Who We Are
Leonard & Lesley Hays
Leonard and Lesley Hays have given their lives for the Gospel. From the beginning, literally plucked out of the fire, and dropped into the awaiting arms of a loving Father.
Truly, they were two of the least likely candidates for a life of ministry. After completing a MA in Clinical Psychology at Wheaton College they headed for the mission field. They lived for 11 years in Latin America serving the poor and oppressed, training youth leaders, church planting and for the final 3 years planting and giving leadership to the house of prayer in Cuernavaca, Mexico. They raised their 3 children on the mission field, where, as a family, they lived out an Incarnational Gospel. The Lord sovereignly called them out of the field where they transitioned into life in Kansas City.
They were involved in pioneering several Departments at the International House of Prayer, where they were on full-time staff for 4 years. They traveled extensively throughout the US and the nations helping many small and large works, particularly in the areas of Prayer & Worship, House of Prayer, structure, forerunner message, Israel, fasted lifestyle, Holy Spirit and more…
Some of the work they were involved in at IHOP was: Luke18Project, Apostolic Missions School, Director Translation Department, Director Hispanic Ministry, Prophetic Ministry Leadership.
In April 2011, they embarked on another Pioneering Adventure, packing up their household and moved to Vermont with 25 young people (primarily from IHOP) to live in community, run a farm, a restaurant, and come alongside the house of prayer in Burlington (specifically) and in general throughout New England. They have a deep love for the people of New England. Their hope and prayer is to see the seedbed of revival again release the love of God into the earth. This was a monumental effort, with much resistance as well as great victories. There is a missional chip coupled with a community chip and a now developing and growing Love of the Father chip that is the essential DNA of Leonard and Lesley. After 4 years, in large part due to a complicated illness of their daughter, they returned to Kansas City where Kelsey made her transition into eternity. They currently reside near their beautiful grandson in Boulder, CO.
Since first saying yes to Jesus, they have willingly poured their lives into the nations of the earth, at times with a cost to their family. They still have the same desire to see people step into the full benefits of a relationship with Jesus, but something has shifted in their spirits that can only be explained by the “settledness” that comes from our Father pouring His love into their hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). They still have the same desire to see the captives set free, but it has shifted, not in its urgency, but in the application of that urgency. There is a rest, as they are in the Trinity, which has not only increased their boldness but genuine affection for all of His Kids. He really just wants His kids to come home to the place of comfort and peace that results from living in His heart.
Leonard & Lesley are passionate to see the sons and daughters of God walk in the fullness of freedom, unto the transformation of: individuals, families, Churches, businesses, cities, regions and nations.
They believe as the children of God continually experience the love of the Father, and learn to walk as the children of God (appropriate to who He is), the Kingdom of God will spontaneously and organically expand (revival) to the ends of the earth. A burning desire in their heart is to plant transformational communities, who’s members will receive and express the Love of the Father, “as they go” into all areas of life.
After over 20 years of full-time ministry, Leonard and Lesley recognize what Jesus was saying when he said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV) There is a great peace as we recognize in Christ, we live in the heart of the Father, despite all that the world has to throw at us. He really has the whole world in His hands!
Leonard and Lesley are currently full-time with FatherHeart Ministries (fatherheart.net), where they travel and speak as itinerant ministers and A school leaders, sharing the Love of the Father wherever He may take them, whether it be domestically or to the ends of the earth! They are learning to live each day from their heart, and to live loved!
Leonard and Lesley have 3 children, 1 daughter-in-law, and 1 grandson and Hunter the lab!
Leonard & Lesley direct a 501(c)3 that’s purpose is to bring the Revelation of the Love of the Father ultimately to every Human Being and to resource the Body of Christ in walking in Sonship.