June 3, 2025 • 46 mins
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Bishop Howard Tillman, New Covenant Believers' Church, takes us on an extraordinary journey from his humble beginnings in Springfield, Ohio to becoming a visionary church leader and international evangelist. With remarkable candor, he reveals how his father's unwavering work ethic and his mother's spiritual guidance shaped his understanding of manhood and faith.
The conversation takes a powerful turn when Bishop Tillman describes his spiritual awakening – moving from merely attending church to developing a genuine relationship with Christ. This transformation ultimately led him to make one of the most challenging decisions of his life: leaving his promising banking career to follow God's call into full-time ministry with only two speaking engagements lined up and a new mortgage to pay.
What follows is a masterclass in faith and fatherhood. Bishop Tillman shares how he balanced his demanding ministry responsibilities with family life, even making the bold decision to announce to his congregation that he would miss church to attend his sons' soccer tournament. "Your children are your first responsibility, not the church," he explains, "and no day is sacred when it comes to your children, not even Sunday."
For today's fathers navigating our complex world, Bishop Tillman offers profound wisdom about creating communities where men can be transparent about their struggles and support each other in becoming better fathers. "You can't grow if you're not transparent," he notes, highlighting how vulnerability within male friendships creates stronger families and communities.
Whether you're a father seeking practical guidance, someone exploring faith, or simply drawn to inspirational life stories, this conversation will leave you with powerful insights about purpose, legacy, and what it truly means to show up for the people who matter most. Listen now and join us in building stronger communities of men who defend, strengthen, and fortify one another.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
I think it's important that men learn how to
formulate communities of men, tobe supportive of one another,
to help engage us in being goodfathers, to be that example of
community.
I say it is to defend, tostrengthen and to fortify one
(00:24):
another when men can be in acommunity of other men who have
like desire may not be perfect,but they have the desire.
But just being associated withmen can assist you in becoming
the best father you can be youin becoming the best father.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
you can be Welcome to Be A Baller, where we're
building a lifelong legacy forour families, communities and
the world.
Your host, coach Tim Brown, isexcited for you to join him on
this journey.
On each episode, we'll betalking about how to be
intentional, about building alasting legacy.
We'll be exploring what itmeans to leave a mark that goes
beyond just our lives but has apositive impact on those around
us and even generations to come.
(01:08):
So if you're looking forinspiration, guidance and
practical tips on how to build alasting legacy that makes a
difference, then you're in theright place.
So grab your earbuds, getcomfortable and let's dive in.
It's time to be a baller.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Welcome to Be A Baller Podcast.
I'm your host, coach Tim Brown,and we're excited to be a
baller.
Welcome to Be A Baller Podcast.
I'm your host, coach Tim Brown,and we're excited to have a
special guest on today's episodeduring our fatherhood series,
and that's Bishop Howard Tillman, founder of New Covenant
Believers Church in Columbus,ohio.
Bishop Tillman is the father ofthree sons, nine grandchildren,
and is married to his lovelywife, glenda.
(01:43):
Bishop Tillman is truly avisionary and a leader in our
community.
Bishop Tillman, welcome to Be ABaller podcast.
I'm glad to be here with you.
Yeah, and I'm excited.
I've been waiting, I've beenblessed to watch.
Well, I came to Columbus in the70s, early 80s or whatnot, so I
heard about you and then when Iwatched you building that
(02:03):
beautiful facility over thereand just watching it grow and
all the great things you've beendoing in the community, and
then I taught some kids thatwere part of the church when I
was at Sunshine ChristianAcademy, I was Jacob Elsey's
teacher and all that.
So I know the work, I know thework.
I know the work, I've seen thework and I remember you guys had
that men's group and he did aministry with young boys at one
(02:26):
time, boy, you guys discipledsome young men, young
ambassadors yeah, oh man, Iwatched that thing, man, and
those guys, I see those guystoday, you know, just watching.
I know we're going to get tothe podcast, but anyway we're
going to get to the stories, butanyway I just got to applaud
you for so much that's come outof there that people don't even
realize.
