A Tribute to D. Leland Paris (1939-2026) and Rededicate 250

Up to 100,000 people gathered on the National Mall  to rededicate America to God on May 17, 2026. Over forty million streamed the event. If you missed this possible “hinge of history,” you can watch all of it here.

The same week, four significant spiritual leaders passed into eternity–Joni Lamb, Marilyn Hickey, James Robison, and Leland Paris. I thank God for their dedication to Jesus and his Kingdom.

Leland Paris could rightly be viewed at the “forerunner” of “Rededicate 250” having called the USA back to God through the “If My People” rally in 1974, “The Spirit in ’76,” and speaking at “Washington For Jesus” in 1980.

He was a close friend and mentor. Here is my tribute to his leadership.

A Tribute to D. Leland Paris (1939-2026) and Rededicate 250

The Need for Spiritual Fathers

By Dr. Ron Boehme

One of the great needs of the 21st century is for spiritual fathers to arise and inspire a generation to complete the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:19,20). Leland Paris did that for me in the latter part of the 20th century when I desperately needed it. I will be eternally grateful for his fatherly influence in my life.

My mother died when I was nine leaving a love deficit in my heart. Six years later, my father went to prison for attempted murder (unjustly). Then the youth leader who led me to Jesus–the first born-again male figure I ever knew–told me he was living in adultery and was leaving his wife and two children.

At that important juncture in my life, my view of fathers and Jesus Christ could have led to bitterness and turning away from the faith.

Instead, as I searched for God and role models to follow, I found myself in an early Youth With A Mission school where God repaired my heart and called me into his service.

I met Leland Paris on February 27, 1974, at Castle Hurlach in Bavaria, Germany. I recorded the date in a journal I kept for fifty years. (The journal was later distilled into One Small Life: Revival Adventures from My Fifty-Year Journal.)

Leland flew into Europe to share the “If My People” vision of first Friday prayer for America. He encouraged the students from twenty nations to begin fasting and praying for America the first Friday of each month. He shared an inspired vision for revival in the United States and the impact it would make on world evangelism.

Following his encouragement, I began to pray and fast on first Fridays for the United States. Soon after, God made it clear that my calling was to be a revival-evangelist in America and other nations to help fulfill the Great Commission.

After my training in Europe, Leland invited me to join his YWAM staff in New Jersey to help with a project called “The Spirit in ’76.” Alongside the U.S. bicentennial celebrations, we mobilized thousands of young people to trek across America on bike teams, buses, hike teams, and even a wagon train to call Americans to repentance and faith.

“The Spirit in ’76” culminated in a large rally near Philadelphia the week of July 4 where Jimmy and Carol Owens presented the “If My People” musical and thousands prayed for spiritual awakening in the USA.

My call was now clear thanks to Leland’s example and inspiration. I spent the next fifty years working for revival in the United States and other nations around the world.

Leland Paris was a true spiritual father to me.

Here are a few of his discipleship practices that I hope to pass on to others.

First, spiritual fathers impart a sense of vision, destiny, and direction. Leland was faithful to share his love for America and revival vision with me. His passion ignited a spark to find God’s plans for my life.

Inspiring youth to fulfill their God-given destinies is a primary fatherly role. Kids look to their dads more than any person for direction and vision. Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, prophesied over his baby son:

“’And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace’” (Luke 1:76-80).

Interestingly, Leland’s autobiography called Love Shines came out just a month ago. You can purchase it here.

Second, spiritual fathers set an example of Christ-like character. When I met Leland in 1974, I was searching for leaders who, though never perfect, were sold out to Jesus and committed to developing his character traits. Many Youth With A Mission leaders provided this influence for me, but none better (and over a lifetime) than Leland Paris.

He had his struggles as all human beings–with family concerns, ministry crises, and many personal tests. In fact, the larger his ministry grew as a leader in Youth With A Mission, the bigger the challenges and trials became. But Leland stayed true to Scripture, never compromised his faith, repented and confessed his mistakes, and always led by cheerful example.

I’ve taught for many years that “character is destiny.” Your life is only as great as you emulate the virtues of Jesus. Leland called me, like Paul, to “follow my example as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Third, spiritual fathers lead with a sense of self-deprecating humor and wisdom. I learned to take myself less seriously through the humor that flowed from Leland’s lips. As a gentle giant with a hopeful demeanor, he was secure in himself (in Jesus) and laughed about it often. He was also a great joke-and-storyteller who could make you laugh until it hurt.

I think Leland was the first person I heard say with a twinkle in his eye, “It’s easier to get forgiveness from God than permission.” (I’m not sure about the theology of that statement, but it always lowered the temperature in the room considerably.)

On another occasion, a young, zealous student returned from YWAM training and exclaimed to his pastor (while Leland was visiting the church): “Pastor, did you know God doesn’t know everything?” (a reference to God’s omniscience as it applies to the choices of free beings).

Leland smiled and quipped back: “Maybe he knows a lot more than we give him credit for.” The pastor laughed and the moment was saved due to Leland’s quick wit and winsome personality. (“A joyful heart is like a good medicine” – Proverbs 17:22.)

The older I get, the more I see the need for righteous and loving humor to disarm people and keep our hearts humble before God. Leland’s life clearly points the way.

Fourth, spiritual fathers test and discipline when necessary. Leland Paris was the only spiritual leader I’m aware of who intentionally and lovingly tested me to grow my leadership character.

I joined Leland on outreach in Central and South America in the early 1980’s with thirty young YWAM leaders. We visited various missionaries, did evangelism together, and served some local church congregations. One morning Leland asked me to do a menial task that was a little beyond the pale. I balked at the assignment, revealing my lack of a servant’s heart.

Leland gently rebuked me and said: “If you can’t be trusted to follow, then you can’t be entrusted to lead.” After stewing a bit, I got the point, repented of my pride, and got to work. It was a great lesson in servant leadership. (I wrote Leadership for the 21st Century: Changing Nations Through the Power of Serving in 1989.)

I never saw Leland ask anyone to do what he wasn’t willing to do himself.

Fifth, spiritual fathers believe in you, even when you fail–and help you learn from your mistakes. In the 1980’s I took on a ministry/building project on the U.S. Capitol Grounds in Washington, D.C. It was called “133 C Street” which headquartered our newly formed YWAM work in the nation’s capital.

But I made several visionary mistakes in funding and completing the project, and by 1986, it led to a personal “death of vision” and some great lessons in obeying God in detail.

Leland helped me through the leadership failure with grace and encouragement. In coming decades, he invited me to speak in numerous YWAM settings and to share what I had learned, along with my revival teaching. He never gave up on me because he’d learned himself that:

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).

And sixth, spiritual fathers love and encourage for a lifetime. I’ve known Leland for over half a century. When our paths  crossed occasionally, or we shared a phone conversation together, he would encourage me to:

“See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord” (Colossians 4:17).

I heard him share another favorite scripture many times:

“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

I hope to be one of those “faithful men.”

I asked Leland to write the Foreword for One Small Life in 2023. He ended it with these words that symbolize two of his life secrets:

“Note well and embrace the value of keeping a clean conscience and leading with humility.”

Leland lived those attributes for over five decades with a sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye. Let’s do the same as spiritual fathers in this generation.