Hayseed Stephens

1938 - 2003

Hayseed Stephens, internationally-known businessman and founder of the Living Way Ministries, Ness Energy International and Hayseed Stephens Evangelistic Association, left his earthly body to join his father in heaven, Thursday, May 15, 2003.

Funeral: 2 p.m. Monday at the Living Way Ministries Church in Willow Park. Burial: Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. at the Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel in Weatherford.

Memorials: The Hayseed Stephens Evangelistic Association, 4201 I-20 Service Rd., Willow Park, Texas 76087, to carry on the worldwide evangelistic work of his ministry and vision.

Hayseed Stephens, being a man of destiny, his tenacity, dedication, determination, commitment and love has left a legacy of faith in Jesus, to millions.

Hayseed was born in Caps Oct. 30, 1938, to Ernest and Anna Stephens. Raised in Tye, he graduated from Abilene High School in 1957 where he played on three state championship football teams under the leadership coach Chuck Moser. In the year 2000, that senior team was chosen the Team of the Century in Texas football history.

He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Gene Bradshaw, in Abilene, March 14, 1959 and continued his football career at Hardin-Simmons University under coach Sammy Baugh. During this time Hayseed was named most outstanding collegiate passer in the nation in 1960. He later played professionally for the New York Jets, formerly the Titans.

Since committing his life to Christ in 1978, Mary Gene and Hayseed have faithfully served the Lord together, teaching and preaching the message of God’s agape love from the Zulu nation of South Africa to the Holy City of Jerusalem.

In 1980, they established the Living Way Church and International Ministry in Willow Park. In 1982, Hayseed was one of 12 Christian businessmen invited to pray with then-Prime Minister Menachem Begin in Israel. During the course of that day, while in conversation, Prime Minister Begin spoke to Hayseed and said: “Maybe you will be the one to come and find oil for us in Israel.”

From this prophetic statement, a vision was born to drill for oil in Israel to help free the nation from economic bondage. He later created Ness Energy International, a publicly-traded company dedicated to an unwavering vision of this independent source of energy for Israel and the Christian communities. Hayseed Stephens was totally convinced “Jesus really is the man the Bible says He is,” and therefore, all we have to do is “just do what He says!”

In the fall of 2002, Hayseed’s missionary work carried him to Nigeria with the Redeemed Church of God, where he ministered to 7.5 million Nigerians in one gathering.

This history-making event drew over 11 million on the last night of the revival where several million were “born again” and healed. Over the past 20 years Stephens developed deep relationships with two of South Africa’s most powerful leaders, King Goodwill Zwelethini Zulu and Prime Minister M.G. Buthelezi. He was made a Zulu prince and carried the Covenant Canes of both these great men.

Survivors: Wife of 44 years, Mary Gene Bradshaw Stephens; son, Sha and wife, Stacey Stephens; daughter Shar and husband, George Courtney; grandsons, Seth, Joshua and Sammy Stephens, Nikolas and Zachary Courtney, all of Weatherford; wife’s siblings, whom he helped raise after the loss of their mother, Susan Watson, Pat Evans, John Bradshaw and their spouses; sister, Lois Roach and husband, Verner; niece, Charise Chel; nephew, Darryl Roach; several great-nieces and nephews.