'. Randy Clark now runs a big charismatic 'ministry' called Triumph Church in Nederland Texas where he tells people that Jesus wants them to get rich and that Christ's disciples were entrepreneurs. It's like Tony Robbins, but with select bible verses, and lots of people dancing around in tutus and swinging from the ceiling on cables and twirling on the platform. Entertainment factor: 10. I understand lots of Pentecostal churches have since started having younger converts dance on their platforms to enticing music, holding two sticks, swinging them around and making the sign of the cross with them. Perhaps this comes from Randy's approach. I hear at one point in his ministry Chester liked to make grand entrances, wearing white robes with spot-lamps shining on him (I thought we were supposed to receive our robes when we die.. you know... 'he who endureth to the end'). Maybe Randy Clark got his inspiration for dramatic performances from the case of Chester's robed entrance.

Then there is the other guy who was (might still be) having church in Chester's old building. Don't know much about him. 'The Ark'. I think the named changed though... might be wrong. All I know is he says another guy named Gary Armagh is his enemy. Gary Armagh was also thought to 'bear the mantle' of Chester Hensley. Gary Armagh ran a church called World Apostolic Revival which is no more. He hooked up with a woman in his congregation and got a divorce. That tends to degrade one's reputation in 'ministry'.

Overall, it seems some people tend to be more interested in sensationalism, signs and wonders than bearing their cross and living for God.

Perhaps Benny Hinn inherited the mantle.

[winklebottom]

wow...lots of "stories" and hear-say...I wonder how much is truth. All I know is in the 70's, I saw many recieve the holy ghost in revival. And he kept my attention, which for a teenager that was hard to do!!

[dizzyde]

wow...lots of "stories" and hear-say...I wonder how much is truth. All I know is in the 70's, I saw many recieve the holy ghost in revival. And he kept my attention, which for a teenager that was hard to do!!

Well, you have made your feelings obvious, all that I know is that I saw the results of his ministry in CA, and it was tragic. A lot of lives were destroyed.

[stasis]

Well, you have made your feelings obvious, all that I know is that I saw the results of his ministry in CA, and it was tragic. A lot of lives were destroyed.


If you have time, I'm interested in hearing what happened in CA.

The reason why is because I'm beginning to find that most of the preachers who associate themselves with the name 'Chester Hensley' are charlatans who teach a lot of false doctrine, and have very shady pasts, and exercise extreme influence over their congregations who follow blindly. Overall some of them are extremely proud individuals who blatantly conflict with the word of God. One in particular even said 'scriptures don't matter', and 'I don't need to read that' when certain doctrines were questioned with the Word of God... of course, the excuse was 'the letter killeth, the spirit giveth life' (a scripture they and most other people don't even understand), basically anything they teach is perfect and they expect everyone to believe 'the spirit revealed it to them', even when it goes against the fullness of scripture.

The general attitude borders on 'Papal Infallibility'.

Long ago I had a very high respect for some of them and believed everything they said, but thankfully I'm beginning to see things the way they really are. Their preaching is a stage performance where they get attention. As you, I've seen a lot of lives destroyed... and I want to understand more about the whole topic because it has affected my life so much.

[dizzyde]

If you have time, I'm interested in hearing what happened in CA.

The reason why is because I'm beginning to find that most of the preachers who associate themselves with the name 'Chester Hensley' are charlatans who teach a lot of false doctrine, and have very shady pasts, and exercise extreme influence over their congregations who follow blindly. Overall some of them are extremely proud individuals who blatantly conflict with the word of God. One in particular even said 'scriptures don't matter', and 'I don't need to read that' when certain doctrines were questioned with the Word of God... of course, the excuse was 'the letter killeth, the spirit giveth life' (a scripture they and most other people don't even understand), basically anything they teach is perfect and they expect everyone to believe 'the spirit revealed it to them', even when it goes against the fullness of scripture.

The general attitude borders on 'Papal Infallibility'.

Long ago I had a very high respect for some of them and believed everything they said, but thankfully I'm beginning to see things the way they really are. Their preaching is a stage performance where they get attention. As you, I've seen a lot of lives destroyed... and I want to understand more about the whole topic because it has affected my life so much.

I don't want to name names, but I have family that was in a church in CA that at one time was a revival church, highly regarded. They got hooked in with Hensley and after that things just went crazy. The Pastor just became a total nut job, it was the same thing were the urshers started carrying guns, the church services were like some kind of weird drama, and the pastor wound up having multiple affairs. The long time members tried to support him to the very end, and were very traumatized by the whole thing. I think this pastor might have wound up going to jail, my memory is a little fuzzy on that, but I do know that he wound up being totally discredited and disgraced. It was a real black mark in that city, a lot of people knew about it.

[Sister Alvear]

very sad... very sad indeed...so many innocent souls have been destroyed by men with great personalities...

[DaveC519]

...whatever happened to Chester Hensley from Nederland, TX and all of his posse?

I realize I'm a little late in responding, but when I found this thread, I felt compelled to respond, because Rev. Hensley was such a close friend of our ministry, and an even closer friend to our pastor.

I read every post in this thread, and it broke my heart to read the negative gossip, Our assembly continues to cherish our memories of him, because folks, he was the real deal. Bro. Hensley was a wonderful preacher, pastor, teacher, evangelist, and truly- a prophet of the Lord to the whole house of Israel. Now, those of you who knew him, you know what that last part means.

Many years have passed since we last had the privilege of attending one of his revival meetings in our church. My wife and I personally received the baptism of the Holy Ghost in two of those revivals. For me, it'll be 30 years this year. We also received rich teaching that continues to bless us to this day. And I can personally tell you that the things he prophesied of the Lord are still coming to pass.

Men who are used as Bro. Hensley was are few and far between. And because of that, there was much jealousy which surrounded his ministry. Now, I can't speak for his old church, or what happened there, I can only speak for his association with our congregation. But I can tell you that you don't get bitter water from a sweet spring, and vice versa. I have no reason to believe that everywhere else he was anything but what he was in our presence: he loved God, and God's people, with all his heart.

Yes, he was eccentric. Yes, he was an extrovert, to say the least. And that was part of his charm. I can still remember his corny jokes and his laugh. He was truly unique and one of a kind, and I'll continue to miss him for many years to come.

[StMark]

So you think all these people are just making all this up ?????

[DaveC519]

So you think all these people are just making all this up ?????
You know, Brother, I don't know. All I know is the Bro. Hensley that I knew, and the man they're talking about in here, seem to be two different men.

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Mt 5:11-12)

[Steve Epley]

Very strange outfit to say the least.

[StMark]

You know, Brother, I don't know. All I know is the Bro. Hensley that I knew, and the man they're talking about in here, seem to be two different men.

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Mt 5:11-12)


I understand where you are coming from-your
feeling are normal, but you also must be aware of
the other lives that were adversely effected by all that went down

[Dr. Vaughn]

Chester Hensley is a folk legend among some people.

I hear tales of many miraculous things happening during his ministry. I've even heard it said that he was able to move the sun across the sky and direct the wind with his fingers. I guess some people actually believe these things, despite the fact that if the sun moved out of place a decimal of a degree everything on earth would be destroyed, let alone the actual concept that God would give someone the ability to jerk the sun around (or the Earth) just for kicks on a Tuesday afternoon in the park or something. I mean, it sounds like Elisha had nothing on this guy.

I understand that when Chester Hensley died (in a car accident, or of cancer... I've heard two different stories), his congregation placed his casket within a hexagram, aka 'star of david' or 'seal of solomon', and hoped he would rise from the dead. He didn't.

For a while it seems some people regarded him as a kind of Pentecostal or Charismatic super-saint after he died... Like William Branham, I suppose. Everyone thought they inherited his ministry, or had been passed 'the mantle'. In fact, I think some preachers in the SE Texas area still believe they are the 'chosen one'. I never knew the man personally. He may have been a pleasant person, but it sounds like the stories of his ministry have become more and more distorted over time after his death. I mean, I hear all kinds of fantastic tales... gigantic fireballs flying out of baptistries and floating around the auditorium... Thousands of people being miraculously healed of diseases, ditch water miraculously turning into gasoline (instead of wine) to fill an empty fuel tank.

I personally would have liked to see a quadraplegic suddenly grow four new limbs, but I tend to doubt that happened. I mean, God can do anything he wants, but i'll have a healthy skepticism regarding the tales I've heard.

I also heard a person who was a member of Chester's church say that one of the seals of Revelation were opened during one of his church services... The Sixth Seal, I believe. Which is odd, because I thought only the lamb was worthy to open the seals. Perhaps the lamb decided to announce it's opening one night or something... sounds sort of like a grand-opening ceremony where someone cuts a ribbon with a gigantic pair of scissors, only probably with lots of freaky yelling and such.

It's funny how you always hear of such amazing miracles from other people who heard it from someone else who heard it from someone else. EG "Brother so-and-so went on a missionary trip to the Congo and raised someone from the dead!" Not that I don't believe miracles can happen. Obviously God can do anything he wants to do.

I also heard that in his latter days Chester was on a 'Nazarite Fast', and wouldn't shave. Someone named Randy Clark reportedly lambasted him about this quite a bit. Of course, Randy Clark also married a lady who was trinitarian (her name is Renee, they're still married.), and Chester wasn't too big on trinitarians, so he prophesied that this marriage would destroy Randy's 'ministry'. Randy Clark now runs a big charismatic 'ministry' called Triumph Church in Nederland Texas where he tells people that Jesus wants them to get rich and that Christ's disciples were entrepreneurs. It's like Tony Robbins, but with select bible verses, and lots of people dancing around in tutus and swinging from the ceiling on cables and twirling on the platform. Entertainment factor: 10. I understand lots of Pentecostal churches have since started having younger converts dance on their platforms to enticing music, holding two sticks, swinging them around and making the sign of the cross with them. Perhaps this comes from Randy's approach. I hear at one point in his ministry Chester liked to make grand entrances, wearing white robes with spot-lamps shining on him (I thought we were supposed to receive our robes when we die.. you know... 'he who endureth to the end'). Maybe Randy Clark got his inspiration for dramatic performances from the case of Chester's robed entrance.

Then there is the other guy who was (might still be) having church in Chester's old building. Don't know much about him. 'The Ark'. I think the named changed though... might be wrong. All I know is he says another guy named Gary Armagh is his enemy. Gary Armagh was also thought to 'bear the mantle' of Chester Hensley. Gary Armagh ran a church called World Apostolic Revival which is no more. He hooked up with a woman in his congregation and got a divorce. That tends to degrade one's reputation in 'ministry'.

Overall, it seems some people tend to be more interested in sensationalism, signs and wonders than bearing their cross and living for God.

Perhaps Benny Hinn inherited the mantle.

