THE MAKING OF A MAN OF GOD

Stanley Jack was born to Victor and Mavis Jack in Trinidad, Tobago on January 19, 1955; the eldest of two sons, with two older sisters. He was sent to Catholic school and served faithfully as an alter boy in the Roman Catholic Church, but felt an inner rebellion. Satan was hard at work to destroy this young boy. Stanley spent his first seven years stricken with an unknown life-threatening illness that left his body weak. But he was divinely healed and grew into a young man who was active as Captain of his football and cricket teams. An injury nearly caused the loss of a leg, but once again God intervened and saved the leg. When asked, "What did you want to be when you grew up?" Stanley Jack said, "Well, I just always knew I would be a leader." He went on to earn a Bachelor's of Literature Degree at Furlongs College in Trinidad.

Having so often heard of the opportunities in the "promised land" of America, on November 19, 1979, Stanley Jack made his way to the shores of New York. Of that adventure, he says, "I expected everything to be a bed of roses, but it sure wasn't that way at all." He worked construction and other odd jobs. One night destiny crossed paths with this young man when he met Catherine Francis of the Bronx, who had been a Christian from the age of 19 but had recently come out of a Christian cult. In 1982, they were married. Catherine loved the Lord but as yet had no clear direction. In the next three years, two daughters Catrina and Takisha were born and in 1992 a third daughter Martina was born to the Jacks.

At first, things ran smoothly but in 1985 their lives seemed to spin downward and a hard marital decision was made to separate. During the next year and a half, Catherine stood firm and appealed to God for restoration of her husband to the family. Once reconciled to his family, they began attending Bethel Life Community Church. There at the altar, on March 3, 1987, at the age of 32, Stanley Jack surrendered to the Lord. His new Savior turned his life around as he began doing much preaching in the church. In his first year as a Christian, he heard a calling from God say, "Son, get ready, I have a job for you to do." For the next four years, he attended the College of New Rochelle, New York, to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts and religious studies.

While Evangelizing and attending college, Stanley Jack was driven to fulfill a dream to become financially independent by selling books on the streets. By faith, he began selling only seven books and the Lord kept encouraging him until he was selling up to 200 books a day, enough to support his family.

After graduating, he went to Zoe International Fellowship in the Bronx where he trained under Rev. R. L. Jackson for three years. There his budding gifts were activated. He oversaw the Men's Fellowship and began serving in Prison Ministry.

In 1993, once again Stanley Jack heard the distinct voice of the Lord saying, "I want you to go start the work of EXOUSIA." On researching the name, he found that it means, "Authority". Little did he realize at the time the magnitude of this empowerment and divine mantle of authority that God would impart to him. In response, he became a man determined to seek the Lord. That year he fasted 106 days, began rising early in the mornings, and disciplined himself to pray 3 to 4 hours a day. His diligence was rewarded when he started pasturing a small flock.

Through faithfulness in small beginnings, God then divinely favored him when he was led to the GYM on Unionport Road in the Bronx and was given church space by the owner; though it was a new beginning, preaching first only to his wife and three daughters.

It was June 12, 1993 when EXOUSIA CHRISTIAN CENTER was given birth. By this time, the greater manifestation of spiritual gifts, the prophesying and increasing anointing, wisdom and understanding let this man of God and his members to know that his ministry was prophetic. Clearly, he was becoming the leader he always knew he would be.