p> Called to love people, to set them free and to grow God’s church, pastoring has been R. Loren Sandford’s lifelong passion. He has served four churches full time since 1976, two of which he planted. Recognition as a prophetic voice was never his ambition. His passion for people and the church, however, have led directly to a prophetic calling and the need to hear the voice of God so he could help prepare God’s people for the coming days. In recent years everything Loren has done, from his work as a songwriter and worship leader to preaching, teaching and writing books, has been seen and interpreted by the wider body of Christ as prophetic in its impact. As John Sandford’s eldest son, heritage, it seems, can be inescapable. As a pastor/prophet, Loren always speaks from the Father’s heart–the heart of a shepherd training up those prophetically called, as well as those gifted in other areas of ministry.
In 1973 he completed a B.A. degree in music education, then moved to California and attended Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, earning a Master of Divinity degree in 1976.
Since 1976 Loren has served four churches full time, successfully planting two of them himself, including New Song Church and Ministries, Denver, Colorado where he remains the senior pastor. In 1979 and 1980 he co-directed Elijah House (an international ministry in Christian counseling and counselor training) and continues to be in demand internationally primarily for teaching but also for leading worship. Initially ordained in a mainline denomination where he served on the national board for the charismatic renewal group within that affiliation, he has since served in the Vineyard (1988-1992) and was affiliated with Partners in Harvest (1996-2013), an association of churches associated with the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (now known as Catch the Fire Toronto) and the renewal centered there. He was a member of the International Input Council for Partners in Harvest, overseeing the central western region for that family of churches and serving as a recognized prophetic voice within the movement. Now independent, he is involved in overseeing churches in several states.
In 1991 he was the worship leader for the first Promise Keepers mass men’s meeting at the CU Event Center in Boulder, Colorado and has released fourteen CDs of original music, most of it for worship. In addition to the music, Loren is the author of “Purifying the Prophetic: Breaking Free from the Spirit of Self-Fulfillment”, “Understanding Prophetic People: Blessings and Problems with the Prophetic Gift”, “The Prophetic Church: Wielding the Power to Change the World”, “Renewal for the Wounded Warrior: A Burnout Survival Guide for Believers” and now “Visions of the Coming Days: What to Look for and How to Prepare”.
Loren has been married to Beth since 1972 and they have three grown children. His son, Nathan, serves full-time as his co-pastor at New Song Church and Ministries in Denver, Colorado. They share everything from leadership to weight lifting and worship leading, as well as a passion for revival and the move of God’s Spirit. Loren’s two daughters and their husbands serve at New Song in volunteer capacities. All three children are married and have given Loren and Beth nine beautiful grandchildren. Loren is a member of the Osage Nation, a native American heritage he cherishes.