You know who started it withyou, you know, and what they're
(02:47):
doing today, you know, and Iwant to applaud you for that and
thank you for that.
Yeah, thank you For making thatimpact.
And then just watching, watchingyou and the vision, you know
that you're truly a visionary.
You always seem to be one stepahead of the curve.
You know Folks trying to figureout what they're going to do
next.
You know what are they doingnext down there, man, the Focus
Center, you know, and all thatman, it's just truly been a
(03:09):
blessing for me.
Why don't we start just talkingabout growing up in Springfield
, ohio, and as we talk aboutthis podcast, about fatherhood
and just men, what were some ofthose men that impacted your
life growing up.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Well, it starts with my father.
Yes, and I think he was the—Ihad an uncle.
He was really my mother'scousin.
His name was Howard Douglas andhe was one of those special
kind of persons that I thoughtwas very unusual for the city of
(03:47):
Springfield.
He owned his own business,serviced cars, but he was also a
fisherman and just a super niceperson and really believed that
you could be anything that youwanted to be my father.
(04:10):
He came to Springfield in the40s, okay, and he moved from
Huntsville, alabama, toSpringfield I think he was
around 13 or 14, 15, somethingaround there in that age and the
reason why they moved theywanted to get away from the
cotton fields.
(04:31):
And there were jobs opening upnorth factory jobs that were
good paying jobs and theymigrated from Huntsville to
Springfield.
And I tell the story all thetime about my dad that I never
(04:51):
saw him stay home from work.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Come on.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
I was in Springfield.
Well, I was in Springfielduntil I was about 18.
All through elementary schoolback then, you know, junior high
not, you know Right, right andhigh school never missed a day
of work, constantly, constantly.
(05:18):
I don't remember my dad beingsick and if he was sick he never
told me Right, but he wasconsistent in terms of going to
that job and he worked overtime.
I remember one time we weregoing to Cleveland.
(05:39):
My father would take us toCleveland almost every year
because he had some cousins inCleveland.
My father would take us toCleveland almost every year
because he had some cousins inCleveland.
We would literally pick him upand he was getting off work.
And we would drive.
He would drive to Cleveland andback.
Then to get to Cleveland fromSpringfield you had to go O
Route 4.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
Oh yeah, oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
And that was—he was driving all night.
So my dad was a church person.
He was a different because Isaw some of his family members
involved in certain kinds ofbehaviors that he was never
(06:34):
involved in.
He never drank, he never smoked,he was adamant about us going
to church.
He was a disciplinarian.
I mean my mother, you know, shewas the one that kind of gave
us instruction as to how, and ofcourse, if we did not, she
(06:58):
would go and say, well, thechildren are out of order.
And when he came in, you know,he brought everything into order
.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
One way or the other.
You know, back then it wouldhave been today.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
We know Right, yeah, we know Right, right, yeah, he
was he.
He was um a good model in termsof work.
We said about my dad he, interms of work.
We said about my dad he never,he, never.
He came up in a time we didn'ttalk much about family.
(07:34):
Right, right, now we go visitfamily but he didn't talk much
about it.
But he always encouraged uswith my mother you got to do
better than us.
Amen.
Because he was only he didn'tget out of elementary school.
My mother didn't get out ofjunior high school so neither of
them graduated, so they alwaystold us you have to do better
(07:55):
than us.
You have to go to school, youhave to get quality grades, you
have to be a good student, andthey kind of drilled that in us
as children.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
So there's a whole lot more I could say about it no
, no, no, that's good, that'sgood.
That was that time.
It was during that time.
They said man, work, you knowwe, yeah, work yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
That was their contribution to the family.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
They felt that they were caretakers, responsible for
having the necessary financialfunds whatever needed to be done
.
We weren't rich Right, by nomeans.
You know.
We didn't buy our first—hebought his first house in 1961,
(08:44):
and he was happy All that time.
He rented.
But he was consistent.
We had a coal furnace.
My father would go out and getthe coal, put it in the furnace
for heating it.