Only one problem with this story... the girl that Randy Clark married, Renee... was in the UPC she was not Trinitarian.. she was from Vicksburg, MS

[stasis]

Only one problem with this story... the girl that Randy Clark married, Renee... was in the UPC she was not Trinitarian.. she was from Vicksburg, MS

I had actually heard she was Trinitarian, and about the supposed 'prophecy' from people who were once fairly close to Chester Hensley. Even so, I stand corrected. Thanks for the clarification.

[Steve Epley]

I passed by the old church last week.

[Dr. Vaughn]

I passed by the old church last week.

Elder, you do a lot of "Passing" lol.. you must be a travelling man

[Steve Epley]

Elder, you do a lot of "Passing" lol.. you must be a travelling man

I am evangelizing and I passed through the Big Easy last week stopped and saw the church and had lunch with Elder Lollar. I went to the Baton Rouge camp Friday night.

[TCSQ]

[QUOTE=CC1;263184]ROFL!!!!

I remember as a teenager he showed up at Louisiana Campmeeting in a beautiful balck Cadillac Limi with one of his saints dressed up in a Chauffers uniform driving him around.

Don't really know who he was , but at least he had the class to realize that there are SOME cars that if you cant afford a chauffer for them you don't need to have one (Rolls Royces, Bentleys and Limos spring to mind immediately.)

I remember once a Bishop in some state trying to impress me by driving me around in his Rolls Royce. My own unspoken constant thought was...If you gotta drive this YOURSELF...." well the rest goes without saying.

[Dr. Vaughn]

I am evangelizing and I passed through the Big Easy last week stopped and saw the church and had lunch with Elder Lollar. I went to the Baton Rouge camp Friday night.

Oh I had no idea you were referring to my grandmothers old church.. thats a precious piece of Real Estate to me.... Lollar doesn't like me too much.. we had huge words a few years ago... in the way he treated my grandmother

They had a homecoming some years ago... first time my grandmother had ever returned to the church she built with sweat and tears..... so there we all sit and NOT ONE TIME... NOT ONCE was she ever recognize or acknowedged as the founder of the church.. or even as a human being.... the people still there that loved her dearly had some very harsh words for leadership for the next few months.. so Lollar and I are on bad terms... but I am glad to see that he has kept the work going..

[gloryseeker]

I know there are a lot of current and former UPC'ers out there. Does anyone remember Rev. Chester Hensley from Texas?

I remember him coming to our church when I was a boy 60's/70's and sat in awe of him. I was given some CD's of some of his messages recently and now disagreed with several things he preached.

If you remember, what are your thoughts of him?

[stasis]

I never knew the man personally. But I am very familiar with many in his group who branched off and formed churches in Nederland/Groves Texas after his death.

-'ARC (Apostolic Revival Church)' - name of this church has since changed. Doctrines are charismatic and Branham'esque.
-'World Apostolic Revival': No longer exists, but was pastored by Gary Armagh, husband of Ginger Hensley (one of Chester's daughters). Was charismatic and Branham'esque.
-'Triumph Church': Pastored by Randy Clark. Doctrine = 'Jesus wants you to get rich'. Lots of stage performance, including ballet dancing 'for Jesus' and all kinds of stuff.

I believe there was a controversy between the pastors of ARC and World Apostolic Revival because they both thought they had 'inherited the mantle' from Chester Hensley. Apparently these guys both thought they were comparable to Elisha or something, which shows how self-involved they were.

Most of Hensley's group would talk about him like he was God on earth. All sorts of crazy claims, such as him having power over the weather and the movement of the sun (I'm not kidding), all kind of miraculous stories. Way beyond the line of absurd.

Again, I never knew the man himself, but those who represented him seemed flaky to say the least.

[Evang.Benincasa]

I know there are a lot of current and former UPC'ers out there. Does anyone remember Rev. Chester Hensley from Texas?

I remember him coming to our church when I was a boy 60's/70's and sat in awe of him. I was given some CD's of some of his messages recently and now disagreed with several things he preached.

If you remember, what are your thoughts of him?

Hey can I have copies of those CDs?

Please PM me and let me know if you could?

[Evang.Benincasa]

I never knew the man personally. But I am very familiar with many in his group who branched off and formed churches in Nederland/Groves Texas after his death.

-'ARC (Apostolic Revival Church)' - name of this church has since changed. Doctrines are charismatic and Branham'esque.
-'World Apostolic Revival': No longer exists, but was pastored by Gary Armagh, husband of Ginger Hensley (one of Chester's daughters). Was charismatic and Branham'esque.
-'Triumph Church': Pastored by Randy Clark. Doctrine = 'Jesus wants you to get rich'. Lots of stage performance, including ballet dancing 'for Jesus' and all kinds of stuff.

I believe there was a controversy between the pastors of ARC and World Apostolic Revival because they both thought they had 'inherited the mantle' from Chester Hensley. Apparently these guys both thought they were comparable to Elisha or something, which shows how self-involved they were.

Most of Hensley's group would talk about him like he was God on earth. All sorts of crazy claims, such as him having power over the weather and the movement of the sun (I'm not kidding), all kind of miraculous stories. Way beyond the line of absurd.

Again, I never knew the man himself, but those who represented him seemed flaky to say the least.

I know a pastor and his wife who were raised up in C.P. Hensley's church.

[crazyjoe]

...I knew him well...I like to remember the good times....

[Carpenter]

I know a pastor and his wife who were raised up in C.P. Hensley's church.

Were they like...dead?

I actually knew a guy who was raised down by a pastor...



Now, everyone stand to your feet!... I am glad they are specific, I am always compelled stand to my hands on first impulse.

:ursofunny:ursofunny

[George]

Isn't he the guy that offered free 8 X 10 glossies of himself if anyone ran around his huge tent?
And when he was out of town, he called his horse every day. He had a ranch hand answer the phone and put it to the horse's ear to talk to it.

[gloryseeker]

...I knew him well...I like to remember the good times....

I too remembered them as good times. I had been in many services as he was close friends with the Pastor of the church my parents took me to. We saw miracles and the gifts in operation to the extent that I have only seen one other person operate in.

I remember that he sang and played the guitar. While I would not call him an accomplished singer, I did always enjoy his music.

It just baffled me when I received these CD's. I listened out of curiosity, but disagreed with a lot of his theology, especially on end time events and the authority structure of the church.

Any way, you are right they were some good ole days.

[gloryseeker]

I never knew the man personally. But I am very familiar with many in his group who branched off and formed churches in Nederland/Groves Texas after his death.

-'ARC (Apostolic Revival Church)' - name of this church has since changed. Doctrines are charismatic and Branham'esque.
-'World Apostolic Revival': No longer exists, but was pastored by Gary Armagh, husband of Ginger Hensley (one of Chester's daughters). Was charismatic and Branham'esque.
-'Triumph Church': Pastored by Randy Clark. Doctrine = 'Jesus wants you to get rich'. Lots of stage performance, including ballet dancing 'for Jesus' and all kinds of stuff.

I believe there was a controversy between the pastors of ARC and World Apostolic Revival because they both thought they had 'inherited the mantle' from Chester Hensley. Apparently these guys both thought they were comparable to Elisha or something, which shows how self-involved they were.

Most of Hensley's group would talk about him like he was God on earth. All sorts of crazy claims, such as him having power over the weather and the movement of the sun (I'm not kidding), all kind of miraculous stories. Way beyond the line of absurd.

Again, I never knew the man himself, but those who represented him seemed flaky to say the least.

I know a close friend of my sisters married a man that was one of "his men." I think they started a church as well. I can't remember the guys name she married, but her name was Charlene. The names you mentioned don't ring a bell.

[stasis]

It would be great to have mp3s of those CDs. I'd like to hear an actual sermon by the man himself.

[Neck]

I know there are a lot of current and former UPC'ers out there. Does anyone remember Rev. Chester Hensley from Texas?

I remember him coming to our church when I was a boy 60's/70's and sat in awe of him. I was given some CD's of some of his messages recently and now disagreed with several things he preached.

If you remember, what are your thoughts of him?

I know my Father John Eckstadt was a friend of Chester Hensley.

[Jeremiah]

Note: I’m posting this in both threads regarding Chester Hensley.

Chester Hensley was my grandfather and I also feel compelled to respond. Of course, it pains me to hear the negative things being said about him. I have, however, grown up hearing opinions that run the gamut from jealousy to unreasonable hatred to downright hero-worship, so this is nothing new to me.

I’ve had several conversations with people from both sides of the fence concerning my grandfather and one thing that I’ve observed is this: the most outlandish tales (wearing white robes, spotlights, having a black chariot in the basement, controlling the weather, etc.) are told by people who didn’t see these things first hand but are just repeating rumors they themselves had heard from a ‘reliable’ source. Whether you like Chester Hensley or not, whether you agree with his teachings or not, whether you think his walk with God was real or not, you should be ashamed to repeat such gossip. It’s simply not Christian, i.e. ‘Christ-like’.

At this point, I’m sure that someone is getting ready to quote the scripture and call to mind our duty to reprove error within the church. That’s fine. If you have a problem with his teachings or sermons, then give me a direct quote and then refute it using the scripture. I’m happy to have that conversation as there are certain things he believed that I don’t necessarily agree with.

However, if you can’t directly quote his words or give an eye-witness account but instead resort to repeating wild rumors and exaggerations of what he said and did, and judging him thereby, then I suggest that you instead take a good look at yourself and your walk with God. Judging someone the way that people seem to judge him is contrary to the scriptures and indicative of a serious flaw within your self. Whether you realize it or not, your judgment says more about you than it does the person you’re judging.

But, lest you think I’m just defending him out of blind familial loyalty, let me add this: I currently go to church with several people, including my pastor, who attended Chester Hensley’s church for several years up to and immediately after his death and are ‘eye-witnesses’ both to what he taught and how he conducted himself. After relating the contents of these threads to them I was told by ‘eye-witnesses’ that most of it was complete hogwash and that wild outlandish rumors like these were common before his death and even more so afterwards.

[An aside to ‘Stasis’: Unlike Gary Armagh or Phil Volk, neither my current pastor nor those in his congregation (including myself) make any claim to the ‘mantle’ of Chester Hensley. They are hardly ‘flaky’ or ‘shady characters’ and are, in fact, decent scripture-abiding Christians. I implore you, don’t let your experience with Gary Armagh and his followers color your view of people you’ve never met.]

There are a few things mentioned specifically in these threads that I would like to address. The most outlandish tales I’m going to ignore, because they all seem to be second and third hand and, quite frankly, simply ridiculous.

