Carl Joseph Ballestero
Carl Ballestero was my Hero, my Pastor, my Best Friend and my Dad all rolled up in one. He died on 9/11/1994. That was my 9/11. Of all men, I am most honored, to have been his son. I am proud of the Heritage he has given to me and I am blessed with wonderful memories. I miss him daily. Every time I get up to preach, I always quote something that my He use to say. The crowd may not know it, but I do. Don’t die till you’ve listened to a sermon of him preaching. Without apology, I am proud to say, “He was a Holiness Preacher.”
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Audio Sermons!!
Please feel free to listen or download.
I would love to find more of Dad’s sermons. If you know of any and would leave me a link or a website address, I would be thrilled. Post a message at the bottom of the page. Thank You!
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An Old-Time Holiness Article written in the 1960′s
by
Carl Ballestero
Woman, What Is This That Thou Hast Done?
Download This Word Document
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The 1st photo is Dad preaching on a Fresno, CA skid-row in the late 1940’s. I marvel that no one is listening to him. Sadly that is becoming more and more common in too many churches.
Dad preaching in Shelbyville, IN 1984.
Afternoon Bible Class in Shelbyville, IN. Dad and one of his dearest friends, Robert C. Cavaness.
19 years old. He’s only had the Holy Ghost one week.
Dad, wearing his signature Homburg hat.
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In 1988, knowing my father was in his 1st year of Alzheimer’s, I tried to capture every moment I could.
On this particular day, in a corner of my living room, Daddy sang a favorite of mine,
“It’s In My Heart”
IT’S IN MY HEART
Though some may sing to pass the weary night along
Though some may sing to entertain a worldly throng
I sing because I worship God in song
It’s in my heart, it’s in my heart.
CHORUS
It’s in my heart, this melody of love divine
It’s in my heart, since I am His and He is mine
It’s in my heart, how can I help but sing and shine
It’s in my heart, it’s in my heart.
You ask me why I know His blood can cleanse alone;
You ask my who I know He sits upon the throne
And why I know He chose me as His own
It’s in my heart, it’s in my heart.
You ask me how I find the time to read and pray
You ask me how I smile when things are far from gay
You ask me how I sing His praises come what may
It’s in my heart, it’s in my heart.
I may not know the skillful use of tongue or pen
To prove my Lord’s return to unbelieving men
But this I know, He’s coming back again,
It’s in my heart, it’s in my heart.
Etsy Store
http://www.makescentsco.com/
http://zech410.wordpress.com/
Courtney Ballestero
http://www.christyballestero.com/
http://www.kimballestero.com/
"How How My Mountain" – Audio Book
Click Here
http://marciaballestero.com/
The Hartzell Haven
Pastor Anthony Ballestero, New Destiny Worship Center, Clearwater, FL (My Son)
Pastor Bryan Ballestero, Temple Of Pentecost, Raleigh, NC (My Son)
Holy Ghost Radio
Bow's-Notes
Brazilian Apostolic Missions
http://www.youtube.com/user/ballysongs
You are more like him than you will ever know. Not only do you look like him, but you use words like he did & paint a picture every time. I always said Daddy preached like Norman Rockwell painted…..using a picture & making it so plain to understand…..& oh so beautiful. I miss him so much but you always keep him alive. Thanks!!
Carlene Branham
January 4, 2010 at 7:05 pm
That First Picture, is one of Brandon and I’s favorites..I cry everytime I look at it seems…Loved my Grandpa!!
Marisa
January 6, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Elder,
I agree, you are so very much like your (our father)! Not just in style of preaching but in love and kindness! I feelin the need to see ya, let me know when we can get together! Loved the picts of the Elder!
Bro. Denny Morris
January 6, 2010 at 10:28 pm
All I can say about the Elder Ballestero is Precious, Precious, Precious! I’ll never forget his message years ago in Central City, “I Love My Master”. My husband and I loved this man dearly.
Valeria Green
February 9, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Elder,
Thank you for this priceless treasure. Such a great example of a Man of God that I could only hope to pattern myself after. Wish I had more memories of these mighty men of God.
