If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. From magazines, transistor radios and television to the Internet and now mobile-friendly digital platforms, changes continue to unfold. Lester Sumrall and Billy Graham ( Courtesy/Sumrall Family) February 2015 commemorates 102 years of Dr. Lester Sumrall's life and legacy, and now an inspiring new documentary film about the life of Dr. Sumrall by his grandson, Lester Sumrall, is in production. FETV is a satellite and cable network featuring classic and inspirational programming the whole family can enjoy. Peter Sumrall, son of Lester Sumrall, served as its president and chief executive officer from 2002 to 2015. His evangelistic association, LeSEA, headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, is . "Throughout the process of making this film, I've come to realize the significance of this film, not only as a testimony of what God accomplished through Dr. Sumrall's ministry, but also to inspire a new generation to pursue their God-given purpose and destiny.". He writes that the Indiana attorney general has opened an investigation intothe potential power of attorney fraud as well as the use of funds taken from Rev. I worked with him a long time ago - at HISD. By 1986, FBC was ready to grow once more and did so with the purchase of KWHE-TV 14 in Honolulu, Hawaii. AfghanistanWhere Faith Is a Matter of Life and Death. For more information, go tolestersumrall.com. Family Broadcasting Corporation announced the launch of drlestersumrall.com, a website dedicated to the sermons, books, study guides and teaching materials of Dr. Lester Sumrall. (The Sumrall family has . "For the first time ever, the collected works of our grandfather, Dr. Lester Sumrall, are now available for anyone in the world to access on demand and completely free of charge," said Drew. That vision laid the foundation for decades of growth and development into what FBC is today. "LeSEA continues to remain true to its founding principles, the evidence of which is our television and radio signals broadcast across America and around the world," Drew tellsCharisma News. The ministry has now grown into a mammoth broadcasting empire with11 television stations, a satellite ministry, three FM radio stations, five shortwave stations and a quarterly magazine. He heard these words: Lester Sumrall, which of these will you choose tonight? He made his decision he would preach the Gospel as long as he lived. This website is truly a labor of love and will be a blessing to those looking to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ.". Prophetic messages from respected leaders & news of how God is moving throughout the world. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. We are grateful for the love and support of numerous members of the Sumrall family. In addition, he wrote over 130 books. So many lives were touched; only heaven will know the full scope of influence his life and ministry had on the world. Stay up-to-date with current issues, Christian teachings, entertainment news, videos & more. . Sumrall was president and CEO of LeSEA Broadcasting, a network that exists to reach out to the lost across the world and offer families with an alternative to secure television programming. Prophetic messages from respected leaders & news of how God is moving throughout the world. Our people are winners. The station was sold to the Christian Television Network on February 20, 2020. In 2018 LeSEA changed its name to Family Broadcasting Corporation (FBC. Get Charisma's best content delivered right to your inbox! AfghanistanWhere Faith Is a Matter of Life and Death. "To celebrate his life and legacy we are asking those who were touched by his life and ministry to join us in finishing the Fearless Faith Film Project by making a donation. Lester Frank Sumrall was born February 15, 1913 in New Orleans, Louisiana to George and Betty Sumrall. Soon after, he earned a degree from Oral Roberts University School of Business. When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. The original Lester Sumrall foundedLeSEA(Lester Sumrall Evangelistic Association) in 1957. [1] Founded by Lester Sumrall in 1972, Family Broadcasting Corporation is headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, and broadcasts Christian and family programming. Redemption through Jesus Christ changes one precious life at a time. In 1963 he started WHME, a local FM station in South Bend, Indiana. "Currently, the film is in its final phase of editing, and we're raising $60,000 to professionally finish the project. Donations generated by LeSEA support local church-based outreach, a bookstore and World Harvest Bible College in South Bend, and funds a relief arm the organization says has delivered more than $200 million in food and supplies to hungry, hurting people in 92 nations around the world.. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. By 1990, the facility had been rebuilt and included a set wall made completely of Jerusalem stone. 