Pastor R. Loren Sandford

Called to love people, to set them free, and to grow God’s church, pastoring has been Loren’s lifelong passion, a calling now spanning four and a half decades. Recognition as a prophetic voice was never his ambition. His passion for people and the church, however, have led directly to a prophetic calling and the need to hear the voice of God so he could help prepare God’s people for the coming days. In recent years everything Loren has done, from his work as a songwriter to his preaching, teaching and writing books, has been seen and interpreted by the wider body of Christ as prophetic in its impact. As John Sandford’s son, it seems heritage can be inescapable. As a pastor/prophetic voice, Loren always speaks from the Father’s heart, the heart of a shepherd training up those prophetically called, as well as those gifted in other areas of ministry.

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In 1973 he completed a B.A. in music education, then completed his Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California in 1976. Since then, he has served four churches full time, planting two of them himself, including New Song Church and Ministries where he remains the senior pastor. In 1979 and 1980 he was the co-director of Elijah House, the ministry his father and mother founded in 1973, where he did prayer counseling and traveled the world teaching inner healing.

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Initially ordained in a mainline denomination where he served on the national board for the Charismatic Renewal group within that denomination, he has since served in the Vineyard (1988-1992) and from 1996-2013 was affiliated with Partners in Harvest, the church affiliation that grew out of the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (now known as Catch the Fire). He served a number of years as a regional coordinator in PIH and as a recognized prophetic voice within the movement.

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Now independent, he was involved in overseeing churches and mentoring pastors in several states. Loren has released 14 CDs of original music, mostly for worship, and is the author of six books currently in publication. Loren has been married to Beth since 1972. Loren and Beth share everything from church leadership and worship to weight training and a passion for revival. They have three grown children and ten grandchildren. 

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Was a man of many gifts. He held the 5-fold offices and worked in all of them, giving his church, family and the wider body of Christ words that will live on in the coming years. His books tell of his accomplishments. many called him hero or spiritual father. But what I want to share who he was to me.Loren was a wonderful husband and my best friend, next to Jesus. We grew up together. I was barely 19 years old, and he was not yet 21 when we married. We were always in ministry and we both loved serving Jesus. Loren was intense and had a heart for the body of Christ and his family. His last words were of getting well in order to serve the church and be with his family. He provided for all of us and never gave up on anyone. He was a true prophet of God and was never quick to speak but carried the world in his heart and spirit. His love of music andthe gift of writing were always a part of his life and all who knew him. Loren loved deeply. He gave of himself every moment of his life and he cared beyond what the world could understand. I will miss him until we hug again in the Kingdom. Loren had 3 children. Charity, Nathan and Reah.

 

 

He loved them so deeply it hurt him sometimes. He loved their spouses as if they were his own, Bill, Mindy, and Jordon. The 11 grandchildren were his delight, and he was so proud of each one. Loren was the eldest of 6 children leaving behind, Ami, Mark, Johnny, Tim, and Andrea. He loved their spouses as well. He was so proud of each of them. Loren loved his staff and board and the people who make up New Song Church, which we started 29 years ago. He was a wonderful boss and gave each one who served a field in which to grow. Loren will be missed by all of us and all who listened to his daily words, sermons and read his books, but he leaves a legacy which will forever live on through each of us.