Firstly, the Chauffeur and Limo: Yes he did have a used Limo and for a good reason. While he was evangelizing, his schedule was so tight that he didn’t have the time or money to stay in hotels. With a Limo he could catch some sleep on the ride to the next engagement. Why didn’t he just lay down in the back of a car? Well, to put it bluntly, he was a big guy. The room in the Limo allowed him to stretch out comfortably and catch a few hours of rest. It also allowed his kids (my mother) to travel comfortably with him.

He did not, however, have a hired Chauffeur. My dad, his son-in-law, and a couple other men in the church volunteered to take turns driving the Rev around. Chester did not ‘dress his Saints up as a Chauffeur’. My dad, as a joke, went out and bought a Chauffeur’s cap and wore it. They all thought it was pretty funny at the time, but it just goes to show how humorless some Christians can be. A practical joke by my dad was turned into just another example of Chester Hensley’s alleged pride. Speaking of which…

Chester Hensley’s Vanity/Pride/Whatever: Over the years I’ve heard and read many anecdotes of how full of himself Chester Hensley was. There is no doubt that certain people, both then and now, are in the throws of full blown hero-worship when it comes to Chester Hensley. We all know this kind of adulation of any man to be pure error.

Concerning his personal attitude, however, I have never heard it said by anyone who knew him personally that he was anything but humble, good-natured, and compassionate. Claims to the contrary by those who did not know him personally smacks of ignorance, rumor mongering, and downright character assassination.

If second hand testimony is not enough for you, let me give you a direct quote from Chester Hensley to his congregation not a year before he died (taken from a recorded sermon):

“You people better listen to me. You need to get your eyes off of me and onto God. God is a jealous God, and you people are looking too much to me. If you don’t get your eyes off of me and onto God then he is going to remove me. You hear me? I will die.”

A year later, he was dead of stomach cancer. Does that sound like the type of glory seeking charlatan that dresses up in white robes and has a spotlight shine on him as he enters the sanctuary? No, that sounds like a shepherd and servant of God that realizes some people in his congregation had lifted him up too high and he was desperately trying to get their worship back to where it belonged: on Jesus Christ.

Did some people think too highly of him? Absolutely, there’s no denying that. A lot of people still do. Did he think too highly of himself? According to his own words and the testimony of those who knew him personally (and are not glory seekers themselves), I would say it’s a big resounding ‘No’.

On blaming Chester for the failings of others: One of the posters in this thread related an unfortunate story of how their pastor in California went a bit nuts and then laid the blame squarely on Chester’s shoulders. My question is this: Why?

Forgive me, but blaming Chester Hensley for your pastor falling away is like blaming the Apostle Paul when one of his daughter works fell into error, which happened. Just read Galatians: “Oh, foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth?”

I’ve been through church break ups and believe me, I know how easy it is to get bitter and how powerful the need is to lay blame. But I have to be honest, it sounds to me like your former pastor was the one with the problems, not Chester Hensley. The actions you say your former pastor is guilty of simply doesn’t line up with what he taught and how he lived his life according to the testimonies of those who actually knew him.

You can look at people that have stumbled in their walk with God and say ‘look at the fruits of Chester’s ministry’, but you can just as easily hear the testimony of faithful Holy Ghost filled men and women whose lives are still touched by his ministry a quarter century after his death.

On the question of his salvation: I’ve heard and read several comments along the lines of ‘It’s a shame that such a powerful ministry ended so badly’ and ‘…just goes to show you that having a gift doesn’t guarantee you salvation’. My question to all of you is this: Who are you to judge?

Do you have anything to go on other than rumor and hearsay? Are you privy to information that the people closest to him wasn’t? Somehow, I doubt it. The simple fact is that you don’t know.

Let’s just say, simply for the sake of argument, that he was indeed crazy and in error towards the end. Can any of you say, without a shadow of a doubt, that he didn’t repent and make himself right with God before the end? Would you stake your own eternal salvation on it?

I don’t think there is a single person on these boards who would.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” –Matt. 7:1-5

[Jeremiah]

Note: I’m posting this in both threads regarding Chester Hensley.

Chester Hensley was my grandfather and I also feel compelled to respond. Of course, it pains me to hear the negative things being said about him. I have, however, grown up hearing opinions that run the gamut from jealousy to unreasonable hatred to downright hero-worship, so this is nothing new to me.

I’ve had several conversations with people from both sides of the fence concerning my grandfather and one thing that I’ve observed is this: the most outlandish tales (wearing white robes, spotlights, having a black chariot in the basement, controlling the weather, etc.) are told by people who didn’t see these things first hand but are just repeating rumors they themselves had heard from a ‘reliable’ source. Whether you like Chester Hensley or not, whether you agree with his teachings or not, whether you think his walk with God was real or not, you should be ashamed to repeat such gossip. It’s simply not Christian, i.e. ‘Christ-like’.

At this point, I’m sure that someone is getting ready to quote the scripture and call to mind our duty to reprove error within the church. That’s fine. If you have a problem with his teachings or sermons, then give me a direct quote and then refute it using the scripture. I’m happy to have that conversation as there are certain things he believed that I don’t necessarily agree with.

However, if you can’t directly quote his words or give an eye-witness account but instead resort to repeating wild rumors and exaggerations of what he said and did, and judging him thereby, then I suggest that you instead take a good look at yourself and your walk with God. Judging someone the way that people seem to judge him is contrary to the scriptures and indicative of a serious flaw within your self. Whether you realize it or not, your judgment says more about you than it does the person you’re judging.

But, lest you think I’m just defending him out of blind familial loyalty, let me add this: I currently go to church with several people, including my pastor, who attended Chester Hensley’s church for several years up to and immediately after his death and are ‘eye-witnesses’ both to what he taught and how he conducted himself. After relating the contents of these threads to them I was told by ‘eye-witnesses’ that most of it was complete hogwash and that wild outlandish rumors like these were common before his death and even more so afterwards.

[An aside to ‘Stasis’: Unlike Gary Armagh or Phil Volk, neither my current pastor nor those in his congregation (including myself) make any claim to the ‘mantle’ of Chester Hensley. They are hardly ‘flaky’ or ‘shady characters’ and are, in fact, decent scripture-abiding Christians. I implore you, don’t let your experience with Gary Armagh and his followers color your view of people you’ve never met.]

There are a few things mentioned specifically in these threads that I would like to address. The most outlandish tales I’m going to ignore, because they all seem to be second and third hand and, quite frankly, simply ridiculous.

Firstly, the Chauffeur and Limo: Yes he did have a used Limo and for a good reason. While he was evangelizing, his schedule was so tight that he didn’t have the time or money to stay in hotels. With a Limo he could catch some sleep on the ride to the next engagement. Why didn’t he just lay down in the back of a car? Well, to put it bluntly, he was a big guy. The room in the Limo allowed him to stretch out comfortably and catch a few hours of rest. It also allowed his kids (my mother) to travel comfortably with him.

He did not, however, have a hired Chauffeur. My dad, his son-in-law, and a couple other men in the church volunteered to take turns driving the Rev around. Chester did not ‘dress his Saints up as a Chauffeur’. My dad, as a joke, went out and bought a Chauffeur’s cap and wore it. They all thought it was pretty funny at the time, but it just goes to show how humorless some Christians can be. A practical joke by my dad was turned into just another example of Chester Hensley’s alleged pride. Speaking of which…

Chester Hensley’s Vanity/Pride/Whatever: Over the years I’ve heard and read many anecdotes of how full of himself Chester Hensley was. There is no doubt that certain people, both then and now, are in the throws of full blown hero-worship when it comes to Chester Hensley. We all know this kind of adulation of any man to be pure error.

Concerning his personal attitude, however, I have never heard it said by anyone who knew him personally that he was anything but humble, good-natured, and compassionate. Claims to the contrary by those who did not know him personally smacks of ignorance, rumor mongering, and downright character assassination.

If second hand testimony is not enough for you, let me give you a direct quote from Chester Hensley to his congregation not a year before he died (taken from a recorded sermon):

“You people better listen to me. You need to get your eyes off of me and onto God. God is a jealous God, and you people are looking too much to me. If you don’t get your eyes off of me and onto God then he is going to remove me. You hear me? I will die.”

A year later, he was dead of stomach cancer. Does that sound like the type of glory seeking charlatan that dresses up in white robes and has a spotlight shine on him as he enters the sanctuary? No, that sounds like a shepherd and servant of God that realizes some people in his congregation had lifted him up too high and he was desperately trying to get their worship back to where it belonged: on Jesus Christ.

Did some people think too highly of him? Absolutely, there’s no denying that. A lot of people still do. Did he think too highly of himself? According to his own words and the testimony of those who knew him personally (and are not glory seekers themselves), I would say it’s a big resounding ‘No’.

On blaming Chester for the failings of others: One of the posters in this thread related an unfortunate story of how their pastor in California went a bit nuts and then laid the blame squarely on Chester’s shoulders. My question is this: Why?

Forgive me, but blaming Chester Hensley for your pastor falling away is like blaming the Apostle Paul when one of his daughter works fell into error, which happened. Just read Galatians: “Oh, foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth?”

I’ve been through church break ups and believe me, I know how easy it is to get bitter and how powerful the need is to lay blame. But I have to be honest, it sounds to me like your former pastor was the one with the problems, not Chester Hensley. The actions you say your former pastor is guilty of simply doesn’t line up with what he taught and how he lived his life according to the testimonies of those who actually knew him.

You can look at people that have stumbled in their walk with God and say ‘look at the fruits of Chester’s ministry’, but you can just as easily hear the testimony of faithful Holy Ghost filled men and women whose lives are still touched by his ministry a quarter century after his death.

On the question of his salvation: I’ve heard and read several comments along the lines of ‘It’s a shame that such a powerful ministry ended so badly’ and ‘…just goes to show you that having a gift doesn’t guarantee you salvation’. My question to all of you is this: Who are you to judge?

Do you have anything to go on other than rumor and hearsay? Are you privy to information that the people closest to him wasn’t? Somehow, I doubt it. The simple fact is that you don’t know.

Let’s just say, simply for the sake of argument, that he was indeed crazy and in error towards the end. Can any of you say, without a shadow of a doubt, that he didn’t repent and make himself right with God before the end? Would you stake your own eternal salvation on it?

I don’t think there is a single person on these boards who would.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” –Matt. 7:1-5

[gloryseeker]

Hey, thanks for the post it is very interesting. I had been in many of his services as a kid and sat awestruck at the time at the gifts and how they operated.

My memories are fond of him. However, I do reiterate my opinion in that I was recently given some CD's of those services when I was a kid and I now disagree with some of the things he taught. That is not a condemnation, just I see things differently.

About the only thing I disagree with you on is your analogy of the Pastor who went nuts you threw the blame back on him. While I agree with you in that we should all guard ourselves, when one walks in a powerful anointing as he did that builds a confidence in that person. Right or wrong people will look up to that type of person and if there are wrong teachings they can be adhered to as truth.