2023 www.southbendtribune.com. WHKE signed on June 1988 and was owned by LeSea. FMC is a satellite and cable network featuring classic movies the whole family can enjoy. Lester says a police report of these incidents has been forwarded on to the FBI White Collar Crimes Division. Lester's father, George was born in Mississippi and Lester's mother, Bettie Chandler, was born in Alabama. "In addition to all his work in Christian media, Dr. Sumrall was respected as a missionary statesman who by the time of his passing (April 28, 1996) had traveled to 119 countries and ministered for 66 years and was well acquainted with his peers like Oral Roberts and Billy Graham," said Lester Sumrall. Published by Houston Chronicle on Apr. Lester L. Sumrall and Andrew Sumrall both want control of what one lawsuit claims could be $1 billion in donations that have flowed into the Lester Sumrall Evangelistic Association since the death . We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. My journey took me to Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, Israel, England, Sweden and all across North America to interview some of his friends and peers.". On September 10, 1977, WHME-TV 46 South Bend came onto the airwaves with mostly religious programming, as well as some family programming. 9:00AM EST 3/4/2015 Dan Wooding. His mother was a Christian, she dedicated the child to God before he was born and prayed that he would become a preacher. Drew has been a part of the FBC family his entire life. Upon returning from a preaching trip and seeing the devastation of his stations, Lester stated: We are not quitters. Our God is a good God. After Peter Sumrall's death, his four children - David, Angela (Grabowski), Andrew and Adam - continued to work for LeSEA entities. The FM-radio station began transmitting again just four days later. For almost 20 years he has shared a message of destiny, purpose and hope in 40 countries of the world. Pete Sumrall, son of the lateDr. Lester Sumrall, has passed away. In 1988, tragedy hit the network, as the headquarters in South Bend, Indiana burned to the ground destroying all of WHME- TV and WHME- FM. He was born the sixth child of what would eventually be a family of . Two of Dr. Sumrall's three sons, Stephen and Peter, held positions within LeSEA entities at the time of Dr. Sumrall's death. In November of 1972, FBC acquired its first TV station, WHMB-TV 40 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He established Feed the Hungry in 1987. A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of Andrew Sumrall last year accuses his cousin of pursuing a false claim to be the rightful spiritual and legal heir of LeSEA. It accuses Lester L. Sumrall of engaging in a long pattern of abusive, harassing, and unlawful conduct against LeSEA and his own family members.. But when his grandfather died, his uncles conspired to hide the will and seize control of LeSEA, Lester L. Sumrall alleged. Upon Peter Sumralls passing in 2015, his son Drew Sumrall became the third generation of the Sumrall family to shepherd the mission of FBC. He was one of the most colourful preachers of the 20th century. Furthermore, Lester claims controversy embroils LeSEA. The inaudible voice of the Lord directed him to become not only a station owner, but to build a network of TV stations as a channel for truth to America. Six transmitters are in operation full-time, named the Six Angels. [17] In 2017, Pulse FM transitioned to a new concert format named Pulse Summer Series, a series of three summer concerts in downtown South Bend, Indiana, at the Morris Performing Arts Center. Rev. The latest breaking Christian news you need to know about as soon as it happens. He had a great sense of humor! Failed Claim Attempts Continue Against Family Broadcasting Corporation Dr. Lester Sumrall Works No Longer Available, WISHTV Announces Statewide Indiana News Network WHME Signs as South Bend Affiliate, Family Broadcasting Corporation Launches New Website Containing Collected Works of Dr. Lester Sumrall. INDIANAPOLIS Two Indiana cousins are fighting for control of a multimillion-dollar Christian media empire started by their grandfather, trading accusations of deceit, corporate malfeasance, harassment and abuse. Lesters ministry would not perish in the ashes of defeat; but would rise again to be a witness to the faithfulness of the Lord. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. Stay up-to-date with current issues, Christian teachings, entertainment news, videos & more. Les was a loving father to Randy, Jess, Kerry, Danny, Kevin, Christian, Eric, Jared, Daren, and their spouses. He was 62 years old. After traveling as a missionary for several years, Sumrall became a full-time employee with LeSEA Broadcasting in 1973, according to the company's website. WHMB TV-40, the flagship station of FBC, is a full power television station serving the Indianapolis, Indiana market since 1972. Want to join our team? A lawsuit filed last year in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana alleges Frank Sumrall's son, Lester L. Sumrall who is not affiliated with his grandfather's. