Living Well Ministries
About Us

Our personal history
I was born December 7, 1938 to Vep and Pat Ellis in Tampa, Florida. My father, V. B. (Vep) Ellis was a third generation minister of the Church of God. I became the fourth generation and our son, Vep, has become the fifth generation.
My great-grandfather, J. B. Ellis, was a circuit riding Methodist minister in the late 1800’s throughout the southeastern United States but primarily in Alabama. After receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues he was asked to leave the Methodist church and he became affiliated with the Church of God. Though he died when I was only 6 years old, I remember him very well and I can remember that I was in awe of him every time I saw him. From his strong leadership most of his sons followed him in ministry, and their sons and their sons until today there are over 30 members of the family in ministry.
My grandfather, E. M. Ellis, was one of the leading ‘preachers’ of his time and served the Church of God in many capacities including State Overseer of several states.
My father, V. B (Vep) Ellis, was one of the most outstanding Ministers, Songwriters, singers and musicians of the 20th Century. Dad has 600+ songs to his credit, dozens of recordings and his songs have been song by many singing groups and millions of believers around the world. It has been said of one musical historian that he had more influence on Southern Gospel Music than any writer in the 20th century.
But, more important than those accomplishments is the fact that he was a devoted husband to my mother and a great father to his four sons and one daughter. While his ministry has made an impact on millions, the impact on his children and their children is incomprehensible.
Mother, born Essie Mae Harding, was truly the woman that Solomon spoke of in his writings. Mother was a prayer warrior extraordinaire. Dad may have been in the spotlight but Mom was the batteries. Mom celebrated her 92 birthday, November 25, 2008.

Wanda was born on July 14, 1938 to Raymond and Pauline Goforth in Pampa, TX where Raymond was working for the then Texas Oil Co. which became Texaco. When Wanda was five years old, they moved to Wichita Falls, TX. where he had his own oil drilling business until just a few years before his death. Pauline went to be with the Lord in 1999.
Wanda and I both attended Lee College in Cleveland, TN and were married April 15, 1957 in Wichita Falls, TX.
We have one son, Vep Raymond (married to Rhonda O’Neal), three grand children; Jeremy, Tiffany and Malachi and five great grandchildren; Macy Rae, Chance, Evan, Chanel, and our newest Easton.

David
Minister-musician-author-songwriter-counselor

Wanda
Accomplished pianist.