06/02/2026
Well Done... Pastor Ford
St. John Family,
It is with a heavy heart and yet with the hope of the Gospel that I share the news that our beloved Assistant Pastor, Reverend Ellis Ford, Jr., transitioned from labor to reward this morning.
What do you say about a man who rarely needed a microphone to make an impact? His life preached louder than many sermons ever could.
For many of us, he was simply "The Cardinal."
What began as a term of endearment became a fitting description of who he was among us. He was wise. He was steady. He was faithful. He was the kind of leader whose presence brought comfort, whose counsel brought clarity, and whose faith inspired confidence. You always knew where Reverend Ford stood because he stood firmly with God, His church, and His people.
For decades, Reverend Ford faithfully served the St. John Church family. He cared for thousands of families through some of life's greatest joys and deepest sorrows. He helped shape ministries that became an integral part of our church's culture, including Member Services. He poured into the lives of countless ministers, helping to develop, encourage, and guide many who now serve throughout the Kingdom because he took the time to invest in them.
His service was never about recognition. It was about faithfulness.
Long before many people saw ministry as a platform, Reverend Ford understood it as service. Whether offering a word of wisdom, standing beside a grieving family, mentoring a young minister, or helping ensure the work of the church moved forward, he did it with humility, consistency, and grace.
For me personally, this loss is profound.
Reverend Ford was more than my Assistant Pastor. He was my friend, my counselor, my confidant, and my right hand in ministry. Through every season, he was a trusted presence whose wisdom, loyalty, and love for God's people strengthened both me and this church. His fingerprints are woven throughout the fabric of St. John, and his impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Today, we grieve because we loved him. We grieve because a voice of wisdom has been silenced in our hearing. We grieve because a faithful servant's chair now sits empty among us.
But we do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
We rejoice knowing that the servant who labored so faithfully has now entered his eternal rest. The God he preached, served, trusted, and loved has welcomed him home.
The Cardinal has taken flight.
Though his earthly assignment has ended, his legacy lives on in every life he touched, every minister he mentored, every family he comforted, and every person he encouraged to trust God a little more.
Please join me in praying for Sister Ford, the Ford family, and all who loved him. Let us honor his memory by serving faithfully, loving generously, and continuing the work of ministry with the same humility and devotion that characterized his life.
Thank you, Reverend Ford, for your service. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Pastor Denny Davis
Senior Pastor
St. John Church Unleashed