Anyway, it was a good read thanks for sharing

[gloryseeker]

...aah, no!...........

.....by the way I enjoyed my double-double for dinner and watched 'My Name is Earl, The Office, and TIVO'd Survivor.....oh yeah, you guys have to download these programs into your Ipod to watch because sattlelite TV is baaaaaddd!!!.....................

Just remember, garbage in / garbage out...can't believe you watch that trash

[stasis]

To Jeremiah

I do think it's a bit ridiculous for people to count against Chester Hensley such things as:

1.) Having a black chariot in his basement. Even if he did, who cares? Maybe he liked it... I mean, it's not like he was hiding a television. LOL

2.) Talking to his horse on the phone. Even if he did, maybe Chester loved his horse. Maybe it put his horse in a better mood... or perhaps Chester was a true horse whisperer.

Both of these rumors were new to me... Just when I thought I'd heard it all! Though I must say they aren't as intruiging as those of fire-ball baptistries and weather-control.

I'm sure no one knows everything about the man. Not you, and surely not myself or the others on this forum.

As far as hero worship, I think people need to understand that all humans are inherently EVIL.

All those who I've known who were associated with Chester Hensley were flakes and shady characters, not speaking of everyone. I'm sure there are others who are evil in ways other than these, perhaps like yourself and some of your fellow church members, and myself. But hey, that's why we're supposed to bear our cross daily and live in perpetual repentance of our evil ways, the only way by which our sins are blotted out.

Yeah. 'Judging' is a whole new topic, so you're welcome to ask me if you want to know more about what 'judging' means and the difference between righteous and evil judgement.

[Jeremiah]

Yeah. 'Judging' is a whole new topic, so you're welcome to ask me if you want to know more about what 'judging' means and the difference between righteous and evil judgement.

Thank you for your generosity, friend. I'm always happy to learn from my brothers and sisters in Christ. However, I believe that the difference between righteous judgement and 'evil' judgement was the point of my original post.

If you make a judgement based not on personal first-hand knowledge of a person (and backed up by Scripture), but upon heresay, rumor, and the actions of those who may have, at one point in their lives, been associated with the object of your judgement, then it's likely that your judgement is in error and therefore 'evil'.

You are absolutely right. I didn't know everything there was to know about the man. I admit that readily. I have, however, both heard and read several of his sermons and, like I said, there are things that I disagree with based on my understanding of the scripture. On the other hand, there are also things that I do agree with, once again, based on scripture.

My judgement, one way or the other, of his teachings is based on what I have heard and read myself as compared and proven (or disproven) by the scripture in personal study. This kind of judgement I can accept and respect from anyone.

What I can't accept, and what originally prompted me to post on this forum, was the the unrighteous judgement based on heresay and what basically amounts to rumor mongering. My 'aside' to you (and the scripture quoted at the end of the post) wasn't meant to be offensive in any way and I apologise if I didn't make it clear that I was opposing 'evil judgement' as you call it and that I was in no way promoting theological relativism.

Agape.

[Jeremiah]

My memories are fond of him. However, I do reiterate my opinion in that I was recently given some CD's of those services when I was a kid and I now disagree with some of the things he taught. That is not a condemnation, just I see things differently.

Absolutely! I didn't take your comments on his teachings as condemnation. As I said, there are things he taught that I also disagree with based on personal study of the scripture. As I said in the above post to Stasis, it was the judgment based on heresay and rumor that bothered me.

About the only thing I disagree with you on is your analogy of the Pastor who went nuts you threw the blame back on him. While I agree with you in that we should all guard ourselves, when one walks in a powerful anointing as he did that builds a confidence in that person. Right or wrong people will look up to that type of person and if there are wrong teachings they can be adhered to as truth.

You're right, here's where we're going to disagree. I've spoken with someone who went to that church and witnessed what happened with that pastor. I was told that when the pastor's personall life fell apart he tried to use the name of Chester Hensley (man you yourself say had a powerful annointing) to bring his flock back under his authority by misquoting some of his words. Something, I should add, people have been doing with the bible for as long as it has existed.

I do agree that if an annointed man teachings error then it can affect people if they adhere to it as truth. However, if a man teaches (using your example) error on 'end time events' and 'the authority structure of the church', then you can't come back and say that, 'Because he taught us error on those subjects it's his fault that my pastor commited adultery and tore apart our church'.

Hearing false teaching on one subject does not absolve you of responsibility for your own actions when they are unrelated to that subject, especially when you are in a leadership position.

[Steve Epley]

I do not know ONE Hensley's splinter that stands for the truth he stood for in his early ministry ALL are Charismatic type churches. Name one that still preaches the necessity of the Acts 2:38 message and holiness.

[DaveC519]

Hello Brother,

Rev. Hensley was your grandfather? That's pretty neat. I knew of the Reverend as a young man- my pastor was a good friend of his, and I received the Holy Ghost in one of his revivals at our church. Wow... that was thirty years ago next month.

From what I remember, he was indeed a humble man, who always put the focus where it belonged- squarely on the Lord Jesus Christ. I don't pay attention to the rumors and gossip surrounding him after his death, because I know what I saw, and the Spirit bear witness that he was a true man of God. I do remember one thing he said, "Don't ever worry about lifting someone up too high, cuz there's always plenty of wet blankets around to put out that fire!"

My wife and I continue to cherish the memories we have of him. He was certainly one in a million. :)

[Jeremiah]

I do not know ONE Hensley's splinter that stands for the truth he stood for in his early ministry ALL are Charismatic type churches. Name one that still preaches the necessity of the Acts 2:38 message and holiness.

Brother, I'm happy to be able to do so: Cornerstone Pentecostal Church. :)

The pastor is Mark Boudreaux who (along with his wife, parents, and several members of the congregation) attended Chester Hensley's church up to and shortly after his death. Pastor Mark Boudreaux teaches both holiness and the plan of salvation as laid out in Acts 2:38.

[crazyjoe]

...Bro. Boudreaux was one of the most humble men I have ever seen around Bro. Hensley....I'm sure the Bro. Boudreaux I remeber is Pastor Mark Boudreaux's father....reading these old names brings back a lot of memories....a couple of names left off the list: paul pinell....paul haygood.....

[crazyjoe]

...gloryseeker....who do you think you are???....
....you can't have it both ways!!!....

[Steve Epley]

I am in Nederland right now.

[crazyjoe]

...gloryseeker-you can't have it both ways and play it on both sides of the fence...just because the grand child shows up you change your tone....

[gloryseeker]

you're a nut...what are you talking about

[crazyjoe]

you!

[pentecostalguy]

crazyjoe,

Your Avatar has to go. It is not fair flaunting the In-N-Out logo in front of those of us who don't have access to one!

It makes me crave a "double double" and fries just looking at it.
crazyjoe I have had the privilege of eating a Blake's Lotaburger they make some of the best burgers I have ever had.

[gloryseeker]

you!

then I restate my point...you're a nut

[sako7]

would like to know who this is I know Paul Pinell

[crazyjoe]

Who is the this that you are asking who this is?

[crazyjoe]

then I restate my point...you're a nut

You proclaim that you are from the land of fruits and nuts, and both probably apply to you/

[jbigg]

He definitely had...and lost it.

My dad knew him well. He reached the place where he would enter the church with the lights dimmed, he was dressed in a white robe and a spotlight would follow him all the way to the platform.

Sad, indeed.

That is a lie.

[jbigg]

Chester Hensley is a folk legend among some people.

I hear tales of many miraculous things happening during his ministry. I've even heard it said that he was able to move the sun across the sky and direct the wind with his fingers. I guess some people actually believe these things, despite the fact that if the sun moved out of place a decimal of a degree everything on earth would be destroyed, let alone the actual concept that God would give someone the ability to jerk the sun around (or the Earth) just for kicks on a Tuesday afternoon in the park or something. I mean, it sounds like Elisha had nothing on this guy.

I understand that when Chester Hensley died (in a car accident, or of cancer... I've heard two different stories), his congregation placed his casket within a hexagram, aka 'star of david' or 'seal of solomon', and hoped he would rise from the dead. He didn't.

For a while it seems some people regarded him as a kind of Pentecostal or Charismatic super-saint after he died... Like William Branham, I suppose. Everyone thought they inherited his ministry, or had been passed 'the mantle'. In fact, I think some preachers in the SE Texas area still believe they are the 'chosen one'. I never knew the man personally. He may have been a pleasant person, but it sounds like the stories of his ministry have become more and more distorted over time after his death. I mean, I hear all kinds of fantastic tales... gigantic fireballs flying out of baptistries and floating around the auditorium... Thousands of people being miraculously healed of diseases, ditch water miraculously turning into gasoline (instead of wine) to fill an empty fuel tank.

I personally would have liked to see a quadraplegic suddenly grow four new limbs, but I tend to doubt that happened. I mean, God can do anything he wants, but i'll have a healthy skepticism regarding the tales I've heard.

I also heard a person who was a member of Chester's church say that one of the seals of Revelation were opened during one of his church services... The Sixth Seal, I believe. Which is odd, because I thought only the lamb was worthy to open the seals. Perhaps the lamb decided to announce it's opening one night or something... sounds sort of like a grand-opening ceremony where someone cuts a ribbon with a gigantic pair of scissors, only probably with lots of freaky yelling and such.

It's funny how you always hear of such amazing miracles from other people who heard it from someone else who heard it from someone else. EG "Brother so-and-so went on a missionary trip to the Congo and raised someone from the dead!" Not that I don't believe miracles can happen. Obviously God can do anything he wants to do.

I also heard that in his latter days Chester was on a 'Nazarite Fast', and wouldn't shave. Someone named Randy Clark reportedly lambasted him about this quite a bit. Of course, Randy Clark also married a lady who was trinitarian (her name is Renee, they're still married.), and Chester wasn't too big on trinitarians, so he prophesied that this marriage would destroy Randy's 'ministry'. Randy Clark now runs a big charismatic 'ministry' called Triumph Church in Nederland Texas where he tells people that Jesus wants them to get rich and that Christ's disciples were entrepreneurs. It's like Tony Robbins, but with select bible verses, and lots of people dancing around in tutus and swinging from the ceiling on cables and twirling on the platform. Entertainment factor: 10. I understand lots of Pentecostal churches have since started having younger converts dance on their platforms to enticing music, holding two sticks, swinging them around and making the sign of the cross with them. Perhaps this comes from Randy's approach. I hear at one point in his ministry Chester liked to make grand entrances, wearing white robes with spot-lamps shining on him (I thought we were supposed to receive our robes when we die.. you know... 'he who endureth to the end'). Maybe Randy Clark got his inspiration for dramatic performances from the case of Chester's robed entrance.

