He went on to say, "If you are reading this, I know that you are a person that appreciates the power of media to spread the good news of Christ around the world. The station was sold to the Christian Television Network on February 20, 2020. In November of 1972, FBC acquired its first TV station, WHMB-TV 40 in Indianapolis, Indiana. But in 2010 when my mother suddenly passed away at 62 years of age, I realized how short life really is and I decided to get to work on this project. Family Broadcasting Corporation is the third generation broadcast company that began over fifty years ago through the vision of its founder Dr. Lester Sumrall. 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. Done! [12] In 2022, streaming services Frndly TV and Philo added the movie service to their offerings. Its programming is a blend of religion, local sports, and family entertainment. In 1987, at the age of 74, Dr Sumrall founded LeSEA Global Feed The Hungry, aimed at wiping out hunger among those struggling to survive amidst poverty, famine, disaster, and war. With the purchase of WHME-TV, studio facilities were now available within a few minutes of Christian Center Church making it easier for the ever-busy Lester Sumrall to produce his programs. Called Fearless Faith A Journey, A Discovery, An Inspirational, the film will include interviews and testimony from Pat Robertson, Kenneth Copeland, Morris Cerullo, Steve Sumrall, Rod Parsley and Joel Osteen along with many others whose lives were touched by Dr. Lester Sumrall. The company reaches an estimated1 billionshortwave radio receivers worldwide. In 1983, the studio and transmitter for WHME-FM moved into the WHME-TV building. Transmitter facilities are located in South Carolina and in Palau, Oceania (T8WH). When Lester Sumrall awoke the next morning, he was completely healed and served the Lord for sixty-five years. All Rights Reserved. "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. Coach Sumrall gave me a chance and I ended up playing all three years at Marshall. The latest breaking Christian news you need to know about as soon as it happens. He was born the sixth child of what would eventually be a family of . He was one of the first to own and operate a full-power 24-hour-a-day Christian Broadcasting Station, WHMB in Indianapolis, Indiana.". The LeSEA Global Feed The Hungry Program was launched in 1987. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. 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. Ways to honor Lester Sumrall's life and legacy. At the age of 17, as he lay on a deathbed suffering from tuberculosis, he received a vision. In 1996, he was installed as president of LeSEA when his father and the founder of the company passed away. Please open it and confirm your subscription. AfghanistanWhere Faith Is a Matter of Life and Death. Get Charisma's best content delivered right to your inbox! Together, they were blessed with three children: Frank Lester (born 1946), Phillip Stephen (1950), and Peter Andrew (1953-2015). Upon graduation, Lester travelled alongside his grandfather, Dr. Lester Sumrall, doing ministry and relief work around the world. WHMB- TV 40 is now the oldest, consecutively running, Christian television station in the United States and was able to celebrate its 50. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. In November of 1972, FBC acquired its first TV station, WHMB-TV 40 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Get Charisma's best content delivered right to your inbox! LeSEA Tours is a ministry under the much larger worldwide outreach of Family Broadcasting Corporation which exists to reach out to the lost across the globe and to provide families with an alternative to secular television. The television station was miraculously back on the air within seven hours. Despite their. Lester Sumrall is currently based near Chicago where he lives with his wife and children. Family Broadcasting Corporation, formerly known as LeSEA Broadcasting, is an American Christian television network. Prophetic messages from respected leaders & news of how God is moving throughout the world. Stay up-to-date with current issues, Christian teachings, entertainment news, videos & more. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Lester began with an FM-radio station in South Bend, Indiana. "One of those pioneers was my grandfather, Dr. Lester Sumrall. He was 62 years old. 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.. He traveled the world on the verge of WWII, missionary statesman, author, broadcast pioneer and global philanthropist sharing the Gospel in 119 countries, impacting lives forever. You should receieve a confirmation email shortly. "Dr. Sumrall had a vision to reach the untold billions yet untold," Sumrall and Grabowski continued. Upon returning from a preaching trip and seeing the devastation of his stations, Lester stated: We are not quitters. 