I first encountered Dr. Haggai in 1957 through the numerous unique and public promotions of his Bible conferences that were held at the 9th and O Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. For a variety of reasons I was prevented from attending his large and popular conferences. I believe at that time he was a Southern Baptist Pastor with a large following and I was not of that persuasion. After he was called into World Evangelization mission work I lost track of him but I never forgot his wonderful reputation as a great teacher of the Gospel , and superb communicator. I had hoped that someday our paths would cross again and i could hear him preach. Many years later after establishing a business in the health care field and becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, my wife and I traveled to the Training Center in Hawaii to learn more about the work of the international ministry . I had no idea at the time that the founder of the Christian Center was the same John Haggai from Kentucky. Skip ahead a number of years and I had retired from my business interests and joined the church staff in Atlanta , GA .
. I was serving as the Pastor of Stewardship and learned that a certain Dr. John Haggai had given our church it’s church motto… “attempt something so great for God that it is doomed to failure less God be in it”… (It couldn’t be , could it?) It was a splendid gift to our church and during the past 42 years we have followed this wisdom. During our churches capital campaign my day finally came because our Stewardship Sunday was Dr. Haggai, our guest speaker, and he preached to a packed house giving me the opportunity to hear the message not once but two times. Later that month I had the pleasure of having a private lunch during which we got caught up on the past 53 years of the international ministry that was the Haggai Institute. We became Haggai Institute supporters. In the years that have followed he has always been generous to me with his time and godly counsel. i will never forget Dr. John Haggai and the Christ he followed and shared around the globe. Thanks for this opportunity to share my memories with you.

The Eagle has risen!  Not only risen, but is now soaring!   That’s the spirit speed of my dear and sweet Uncle John!  He was nothing short of a lightning bolt of energy and focus! Yes, he was fully powered by God!  I am overwhelmed by his quick and complete obedience to God and how that shaped his life and the birth of Haggai International.  He lived each day with unyielding boldness and courage while receiving the divine protection and timely provision that can only come from God!  Yes, a resounding yes, that God is faithful, always and in all ways!  Uncle John’s mission for life was defined by being ‘under fire’.  He was a soldier, a warrior for Christ calling on all to submit with urgency.  His clock was ticking and so were his minutes to build the kingdom of God.  Although Uncle John is now timeless and eternal, the impact of his life on earth will continue to change lives and plant seeds of new beginnings.  Amazing!  And, because of his prayers and prayers from a family of believers, I was ‘surprised by joy’ on the eve of Mother’s Day in 1996.  I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior at 36 years of age, yes, a late bloomer but a bloomer, indeed!  At last, I arrived!  Now, 25 years later, I have never looked back and thankful for the new hope I found in Jesus Christ.  I am thankful for the thirst God has given me to understand more about my Uncle John’s ministry and the work God has been doing through him.  I always wondered about what was behind those IMPACT magazines from years ago that would be stacked up in a large decorative basket in my Mother’s bathroom (truth here).  Let it be known that my father, Ted Haggai, was Uncle John’s younger brother and the older brother to Uncle Tom (another phenomenal man who, by the grace of God, is still alive today!).  I was 21 when my father passed away at the age of 55 in 1980 and remember growing up with his countless expressions of love and admiration for both of his brothers, John and Tom.  He was so proud of his brothers and astonished by their accomplishments and global impact on people from ‘high places’.  I am entirely thankful for the examples my Uncles have set for me.  They do not realize how powerful their character, mission and passion for being true ‘Change Agents’ in the world have helped to shape who I am, my purpose and mission in life. Our clock is also ticking and our minutes on earth are only known before God.  Life is not a dress rehearsal!  With each new day our rising ‘Son’ calls for our full attention and devotion to place God’s agenda before our own.  I can say that my Uncles have lived with this ‘modus operandi ‘ and lead by example.  In addition, I must remark how grateful I am to have been able to bring my husband, Scott, alongside me to attend the double women’s session in April of 2015 (now we are both breathless with ‘Impact’!).  Scott was early in his recovery from a kidney removal and I had just launched my business as an Independent Financial Advisor.  Both big stakes!  Perfect timing to attend the training session at the center in Kihei, Maui.  When everything is breaking loose, dive into God’s word and people and He will set our paths straight, every time!  Uncle John was a man who spent his daily life in the ‘deep dive’.  His focus, power, brilliance and inspiration came from every God breathed source, his beloved family, his staff, his leaders and from all places and people both great and small…he absorbed it all to give it meaning, light and ultimately new life before God.  I give him an exponential rating of 10 to the 10th power – Google has no extension for such reviews, only God!  With honor, grace and love, I celebrate Uncle John’s remarkable life of faith with each of you and am armed with great enthusiasm for the present and future Haggai International!  Go Dr. Bev!! Crush gospel poverty!!  Our cloud of witnesses in heaven just took a big leap to include Uncle John!  For such a time as this, may we all remain encouraged and inspired by Uncle John’s life and story to change lives under God and with great love to heal our earth and expand the Kingdom one soul at a time. On behalf of my husband, children, sisters and extended family, we all celebrate the magnificence of this man, fueled by his God given remarkable wife and son.  May the life and impact of Dr. John Edmund Haggai remain alive and active in our hearts forever, Lisa Haggai Pierson

My Tribute for Dr John Edmund Haggai

My Dearly Beloved Dr. John Haggai has been promoted to Glory to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. After reading hundreds of tributes, I am highly honored and deeply humbled to have known him during my 23 years of service with Haggai Institute Singapore. His many sermons, style of preaching and especially “Notes from My Diary” have greatly influenced and impacted me. Travelling with him around Asia was the highlight of my life. He was full of energy and enthusiasm, wit and wisdom – generous and gregarious, approachable and appreciated by all from the highest to the lowest of society. My wife Ruth and I always appreciated his personal touch and treasured fond memories of his visits to Singapore.

Like King David, Dr. Haggai had passionately served God’s purpose in his own generation (Acts 13:36). Glory to God in the Highest!

Billy Chiang
Director, Haggai International, Asia

I was the organist at Ninth and O Baptist Church in Louisville when Dr. Haggai was the pastor. I was a teenager at the time and when John went in to evangelism I played for the revivals in the summers of my college years. I remember traveling with him in his chrysler imperials a lot of miles. I value those experiences….I learned a lot from him..I accompanied Chris as she sang like an angel….when Katie and I married Chris had a shower for us in her home. I have some newspaper clipping from those meetings if you all would like them for archives…..IAfter those days I became a professor or church music at Asbury University and Asbury Theological Seminary…..the last time I saw John was in Cincinnati when he and Chris were there to visit a donor….he called me and I went up to have lunch with them…..H was a great man and a wonderful friend.

Thank you for all you do for others and you truly have been an inspiration to all of us in your teachings and examples of generosity and fellowship.

I thank my friend, Ray Hendley and fit family for introducing me to your ministry.

You are truly sitting with Jesus Christ Our Lord Savior on this sacred moment.

With true love for your tireless work with those in need.

Gary Mastrodonato