Then there is the other guy who was (might still be) having church in Chester's old building. Don't know much about him. 'The Ark'. I think the named changed though... might be wrong. All I know is he says another guy named Gary Armagh is his enemy. Gary Armagh was also thought to 'bear the mantle' of Chester Hensley. Gary Armagh ran a church called World Apostolic Revival which is no more. He hooked up with a woman in his congregation and got a divorce. That tends to degrade one's reputation in 'ministry'.

Overall, it seems some people tend to be more interested in sensationalism, signs and wonders than bearing their cross and living for God.

Perhaps Benny Hinn inherited the mantle.

You are crazier than most of the stories you've heard.

[jbigg]

So you think all these people are just making all this up ?????

Yes! Most of the stories you hear are blatant lies.

[Falla39]

Eph. 4: 29-32

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

[stasis]

You are crazier than most of the stories you've heard.

Okay.

[Adrianstanley]

i know it has been a while but if there is any earthly possibilty that i could some how get copies of chester hensleys preachin i would gladly pay for the trouble! oddly enough my mom was one of those ranch hands that often took care of his horse Cheyenne, they said he loved that horse something fierce. However i did want to tweek a few of the details posted as our families were close before his death. Instead of the miracle of moving sun it was actualy what appeared to be a star that moved, in the presence of over 60 other witnesses, how ever when his daughter{ a child hood friend of my mothers at this time} had scarlet fever, she testified that her dady took her up in his arms and they walked out side near the horse corral and he waved his hand over he and a light and heat like the sun shining appeared over her body from under his hand and moving his hand away the light dimmed and her fever was instantly gone. My grandfather was a close friend of his played the piano there at the first church on boston and great grandfather was his barber those that knew the church will remember the barber shop an house across the street from the boston church{which has since fell in dis repair and was set to be torn down after passing thru the hands of several. Though sadly yes after he passed many many became as the branhamite folk< some family} the man who took over the Ark just before he passed is Phillip Volk, and well i wouldnt care to comment much on that, the word tells us on some things it ought not be named once among us, but as it always seems to occure as soon as a man is lifted up and exalted, and glory is taken for our dear savior intentionally or not they always seem to make a exit soon after the exaltation{i.e. branham, allen, etc....} Concerning Randy Clark, we were members there and many former hensley folk went there, and it will cause a good chuckle to know that the young chauffeur in question driving the limo was 9 times out of ten randy clark himself{his regular driver}, which is brother hensleys nephew, his mother and sister hensley are sisters<precious ladies} and the mentioned prophecy was fairly common knowledge since so many heard it, and well yes some of that may well have come to pass, though he is still senior pastor, they no longer stay in the nederland area, however he was a greatly anointed pastor and evangelist at that time at a time of 9 month revival we saw hundreds saved, baptized in Jesus name and filled with the holy ghost{ yes they was still one God back in the 90's} And yes there were body guards, my cousin being one, brother hensley had a lot of folk that well didnt like him and flat out hated him so it was often needful, though from hearing first hand witness testimony, after seeing fire balls, the lights flicker and even candles light along the wall...... i doubt he needed them. Today there is one church that is still going on with the message, that is the truth he did preach and was birthed under his ministry in abbeville la, called light house for jesus, a real fiery bunch, and they still recall some of his prophecies from time to time when one comes to pass or something happens that they remember him talkin about an are pastered by donnie bolden and his wife prophetess anna bolden. Hope this maybe clears up sone crossed wires, here n there. He was certainly a prophet and made a great impact spiritually in my families lives.

[houston]

take a load off annie...

[Steve Epley]

Yes and the Moon is made of green cheese. What a bunch of foolishness. This man knew the truth and departed from it with his religious carnival.

[Amanah]

Good morning Bro Epley :)

[Steve Epley]

Good morning Bro Epley :)

Sister please put your life in reverse and head back home. Attending a church that does not preach the truth is asking for a spirit of delusion. I plead with you to unplug from this forum and head back home. You don't want to wind up an apostate like many here.

[Jason B]

I had never heard of him and was preaching in Texas. I was walking the aisles and calling people out and some guy comes running down the aisle and screaming & speaking in tongues - "You have the spirit of Chester Hensley"!!! He wrapped a big ole wide neck tie around my neck.
After service the pastor told me a little about CH and he revered him. I gave the pastor the tie and went to my hotel and spent the night in prayer and rebuked the spirit of ANYONE that was on me! . I had no idea who CH was - but I sure did not want his spirit!

Now you just sport the TBN spirit? ;)

[houston]

Now you just sport the TBN spirit? ;)

Bwahahaha!

[Sherri]

I don't know Chester Hensley or anything about him. But I did want to correct one thing I just saw a few pages back. Randy Clark did NOT marry a Trinitarian woman. He married a gal I went to Bible college with; I was at their wedding in Vicksburg, MS. Her name was Renee Marshall and she grew up in Bro. Travis's church.
That's all I know, but I wanted to sort out that one fact!

[kclee4jc]

Sister please put your life in reverse and head back home. Attending a church that does not preach the truth is asking for a spirit of delusion. I plead with you to unplug from this forum and head back home. You don't want to wind up an apostate like many here.

Isn't Sister Amana attending a pretty conservative church right now? But yes, I believe i do agree with you about the nature of this forum's doctrine (which i understand is quite diverse). It definately holds the potential to have a very negative affect on someone's spirituality if allowed. Deception is in high regard by many here.

[Amanah]

Isn't Sister Amana attending a pretty conservative church right now? But yes, I believe i do agree with you about the nature of this forum's doctrine (which i understand is quite diverse). It definately holds the potential to have a very negative affect on someone's spirituality if allowed. Deception is in high regard by many here.

Actually, I'm trying to find a church that both I and my sister can attend together. There are 2 choices, and we have been alternating between them.

1) the church we attended most of our adult life, which used to be very very UC, but now is similar (I would guess) to the church Sherri and her husband pastor

2) the UPC church down the road, which seems to be a fairly balanced church, they obviously believe in standards, but are not heavy UC hellfire and damnation preaching. (like church 1 used to be)

The problem is my sister feels more comfortable in church number 1. She loves the Pastor of the church and isn't concerned that the doctrine has changed.

She strongly dislikes Church 2 because when she went down to the altar to pray, they all attacked her like she was a sinner, and it made her mad.

I have mixed feeling about the whole thing. I still believe that people need to repent, be baptized and receive the HG, evidenced by speaking in tongues. Church number 1 doesn't make it an issue. Church number 2 obviously does.

On top of that though, this Sunday, because we were having a tropical storm and it was flooding, I chose to attend the AoG church down the street instead of driving 45 minutes into town. I enjoyed the Pastor's teaching so much that I said I might stay for the series he is teaching on and make a decision on church 1 and church 2 later.

Which made Brother Epley and Scotty concerned for my soul. And Bro Epley said he would pray for me and I hope he does because there is still a decision that needs to be made between church 1 an church 2.

the other option is i church hop back and forth, when sister wants to go to church we go to church 1, when she doesnt want to go, i go to church 2 alone. I don't like that option though. I want a church home.

[kclee4jc]

Actually, I'm trying to find a church that both I and my sister can attend together. There are 2 choices, and we have been alternating between them.

1) the church we attended most of our adult life, which used to be very very UC, but now is similar (I would guess) to the church Sherri and her husband pastor

2) the UPC church down the road, which seems to be a fairly balanced church, they obviously believe in standards, but are not heavy UC hellfire and damnation preaching. (like church 1 used to be)

The problem is my sister feels more comfortable in church number 1. She loves the Pastor of the church and isn't concerned that the doctrine has changed.

She strongly dislikes Church 2 because when she went down to the altar to pray, they all attacked her like she was a sinner, and it made her mad.

I have mixed feeling about the whole thing. I still believe that people need to repent, be baptized and receive the HG, evidenced by speaking in tongues. Church number 1 doesn't make it an issue. Church number 2 obviously does.

On top of that though, this Sunday, because we were having a tropical storm and it was flooding, I chose to attend the AoG church down the street instead of driving 45 minutes into town. I enjoyed the Pastor's teaching so much that I said I might stay for the series he is teaching on and make a decision on church 1 and church 2 later.

Which made Brother Epley and Scotty concerned for my soul. And Bro Epley said he would pray for me and I hope he does because there is still a decision that needs to be made between church 1 an church 2.

the other option is i church hop back and forth, when sister wants to go to church we go to church 1, when she doesnt want to go, i go to church 2 alone. I don't like that option though. I want a church home.

Well, I'll pray for you as well! I know that family is important but remember we are to seek out our own salvation with fear and trembling. From the things you have posted on here, I think that you most certainly have a heart for God and a heart that desires truth. Remember, there is an adversary that opposes that. Jesus promised that His Spirit will lead us into all truth, people often fail to do that.

[Amanah]

Well, I'll pray for you as well! I know that family is important but remember we are to seek out our own salvation with fear and trembling. From the things you have posted on here, I think that you most certainly have a heart for God and a heart that desires truth. Remember, there is an adversary that opposes that. Jesus promised that His Spirit will lead us into all truth, people often fail to do that.

right, and there is one more thing.

I can't help but wonder, if so many people who I know (including my beloved Pastor (church 1), no longer believes what we all used to believe, is it possible that my beliefs are incorrect in some way.

Is it possible that, what people call PCI, is correct?

If that is possible, then church 1 would work. I can't wrap my mind around it though. I seem to be a die hard 3 stepper.

[kclee4jc]

paul told timothy that a day would come when men would no longer give heed to sound doctrine, but heep to themselves teachers having itching ears. it's not about being a one stepper or 3 stepper but about believing the gospel and sound doctrine. you are hearing the wrong voices on this forum. i dont hate anyone, i'm sure that someone will try to say that i do. i want to see everyone saved but i am well aware of the narrow way Jesus spoke of. don't give the devil any ground by listening to the voices of deception. be renewed instead of reformed!

[deltaguitar]

paul told timothy that a day would come when men would no longer give heed to sound doctrine, but heep to themselves teachers having itching ears. it's not about being a one stepper or 3 stepper but about believing the gospel and sound doctrine. you are hearing the wrong voices on this forum. i dont hate anyone, i'm sure that someone will try to say that i do. i want to see everyone saved but i am well aware of the narrow way Jesus spoke of. don't give the devil any ground by listening to the voices of deception. be renewed instead of reformed!

See, I think the same thing when I hear the Apostolic doctrine. I see people who are hurt and stuggelling because of what is preached and the very doctrine they hold as true.

Why do you automatically think that just because someone rejects your interpretation that they have itching ears? Is it possible that your doctrine is wrong?

Good doctrine always points people to the cross and builds people up while bad doctrine always hurts people and adds unbiblical ideas to the gospel.