So we were.
It was in the day.
(09:05):
He was always there and in factI'm doing.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
No, no, no no.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
In fact planted a garden every year.
We had onions, greens, tomatoes.
He would do it in the backyard,even in places he was renting.
He would do a garden in theback and of course we had to
pick the tomatoes and all thosekinds of things after he planted
(09:33):
them.
And so, yeah, he showed me hardwork is something that needs to
be a part of your life, amen,amen.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
I know you grew up with strong values of prayer,
the word and serving others.
Can you share with the audienceabout your faith journey, your
personal faith journey?
Speaker 1 (09:54):
My faith journey.
Wow, my mother and fatheralways took us to church, so it
was about like every time thechurch doors opened, my mother
had us there, even when theydidn't go.
(10:16):
My mother said are they havinga junior choir rehearsal
Saturday?
Yes, you're going okay, btuBaptist.
Trinity You're going, okay.
Btu Baptist Training UnionYou're going.
Vacation Bible School You'regoing.
Melchor Singing You're going.
(10:37):
Prayer meeting for me startedevery Wednesday in the Baptist
Church.
You had prayer, my, my mother,my, would go to prayer and she
would take us to prayer everyWednesday.
We were the only children atprayer.
(11:02):
My mother would walk across,she would walk their children
across town from the north sideto the west side to take us to
prayer meeting.
So my prayer life started at ayoung age.
I had an aunt and she was fromIndianapolis and every time she
(11:27):
would come to Springfield tostay with us she would pray.
She'd be praying.
When I went to school in themorning, if I came home for
lunch, she was pray, she'd bepraying.
When I went to school in themorning, if I came home for
lunch, she was praying.
When we went to bed, she waspraying.
This was consistent.
I never saw her get out of thatregiment all the time.
(11:51):
So I was being influenced byprayer at an early age but
didn't understand it.
I mean, I'm going because mymother said go.
You know, I see my aunt prayingbecause she wasn't intimidated
by anybody.
She would come in and she wouldbe praying and you could hear
(12:12):
her praying when we left thehouse.
I was in a community choir and Ihad a friend who was
Pentecostal I'll put it likethat but we were all from all
denominations.
They started talking to usabout Jesus Christ on a
(12:36):
different level than I had everheard, and as they started this
discussion with us, I kind ofgot convicted.
Just the discussion.
I was accustomed to going tochurch but I didn't have a
relationship.
I was going, but I just therewas no connection.
(12:58):
I was going because I was toldto go, I was going because my
mother forced us to go, but itwasn't like I want to go, I want
to have a relationship.
I had a relationship with thechurch, but not with Christ.
And so one day I got invited toa church in Urbana by some of
(13:18):
the members of the choir, and sothey invited me and another
young lady.
So I'm going to the service,but I have somebody with me.
So this is a date.
It's not really a churchservice.
I'm going, oh yeah.
So this is a date.
Okay, it's not really a churchservice.
I'm going, oh yeah, oh yeah.
So we get to church and it wasa service like I had never been
(13:46):
in before and the gentleman atthe end of his sermon starts
singing I Surrender All and I'msitting with this young lady
right.
No guy in high school wants tobe seen crying.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
No, that's right, it's a good date, right?
Speaker 1 (14:04):
No, that's right.
So I'm on a date, but all of asudden I just broke down.
I couldn't figure out.
Why am I breaking down?
I walked up to give my lifethat's when it all started
Started right there that journeywith him, and it was not long
after that that I saw a wholeother world that I had not seen
(14:30):
before.
I went to events that wereassociated with this particular
group.
I went to events and there wereso many young people.
I'd never seen that many youngpeople in one place.
In my early life I'd not seenthat and to see that it was
thrilling, it was exciting, itwas motivating to see all those
(14:51):
young people, and once Ihernersyoung people, I was into it.
The journey of faith startedthen, because my pastor then
also was kind of a model for me.
He kind of became the person Iwanted to emulate in terms of
his relationship with his wife,his relationship with his
(15:13):
children, and it was arelationship I had not seen.
