Lester Sumrall

Lester Frank Sumrall (February 15, 1913 – April 28, 1996) was an American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, teacher, and missionary. He founded the Lester Sumrall Evangelistic Association (LeSEA) and its humanitarian arm LeSEA Global Feed the Hungry, World Harvest Radio International, and World Harvest Bible College.

Life and career Sumrall was born on February 15, 1913, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to George Sumrall and Betty (née Chandler) Sumrall. He began preaching at the age of 17 after a recovery from tuberculosis. At the age of 19, he founded a church in Green Forest, Arkansas, and was ordained by the Assemblies of God.

In 1934, Sumrall began traveling abroad. He preached in Tahiti and New Zealand and established a church in Brisbane, Australia. He traveled with Howard Carter throughout eastern Asia and Europe. In South America, Sumrall met Louise Layman.

Sumrall and his family spent many years in the Philippines during the 1950s. He flew to Manila, Philippines, upon learning about the possession of Clarita Villanueva, whom he have delivered from two demonic entities in 1953. The culmination of his evangelistic work in the country was the establishment of the Cathedral of Praise in Manila. With over 24,000 members, it is the largest congregation in the Philippines. From 1972 to 1997, he acquired television stations throughout the United States as part of World Harvest Television (also known as LeSEA Broadcasting). In 1987, Sumrall established a humanitarian aid organization, LeSEA Global Feed the Hungry.

Works (selected) Adventuring with Christ; illustrated, 128 pp. Dominion is Yours!, 1981 Ecstasy: Finding Joy in Living, 151 pp. Thomas Nelson, 1980. The Gifts and Ministries of the Holy Spirit, 1985 Roman Catholicism Slays, 61 pp. Zondervan, 1940. The Will, The Potent Force of the Universe, 1985, 66 pp. LeSEA Publishing Co. Worshipers of the Silver Screen; with a foreword by Edith Mae Pennington, 64 pp.