[Amanah]

See, I think the same thing when I hear the Apostolic doctrine. I see people who are hurt and stuggelling because of what is preached and the very doctrine they hold as true.

Why do you automatically think that just because someone rejects your interpretation that they have itching ears? Is it possible that your doctrine is wrong?

Good doctrine always points people to the cross and builds people up while bad doctrine always hurts people and adds unbiblical ideas to the gospel.

delta, don't fuss at him, he is just concerned for me, and he is a nice guy

[Sherri]

Amanah--You have to listen to God and Him alone. Voices of men will confuse you. I know what I believe after years of searching and praying and listening to God. Some will not agree, and that's ok.

We consider ourselves diehard conservatives in the Christian world, but compared to some people on here, I am a flaming liberal. So it's all in perspective. I'm glad that God is our judge and not men.

I would never try to convince you what to do or where to go to church. You have to go where you feel God wants you. There is nothing wrong with strict Pentecostalism, and there is nothing wrong with a church that's not so strict if they preach repentance, baptism in Jesus' name and Holy Ghost. The difference is just at what point they believe you have reached salvation. So that's what you have to figure out for yourself.

[Steve Epley]

Isn't Sister Amana attending a pretty conservative church right now? But yes, I believe i do agree with you about the nature of this forum's doctrine (which i understand is quite diverse). It definately holds the potential to have a very negative affect on someone's spirituality if allowed. Deception is in high regard by many here.

Said she was visiting an AG church and evidently she is going through some crisis in her spiritual life she doesn't need this forum. I have seen too many good but unstable folks hurt through these type forums. She needs a good home church and good pastor not advise from folks who no longer believe the Apostolic message an have made shipwreck.

[kclee4jc]

i have begun to wonder quite a bit lately whether this forum is actually a benefit or a hindrance to the body of Christ. it has the potential for either, depending on how it is used.

[Sister Alvear]

A person has to be settled in his heart...sometimes on any type open forum you will have millions of opinions...I don't let men's opinions direct me or else we become unstable... However we must remember salvation is no thing to play with. On many opinions I don't know where God draws the line. One thing is sure we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
Find a good pastor...I am blessed with wonderful man of God in my life.
life brings us many hurts so we cannot base what we believe running from those that hurt us...

[Sister Alvear]

Yes, I remember Chester Hensley...

[deltaguitar]

i have begun to wonder quite a bit lately whether this forum is actually a benefit or a hindrance to the body of Christ. it has the potential for either, depending on how it is used.

If we are under godly submission, and have a heart for discussing God in a truthful way we will benefit.

Some doctrines just cannot stand up against biblical scrutiny.

[Nitehawk013]

Iron sharpens iron. But...at times this forum seems less interested on sharpening iron than it is on hammering others into oblivion.

Scrutiny is one thing. Refusal to see some thigns that are clear as day is another thing.

Like most forums, many are masters at Eisegesis while claiming exegesis. And it is common on both sides of the aisle. Just learn to eat teh meat and spit out the bones. Or in some cases just refuse to even sit down at the table with some posters.

[Sister Alvear]

Actually, I would like to meet everyone personally...not that I would be close to everyone but knowing people personally you understand them better...well most of the time..ha....

[Ferd]

crazyjoe,

Your Avatar has to go. It is not fair flaunting the In-N-Out logo in front of those of us who don't have access to one!

It makes me crave a "double double" and fries just looking at it.

Cee Cee Won, I realizes your post above was from 4 years ago but I thought you would like to know that we now have a number of IN-n-Outs here in Dallas now!

I had a Double Double Animal style not long ago!

considerthisataunt!

[deltaguitar]

Cee Cee Won, I realizes your post above was from 4 years ago but I thought you would like to know that we now have a number of IN-n-Outs here in Dallas now!

I had a Double Double Animal style not long ago!

considerthisataunt!

Ferd,

Somehow I thought you were in Southeast Texas. Didn't realize we were neighbors.

[Ferd]

Ferd,

Somehow I thought you were in Southeast Texas. Didn't realize we were neighbors.

it appears we are. ive been here since 1995... this time around.

[houston]

Can anything good come out of Dallas?

[deltaguitar]

it appears we are. ive been here since 1995... this time around.

Well, I moved here about year ago and it is pretty nice.

:highfive

[CC1]

Cee Cee Won, I realizes your post above was from 4 years ago but I thought you would like to know that we now have a number of IN-n-Outs here in Dallas now!

I had a Double Double Animal style not long ago!

considerthisataunt!

Yup. I saw a guys post on youtube where he waited until some odd hour to try to go get one the week one of them opened and he had video of traffic backed up for a mile or more!

[Cindy]

Can anything good come out of Dallas?

Yep

[houston]

Yep

was a rhetorical no

[aegsm76]

Can anything good come out of Dallas?

I-35 North...

[houston]

I-35 North...

:spit

[Ferd]

Can anything good come out of Dallas?

LOL! that depends on what you mean by "Dallas" and what you mean by "Come out of"

Cuz I wasnt born here but moved here.... Then there is the issue of what is Dallas? do you mean the city of Dallas or all the surrounding locals? There are about a hundred cities that are of substantial size that are all part of the Metroplex

We do have the NBA Champs, and what could be the MLB Champs...
we also have the Fort Worth Zoo, the Nasher Musium.
The Dallas Cowboys and least we forget In-n-Out is now a Dallas institution!

[Ferd]

Yup. I saw a guys post on youtube where he waited until some odd hour to try to go get one the week one of them opened and he had video of traffic backed up for a mile or more!

yea the traffic around those things is nuts! but they move the line pretty quickly.

[Ferd]

Ferd,

Somehow I thought you were in Southeast Texas. Didn't realize we were neighbors.

I think I saw that the other day.

[AncientPaths]

was a rhetorical no

I'm here. That's good enough.

[debra]

bro.hensley,was a great man of GOD, who was gifted beyond what most could even imagine, he was greatly loved by his congregation, and respected by all that new him. you could search the world over, and not find another quite like him. i personally sat under him as a child growing up in his church, you new you where in the presence of GOD , when you where in that church.it has , and always will have a profound effect on my life...i will alway cherish the memories of being in his church...i grew up seeing miracles , ill never forget ,one night there was this lady who had one short leg, when i say short, i mean really short....like a dead leg, prob a foot shorter than the other, he had called several others up, and prayed for them,then he called her ,,,i always sat up front with my grandmother,second or third row...anyway, when he laid hands on her , and prayed for her....that leg grew , right before my very eyes, she through down her crutches, and ran all over that church. i am a true witness to the power of GOD, and the gifts that where bestowed on bro . hensley.....he was TRULY, in every sence of the word, a prophet of GOD ! all the way through, till the day GOD took him, i am close to his family to this day. his wife , three daughters and his grandchildren, have all been a part of my life. i will always honor him, and respect his family. he will , always be missed. and i agree with dave c519, all the negative gossip, is just that....NEGATIVE GOSSIP....not true....lies, from jelous people, who have nothin better to do. and i say this to them.....touch not mine annointed , and do my prophets no harm. .. believe the words of the prophet, and recieve the prophets rewards......he was a great man , of GOD , and i will defend him , till the day i die ! he was greatly loved !!! in JESUS NAME, we miss you BRO. HENSLEY !

[CC1]

bro.hensley,was a great man of GOD, who was gifted beyond what most could even imagine, he was greatly loved by his congregation, and respected by all that new him. you could search the world over, and not find another quite like him. i personally sat under him as a child growing up in his church, you new you where in the presence of GOD , when you where in that church.it has , and always will have a profound effect on my life...i will alway cherish the memories of being in his church...i grew up seeing miracles , ill never forget ,one night there was this lady who had one short leg, when i say short, i mean really short....like a dead leg, prob a foot shorter than the other, he had called several others up, and prayed for them,then he called her ,,,i always sat up front with my grandmother,second or third row...anyway, when he laid hands on her , and prayed for her....that leg grew , right before my very eyes, she through down her crutches, and ran all over that church. i am a true witness to the power of GOD, and the gifts that where bestowed on bro . hensley.....he was TRULY, in every sence of the word, a prophet of GOD ! all the way through, till the day GOD took him, i am close to his family to this day. his wife , three daughters and his grandchildren, have all been a part of my life. i will always honor him, and respect his family. he will , always be missed. and i agree with dave c519, all the negative gossip, is just that....NEGATIVE GOSSIP....not true....lies, from jelous people, who have nothin better to do. and i say this to them.....touch not mine annointed , and do my prophets no harm. .. believe the words of the prophet, and recieve the prophets rewards......he was a great man , of GOD , and i will defend him , till the day i die ! he was greatly loved !!! in JESUS NAME, we miss you BRO. HENSLEY !

My memories of him is that he had a really cool Cadillac Limo with a chauffer at Louisiana Campmeeting in the mid 70's when I was there!

Were you in his church at the time he died? Were you one of them who waited for him to raise himself from the dead? Enquiring minds want to know!

[RandyWayne]

bro.hensley,was a great man of GOD, who was gifted beyond what most could even imagine, he was greatly loved by his congregation, and respected by all that new him. you could search the world over, and not find another quite like him. i personally sat under him as a child growing up in his church, you new you where in the presence of GOD , when you where in that church.it has , and always will have a profound effect on my life...i will alway cherish the memories of being in his church...i grew up seeing miracles , ill never forget ,one night there was this lady who had one short leg, when i say short, i mean really short....like a dead leg, prob a foot shorter than the other, he had called several others up, and prayed for them,then he called her ,,,i always sat up front with my grandmother,second or third row...anyway, when he laid hands on her , and prayed for her....that leg grew , right before my very eyes, she through down her crutches, and ran all over that church. i am a true witness to the power of GOD, and the gifts that where bestowed on bro . hensley.....he was TRULY, in every sence of the word, a prophet of GOD ! all the way through, till the day GOD took him, i am close to his family to this day. his wife , three daughters and his grandchildren, have all been a part of my life. i will always honor him, and respect his family. he will , always be missed. and i agree with dave c519, all the negative gossip, is just that....NEGATIVE GOSSIP....not true....lies, from jelous people, who have nothin better to do. and i say this to them.....touch not mine annointed , and do my prophets no harm. .. believe the words of the prophet, and recieve the prophets rewards......he was a great man , of GOD , and i will defend him , till the day i die ! he was greatly loved !!! in JESUS NAME, we miss you BRO. HENSLEY !

Oh boy... The whole "one leg is shorter than the other trick!", said with my best Maxwell Smart impersonation.

[witness8]

I was in the church when Rev passed away and was at the funeral.....I received the Holy Ghost on May 29 1977...moved to Nederland March 1979...In those few short years that I was there, I saw the true gifts demonstrated. I am not ashamed of knowing him and being under his ministry...Its really amazing to see post where there is negativity spoken about him, when all some have is just hearsay. If you want to know anything then ask me...thanks and God bless

[BeenThinkin]

ROFL!!!! That pretty much sums it up. You forgot to mention that they thought he was going to raise from the dead and didn't want to bury him.

