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 During
the late 70’s I met Larry Rice at a Minister’s Luncheon and invited him to speak
at the church I served. When he spoke he really hit some vital nerve endings
for the congregation. For example, my daughter remembers how Larry challenged
everyone to stop giving only what they didn’t want or need but to give what
meant something to them so that another person in need might have some special
gifts, given out of love. My daughter selected one of her best coats and gave
it to the Center.
Larry, having remembered me from public TV, when he used to occasionally
write and call to complain about some programs we were airing (and I might add,
his criticisms were justified), asked me to consider teaching television
production and writing classes at the Center in preparation for the development
of a TV ministry.
I vividly remember meeting with the class in a cold room.
We all had to keep our coats on. I had the joyous experience of teaching
persons from the ranks of the poor and homeless, the unemployed, the middle
class, and some who were just simply interested in learning about his awesome
thing called television. It was during this period that I began to see God
working in a powerful yet simple manner to pave the way that this community
would have Christian television. On a number of occasions Larry asked me if I
would consider leaving my church and help him build Channel 24. It is so
astounding what God does, for He began to show me that I was equipped to help
design build and operate Channel 24 and do it in a short period of time. All
that I had learned in school and through experience in broadcasting as well as
what I had grown to spiritually, began to come together and I realized that I
was being called to a work which would combine my career in ministry and
broadcasting. The only interesting dimension in Larry’s offer for me to come
and work was that I would have to do it by faith since there were no salaries to
be paid. Wow! This was a challenge.
In late 1981 and January 1982 the Lord moved me to meet
with Larry Rice and Ken Klingerman who pastored Salem Church and was working to
assist New Life. One evening we kneeled in prayer and we all knew what God was
calling each of us to do. Larry was convinced that I should consider this
calling as a missionary. I knew in my heart that I had to move out in faith and
resign my position and begin work to help get Channel 24 on the air.
I was prepared to resign my position on January 31st
but when I went outdoors there was three foot of snow and church was closed that
day, the only time in four years I was there. I had another week to think about
resigning. The following week came and I knew I must resign from my position,
effective the 1st of May to move out into this faith ministry. I
still didn’t know if I would have any income. But the Lord was with me. God
led me through. My family stood behind me and God worked at Salem Church when
the congregation gave approval to set up a fund for my support. Over the years
individuals from Salem and throughout Missouri and the U.S. have graciously lent
their support. And, recently some organizations and churches have begun to
assist the Fund.
NLEC was then and still is truly on the move. Larry and
Penny Rice, Ray and Judy Redlich and many other faithful missionaries,
volunteers, and trainees have been laboring to extend direct outreach to the
poor and homeless. For this reason I believe God has honored the many projects
of NLEC because Larry Rice and the staff have tried to remain faithful to the
scriptural mandate to never forget or neglect the poor, the widowed, the
fatherless, the imprisoned, and others who are hurting, no matter what their
station in life.
When I arrived full-time in May 1982, my first office was
in a cold room without much light. God had lifted up a twice retired nurse from
my former parish, Martha, and she was to serve another 13 years as my volunteer
assistant. Through two broken hips and a bout with cancer, Martha was there
faithfully serving and sharing her love with many of the persons who came
through NLEC’s doors. She was loved by so many of the persons because of her
respect for the dignity of every person she met.
This is the spirit of NLEC. No one considers themselves
too proud to work in very basic ways to accomplish what the Lord would have us
do to help lift up those who are suffering. What has meant so much to me
in my spiritual growth is the fact that NLEC, under Larry Rice’s guidance, has
never sought to build or acquire a station without praying for a vision for
helping people in those respective communities. Whether through the
establishment of shelters, free stores, making food and utility assistance
available, or other human services, NLEC has been there for people when they are
hurting. One man saw our billboard in Marshfield announce the need for food to
help the poor and he went back to Springfield to gather up food and bring it to
the Marshfield Center so it could be shared to respond to the need. All of this
makes NLEC’s radio and TV stations unique. They don’t sponsor a food or toy
drive once a year, but the very philosophical and theological basis of their
daily operations is responding to persons in need through direct help.
One of the most meaningful aspects of NLEC’s life is its
training program. Over the past 20 years I have seen many men and women
graduate and go on to gainful employment or to positions of leadership at NLEC.
Formerly homeless persons, the unemployed and college graduates trying to get
some experience have gone on to various fields of endeavor, many related to
communication media but not all. Some men and women have begun help ministries;
others have gone into work in secular businesses.
The past 10 years have been quite eventful for NLEC in that
a radio satellite network (The Here’s Help Network
www.hereshelpnetwork.org) has been launched by NLEC. The network covers the
United States and shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ in work and deed on 17 radio
stations, which have been built or acquired by NLEC. NLEC also has a
full-power TV station KNLC-TV 24 and Digital Channel 14.
As I have so often shared with persons involved with the
many ministries of New Life Evangelistic Center, God has led us through so many
challenges and obstacles and continues to do so.
What I wish to add at this momentous period in NLEC’s
history is that God not only has led us through past events and struggles, but
also is ahead of us leading us into the future. God the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit, do not only act in history but also lead us into the future with new
visions and restored hope to a disrupted world for all those whose hearts are
open to witness.
We will be reaching thousands throughout the world through
the internet. We have begun transmitting LIVE specials as well as instructional
tapes teaching persons how to utilize solar and wind power, biodiesel and other
forms of renewable energy, offering alternative forms of energy that can reduce
costs, provide more efficient non-polluting forms of energy and truly effect
better stewardship of the God-given resources that we have available if only we
make use of these resources. (Check out Missouri Renewable Energy
www.moreenergy.org)
NLEC continues to have a vision for the future. WHY?
Because Christ is the One who holds all things together and enables us to affect
the harmony and cohesiveness necessary for communicating the Gospel of eternal
resurrection hope. Because of that hope we are able to be agents of the love
reconciliation and true servants of Christ suffering in the world and restoring
compassion and hope.
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