The King, an Archbishop, and Sir Tom Jones

The King, an Archbishop, and Sir Tom Jones
Sir Tom Jones, Elvis ‘The King of Rock and Roll’, and Archbishop Steven Lyn Evans

27 years ago this month, at the Royal Variety Show in London, a young singer had an important life-changing conversation with Tom Jones. Last week, that young singer now archbishop Steven Evans, had a mysterious experience when visiting Graceland the home of the man at the centre of that conversation, Elvis Presley.

Steven Evans as a young singer with the Elvis look

As a young man Steven pursued singing after being inspired by Elvis, his career was developing well and whilst singing at the 1996 Royal Variety Show, he met fellow Welshman Tom Jones. Steven and Tom talked in Tom’s dressing room before the show, they chatted about music and especially Elvis. Elvis and Tom were great friends and Elvis used to warm up for his live shows by singing along to Tom’s hit record of Delilah. At one point, Steven asked Tom if he always thought he would be a singer. Steven says that God used Tom’s subsequent answer, to redirect his entire life. Tom said, “You know what it’s like, it’s a calling.” Once Tom said that, Steven felt God confirm deep within him a ‘calling’ which was nagging him for a long time. He knew he was being called to be a minister of the Gospel. That night after the show, as Steve waved goodbye to Tom, he felt that he had embarked on a higher and more important purpose, his God given ‘calling.’ He was more excited than ever and felt that through ministry he could make a deeper, even eternal impact, into peoples lives. Steven explained, “As a singer you might move people during the songs but as a minister you have the opportunity to convey and develop deeper ideas that change entire lives. I believe the highest calling is to be a minister of the Gospel.”

Twenty-seven years later in 2023, he was consecrated as archbishop metropolitan in Texarkana USA. Following the consecration he decided to stay at Graceland to visit the home of Elvis who had so inspired him in life. Like Steven, Elvis had Pentecostal beliefs, he believed in supernatural healing, signs, wonders, and speaking in tongues.

“Lights are forming all over you, there are halos of light!”

On the day of the visit to Graceland, Steven approached the house with several others on the VIP tour. His American assistant on the trip, bishop Steven Bellant, was walking behind him up to the house and began to observe strange lights encompassing the new archbishop. Amazed he called to him saying that, “Lights are forming all over you, there are halos of light!” He then began to take photographs, so the halo light is not a camera lens flare, the lights were actually appearing. It was a spiritual experience which happened outside the home of the one who had first so deeply inspired archbishop Steven to sing. These mysterious halos of light were forming and it was obvious to people that something extraordinary was happening, people were taking photos and capturing this strange event.

Why was this happening, was there a reason for these mysterious events? As a 10 year old boy Steven had wept when his Mother told him that Elvis had died. Clearly there was some connection from his childhood, some unquantifiable possibly even spiritual connection existed. Steven believes that the lights and halo were a confirmation of the importance of the decision he made 27 years ago to the month. “We take what happened as a significant encouragement for several reasons, and that is what our ministry is always attempting to do. We try to give people hope, to show them a better way, a more positive way of living. There is a lot of darkness in the world but Jesus said that, “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” (John 12:36). For me, the mysterious lights are a testimony to our positive ministry. God is shining on us, pleased with our work, that we promote a life of love through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

We try to give people hope, to show them a better way, a more positive way of living.

Another verse within the bible speaks about a glowing halo: ‘All around him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the LORD looked like to me’ (Ezekiel 1:28). The halo is a symbol of holiness and in the original biblical language means to be set apart, to be ‘called’ for a purpose. This is especially significant because Archbishop Steven 27 years ago was set apart by the ‘call’ of God. This halo represents that ‘call’ and it serves as God’s kind confirmation that whilst at Graceland, that all those years ago, it really was God who spoke and He is pleased at how Steven responded. Steven has remarkable and unique ministry, he is a mentor to many significant ministers. Supernatural events have been a feature of his life. Angels, exorcisms, miracles, signs, and wonders have been a feature of the ministry.

There was also a sense that Graceland was important for another reason. It was the home of a young man who also had the call to ministry. Elvis had recognised a ‘call’ into Christian ministry and his original desire was to be in a Gospel quartet. He won three Grammy Awards for his Gospel music and was a tremendous supporter of full-Gospel ministries. Perhaps he was cheering us on from that Milky White Way that he once sang about. Just sending some encouragement to a younger brother, visiting his old home?

Archbishop Steven Lyn Evans and Bishop Steven Bellant Consecrated at TICCN Conference USA

Archbishop Steven Lyn Evans and Bishop Steven Bellant Consecrated at TICCN Conference USA

During October 2023 in Texarkana Arkansas The International Christian Church Network held it’s annual conference and Consecration Service for Archbishop Metropolitan Steven Evans and Bishop Steven Bellant.

The Conference was hosted by Archbishop Johnny Riley and we would like to extend our gratitude for his tremendous hospitality. His experience and spiritual wisdom were evident and impacted everyone, particularly during his tremendous sermon address. We must also thank his wife Barbara Pitts who did such wonderful work during our time there, she worked so hard multitasking in many things from supervising the supply of meals though to professional photography.

(The included group photographs here are used by kind permission of Barbara Pitts)

The conference started with a tremendous session from Reverend Curtis Wilson who gave such accurate words of knowledge and preached with a clear and insightful revelation from God. Clearly, Curtis had spent time with the Lord and sought Him for what to preach, it impacted everyone deeply. We can see why he preaches in stadiums, he has a powerful ability to convey spiritual truth and touch people’s hearts. Similarly, with Mei Powers who brought a very strong and insightful word that went straight from her heart into ours. Like Curtis, she has a world impacting ministry that impacts thousands of people. She is clearly a powerhouse for God.

Bishop Steven Bellant was able to bring some of the remarkable testimonies from his work to the conference. They ranged from the practical needs of everyday supplies for poor people in Nepal, to the prophetic and the reality of supernatural healing. As each speaker continued it became so clear that we as TICCN have an essential and important role in the worldwide Kingdom of God. We are small enough to be agile and not get bogged down in unnecessary bureaucracy. To follow the leading of God and not need to fit into often limiting structures.

Archbishop Doyle brought prophetic insights and warmth to everyone. He is elder the Father figure and it was a delight for him to consecrate his co-founder Archbishop Metropolitan Steven Evans. He said that he has wanted to do this for years and now his joy is complete in this particular ambition.

What was particularly important was the move of the Holy Spirit that took place. People were impacted by the power of God on numerous occasions. It was clear that this conference was a place where God was empowering our leadership for what is coming next. We rejoiced with each other for the fellowship and love that was evidenced in abundance.

All the glory goes to God, and as was sung repeatedly during this time, what a mighty God we serve!

Introducing our Golf Chaplain Protin Nalké 

Introducing our Golf Chaplain Protin Nalké 

We are delighted to introduce Protin our Golf Chaplain. He is passionate about the world of professional golf and trained under the guidance of Reverend Christopher Hughes. Since 2010 he has been connected to the world of Golf and has a passionate desire to advance Golf Chaplaincy within professional Golf. 

Speaking about his work Protin explained, “Golfers are athletes that need to be holistically supported as the pressure they face is significant.” He continued, “My concern about a specific Chaplaincy ministry for golfers led to an encounter with Archbishop Steven Evans in August 2021. I am grateful to Reverend Christopher Hughes for the connection and I am honoured to be part of TICCN Sports Chaplaincy team by God’s Grace.”

We are thankful for the passion that Protin has and for his God given ability to support and encourage golfers. We are confident that his efforts will continue to advance our increasing positive impact into the world of sports.