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. He was 62 years old. "Since that time, life got busy, I attended and graduated from ORU, got married, we had 3 beautiful children and the film project got put on the shelf. Family Entertainment Television (FETV), channel 323 on DirecTV,[6][7] channel 82 on Dish Network,[8] channel 245 on Verizon Fios, channel 578 on AT&T U-Verse,[9] and Sling TV offers viewers a mix of religious and family-friendly programming. The May 2018 lawsuit claims Lester L. Sumrall even interfered in his cousins divorce proceedings. Because there are ongoing legal proceedings, we feel it is inappropriate to comment further or to attempt to influence those proceedings through the media," Drew says. AfghanistanWhere Faith Is a Matter of Life and Death. The station was sold to the Christian Television Network in April 2018. Lester Sumrall went home to be with the Lord in 1996, but his legacy continuesand his God-breathed prophetic words are still alive. The Harvest Showis seen in more than 42 million homes in the United States and 77 million homes in the Middle East. The Spread the Word campaign was launched in 2000 with the goal of giving a Bible to any individual who requested one. Florence was born on February 26 1913, in London, Ontario, Canada. From here, he worked his way up the ranks in the company in multiple roles, including production, engineering, sales, traffic and tours. Dr. Lester Sumrall Works No Longer Available SOUTH BEND, IN - December 21, 2020 - It is with sadness we must announce that various intellectual properties owned by the LeSEA organizations (including Family Broadcasting Corporation), as well as certain "personality rights" of Dr. Lester Sumrall, are currently being Whether corresponding remotely from countries around the globe or sharing his insightful perspective with viewers live on the set, Pete Sumrall was committed to proclaiming the gospel. If God is for us, who can be against us? At the age of 17, as he lay on a deathbed suffering from tuberculosis, he received a vision. You will me missed Coach. "Moreover, the ministry of the late Dr. Lester Sumrall is as strong as it has ever been, and we are so very thankful for the opportunity to tell millions of people about the saving of love of Jesus Christ. For over 20 years, he has shared a message of destiny, purpose and hope in 40 countries of the world - fulfilling the purpose of God's Kingdom by changing hearts and lives. Click here to subscribe to the Charisma News newsletter. 5, 2020. Fearless Faith is an inspiring upcoming documentary about the life and times of Dr. Lester Sumrall. His mother was a strong Christian, but his father was lukewarm in his faith. Lester died on 28th April 1996 aged 83. LeSEA shares the gospel through ministries served by two radio and six television stations, including WHME in South Bend and WHMB TV40 in Indianapolis. My condolences to the family and prayers. In the early the 1990's, Lester gave up a college basketball scholarship to obey God's call on his life, a . "Dr. Sumrall had a vision to reach the untold billions yet untold," Sumrall and Grabowski continued. Radio Insight: "Station Sales Week Of 8/14", August 14, 2020. As one of the most colorful preachers of the 20th century, Lester began as a fiery young preacher during the depression and by the time all was said and done left the world with a legacy of what simple and determined faith in God could accomplish. When Lester Sumrall awoke the next morning, he was completely healed and served the Lord for sixty-five years. Program time not filled by televangelists is filled with infomercials; WHT does air some limited entertainment programming, consisting mainly of a block with The Real McCoys and the public-domain episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies in the afternoons, along with non-religious E/I programs and a few syndicated programs such as Sports Stars of Tomorrow and Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford on Saturdays, along with Israeli Basketball Premier League games. "Throughout those faith-filled years he was an inspiration to many around the world. He joined the US Navy January 2, 1945, at the young age of 17 years and one month to defend his country in WWII, serving on the USS Bagley in the South Pacific. [11] FMC launched on October 28, 2021 on Dish Network to 9 million subscribers. Dr. Lester Sumrall (1913-1996), world-renowned pastor and evangelist, ministered for over fifty-five years in more than 110 countries, including Soviet Siberia, Russia, Tibet, and China. "If you participate in our crowd-funding campaign you'll also receive some special insider perks. 2022 Family Broadcasting Corporation. While attending Marshall Jr. High, I never had a problem with him and found him to be likeable and easy going. The latest breaking Christian news you need to know about as soon as it happens. Prophetic messages from respected leaders & news of how God is moving throughout the world. Lester Sumrall is a third-generation minister and visionary. 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