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. WHKE signed on June 1988 and was owned by LeSea. Upon Peter Sumralls passing in 2015, his son Drew Sumrall became the third generation of the Sumrall family to shepherd the mission of FBC. Our vision is simple: bring people to Jesus every day. Sumrall was also the host ofThe Harvest Show. Peter Sumrall, son of Lester Sumrall, served as its president and chief executive officer from 2002 to 2015. He assumed full leadership of LeSEA Ministries and LeSEA Global Feed the Hungry in 2005. Lester Sumrall (1913-1996) was a world-renowned pastor and evangelist, entering full-time service for God after experiencing a dramatic and life-altering encounter with Jesus Christ. He was the sixth of eight children of the Sumrall family. God gave Dr. Lester Sumrall a vision to reach the untold billions yet untold and empower believers like you to grow in . Done! The late Lester Sumrall stepped into a pulpit for the first time when he was 17. Sumrall remained married to his wife until his death in 1996. Some of that growth includes the cable channels Family Entertainment Television or FETV, and World Harvest Television. Today, WHME is Family Broadcasting Corporation's headquarters, housing a number of separate divisions. In August 2020, it was announced that WHRI was selling its facilities to Allen Weiner, owner of Monticello, Maine-based shortwave station WBCQ, pending FCC approval.[15]. We are all unavoidably human and imperfect, but we are passionate about the eternal message of Christs love. 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. Les was a loving father to Randy, Jess, Kerry, Danny, Kevin, Christian, Eric, Jared, Daren, and their spouses. "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 Sumrall, president and CEO of Family Broadcasting, and Angela Grabowski, vice president, in a joint statement. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. Lester Sumrall recalled: The Healing Revival To contact us or to submit an article, click here. FETV is a satellite and cable network featuring classic and inspirational programming the whole family can enjoy. Lester Sumrall1927-2020Lester Loleate Sumrall, Jr, native of Aransas Pass, Texas, was born December 2, 1927, and passed away March 30, 2020, in The Woodlands. Called Fearless Faith - A Journey, A Discovery, An . Never miss a big news story again. During his life he penned over 130 books. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. We also know who is for us. For more information, go tolestersumrall.com. In addition, the website provides a photographic timeline of the faith-filled life of Dr. Sumrall, taking visitors through his childhood, missionary work around the world, the founding of a multimedia organization, and much more. Published by Houston Chronicle on Apr. ", Angela GrabowskiVice President[emailprotected]574-291-8200, https://familybroadcastingcorporation.com/, Cision Distribution 888-776-0942 For convenience and ease of use, the website pairs the video teaching series with the corresponding book and study guides. For convenience and ease of use, the website pairs the video teaching series with the corresponding book and study guides. 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. Since its inception, WHME 103.1 FM has continuously blessed the Northern portion of Indiana with quality Christian music and teaching programs. Janice is survived by her husband of 36 years, Lester Sumrall, son Christian Nielsen and wife Lita, son Eric Nielsen and wife Sandy, son Jared Nielsen and wife Tanya, son Daren Nielsen and wife. LeSEA shares the gospel through ministries served by two radio and six television stations, including WHME in South Bend and WHMB TV40 in Indianapolis. For almost 20 years he has shared a message of destiny, purpose and hope in 40 countries of the world. All rights reserved. The LeSEA founders namesake said his grandfather designated him a successor, and that he has a document to prove it. WHFT TV 45 Miami, Florida signed on in 1975, was acquired by LeSea in the summer of 1976, and was sold to Trinity Broadcasting Network in July 1980. The Harvest Showis seen in more than 42 million homes in the United States and 77 million homes in the Middle East. FMC is a satellite and cable network featuring classic movies the whole family can enjoy. In 1987, at the age of 74, Dr Sumrall founded LeSEA Global Feed The . Lester Frank Sumrall was born February 15, 1913 in New Orleans, Louisiana to George and Betty Sumrall. In 1987 he founded the LeSEA Global Feed the Hungry, a humanitarian aid organization, to help desperately poor families. God gave Dr. Lester Sumrall a vision to reach the untold billions yet untold, and empower believers like you to grow in your spiritual walk. "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 Sumrall, president and CEO of Family Broadcasting, and Angela Grabowski, vice president, in a joint statement. 