My father was kind to my mother, but this relationship was
special, and once he put me in aplace where I could meet
different people, all of asudden my life changed.
(15:34):
And I'll tell you this onething I got drafted in 1969
during the Vietnam War and inSpringfield.
Springfield was known not in agood way about how the draft was
(15:57):
handled with minorities.
And so I got drafted and I hadhad a bout with asthma when I
was younger, and so the doctorwho took over my doctor's
clients couldn't find my records.
(16:18):
So he gave me a notice and thenotice said this patient has
complaints of asthma, that's all, that's all.
My pastor looked at me and saidthis is not going to keep you
out of the Army.
So when I got drafted I left.
(16:41):
They had a big party for me.
I left Springfield on the bus,came up here to Fort Hayes, and
when I got to Fort Hayes theyasked everybody, anybody that
has something, an ailment orsickness, go in this line.
So I got in the line and therewere gentlemen in there with, I
(17:06):
mean, huge envelopes of thingsthat they said was wrong with
them.
And he kept sending them onthrough.
It didn't bother him.
So when he got to me I gave himthe letter, one sentence, and
he said well, how do you feelwhen you have asthma?
(17:28):
I said wheezing, which that wasthe case, but I hadn't had an
attack for a while.
Wheezing, which that was thecase, but I hadn't had an attack
for a while.
He looked at me and said I'mgoing to permanently disqualify
you.
So I walked away that day and Isaid and I made a commitment to
the Lord I said, okay, you donot put me in a place where I
(17:57):
have not.
Not that I didn't want to go,and not that some of my friends
went and I didn't go.
I said, if I'm staying here,there's got to be a larger
purpose for my life and I don'twant to miss the purpose.
So I didn't look at it as justme not going.
(18:17):
I looked at it as God saying tome there's something I need
from you that will require youto be here.
And it was true.
It was true.
My journey after that wasunbelievable because once I
moved to Columbus, my pastortold me not to even come.
(18:40):
He said because you'll neverget a chance to preach, you'll
never get a chance to doanything.
The church is too big.
It's too big.
When I got here, the Lord gaveme favor, so much favor.
So one year later I told mywife I was in prayer.
I was 20 years old, in prayerand I said I'm going to be
president of our young peoplenext year.
(19:01):
I said that to her.
She laughed at me and looked atme in this organization, from
district president, to statepresident, to national
coordinator, to then vicepresident of the international
(19:23):
group, president of theinternational group and this
little kid from Springfield.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
Come on.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
A kid who everybody looked at and didn't think much
of him.
Come on, didn't talk.
A lot was bashful, was shy,yeah, come on.
Didn't like being in front ofcrowds, right, and all of a
sudden, this little kid thatdidn't have anything going for
him now becomes an internationalevangelist, now becomes
(19:52):
president of an internationalorganization of young people.
For me, it's all aboutunderstanding that God is your
source, and when God is yoursource, he has a way of
(20:12):
unveiling to you a future thatwas never a part of your
thinking.
Speaker 4 (20:18):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Never on your mind.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Right right.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
And all of a sudden you're doing something, and in
positions that didn't fit yourpersonality, nor did it fit you
as a young person.
But now you are.
After that relationship, afterthat day, my life changed and it
became a life of faith.
(20:42):
You're talking about walking byfaith and not by sight.
That's what I understood as anevangelist.
I'd say I need to say thesethings as a father.
When I got called to be anevangelist, I worked at Buckeye
Federal Savings and Loans.
I was an assistant manager atBuckeye Federal.
(21:05):
We had an office on Longstreetand I was considering making a
major in business managementbecause I wanted to be in the
finance field.
I wanted to become president ormaybe at least a manager of the
(21:30):
bank and then go higher.
I was sitting in my office oneday and the Lord spoke to me and
said a doctor goes to school tobe a doctor.
You've been called A preacherneeds to go to school to be the
evangelist.
