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Rev. H. W. Hastings III
Before you read the following biography, which was written by another, I want you to know this ministry is not about me. It’s about my great God and Savior Jesus Christ who saved me from a life of sin. In the biography many noteworthy accomplishments in the eyes of the world are mentioned. From my perspective, they are all rubbish in light of the relationship I have with Christ, my blessed Savior. At a Bible conference, a man, who was enamored with the fact that I was a Special Forces Combat Diver and Army Ranger, approached me. He told me if I moved to his town, people would flock to hear me speak. He said, “There are hundreds of people who would listen to a Green Beret speak, especially with current events the way they are.” I don’t desire people flocking to hear me. This life and ministry is about the person and work of one man—Jesus Christ. He is the One with whom we should be enamored. I am only an instrument of the Lord’s and it is by His grace that I have the honor of communicating His infallible Word. Don’t look to me, look to the Lord—trust in Him to teach you by His Spirit who indwells you. People have often expressed their thanksgiving for what they’ve learned and how it has changed their life. I am encouraged that the Lord has found it pleasing to use me in such a manner, but the teaching that is changing lives is the Lord’s doctrine not mine. It is God the Holy Spirit who makes what is taught a living reality. Therefore, let your thanksgiving be unto the Lord. The apostle Paul said, “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed.” (1 Cor. 3:5a) With that understood, you may read the biography.
Henry W. Hastings, III, was born in Newport Beach, California. His formative years were spent in Newport Beach, where he graduated from Newport Harbor High School in May of 1982. From high school he enrolled at Marion Military Institute where he earned an Associates Degree in Military Science and in May of 1985, received a Reserve Commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. During his military service, Pastor Hastings reached the permanent rank of Major, graduated from Ranger School, Special Forces School, Jump Master School, and the Combat Dive Supervisor’s Course. He served as a Special Forces detachment Commander and a primary staff officer at the Battalion and Group levels. Henry enrolled at the University of Southern California in the fall of 1986, and, during periods between deployments and training, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Henry became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ on December 14, 1991. Shortly after this event, he recognized that he had the spiritual gift of Pastor-Teacher and began to focus his life in preparation for a life of communicating God’s Word. He enrolled in Dallas Theological Seminary in the fall of 1993 and graduated in 1999 earning a Master’s Degree in Theology (ThM). He was ordained on June 7, 1997. After 15 years of military service, Henry resigned his commission in order to focus on the ministry God has given him. Pastor Hastings lives in Atlanta with his wife and two children and is the pastor of Grace Atlanta Bible Church.
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