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. DISH", "Family Entertainment Television Live Stream - Watch Shows Online - DIRECTV", "FETV TV Channel on DISH Network - GoDish.com", "AT&T U-verse TV Channel Guide & Lineup - Find Your Favorite Shows", "FETV Sets Ratings Record With 'Perry Mason' - TVNewsCheck.com", "Family Entertainment Television Launches Family Movie Classics Channel on Dish", "Family Movie Classics Added to Frndly TV Channel Lineup", "Local Television Market Universe Estimates". We are grateful for the love and support of numerous members of the Sumrall family. In response, Lester L. Sumrall accuses Andrew Sumrall, who runs the evangelist nonprofit organization, of deceiving donors and being involved in corporate malfeasance while overseeing LeSEA. He was very proud of his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For the next five years, Lester and his sons would shuttle from their home base in South Bend, IN down to Indianapolis to produce programs, live telethons and original programming. Pete Sumrall, son of the late Dr. Lester Sumrall, has passed away. WHMB reaches the entire Indianapolis, Indiana television market covering over one million households.[14]. FETV can be seen on DirecTV, Dish Newtork, AT&T U-verse, Frontier Communications, Xfinity, Spectrum, Sling, Select TV, Vidgo, Frndly, Evoca, Altafiber, Optimim and Philo. When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type. "We are honored to reveal this extraordinary project and carry on the legacy he established over 60 years ago. The original Lester Sumrall foundedLeSEA(Lester Sumrall Evangelistic Association) in 1957. Unless you are experienced as an estate executor, you probably should hire an attorney. Listen Live: Harvest FM broadcast radio offers a mix of interactive talk, Bible teaching programs and a light mix of inspirational music, 24 hours a day. SOUTH BEND, Ind., Feb. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Family Broadcasting Corporation announced today the launch of www.drlestersumrall.com, a website dedicated to the sermons, books, study guides, and teaching materials of Dr. Lester Sumrall. According to an open letter Lester sent the Christian community. In 1996, Dr. Sumrall passed away leaving the broadcast stations and his vision to his son Peter Sumrall. WCVI-TV 23 was acquired in 2014, and it is the Family Broadcasting Corporation station in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Legacy Collection of Dr. Lester Sumrall is a 3 volume audio set of 15 CDs (Plus a 2 CD Bonus) or MP3s of never before released messages that will encourage and inspire you in your walk with God. This website is truly a labor of love and will be a blessing to those looking to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ.". The network features classic movies. "He was very excited about the project and its potential to share his story with a new generation," he stated. (The Sumrall family has . FBC believes that forward thinking is what shapes history. See what opportunities we have open. Lester Sumrall is a third generation minister and visionary. The family wishes to thank Felicia, Debra, and Stuart who watched over Les as guardian angels in his final days. AfghanistanWhere Faith Is a Matter of Life and Death. Few evangelists have seen as much of the world as Lester Sumrall witnessed. Family Broadcasting Corporation, formerly known as LeSEA Broadcasting, is an American Christian television network. He was founder of Lester Sumrall Evangelical Association, Feed the Hungry, LeSEA Publishing and LeSEA Broadcasting, which included 11 television and radio stations, and he served as pastor of Christian Center Cathedral of Praise. 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. In the early the 1990's, Lester gave up a college basketball scholarship to obey Gods call on his life, a journey which took him to Scandinavia where he attended Word of Life Theological School in Sweden. Andrew Drew Sumrall said Lester L. Sumralls claims are baseless. On September 10, 1977, WHME-TV 46 began airing inspirational television to the South Bend area. You should receieve a confirmation email shortly. His mother committed him to God before Lester was born and prayed that he would become a preacher. 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. "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. Prophetic messages from respected leaders & news of how God is moving throughout the world. Click here to subscribe to the Charisma News newsletter. Prophetic messages from respected leaders & news of how God is moving throughout the world. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. 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 . Stay up-to-date with current issues, Christian teachings, entertainment news, videos & more. History. They formed an immediate relationship and traveled the world together as missionaries preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. FMCs goal is to entertain their audience with quality films featuring the biggest stars in Hollywood history. 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. Soon after, he earned a degree from Oral Roberts Universitys School of Business. Get Charisma's best content delivered right to your inbox! "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.". 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