I'm calling you to be, I quit myjob in 1975 after I graduated
(21:58):
from Union Bible College.
Quit Now.
I wanted to quit on these terms.
I went to my boss and said canI take a leave of absence, just
in case things don't work?
Out.
They said, no, we'll give you aleave of absence if you're going
to the armed services, butwe're not going to give you a
(22:20):
leave of absence for this.
So when I quit my job I told mywife I think the Lord's really
calling me to do this.
So I had nothing.
I had just bought my firsthouse.
We built it from the ground up.
My first house, 1975.
And Landon was a baby two yearsold.
(22:45):
Then I'm on the field.
I have one meeting, twomeetings that I know of, that I
had after I had anything.
I fulfilled those two meetings.
My wife was going to work.
I, you know, here's the male inme.
(23:06):
Okay, I can't stay at home,right, right, I have to go to
work.
Right right.
And I'm saying the Lord calledme to the evangelistic field.
All I have is two meetings.
You know, my wife said to me.
My wife said to me Howard, godcalled you.
You can't go back to work, shesaid, you'll be miserable.
(23:30):
Well, right then, and there Ihad the right wife.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
At the end of that.
That's the right answer.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
But it was through that that I had learned.
Now I have to trust God.
If you call me to do this,you're going to sustain me.
Even if they write me bouncechecks, bouncing checks which
they did, bad checks and theybounced he still kept me with no
(24:01):
money.
There were times I had no money.
We went to Kansas City andthere was a gentleman there, a
member of the church.
He said there's a van out hereI need you all to see, because
we were renting vans to travel.
So he said there's a van at my,I need you all to see, because
we were renting vans to travelRight.
So he said there's a van at mydealership I work at.
So we went it's a beautifulblack van, wonderful van.
(24:23):
Right, I can't afford this van.
My credit's not that goodbecause I'm not making any money
.
Right, you know, they approvedthat loan.
Huh, but not only they approvedthat loan, but they told me I'd
have so much money now.
So the Lord provided me to havefavor with a lot of people.
So I called some of the peoplethat were really into our
(24:47):
ministry as an evangelist andthey said I said I need XYZ
dollars.
You know, in a matter of lessthan a week they gave me the
money, put the money down, flewto Kansas City and picked up
that van.
Living by faith only because ofthe voice of God and when you
(25:09):
hear the voice of God, you haveto rely on him to do and to
perform for you what needs to beperformed.
Because you didn't make thecall, he did, he did.
Therefore, he wants to show youhe can take care of you.
Even if it looks like yourworld is crashing, he still
(25:32):
wants to take care of you.
Speaker 4 (25:33):
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen.
You know you're the visionarybehind founding the End Time
Revival Evangelist Crusade.
Can you share some of thehighlights during that time?
Speaker 1 (25:46):
Oh, my goodness, One of I started that.
I'll tell you how I startedthat.
One of I started that.
I'll tell you how I startedthat.
I was in a.
We were in our graduation atA&M Bible College.
There's a gentleman by the nameof James, bishop James Johnson.
(26:08):
He's from Kansas City and hewas ministering to an afternoon
session in preparation for ourgraduation and he spoke from the
book of Ezekiel and in the bookof Ezekiel, Elijah sees a river
(26:32):
and he goes out in the riverand it's up to his waist and he
goes back to the bank and theriver was overflowing, its banks
and everywhere that water went.
It healed the land.
While Bishop Johnson is talking,I have this vision of the
(26:56):
crusade.
I start writing it down whilehe's talking.
It was birthed in that sessionand we started traveling then,
then and having crusades.
It was difficult because inthat day it was unheard of,
(27:22):
especially by African.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
Americans.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
It was almost unheard of.
So we would travel to city tocity.
What kicked it off for me was acrusade we did here in Columbus
.
I had no money and I all of asudden it came to me I need to
(27:46):
do a crusade here.
I didn't want to do it at achurch because I didn't want any
churches to think that churchis happening.
Okay, it has an advantagebecause, it's going to be there
and I might not get communitysupport.
Yeah right.
