Heroes Of The Faith
Lester Roloff (1914
- 1982)
"The world's greatest need is
preaching preachers. The Gospel is our
emancipation proclamation: let's take it
to the slaves of sin."
Lester Roloff was born in Dawson, Texas,
in 1914
His
conversion at the age of fourteen came
during a revival meeting when a godly
Sunday school teacher urged him to give
his heart to Christ.
He received his
education at Baylor University, taking
his Jersey cow, "Marie," along with him
and paying for his room and board with
four gallons of milk per day. After
finishing school, "Brother Roloff"
conducted a work of ministry both as a
pastor and as an evangelist in his own
inimitable style. His ministry touched
the lives of millions of people
throughout the USA and in many foreign
countries.
Roloff was never shy about voicing his
convictions. He opposed Baylor
University's plan to grant an honorary
degree to President Harry Truman because
of his frequent use of profanity. In
1950, he separated from the Southern
Baptist Convention. In 1969 Roloff
became pastor of the People's Church in
Corpus Christi, Texas. Under his
leadership, the church began an outreach
ministry to troubled teens and adults
under the blanket name, "The City of
Refuge." Roloff's homes included:
Rebecca Home for Girls, Anchor Home for
Boys, Lighthouse for Men and Boys, and
the Jubilee Home for Women. Roloff
fought an eight-year battle with the
state of Texas regarding licensure of
his ministry. He refused to allow his
church ministries to come under the
control of the state.
"This is going to be the greatest day of
my life," Lester Roloff said to a friend
as he flew off to a meeting on November
2, 1982. And truly that was his greatest
day, for on it he completed his earthly
journey and reached his heavenly Home.
The church and the homes he started were
not ended by his death in a plane crash;
they continue to this day.
Invitation
To Christ - Copyright © 2007