By One Spirit — Holy Ghost Ministry

Lary and his beloved dog Champ welcomed by Jesus into a radiant garden of flowers, waterfalls, and golden light
Remembering the ministry and teachings of Lary R. Hale

Faith carried forward

By One Spirit is a lasting home for Holy Ghost ministry, preserving the teachings of Lary R. Hale and the memories of the people whose lives he touched.

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From the ministry archive

Let’s Be Real

Four friends offer water, a blanket and tender companionship to a grieving man.
© By One Spirit Ministries

“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Prov. 17:17). This one verse can really sum up our calling as children of God, as pertains to relationships that we have among ourselves. The apostle Paul put this simplistic truth into a little more detail for us: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philip. 2:4-8). It is quite evident that Jesus and the Father were and are looking after the good of others, seeing it was for our sake alone that Jesus was sent by God to suffer and die. While it is true that if no one else’s heart is with us, God’s is; it is also true that it is a shame to every child of God whose heart is not literally with the hearts of their brethren and everyone else around them who is in need. It is very easy to say and even to believe that our heart is with others around us and abroad, but be certain that our doings will tell the real story: “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” (Prov. 20:11). It’s been said, and rightly so that our actions speak louder than our words. The truth of the matter is that as long as we are ‘trying’ to be what we’re supposed to be in Christ, we will not be it. We can be like Jesus only if and when we do as the quoted scripture says, and “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” If we have received God’s Spirit and we allow that Spirit to put sin to death in our lives, we will simply be led by the Spirit to be what we are supposed to be (Rom. 5:5; Rom. 6:6; Gal. 5:22-24). The heart that is circumcised from the fleshly nature and remains that way, has no more strain bearing the fruit of the Spirit than an apple tree has bearing apples. Loving people with God’s love is just the natural thing for an obedient child of God to do (Eph. 5:1,2). If our hearts are not with those we are closest to then we are fooling ourselves to think that they are with everyone else. Allow me to quote our text verse again: “A FRIEND loveth at all times, and a BROTHER is born for adversity.” A friend or a brother is someone who is very close to someone. I’m also fully aware that “there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother,” but that only proves that Jesus is who and what he is. What about us? Jesus being who and what he is will not save us if WE fail to be who and what he is: “… because as he is, so are we in this world” (I Jn. 4:17).

The apostle Paul had the testimony that he was supposed to have, and all of his actions backed up his words: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). God and his Son are love, and love cares and is concerned, like them. And Paul’s is not just the testimony of a major apostle my friend, but rather it is the calling of every child of God. In fact it is the only new commandment that Jesus left for us to fulfill: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (Jn. 13:34). A lot of folks are wrapped up these days in ministry, teaching, spiritual gifts and the like; but often forget the heart of the calling which is for our hearts to truly be with one another’s hearts, and the hearts of others in need. If you’re shooting for the pinnacle then shoot for that. If we miss that mark then we have missed THE mark, as the scripture confirms: “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing” (I Cor. 13:2). You think those are just embellished examples? Then embellish this: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat. 7:22,23). It is certainly iniquity to be so bound to our own concerns that we are unconcerned about the legitimate cares of others around us. Spiritual gifts, ministry, miracles, and teaching should come as a result of our keeping the heart of the faith in our hearts, not vice-versa. If we’re keeping sin out of our hearts and souls as we are commanded to do, it is only by the power of God’s Spirit that we are doing so. And if we are doing so then there is nothing left in our hearts but “the love of God [that] is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Rom. 5:5). I assure you that that love will make you “a friend [who] loveth at all times,” and “a brother [who] is born for adversity.” I may note here that the scripture is speaking of the adversity of someone else, not ours personally. So what is left to say? Only this admonition of the apostle Paul: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” If it is Jesus Christ that is in us, be it known that “Jesus Christ [is] the same, yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). And be it known that he left heaven and came here solely for our sake, not his own. Amen.

From the Preserved Writings of Lary R. Hale

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Jesus Is All

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In loving memory

Lary R. Hale

Lary smiling with his beloved dog Champ
Lary with Champ

A Hero Finally Rests.

Lary Redman Hale of Louisville, KY entered into his greatest joy, the presence of King Jesus himself, welcomed by the cheers of angels and the saints of God on Sunday night, April 21, 2024.

What the outside world would see as the untimely passing of a humble, local minister, heaven saw as the triumphant finale of a valiant warrior's life. He fought the good fight, having kept the faith, and received what Christ himself called "The Champion's Wreath of Victory".

Lary was born November 13, 1954 to Marvin and Norma Hale. Being the youngest of his siblings ensured he had lots of time with his loving mother, from whom he undoubtedly developed his profound sensitivity, heartfelt sentimentality and emotional comfortability - characteristics that were trademarks of his life. He grew up surrounded by cousins and classmates that became his best friends.

At his 50 year class reunion he was overjoyed and excited to catch up with so many of them, smiling and laughing more than he had in a long time. He would often tell stories of how he treasured those times as a young boy riding bikes, shooting B.B guns and playing with his childhood dog Peanuts; all while getting into assorted harmless mischief. He cherished the time he spent living on his parents houseboat and helping his dad, a united states marine veteran, take care of the boat and dock.

