Reverend Henry Ford, the eldest of eight children, was born in Hughes, Arkansas. At the death of his father, he was only thirteen years old and assumed the very responsible role in helping care for his two brothers and five sisters.
He was a devoted husband to Arbedella Ford for fourteen years.
Reverend Ford preached his first sermon in September 1952, and became the founding Pastor of Jordan Grove Baptist Church in Buffalo, New York where he served as Pastor from 1955 to 1964. In the latter part of 1964, he moved to California and subsequently became the Pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church of Long Beach, where he served until his passing on April 21, 1987. While serving as Pastor of St. Mark, he returned to college and later graduated from Pacific Christian College.
While at St. Mark, he established a New Members' Program and Someone Cares Ministry which served convalescent homes in the city of Long Beach. Being very talented in the area of carpentry, he assisted in remodeling the sanctuary of the church and constructed and educational building adjacent to the church.
Reverend Ford served as Chairmen of the Poly High Redevelopment Project Area, President of the United Ministerial Alliance of Long Beach, and Pastor-Counselor to American Baptist Men. He was also a member of the Board for New Hope Home for senior citizens and the disabled; President of Fellowship Union of Churches-Long Beach, a member of the City of Long Beach Year 2000 Committee on Housing, American Baptist of the Pacific Southwest's "Pastor of the Year" Award, 1987; and a member of the Long Beach Branch NAACP Honoree (Posthumously) for Leadership and Role Model for three months. Rev. Ford recorded prayer sign-offs for Channel 11 television.
The "Henry Ford Gospel Music Workshop" was initiated in 1987 and continues as an annual event.
Reverend Ford's motto was, "If I can help somebody as I travel along, then my living shall not be in vain."