I remember as a teenager he showed up at Louisiana Campmeeting in a beautiful balck Cadillac Limi with one of his saints dressed up in a Chauffers uniform driving him around.

It was pretty funny. I have always loved limos so I got a kick out of getting to see one close up (not to many of them in La. at that time) but thought it was strange a pastor would be riding a limo. I guess he was an early adopter of the prosperity message?


I must have been at the same campmeeting as you. Saw him park the limo behind the tabernacle and walk in with a flourish!

BT

[RandyWayne]

I must have been at the same campmeeting as you. Saw him park the limo behind the tabernacle and walk in with a flourish!

BT

Ya, some people certainly LIVE for the Grand Entrance, but there is only one who an truly pull it off.

http://www.google.com/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cBjejJAwvK0/TE2gHCClOGI/AAAAAAAACsE/vAzYrosusIU/s320/iron-man-2-71.jpg&sa=X&ei=lFSRUJyGBOGWiAKQ2oCIDA&ved=0CAoQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNEHQ80YAsupHTwTI_MmH5ezW-29KQ

[lindawest]

Good Morning,
I would like to comment about the articles on Chester Hensley. I knew Rev. Hensley personally and he was a great Prophet. He never expected to rise from the dead as some would say. God took him home. I believe it to be a punishment to some in the church at the time. You never know what you have until it is gone. I witnessed miracles while under his ministry. It is a great loss to the world for him to be gone. I think about him almost every day and wish I had him back. The world today could sure use him.

[NewbieMisfits]

Could you post a preferred video you might know of? Just interested ;)


Peace

[hewlett411]

for the "stiffnecks"that at one time called Bro. Hensley your pastor, "misery, misfortune, and unspeakable woe," THUS SAITH THE LORD.

[n david]

for the "stiffnecks"that at one time called Bro. Hensley your pastor, "misery, misfortune, and unspeakable woe," THUS SAITH THE LORD.
Erm....ok. I don't think the Lord actually said that though. :lol

[RandyWayne]

for the "stiffnecks"that at one time called Bro. Hensley your pastor, "misery, misfortune, and unspeakable woe," THUS SAITH THE LORD.

".....and agony on me!"

http://www.framingthedialogue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/gloom-despair-and-agony-on-me.jpg

[CC1]

Good Morning,
I would like to comment about the articles on Chester Hensley. I knew Rev. Hensley personally and he was a great Prophet. He never expected to rise from the dead as some would say. God took him home. I believe it to be a punishment to some in the church at the time. You never know what you have until it is gone. I witnessed miracles while under his ministry. It is a great loss to the world for him to be gone. I think about him almost every day and wish I had him back. The world today could sure use him.

Wow! I didn't realize God punishes people in churches by killing their pastor. Hmmmm.......

[houston]

Wow! I didn't realize God punishes people in churches by killing their pastor. Hmmmm.......I think some would get God angry on purpose!

[CC1]

I think some would get God angry on purpose!

LOL!!! Also I guess I forgot that God held Oral Roberts hostage that time and threatened to kill him if he did not raise enough money for the hospital he was starting. (according to Oral anyway).

[TakingDominion]

Never heard of Chester Hensley. However, I was listening to an old message of LE Westberg today, and he mentioned the name Chester Hensley. He made a comment along the lines that he had seen Chester Hensley used mightily by God, but that he got away from truth. He said he had seen CH perform miracles, but made it sound CH died lost. He even said something about being caught in a hotel room with a 16 yo girl...

[Evang.Benincasa]

Never heard of Chester Hensley. However, I was listening to an old message of LE Westberg today, and he mentioned the name Chester Hensley. He made a comment along the lines that he had seen Chester Hensley used mightily by God, but that he got away from truth. He said he had seen CH perform miracles, but made it sound CH died lost. He even said something about being caught in a hotel room with a 16 yo girl...

I had two good friends who went to CH's church.

Sad story.

[Michael The Disciple]

After reading many posts in this thread I have to ask what END TIME DOCTRINE was the man preaching that people were concerned about?

[Evang.Benincasa]

After reading many posts in this thread I have to ask what END TIME DOCTRINE was the man preaching that people were concerned about?

You ready?


Post Tribulation.

He was hard core post tribber.

[Michael The Disciple]

You ready?


Post Tribulation.

He was hard core post tribber.

Ahhh I see.

[TakingDominion]

Ahhh I see.

Of course that is the first question MTD asks... candy stick meet MTD. MTD meet candy stick.

[Michael The Disciple]

Of course that is the first question MTD asks... candy stick meet MTD. MTD meet candy stick.

What SHOULD have been my first question?

If "candy stick" means favorite topic of discussion you would be wrong. My favorite topic of discussion is the PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST. His deity, humanity, teachings, and the riches of his grace to his children.

Having said that, the resurrection and second coming is a major part of the ongoing story of Jesus.

Was there anything wrong with me asking about this mans end time doctrine since it SEEMED to play a big part in his story?

[Evang.Benincasa]

ROFL!!!! That pretty much sums it up. You forgot to mention that they thought he was going to raise from the dead and didn't want to bury him.

I remember as a teenager he showed up at Louisiana Campmeeting in a beautiful balck Cadillac Limi with one of his saints dressed up in a Chauffers uniform driving him around.

It was pretty funny. I have always loved limos so I got a kick out of getting to see one close up (not to many of them in La. at that time) but thought it was strange a pastor would be riding a limo. I guess he was an early adopter of the prosperity message?

Mike is this where you got the idea that he went into the prosperity message?

[Evang.Benincasa]

This happened several decades ago. They should be over it by now and realize that he isn't coming back to life.:killinme

Well, well, well, lookie here. They should of been over it by now? CC1, you sure were a hater. Growing up around One God Apostolics sure burned your bacon. :killinme

[Evang.Benincasa]

Several limo rides. All quite nice.

Seeing a limo at age 14 in rural Louisiana was a big deal! Especially when a big ole Pentecostal Preacher was the owner. Very memorable.

He was a very eccentric figure and those we all tend to remember.

Good grief, 14 years old every black sedan looks like limo. :heeheehee

CC1, I think you suffer from Pentecostal Traumatic Stress Disorder.

[Evang.Benincasa]

TBPEW

I attended a revival given by Reverend Hensley when I was a teenager. I don't remember limo's or eccintricy, but I do remember him being very kind, funny, a great preacher (to keep a teenagers attention) and a lot of people recieving the Holy Ghost. His church members seemed very loving and genuine, and being called crazy doesn't sit well with me. I understand that was years ago...but there is something to the saying "Rest in Peace"


Also lot to be said in how people remember history. :lol

[Evang.Benincasa]

I remember Chester coming to the Texas Campmeeting in Lufkin when I was a kid. He would get up on the stage during singing and alter service and call folks out. His bodyguards or aids would bring folks up for him. He would then speak prophetically to them about their lives. It was very interesting and different to most of us, he never called me up so I have no idea what he had to say. Oh, yeah he brought his limo.

That's all I know, have heard the "nuts" stories but have no good confirmation of any of that.


Brother Herman Hebert traveled with him. He was a short guy. I know at the age of 14 short people are intimidating.

[berkeley]

This is probably the most important post on this thread.

Note: I’m posting this in both threads regarding Chester Hensley.

Chester Hensley was my grandfather and I also feel compelled to respond. Of course, it pains me to hear the negative things being said about him. I have, however, grown up hearing opinions that run the gamut from jealousy to unreasonable hatred to downright hero-worship, so this is nothing new to me.

I’ve had several conversations with people from both sides of the fence concerning my grandfather and one thing that I’ve observed is this: the most outlandish tales (wearing white robes, spotlights, having a black chariot in the basement, controlling the weather, etc.) are told by people who didn’t see these things first hand but are just repeating rumors they themselves had heard from a ‘reliable’ source. Whether you like Chester Hensley or not, whether you agree with his teachings or not, whether you think his walk with God was real or not, you should be ashamed to repeat such gossip. It’s simply not Christian, i.e. ‘Christ-like’.

At this point, I’m sure that someone is getting ready to quote the scripture and call to mind our duty to reprove error within the church. That’s fine. If you have a problem with his teachings or sermons, then give me a direct quote and then refute it using the scripture. I’m happy to have that conversation as there are certain things he believed that I don’t necessarily agree with.

However, if you can’t directly quote his words or give an eye-witness account but instead resort to repeating wild rumors and exaggerations of what he said and did, and judging him thereby, then I suggest that you instead take a good look at yourself and your walk with God. Judging someone the way that people seem to judge him is contrary to the scriptures and indicative of a serious flaw within your self. Whether you realize it or not, your judgment says more about you than it does the person you’re judging.

But, lest you think I’m just defending him out of blind familial loyalty, let me add this: I currently go to church with several people, including my pastor, who attended Chester Hensley’s church for several years up to and immediately after his death and are ‘eye-witnesses’ both to what he taught and how he conducted himself. After relating the contents of these threads to them I was told by ‘eye-witnesses’ that most of it was complete hogwash and that wild outlandish rumors like these were common before his death and even more so afterwards.

[An aside to ‘Stasis’: Unlike Gary Armagh or Phil Volk, neither my current pastor nor those in his congregation (including myself) make any claim to the ‘mantle’ of Chester Hensley. They are hardly ‘flaky’ or ‘shady characters’ and are, in fact, decent scripture-abiding Christians. I implore you, don’t let your experience with Gary Armagh and his followers color your view of people you’ve never met.]

There are a few things mentioned specifically in these threads that I would like to address. The most outlandish tales I’m going to ignore, because they all seem to be second and third hand and, quite frankly, simply ridiculous.

Firstly, the Chauffeur and Limo: Yes he did have a used Limo and for a good reason. While he was evangelizing, his schedule was so tight that he didn’t have the time or money to stay in hotels. With a Limo he could catch some sleep on the ride to the next engagement. Why didn’t he just lay down in the back of a car? Well, to put it bluntly, he was a big guy. The room in the Limo allowed him to stretch out comfortably and catch a few hours of rest. It also allowed his kids (my mother) to travel comfortably with him.

He did not, however, have a hired Chauffeur. My dad, his son-in-law, and a couple other men in the church volunteered to take turns driving the Rev around. Chester did not ‘dress his Saints up as a Chauffeur’. My dad, as a joke, went out and bought a Chauffeur’s cap and wore it. They all thought it was pretty funny at the time, but it just goes to show how humorless some Christians can be. A practical joke by my dad was turned into just another example of Chester Hensley’s alleged pride. Speaking of which…

Chester Hensley’s Vanity/Pride/Whatever: Over the years I’ve heard and read many anecdotes of how full of himself Chester Hensley was. There is no doubt that certain people, both then and now, are in the throws of full blown hero-worship when it comes to Chester Hensley. We all know this kind of adulation of any man to be pure error.