So, praising me, I picked thelargest building at that time,
which is Vest Memorial, to havethe crusade.
(28:08):
Everybody thought he's crazy.
It's absolutely ridiculous.
We did that crusade.
I can't tell you how manypeople gave their life to the
Lord.
It's unbelievable.
So that's what we did.
I supported, not just throughthe crusade but as an evangelist
(28:30):
.
We would start churches,initiate them, start them in
fertile ground.
There were no churches inparticular cities.
Part of my team would go withme to assist in starting those
churches.
So I did that.
We traveled.
We never went to Europe, but wewent to Antigua, we went to the
(28:57):
Bahamas, to Boston, los Angeles, san Antonio, texas,
indianapolis, Montgomery,alabama.
So we were traveling and thenwe started a choir.
So we were traveling and thenwe started a choir.
I only started a choir becauseof Sharon Johnson and Tommy
(29:19):
Adams.
They both had a skill set ofwriting music and I said okay,
we need to find a way for you topromote your music.
So, I was a big proponent ofpromoting other people.
So I said we've got to find away to do this.
So we found a way to do that.
That's how the choir gotstarted.
But the crusade was.
(29:40):
People still talk about thatcrusade and what we did that was
in the late 70s, early 80s.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
You know you also are the founder of a new covenant.
I believe it was church.
Yeah, how did that come about?
What was that?
I know that's another one ofthem.
Good stories.
Good stories About God.
I was in well before Birmingham.
Speaker 1 (30:06):
I was in Birmingham, Alabama.
Before that.
I knew it was time for me tomove from the evangelist to the
pastorate.
I knew it was time for me tomove from the evangelist to the
pastorate.
I knew it was time.
Well, I had been gettingrequests to different cities and
so, and my great desire was togo to Washington DC and be
(30:34):
pastor in Washington.
And I can't tell you, BrotherTim, what kind of desire.
That was a very, very bigdesire.
I really wanted to go toWashington.
I drove to Washington, my wifeand I.
We started mapping out what thechurch is going to be like.
We got to Washington, we metwith real estate agents, we
(31:01):
searched out school districtsand met with some people.
We were pretty good, we feltpretty good about what we were
hearing and I was on my way.
So we left driving back.
We talked about everything wewere hearing and I was on my way
.
So we left driving back.
We talked about everything wewere going to do.
When I got back to Columbus,you know, if you don't want to
(31:25):
know anything, the last thingyou should do is pray.
So I went into prayer.
So I went into prayer and all ofa sudden it started coming to
me about Columbus.
I didn't want to do that.
I told my father-in-law.
I said, papa, I can't do this.
(31:48):
I don't want to do this.
I would rather be in Tupelo,mississippi, than to be in
Columbus.
He said, howard, you got to dowhatever the Lord tells you to
do.
I said okay.
So I went to Birmingham.
I was in Birmingham doing acrusade While we were preparing
to go out for that eveningservice, I had another vision
(32:09):
again.
This is about a vision that hadnothing to do with the New
Covenant, but it was a vision.
It had nothing to do with NewCovenant, but it was a vision.
I could see a door and I sawthis door and there was a key in
the door.
I was waiting on the door openand the voice spoke to me and
said Turn the key, okay.
Then the voice said Open thedoor.
(32:30):
So when I opened the door, thisflood of water just came in
where I was.
I knew then that the HolySpirit was speaking to me about
the church.
So before I went out to thestage, I called my wife and said
(32:52):
we're starting the church.
When I get back it was about 30days.
She said we're starting thechurch in 30 days.
We don't have your money, wecan't do this.
My brother-in-law got the PAsystem together, put it in the
van, the trailer we're drivingback.
We named the church, we talkedabout church all the way home.
(33:15):
When we got to Columbus, I knewwhat I was going to do.
We got to the King Center.
That was our first place.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
King.
Speaker 1 (33:22):
Center's first place.
I didn't have any money, butthe gentleman said to me you
know what?
We need to find a way to dothis, because the King Center
needs some money, right, now.
