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.

Explore messages from the archive, or help tell this ministry’s story by sharing a memory for the family to review and publish.

From the ministry archive

Discernment and the Church

A shoulder-haired guitarist smiles among three welcoming listeners in a bright olive courtyard, with a dove above the distant landscape.
© By One Spirit Ministries

Just a few words here today about a comment I recently received on one of our TV broadcasts that are on youtube. Maybe this will help someone here in some way, I don't know; but it is certain that some understanding is desperately needed in a lot of sects within the body of Christ. Anyway, the comment was about my son Elisha who does the broadcasts with me, playing gospel music. Many of you have seen him on the clips I post sometimes here on facebook, and the issue is that he has hair that is a little short of shoulder length. Here is what the man had to say: "1 Co 11:14 Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, I don't mean to offend you, just reminding you; God bless you both." Okay, I've been in Christ for 32 years and have been around a lot of dear brothers and sisters who are part of many Pentecostal affiliations, so I am fully aware of this kind of mindset, usually found in "apostolic" circles. So what about this? What is the truth of the matter? Well, that is what I intend to set forth here, so bear with me. And the only reason I will bother with this is that many children of God are hindered by these kinds of petty things. I may as well go ahead and quote the passage he mentioned, especially seeing he did not quote it accurately to begin with: "For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels... Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the [congregations] of God" (I Cor. 11:6-10,14-16). I didn't quote the entire passage but I have referenced the verses that matter to the whole issue. So a woman's hair is given to her for a covering, and it is a glory to her (vs. 15). Not only so, but it is a sign of her being under authority to the man ["power" - vs. 10]. And it is true that because of these things, it is more comely that a woman's hair is of sufficient length, and longer than a man's hair (vs. 15). And if she is going to wear her hair really short, she may as well shave it off, because it is a dishonor to do so (vs. 6). And by the same token, if a man has hair that is too long it is a dishonor to him (vs. 14). Now that is the crux of the issue, and I would like to point out the confusion of the thinking of those who hawk these kinds of issues. First of all, almost all of the sects that have these hair ordinances, also set forth that a woman cannot cut her hair at any time. And if they do not uphold that commandment, then they believe that a woman must have hair close to waist length. I've actually seen hair on women literally to the feet, and I don't have a problem with that if it is what someone feels like doing.

The real problem and the hypocrisy of the issue is this: If a woman's hair is supposed to be long for a "covering," and long means close to the waist, or never cut at all, which is usually the case; then how is a man's hair "long" if it is shoulder length or less? Uh-huhhhh. See what I mean? It is just a judgmental commandment of men that carries a condemning spirit that doesn't make any sense at all. Not to mention that almost invariably, where these hair laws are upheld, the women wear their "covering" up in a bun on top of their head, and thus leave their head "uncovered." Also any woman with my son's hair length would be condemned by these sects, so how is his hair "long"? And the verse in that passage that is always overlooked by these "hair police" is the last one that the apostle had to say on the matter: "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the [congregations] of God" (vs. 16). So Paul was saying that if someone wanted to make an issue of the hair matter, just let them know that we do not have any commandment or custom on the issue. And that is the edifying stance because that is the only mindset that cuts out contention and strife regarding a carnal matter that does not determine anything about someone's hope of salvation. Now a couple of interesting points that I can add about the particular comment that was left for me on youtube, are these: One of the most notable men of God since the apostles, who lived in the 20th century, was commissioned for his ministry by an angel, which angel also visited him on a regular basis. In fact I have even been told personally by the son of this man of God how that he was allowed once to see this angel that visited with his father. This angel, who when he first appeared to the man of God, stated, "Fear not, I am sent from the presence of almighty God." Anyway this angel was described both by the man of God and by his son who saw him, as being about six feet tall, around 200 pounds, with olive colored skin, and DARK HAIR TO HIS SHOULDERS. So if my son Elisha is so out of order, then why does God allow his messengers to get away with such dishonorable practices in heaven? Ironically, though not meaningful, the description of that angel perfectly describes my son, to the tee. Funny I think. And this same man of God, who was fabulously gifted with visions and experiences with God, also visited paradise toward the end of his life. Escorted by the angel, he saw a multitude of people whom he had led to Christ in their lifetimes. He said that they were all young, perfect, and beautiful. In fact the angel asked him about one of the beautiful young women, if he recognized her. The man of God said, "no." The angel then told him that the woman was above 90 years old when he had led her to Christ. My goodness, how I feel that down in my soul, don't you? But the point here is that the man of God described all of the women as having long hair to their waist, and all of the men as having hair TO THEIR SHOULDERS. So again my friend, we should not take it upon ourselves to define petty things like hair length, the way we personally want it to be; and then condemn those who do not fit that mode. I believe it to be much wiser and safer to heed the following admonition of the great apostle Paul: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink [carnal things]; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in THESE THINGS serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another" (Rom. 14:17-19). And as far as the hair issue goes: " But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the [congregations] of God." Amen.

From the Preserved Writings of Lary R. Hale

By One Spirit · Media library

Videos & songs

Broadcast 50Open on YouTube

Loading viewer…

Broadcast 50

Jesus Is All

More broadcasts

From the ministry’s YouTube archive. Visit the channel for new uploads.

Selected Broadcast 50: Jesus Is All

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