Matt Gaines
March 14, 2010 at 6:56 pm
I never had the blessing of meeting Elder Carl Ballestero, but I have heard so much about him from my pastor and father-in-law, Elder Michael L. Phillips. He speaks of him often and uses sayings that he attributes to him. While my pastor’s ministry is definitely his own, it has Elder Ballestero’s fingerprints all over it. He was precious to Brother Phillips! I wish I could have had the honor of meeting him myself. He seems to have been such a sweet-spirited and humble man. My wife (Angela) and sister-in-law (Michelle) looked at him as a grandfather.
I have definitely been blessed many times by the ministry of Elder Martyn Ballestero. He is one of my favorites (if it’s legal to have favorites!). I just found the blog…I will be returning often!
Joseph Gibson
March 15, 2010 at 10:14 am
Elder i have greatly enjoyed this site.
listened to the Elder preaching about the dreams. WONDERFUL
J. Brickey
March 24, 2010 at 7:48 am
God Bless you Elder had to leave a comment I just came across this site and have been blessed by this site. The photograph of the Elder Carl Ballestero street preaching in Fresno I hope you don’t mind I made a copy and framed it and placed it in my study to remind me. I grew up in Fresno and it was dedicated Apostolic Men of God like your late Father and Men we still have with us preaching like Elder Vaughn Morton and yourself that have not compromised this truth.Every time I pick up my Bible and begin to read the Scriptures I remember the Message Elder Carl Ballestero Preached in Fresno “Love Letters to the Church” God bless you and thanks for this site your work is in our Prayers,Sincerly Pastor D.A. Watts
Pastor David Watts
May 5, 2010 at 5:37 pm
My family learned to love Bro. Carl and Sis Content Ballestero in church in Ssnta Ana,CA. Bro Harvey and Sis. Jackie Davis loved them so.
While we lived in Ogden, Utah, A Bro Begay from Salt Lake gave me a tape of your dad preaching at a conference in Las Vegas. The message was “Behold The Lamb” I listened many times to that tape, but I don’t have it now. The memories I have of your Dad and Mom are precious to me
Sis. Carolyn Carpenter
March 5, 2011 at 1:01 pm
“It’s In My Heart” — I just happen to be on a fishing expedition here of trying to find out who composed that one — lyrics and music — and wondered if you still have that sheet music around someplace that I see your dad holding as he sings, and your mom (is that your mom?) reading in front of her as she plays. I don’t need to see it, just want to know who wrote it!! Thanks for your ministry, blessings to you!!
Phil Freeman
June 18, 2011 at 9:13 am
Written by Arthur Slater 1941
Martyn Ballestero
June 18, 2011 at 10:20 am
Bro. Ballestero, I first saw your father’s name mentioned in a biography about Bro. I. H. Terry. I then listened to a message you preached a while back at Bro. Booker’s. I then later had an opportunity to listen to his message ‘Handwriting on the Wall.’ It shocked me, for I was raised around strong holiness preaching, and thought that it did not get hotter than that. I was wrong. His message shook me, and I realised that I had not heard it as hot as it was in the ‘old days’. I really love the old paths, and I hope that everyone will one day discover that they are as good to day as they were then. God bless you and thank you.
Jay
September 8, 2011 at 5:31 am
I only had one opportunity to meet and know Carl Ballestero. It was in Lake Charles, LA. That day I not only met a hero of faith, but a true Christian gentleman. May God bless his memory for generations to come.
Dr. William E. Willoughby, Retired
September 19, 2011 at 9:43 am
Bishop Ballestero was an Annointed & Powerful Man of God , a Preacher of God’ s Righteousness & Truth. A Holy Man of God, a,lover of God & His Word. In 1979 not to long after I had received the Holy Ghost , I attended my first Revival Service @ Pine La where Elder Carl Ballestero was preaching for Bro. Cox. He preached conviction that night , I had long sideburns & I grabbed my sideburns with both my hands & said to Bro. Steve Zorich , we’re not suppose to have long sideburns. Elder Ballestero preached conviction Messages of God. We love the Ballestero Family.
William Battise
January 7, 2012 at 5:16 am