His relationship with his dad was only strengthened in their later years as they watched boxing matches almost every weekend for the remainder of his dad's life. He admired his brother Gary for his athleticism and industrious attitude, and thought his sisters Vicki and Mila had hearts of gold just like his mother. In his teen years Lary developed three of his lifelong loves: swimming, cool cars and lifting weights.

Some people said Lary was part fish because of how well he swam, but Lary would correct them, he was actually part dolphin. As a young man he managed a health club where he helped multiple people lose weight and counted that a huge joy. He loved nature and taking photos of it, honing his skills and knowledge in cameras. His vocabulary was second to none and he enjoyed learning new words and using them especially in his writings.

Before he passed he still exercised as much as his body would allow and he longed to return to the ocean and the white sands of Destin, Florida.

Like most disenfranchised teens in the early 70s, Lary indulged in countless vices that left him empty and searching for more. Although his long black curly hair, loud clothes, muscles and muscle cars made him the envy of the boys and the heartthrob of the girls, none of these things satisfied his heart. He pursued a college education briefly, desiring to be a marine biologist or philosopher but found that this was not what he was missing either - he longed for true fulfillment.

Depressed, empty, and feeling hopeless, Lary heard about a particular beautiful girl he had a crush on that was attending a small church where the "Spirit of God" was changing people's lives. After wondering why someone like her would attend a church like that, he began to attend also.

After a few months, he made a simple prayer on his hands and knees, saying "God I can't stop smoking, drinking, raging or any of the other countless vices I have - but if you can set me free from these things, I'll know you're real and that you want me to serve you". The next morning Lary woke up and described the next few hours as "walking on air" realizing he was, in his words "delivered" and never going back to those vices.

This began his life long commitment to glorifying Jesus, the king of glory, for how he transformed Lary's life from darkness to light. Lary would marry that same beautiful girl, the love of his life, Fay Kustes, and they would have two sons together, Benjamin Isaac and Elisha Daniel. Lary's greatest joy in life was being a husband and father.

He was happiest when he was sharing what he was learning in the bible with his family, and teaching them that knowing God was simplistic and yet powerful - that God was not merely a religious concept, but a powerful savior on a day to day basis. As Lary made it his life's goal to find "the lost sheep", he would tap into his multifaceted creativity that went largely underappreciated.

Lary produced well over a thousand episodes of gospel presentations: self-producing, mixing, editing and encoding both a radio and television show. Between the two, he broadcast for over 30 years. All of this in the analog age, where self produced radio and TV shows were nearly unheard of, especially without any budget whatsoever.

Lary was an evangelist in Louisville and southern Indiana, being asked to preach and teach in multicultural and multi-generational churches across the city. The churches he was most loved and welcomed by were the African-American Baptist and Pentecostal churches that loved and welcomed his passionate, excitable and action packed style of preaching.

Once the dawn of the internet came, he immediately worked to have a website published, making his literature and gospel teachings available. Eventually he'd use social media to teach, preach and encourage believers all across the world. He would spend every night praying with and encouraging christians from every nation until the end of his life. Many of which saw him like a second father and all of whom greatly mourn his passing.

Even though he produced over a thousand episodes of media, taught in multiple churches, mentored in multiple countries, and had multiple printed works of literature, he considered his greatest life's work to be his two sons. One of their earliest memories is Lary saying "the most important job in the world is not preaching the gospel, it's raising kids in the gospel". This threaded through his entire life.

In his final week on earth, he reminisced on his life saying "I see my life as the highest success, because my life's work are my two sons, who I am so incredibly proud of - not for their natural achievements but for their love, humility and personal faith in Jesus that is not only evident in their lives but also in their love. Because of them, I know my life is a true success - and I credit Jesus for all of it".

His sons today see him as the most successful man they will ever know. He succeeded in loving them and never hurting them. Leading them and never controlling them. Being there for them and never leaving them. He was a man that would apologize quickly, forgive quickly, and always encouraged his sons to "get up and go from here". He succeeded in teaching them faith, hope and love in a world starving so badly for all three. His ministry lives on in them.

The lives of everyone touched by their lives are forever indebted to this humble, prayerful man of faith.

He is preceded in death by his father Marvin, mother Norma, sister Mila, sister-in-law Marlene, nephew Adam, aunts, uncles, treasured cousins, and his beloved dog of 18 years, Champ.

Until they are reunited in the glory of heaven, he is survived and will be missed by his sons, Benjamin and Elisha (Katrine), his wife of 30 years, Fay, his brother Gary, His sister Vicki (Dan), his cousins, nieces, nephews, his friends, and those that called him their pastor and teacher.

"The righteous perish, and no man lays it to heart: merciful men are taken away and no one considers that the righteous person is being spared from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: he shall rest in his bed, having walked in uprightness." Isaiah 57:1&2

A life in pictures and film

Watch the tribute video shared with Lary’s obituary. It brings together moments from his life and footage of the man so many loved.

Video hosted by Tribute Slides through Newcomer Kentuckiana.

Original obituary at Newcomer Kentuckiana

Memories of Lary