The Ballestero Blog

Memorial Day 2011

Thank God for those who gave willingly of themselves for our country and for our freedom. Their memories are hollowed in our hearts because of their sacrifice. We will never be able to repay that debt. May their love for America never be forgotten.

My father, Carl J. Ballestero and my wife’s father, William R. Starr, both served during World War II. My uncles Stan and Wendell Gleason served as well. Today, my heart breathes a personal word of thanks to them especially.

My prayer is that God will continue to bless America.

My Dad, Pvt. Carl J. Ballestero

Carl J. Ballestero

________________________________________________________________

William R. Starr

William R. Starr

_________________________________________________________________

There are some veterans of another war that I’d like to honor today too. They fought in a Spiritual War and in a Spirit filled Army. These men all preached to me. Some counseled me and redirected my focus. They fought against hell to save me. All in some measure have affected my life and my ministry and I honor them. May they all rest in peace. They will never be forgotten in my heart.

Starting first with my Father. My Father was also my pastor. He pastored 25 years and evangelized for 25 years. Everything I know and everything I am, I owe to God and to him. If you ever heard him preach, you never forgot what you felt and heard. He was truly a man of God. I miss him everyday. I am very proud to call him Dad.

Carl Ballestero - My father and my pastor.

Carl Ballestero preaching on the streets of Fresno, CA.

My dear Father-In-Law, William R. Starr was a tremendous preacher and a giant among men. He was a wise leader of men, a church planter and revivalist. He not only worked a secular job, but was pastor of a large church and District Superintendent of Michigan for 28 years at the same time. A true Christian if I ever met one. He is greatly loved and sorely missed.

My Wife's Daddy - Pastor William R. Starr

William R. Starr

_______________________________________________________________

My uncles (My mother’s brothers) Two of the kindest and gentlest men in Pentecost. Both of them were great preachers.

Uncle Wendell and Uncle Orion Gleason

Jimmy Davis - My Dad's pastor, a preacher and teacher without peer.

Ike Terry - Whatever he preached or said to you, you never forgot it.

Robert Cavaness - Beloved friend and practical Bible teacher.

Pastor/Missionary Robert McFarland - baptized me.

Verbal Bean - his ministry moved my walk with God to a higher level.

Pastor/Missionary Leamon Reynolds - my pastor when I received the Holy Ghost.

Paul Jordan - Great preacher and friend.

Pastor/Missionary Juan Alvear - his anointing always made me cry when he preached

Roger Evens - What an anointing. Tremendous Bible teacher, singer, musician and friend.

Pastor/Missionary Harvey Davis. My father's friend and mine. What a preacher.

Missionary J.B. Lambeth - Helped put a passion in my heart for winning souls.

Lee Davis - Great family friend and preacher. He built a great church.

H.B. Morgan - I loved to hear him preach on the Godhead.

Bill Bowman - Fearless minister of the Gospel and a dear friend.

J.T.Pugh - This man preached a message that saved me and my ministry. It truly changed me.

Joe Duke - put the fear of God in us and helped us all pray through.

C.W. Shew - Defender of Apostolic Truths and lover of good men.

I thank God for, and honor the memory of these men who helped mold my life and my ministry. They may have all died, but they live on in my heart.