Lester Sumrall
Encyclopedia
Lester Frank Sumrall was an ordained American minister
who formed the LeSEA
broadcast network.
and it was at this point that he came to believe that he was called by God
to become a preacher
. He became an ordained minister in 1932.
On September 30, 1944, he married Louise Layman. The couple had three children, Frank Lester (born 1946), Phillip Stephen (1950) and Peter Andrew (1953).
Howard Carter and Smith Wigglesworth
were mentors to Lester Sumrall, both of whom are said to have passed their anointing on to him.
In 1957, Sumrall established the Lester Sumrall Evangelistic
Association (LeSEA) and in 1968 he founded LeSEA Broadcasting's flagship station, WHME-TV
Harvest 103.1 FM. Sumrall has been called the "father of Christian television". He secured the first license for 24-hour Christian television from the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) and launched WHMB Christian Television in Noblesville, Indiana
in 1973.
Sumrall died on April 28, 1996, at age 83.
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
who formed the LeSEA
LeSEA
LeSEA Broadcasting , also known as World Harvest Television, is an American Christian television network with over 40 affiliate stations in a number of U.S...
broadcast network.
Biography
Sumrall was born to Betty and George Sumrall in New Orleans on February 15, 1913. In 1930, he recovered from tuberculosisTuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and it was at this point that he came to believe that he was called by God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
to become a preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
. He became an ordained minister in 1932.
On September 30, 1944, he married Louise Layman. The couple had three children, Frank Lester (born 1946), Phillip Stephen (1950) and Peter Andrew (1953).
Howard Carter and Smith Wigglesworth
Smith Wigglesworth
Smith Wigglesworth , was a British evangelist who was important in the early history of Pentecostalism.- Early life :...
were mentors to Lester Sumrall, both of whom are said to have passed their anointing on to him.
In 1957, Sumrall established the Lester Sumrall Evangelistic
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
Association (LeSEA) and in 1968 he founded LeSEA Broadcasting's flagship station, WHME-TV
WHME-TV
WHME-TV is a full-service Christian and general entertainment television station serving the South Bend market. The station is owned by LeSEA Broadcasting, also known as World Harvest Broadcasting, an organization founded by Assembly of God minister Lester Sumrall , whose sons are still active with...
Harvest 103.1 FM. Sumrall has been called the "father of Christian television". He secured the first license for 24-hour Christian television from the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) and launched WHMB Christian Television in Noblesville, Indiana
Noblesville, Indiana
Noblesville is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Indiana, United States, located just north of Indianapolis. The population was 51,969 at the 2010 census making it the 14th largest city/town in the state, up from 19th in 2007...
in 1973.
Sumrall died on April 28, 1996, at age 83.