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Norvel Hayes

Years of Ministry: 1950s-2018 (60+ years) Global Reach: International ministry, 50+ books, founded Bible college and multiple ministries Focus: Spiritual authority, divine healing, faith teaching, serving the marginalized

What Motivated His Devotion to Christ​

Born in rural Tennessee, Norvel experienced profound tragedy watching his devout Baptist mother die of cancer when he was just 10 years old. She died at 37 despite fervent prayers from their church community. This loss left him crying for four years, planting seeds of questions about God's healing power. As he later understood: "Nobody ever told them that Jesus is their healer."

The transformation came through a dramatic divine encounter. While driving home from Columbus, Ohio, Jesus physically manifested in his car for approximately an hour and a half. This supernatural visitation completely transformed his perspective and led to his total surrender to Christ.

At that time, Norvel was a successful businessman earning $4,000 a week (from starting at 25 cents a day on a Tennessee farm). He owned approximately 12 different businesses including restaurants and the yellow cab taxi service in Cleveland, Tennessee. Despite this success, he felt empty: "I used to lie in bed at night and wonder if I died, what would happen to me... You're only gonna find happiness one place - you're gonna find it in Jesus or you're not gonna find it at all."

How He Thrived While Keeping God First​

Seven Years of Sacrificial Service: Following his encounter with Jesus, Norvel made the radical decision to leave his executive lifestyle and serve at the city dump for seven years. He took money from his own pocket to feed the poor, witnessed to people "so goofed up they wouldn't listen to anybody," and prayed "from stinking shack to stinking shack." He received no offerings or love gifts during this period.

A pivotal moment came when a little girl approached him holding just a glass bottle, saying "This is all the milk I've got." The Holy Spirit moved powerfully and God spoke: "My son, be faithful to me here and I will promote you. I am going to set you on a high hill and the light of God will shine from you to many men."

Worship as Foundation: He emphasized that worship must come first: "God's number one consuming fire and desire within Him is to have a relationship with each of His children." He practiced private worship daily, believing "what God sees you do in secret, He rewards you openly."

Obedience to Scripture: Norvel taught that "The Bible is God's test; every time they fulfill a scripture, tell them to never worry about the answers to their prayers." He believed there are "blessings attached to each verse that is fulfilled by any believing Christian."

Divine Guidance in Business: Through the Holy Spirit's guidance, he made remarkably profitable real estate investments, including purchasing property for $9,000 and selling it for $100,000, and buying land for $80,000 that became worth $600,000. He recognized: "Earning $4,000 a week doesn't mean that you are very intelligent, because God can allow you to earn a quarter of a million dollars in fifteen seconds."

Financial Integrity: Despite his wealth, Norvel never took a salary from his ministry. He funded his lifestyle through his businesses while dedicating ministry income to helping others, operating with complete financial transparency.

Principles for Spiritual Authority​

After being thrust into deliverance ministry by Lester Sumrall, Norvel discovered powerful truths about spiritual authority:

Direct Commands: "Devils obey the authority in Jesus name and nothing else." He learned that believers must give devils direct orders: "Come out" or "Go."

Believer's Authority: He taught every Christian: "In Jesus name, I'm tired of devils. I belong to Jesus. His blood has made me clean and white as snow. The Holy Spirit lives in my belly. He is the greater one. With Him in me, I have authority over devils."

Faith for Healing: After his daughter Zona developed 46 growths, she was miraculously healed following a heavenly visitation where Jesus taught him to speak directly to conditions rather than begging for healing.

Persistence in Prayer: "If you keep on bugging God about a miracle, He will show you one... Those that diligently seek God shall find God."

Legacy & Learn More​

From seven years at the city dump, Norvel built an extensive ministry legacy:

  • New Life Bible College (founded 1977) in Cleveland, Tennessee
  • New Life Bible Church
  • New Life Community Kitchen (feeding over 1,300 people monthly)
  • New Life Maternity Home for pregnant young women
  • Campus Challenge evangelistic outreach
  • Children's Home and education center in India
  • Over 50 authored books on faith, healing, and Christian living

His life demonstrates that true success comes through obedience to God's call, regardless of where it leads. His principle of being "faithful in little, trusted with much" shows how seven years of faithful service in obscurity prepared him for global influence.

  • Ministry Website: norvelhayes.org
  • Key Teaching: Authority over devils, healing is for today, worship before requests
  • Books: Over 50 titles on faith, healing, and spiritual authority