We never missed a lease paymentat the King Center.
That's how the church gotstarted through the King Center
(33:44):
and of course, the rest ishistory based on what happened
then.
Speaker 4 (33:48):
Right, right, you know, as a global ambassador I'm
sorry global evangelist andchurch leader, how do you manage
the demands of ministry whileensuring quality time with your
wife, children and sons andgrandchildren?
Speaker 1 (34:04):
Oh well, let's say it like this my grandchildren have
a life of their own.
Ok so, but I think what we didand I'll say this as a father
who traveled a lot when mychildren were young, so a lot of
praise goes to my wife forbeing a caretaker for my sons-
(34:33):
but when?
I would come home, I would tryto spend as much time with them
as possible.
You know we both I like sports,so we'd go to the gym, work out
, shoot baskets.
You know, had those kind offather and son relationships,
and my children got to travelwith me to a lot of places Nice
(34:55):
so they could see me andunderstand who I was at home and
understand who I was away from.
So they knew that the man hewas at home was the same way he
was in public the man he was inpublic was the same man he was
at home.
So it was the consistency andthe provision I tried to make
(35:16):
sure that I provided for themthe best of my ability take care
of them, make sure they hadwhat they needed, but make sure
they also understood that ChristJesus was the center of our
life and everything we had.
I had to help them understandEverything we have is based on
this walk of faith and what Godhas done for us.
(35:39):
So I believed in that.
There was another thing I didwhen I started the church
because I wanted to pass amessage on to all my members who
had children.
One Sunday I told them.
One Sunday I told them.
I said I'm going to be gonenext Sunday because my sons have
(36:04):
a soccer tournament inBaltimore.
No everyone in Baltimore isoutside Washington and I'm sorry
but I'm going to miss churchnext Sunday because I'm going to
be with them.
I'm trying to send a messagethat you should never allow
(36:26):
church to be the reason why youdon't support your children.
Speaker 4 (36:31):
That's good.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
And no day is sacred when it comes to your children.
That's good.
And no day is sacred when itcomes to your children, not even
Sunday.
If you have to do it on Sunday,there are 51 other Sundays in a
year or whatever that you canbe there.
But your children are yourfirst responsibility, not the
(36:56):
church, and I didn't learn that.
I learned that from being withmy pastor, but I learned that my
children I never wanted mychildren to think about church
in a negative way.
And this, for me, was importantto tell them okay, you guys can
(37:17):
be anything you want to be, youcan do anything you want to do.
You live a holistic life.
Be true to your family, be trueto your relationship with Jesus
Christ.
And.
He will bless you in every areaof your life.
Speaker 4 (37:35):
That's good you know, what advice would you offer to
fathers seeking to mentor theirchildren in faith and character?
Speaker 1 (37:45):
In faith and character.
Well, here's, here's my speechabout that.
Every father every one of ushave a sphere of influence and
there are multiple spheres Job,community, family and, if you're
(38:14):
at church sphere of influence,in your sphere of influence, you
must always understand thatwhoever is in your sphere of
influence is in your life sothat they can experience
something from you.
It is essential, then, that youunderstand it is not just your
(38:35):
speech but also your behavior,and with your speech and
behavior surrendered to JesusChrist, you actually put
yourself in a position so thatthose people in your sphere of
influence are able to see whatit's like when a person
(38:57):
surrenders their life, in speechand behavior, to Jesus Christ.
The best mentoring tool is notjust your voice, but your
actions.
Your actions and your voicegive harmony to give harmony in
(39:20):
terms of your relationship withGod, but also gives those who
are watching you a view of whatit looks like when a person is
fully committed and surrendered.
So I always say I wasn't alwaysthere, but my speech and
behavior mirrored what I saidand what I preached, how I led,
(39:46):
and I think that that had animpact on my children without a
doubt, without a doubt, amen,amen.
Speaker 4 (39:52):
You know this is a different time, living in this
fast-paced world.
You know everybody just go, go,go, go go.
