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

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Legacy · Q&A

Speaking in Tongues in Public

Raphael-inspired painting of a white dove above a peaceful assembly in flowing luminous light.
© By One Spirit Ministries

Question:

Hi, Lary. I came across your site tonight, and something is troubling me about the concept of speaking in tongues in public worship and prayer. I saw in your question/answer section that in your meetings, some will pray silently, others in tongues aloud, and others quietly in tongues. I haven't completely made up my mind yet about whether or not speaking in tongues is acceptable or necessary. I was brought up in the Baptist church, so this doctrine is a bit foreign to me, and I am prayerfully seeking the Scriptures, trying to look past my biases and my upbringing. Let's assume for the sake of argument that I agree with your view of speaking in tongues and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. What troubles me is this: "If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God." (I Corinthians 14: 27-28) I don't want to sound antagonistic, but if it is true that you wish to examine the Scriptures outside of the context of traditional Chrisitianity, how can you justify the kind of meeting you described? I could find nothing in the context of these verses to negate them or give them a different meaning. Again, I do not wish to be antagonistic, but to discern the truth from the Scriptures,

April

Answer:

Hi April,

Thank you for taking the time to write. Your question is a good one and it sounds to me that you are honest and only want what is right, meaning what is from God. I don't interpret anything you've said as antagonistic or anything like that. In I Cor. 14, the Apostle Paul was dealing with an assembly that was zealous of the things of the Spirit, but were going about things in a disorderly manner. In this case he was talking about people that were actually ADDRESSING the congregation in tongues, in the same manner that someone would get up and preach or testify to a congregation. That is why he stated that they should speak one at a time, and only two or three of them at that; again ONLY if there was an interpretation, so that the congregation could be edified. As he said, if I were to get up and start SPEAKING TO a congregation in tongues, and there was no

interpretation following, then I would be as a barbarian to them because no

one would know what I was saying to them.

On the other hand, if the Spirit moves us to pray, then everyone is going to PRAY TO God in whatever way they feel comfortable with. When we pray, we are not praying for one another to hear us, nor should we be focused on or listening to what someone else is praying; seeing we all SHOULD BE praying with our minds and focus ON THE LORD. If someone comes into one of our meetings, that hasn't been around the Spirit before, whether they see someone praying in the Spirit (tongues - I Cor. 14:14) or in their own words, or even silently; the impression that will be left with them is that these folks really mean what they're praying about, and its not a formality with them.

Paul made the statement about prayer in the spirit and in the understanding also, as I referenced above, simply to show that believers have the capacity to pray either way; and therefore they have the capacity to address the congregation in language that can be understood, and should do so unless a message in tongues is interpreted. In fact, with twenty five years of experiencing the holy Ghost in my life, I often find more effectiveness by praying in tongues, BECAUSE no one else can understand it. It actually makes it more private and less of a temptation for others to just be listening to what I am saying, or for my mind to wonder what

someone else thinks about what I'm praying. It truly is less distracting to others who are trying to pray themselves, to not be able to understand the next person's words. Congregational prayer is a totally different situation than one or even two people addressing the congregation in tongues as if they were speaking a message to the people.

I might also add that I have experienced, witnessed, and ministered many miraculous and glorious things in the Spirit of God through praying for people and with people, in tongues. Its all a matter of what's coming from the heart. If that part is in line with God, then praying in the Spirit only enhances the effect of the prayer. Not only that, but the Spirit ALWAYS prays through us (meaning in tongues) according to the will of God (Rom. 8:26,27). Of course praying in one's own words is great too, when the Spirit is leading that way. I hope this helps some. I know if you keep seeking the Lord with an open and willing heart, He will show you the way to go in. May God bless you in a mighty way!

Sincerely,

Lary Hale

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