In 1968, the founder of The Living Word Fellowship, John Robert Stevens, visited the Colorado Springs area and ministered to a small group of believers. During his visit, Stevens spoke a prophetic Word to the group:
"This house is declared to be free and to be an oasis in the midst of this land where people may come, and they may find help, and they may find food and sustenance. Here the waters of life shall flow and the blessing of the Lord shall be unlimited. And the Lord shall train and the Lord shall teach and He shall bring forth the glory and the wonder of His name within this house." †
After Stevens' visit, Grace Chapel Church took form and rented property in Old Colorado City. The congregation was full of faith toward God, and by His grace began to grow and mature under the teachings published by The Living Word.
In 1979, the church incorporated and changed its name to Living Word Chapel to more strongly reflect the association with The Living Word Fellowship. When the Old Colorado City church building was sold in 1982, the church continued to meet in the Colorado Springs area in various rented facilities.
Throughout the 80s, under the encouragement and direction of Gary and Marilyn Hargrave and the Apostolic Company, the church prayed and searched for a permanent facility to call home. In 1991, Living Word Chapel purchased a beautiful 28-acre property nestled in the Rocky Mountain foothills in Palmer Lake, Colorado. The property, previously known as Camp Elephant Rock, had been used by the Salvation Army for a summer youth camp in the '60s and '70s. The property now serves as the home of Living Word Chapel, and has hosted youth gatherings and ministry meetings for The Living Word Fellowship.
In 2002, John and Chris Sayer were commissioned by Gary and Marilyn Hargrave to pastor Living Word Chapel, which has continued to grow as a community church with an emphasis on family and the development of each individual's gift. Just as John Robert Stevens spoke in the late 60s, the church has become an oasis in the midst of this land, where worship and the blessing of the Lord continues to flow, and where believers express the glory and wonder of the Lord Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
† Excerpt taken from a 6/14/1968 sermon by John Robert Stevens in Colorado Springs. Copyright © 2010 by The Living Word. Used by permission.