On September 21, 1983 Apostle Lesley Ford, Jr. and Rosella Ford established the Living Word Church, a bible based, spirit empowered and growing church, committed to sharing the hope of the gospel and making a difference in people’s lives.  At the Living Word Church, we only teach the uncompromising Word of God.  We believe with this teaching it is building a foundation in your life that will prepare you for a growing experience of God’s goodness and awesome plan for your life.

The Living Word Church & World Outreach Ministries occupies what we believe is our spiritual assignment which is teaching men, women, and children the Word of God so you will have everything you need to grow spiritually, physically, and mentally. The Living Word Church and World Outreach Ministries embraces providing a positive social, economic, and spiritual impact upon the community and the opportunity to serve, as we expand in the Twin Cities area.

Lesley Ford Jr. was born the youngest of 7 siblings in Goodman Mississippi to Lesley Sr. and Mary Ford. In 1961 Lesley enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served 4 years as an airplane mechanic, during the Vietnam War. Lesley Jr. moved to Minnesota in 1965 after his tour of duty and graduated from the Minnesota School of Business and began his professional life which included employment at Honeywell and then moved on to Control Data for 23 years in managerial roles.

Lesley Jr. started his family in 1966 when he married Rosella Ford.  They reared 4 children and extended their parent nurturing through foster care with other children. They have been married for 55 years, have 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren are residents of Roseville, MN.

Lesley found his spiritual path for life in 1970, when he gave his life to Jesus Christ and in July 1981 he was licensed as an ordained minister of the gospel. While still employed at Control Data, in September 1983 Lesley accepted the spiritual mandate, along with his wife Rosella Ford, and launched his full-time Pastoral status with just 7 people in his home and the Living Word Church was born, a non-denominational ministry. Because of Lesley’s spiritual wisdom, genuine care, and concern for spiritual well-being of people, Lesley was ordained as an Apostle of the Gospel in June 2002 by his pastor Bishop Virgil D. Patterson of Los Angeles, CA.

This growth of the church is a representation of Lesley ‘s strong spiritual mandate as a Pastor, Preacher and Teacher to touch the lives of those spiritually lost and dying, by preaching the uncompromised, unadulterated word of God, which ministers to those individuals. Apostle Lesley’s goal is to enable, equip and empower men, women, boys, and girls, of all walks of life for the work of the ministry.