In 1971 I made a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ and to honor Him by living for Him. At that point in my life, I was studying commercial art at a vocational college in South Bend, Indiana. My daily prayer was that any gifting in art that I possessed would be used for God’s Kingdom.The “Jesus Movement” of the seventies was in full swing – and it was exciting to be a part of it. As an expression of my faith, I began publishing a “street Jesus paper”, entitled “ Omega Times”. The first few issues were entirely produced and published at my own expense.
A few friends and I would give them away at schools, concerts, parks, etc. – anywhere people were gathered.
During that time I decided to visit the church where Lester Sumrall was the pastor - even though I had been cautioned and warned by several religious folks about Lester’s “devil chasing and exorcisms”. While there, I was immediately drawn to this “man-of- God’s” boldness and no-nonsense approach to the Christian faith. I also had what I thought was a great idea beginning to form.
Within days of my visit I approached him with “my plan”. I understood that his ministry owned printing presses. I had some printing background and some art talent. I made a proposal: “I’ll pay for the materials, do the layout, etc., and you’ll let me use your printing press which I’ll run myself.”
Simple enough and it’s for the Kingdom, right?
Well, he reviewed the past issues of the publication for a few days and at our next meeting he inquired about the artwork and layout.
When he discovered that it was my handiwork he said, “Young man, would you like a job?”
Now you have to understand that I had long, thick, bushy hair that was past my shoulders…that sort-of “wild look”. I wasn’t a very likely candidate for employment at a traditional Pentecostal ministry! Even though I was always praying that God would use my art gifting for his kingdom, when I asked to use the printing presses that day, I had no idea that I would be offered a job – nor how this connection would affect almost my entire adult life. I just wanted to communicate about Jesus and the good news. But on August 21, 1972, I began what would become more than 36 years of using my talents as an employee of the Lester Sumrall Evangelistic Association.
As I look back over the years, one of the times I remember so clearly was the day Dr. Sumrall spoke to the employees after having returned from Israel where God had spoken to him regarding feeding His starving children. As Dr. Sumrall shared with the staff what he believed God had communicated to him, I found myself holding my breath, not wanting to miss a single word. This mandate from God had already begun to change Dr. Sumrall and the direction of his ministry. He said, “After fifty years of intense world evangelism, God has set me on target in Jerusalem.”
As he talked, I wanted to remove my shoes.(like Moses before the burning Bush) It was so obvious to me that God had revealed His heart directly to Lester Sumrall, and those hearing it were a privileged group. What would happen next? How would we respond? How would our friends and ministry partners react?
More than twenty years have passed since that day when Feed the Hungry was born, and we continue to experience the faithfulness of God and the generous compassion and support of His people. I am fully confident that God will continue to guide and provide as we trust Him in this great work that He has called us to. I count it an honor to have been, and continue to be, involved with this ministry, and I’m very grateful that He answered my prayer over 36 years ago by allowing me to use my talents for His Kingdom in such a practical way.