Concerning his personal attitude, however, I have never heard it said by anyone who knew him personally that he was anything but humble, good-natured, and compassionate. Claims to the contrary by those who did not know him personally smacks of ignorance, rumor mongering, and downright character assassination.

If second hand testimony is not enough for you, let me give you a direct quote from Chester Hensley to his congregation not a year before he died (taken from a recorded sermon):

“You people better listen to me. You need to get your eyes off of me and onto God. God is a jealous God, and you people are looking too much to me. If you don’t get your eyes off of me and onto God then he is going to remove me. You hear me? I will die.”

A year later, he was dead of stomach cancer. Does that sound like the type of glory seeking charlatan that dresses up in white robes and has a spotlight shine on him as he enters the sanctuary? No, that sounds like a shepherd and servant of God that realizes some people in his congregation had lifted him up too high and he was desperately trying to get their worship back to where it belonged: on Jesus Christ.

Did some people think too highly of him? Absolutely, there’s no denying that. A lot of people still do. Did he think too highly of himself? According to his own words and the testimony of those who knew him personally (and are not glory seekers themselves), I would say it’s a big resounding ‘No’.

On blaming Chester for the failings of others: One of the posters in this thread related an unfortunate story of how their pastor in California went a bit nuts and then laid the blame squarely on Chester’s shoulders. My question is this: Why?

Forgive me, but blaming Chester Hensley for your pastor falling away is like blaming the Apostle Paul when one of his daughter works fell into error, which happened. Just read Galatians: “Oh, foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth?”

I’ve been through church break ups and believe me, I know how easy it is to get bitter and how powerful the need is to lay blame. But I have to be honest, it sounds to me like your former pastor was the one with the problems, not Chester Hensley. The actions you say your former pastor is guilty of simply doesn’t line up with what he taught and how he lived his life according to the testimonies of those who actually knew him.

You can look at people that have stumbled in their walk with God and say ‘look at the fruits of Chester’s ministry’, but you can just as easily hear the testimony of faithful Holy Ghost filled men and women whose lives are still touched by his ministry a quarter century after his death.

On the question of his salvation: I’ve heard and read several comments along the lines of ‘It’s a shame that such a powerful ministry ended so badly’ and ‘…just goes to show you that having a gift doesn’t guarantee you salvation’. My question to all of you is this: Who are you to judge?

Do you have anything to go on other than rumor and hearsay? Are you privy to information that the people closest to him wasn’t? Somehow, I doubt it. The simple fact is that you don’t know.

Let’s just say, simply for the sake of argument, that he was indeed crazy and in error towards the end. Can any of you say, without a shadow of a doubt, that he didn’t repent and make himself right with God before the end? Would you stake your own eternal salvation on it?

I don’t think there is a single person on these boards who would.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” –Matt. 7:1-5

[Evang.Benincasa]

Note: I’m posting this in both threads regarding Chester Hensley.

Chester Hensley was my grandfather and I also feel compelled to respond. Of course, it pains me to hear the negative things being said about him. I have, however, grown up hearing opinions that run the gamut from jealousy to unreasonable hatred to downright hero-worship, so this is nothing new to me.

I’ve had several conversations with people from both sides of the fence concerning my grandfather and one thing that I’ve observed is this: the most outlandish tales (wearing white robes, spotlights, having a black chariot in the basement, controlling the weather, etc.) are told by people who didn’t see these things first hand but are just repeating rumors they themselves had heard from a ‘reliable’ source. Whether you like Chester Hensley or not, whether you agree with his teachings or not, whether you think his walk with God was real or not, you should be ashamed to repeat such gossip. It’s simply not Christian, i.e. ‘Christ-like’.

At this point, I’m sure that someone is getting ready to quote the scripture and call to mind our duty to reprove error within the church. That’s fine. If you have a problem with his teachings or sermons, then give me a direct quote and then refute it using the scripture. I’m happy to have that conversation as there are certain things he believed that I don’t necessarily agree with.

However, if you can’t directly quote his words or give an eye-witness account but instead resort to repeating wild rumors and exaggerations of what he said and did, and judging him thereby, then I suggest that you instead take a good look at yourself and your walk with God. Judging someone the way that people seem to judge him is contrary to the scriptures and indicative of a serious flaw within your self. Whether you realize it or not, your judgment says more about you than it does the person you’re judging.

But, lest you think I’m just defending him out of blind familial loyalty, let me add this: I currently go to church with several people, including my pastor, who attended Chester Hensley’s church for several years up to and immediately after his death and are ‘eye-witnesses’ both to what he taught and how he conducted himself. After relating the contents of these threads to them I was told by ‘eye-witnesses’ that most of it was complete hogwash and that wild outlandish rumors like these were common before his death and even more so afterwards.

[An aside to ‘Stasis’: Unlike Gary Armagh or Phil Volk, neither my current pastor nor those in his congregation (including myself) make any claim to the ‘mantle’ of Chester Hensley. They are hardly ‘flaky’ or ‘shady characters’ and are, in fact, decent scripture-abiding Christians. I implore you, don’t let your experience with Gary Armagh and his followers color your view of people you’ve never met.]

There are a few things mentioned specifically in these threads that I would like to address. The most outlandish tales I’m going to ignore, because they all seem to be second and third hand and, quite frankly, simply ridiculous.

Firstly, the Chauffeur and Limo: Yes he did have a used Limo and for a good reason. While he was evangelizing, his schedule was so tight that he didn’t have the time or money to stay in hotels. With a Limo he could catch some sleep on the ride to the next engagement. Why didn’t he just lay down in the back of a car? Well, to put it bluntly, he was a big guy. The room in the Limo allowed him to stretch out comfortably and catch a few hours of rest. It also allowed his kids (my mother) to travel comfortably with him.

He did not, however, have a hired Chauffeur. My dad, his son-in-law, and a couple other men in the church volunteered to take turns driving the Rev around. Chester did not ‘dress his Saints up as a Chauffeur’. My dad, as a joke, went out and bought a Chauffeur’s cap and wore it. They all thought it was pretty funny at the time, but it just goes to show how humorless some Christians can be. A practical joke by my dad was turned into just another example of Chester Hensley’s alleged pride. Speaking of which…

Chester Hensley’s Vanity/Pride/Whatever: Over the years I’ve heard and read many anecdotes of how full of himself Chester Hensley was. There is no doubt that certain people, both then and now, are in the throws of full blown hero-worship when it comes to Chester Hensley. We all know this kind of adulation of any man to be pure error.

Concerning his personal attitude, however, I have never heard it said by anyone who knew him personally that he was anything but humble, good-natured, and compassionate. Claims to the contrary by those who did not know him personally smacks of ignorance, rumor mongering, and downright character assassination.

If second hand testimony is not enough for you, let me give you a direct quote from Chester Hensley to his congregation not a year before he died (taken from a recorded sermon):

“You people better listen to me. You need to get your eyes off of me and onto God. God is a jealous God, and you people are looking too much to me. If you don’t get your eyes off of me and onto God then he is going to remove me. You hear me? I will die.”

A year later, he was dead of stomach cancer. Does that sound like the type of glory seeking charlatan that dresses up in white robes and has a spotlight shine on him as he enters the sanctuary? No, that sounds like a shepherd and servant of God that realizes some people in his congregation had lifted him up too high and he was desperately trying to get their worship back to where it belonged: on Jesus Christ.

Did some people think too highly of him? Absolutely, there’s no denying that. A lot of people still do. Did he think too highly of himself? According to his own words and the testimony of those who knew him personally (and are not glory seekers themselves), I would say it’s a big resounding ‘No’.

On blaming Chester for the failings of others: One of the posters in this thread related an unfortunate story of how their pastor in California went a bit nuts and then laid the blame squarely on Chester’s shoulders. My question is this: Why?

Forgive me, but blaming Chester Hensley for your pastor falling away is like blaming the Apostle Paul when one of his daughter works fell into error, which happened. Just read Galatians: “Oh, foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth?”

I’ve been through church break ups and believe me, I know how easy it is to get bitter and how powerful the need is to lay blame. But I have to be honest, it sounds to me like your former pastor was the one with the problems, not Chester Hensley. The actions you say your former pastor is guilty of simply doesn’t line up with what he taught and how he lived his life according to the testimonies of those who actually knew him.

You can look at people that have stumbled in their walk with God and say ‘look at the fruits of Chester’s ministry’, but you can just as easily hear the testimony of faithful Holy Ghost filled men and women whose lives are still touched by his ministry a quarter century after his death.

On the question of his salvation: I’ve heard and read several comments along the lines of ‘It’s a shame that such a powerful ministry ended so badly’ and ‘…just goes to show you that having a gift doesn’t guarantee you salvation’. My question to all of you is this: Who are you to judge?

Do you have anything to go on other than rumor and hearsay? Are you privy to information that the people closest to him wasn’t? Somehow, I doubt it. The simple fact is that you don’t know.

Let’s just say, simply for the sake of argument, that he was indeed crazy and in error towards the end. Can any of you say, without a shadow of a doubt, that he didn’t repent and make himself right with God before the end? Would you stake your own eternal salvation on it?

I don’t think there is a single person on these boards who would.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” –Matt. 7:1-5

https://media1.tenor.com/images/a27293d4c69a27cb2b258c4433ba83da/tenor.gif?itemid=5645497

Also thank you Berkley for fining this post and reposting it.

[TakingDominion]

What SHOULD have been my first question?

If "candy stick" means favorite topic of discussion you would be wrong. My favorite topic of discussion is the PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST. His deity, humanity, teachings, and the riches of his grace to his children.

Having said that, the resurrection and second coming is a major part of the ongoing story of Jesus.

Was there anything wrong with me asking about this mans end time doctrine since it SEEMED to play a big part in his story?

I have no opinion on what SHOULD have been your first question. I think WE ALL know what your candy stick is my friend.

Definitely nothing wrong with you asking the question. I just found it funny that I dredge up an old thread regarding a former man of God who seems to stir up a lot of controversy and differing opinions, and your first question is about the man's end time belief.

Nothing against you or your question my friend. Have a great day.

[Michael The Disciple]

I have no opinion on what SHOULD have been your first question. I think WE ALL know what your candy stick is my friend.

Definitely nothing wrong with you asking the question. I just found it funny that I dredge up an old thread regarding a former man of God who seems to stir up a lot of controversy and differing opinions, and your first question is about the man's end time belief.

Nothing against you or your question my friend. Have a great day.

Peace and love!