You know how can fathersmaintain a strong spiritual
foundation and be present fortheir families in this
fast-paced world of the internetand 50 channels on TV?
Speaker 1 (40:14):
I first of, and 50 channels on TV.
First of all, we have to becommitted to being a father.
And next we have to understandwhat that is.
Yes, once we understand whatthat is, I just think it's
important for, let's say, menI'll leave just fathers a title,
(40:39):
just men.
I think it's important that menlearn how to formulate
communities of men to besupportive of one another, to
help engage us in being goodfathers, to be that example of
(41:01):
community.
I say it is to defend, tostrengthen and to fortify one
another when men can be in acommunity of other men who have
like desire may not be perfect,but they have the desire.
Some may be in the group whodon't even have the desire, but
(41:25):
just being associated with mencan assist you in becoming the
best father you can be.
So I think, more than justcoming to church, there needs to
be community of men who committhemselves to fatherhood, to
commit themselves to manhood andbe supportive of one another,
(41:48):
enabling them to make surewherever I am, I'm going to do
something to make sure whereverI am, I'm going to do something
to make sure that my sons and mydaughters get my best.
And if I'm struggling, I've gota community of men who allow me
to be free enough to talk about, maybe things that are
(42:12):
bothering me, maybe interferingwith my being the best father.
If I've got a group of men whoallow me to be transparent.
That's going to give me even agreater, going to put me in a
situation that will allow me togrow, because you can't grow if
(42:34):
you're not transparent.
Transparency allows you to growbecause it means I can say and
be free to talk about who I amand you not be offended.
She'd be there to support me.
Speaker 4 (42:51):
Amen, Wow, Well, you dropping some gems in here, Jack
.
Give some good life lessons,Jack, as we come around the
corner.
You know this is a legacypodcast and we talk about
building a lifelong legacy.
First off, what does the wordlegacy mean to you?
Speaker 1 (43:10):
To me, it means leaving something behind,
tangible, that speaks to who youwere while you lived.
That's good.
Speaker 4 (43:30):
That's what legacy is to me and specifically what
legacy are you building in thatframework of what?
Speaker 1 (43:42):
you just described.
I don't know if I'm, when yousay, building it.
I think my life's work is mylegacy.
Yes, yes, and I think thatthat's how I'll be remembered.
I'll be remembered because ofmy life's work and I think
(44:07):
that's how you live your life.
Yes, you live your life.
Sometimes you don't think aboutlegacy.
Most times you don't.
What I think about is howvaluable is my life?
What am I doing with thisvalued life?
And is this valued life makinga difference?
And if I'm doing something tomake a difference, then I feel
(44:35):
that that will be my legacy,Because I've done what God
wanted me to do and I followedthrough on it, and it's made a
difference in people's lives.
Speaker 4 (44:50):
Well, bishop, I want to thank you for your time and I
want to thank you for living alife well lived that people have
watched, and I just want tothank you for just the power,
making us all understand thepower of prayer.
But two, following up, you know, not just you know, praying for
something and startingsomething and, like I don't know
(45:11):
if you said, do that.
No Lord said do that.
No Lord said do that.
You know and do it and it'struly been a faith walk.
Just looking over your life,it's truly been a faith walk.
And then you can see it in yourchildren and your grandchildren
.
You know how they have caughtthat.
They have caught that faith andI know it's truly a blessing,
you know you working with yoursons in ministry yes, you know
ministry, yes, being able to seethem, you know, see their
(45:32):
families and not having to lookfor them.
You know where they're at.
You know that's truly ablessing, you know.
In that regard, but I just wantto thank you for being that
visionary and all of you donefor uh, not just Columbus and
for the world, you know for theworld, and I'm looking forward
to what, what you know for you.
So thanks for being on the showand being a part of this
fatherhood, and sharing withdads and men how important we
(45:54):
are, and you just remind usthrough this podcast about how
important men are.
Yes, how important men are.
So we're not perfect, like yousaid, we're vulnerable, but
we're there.
Yes, sir, we're there, we'represent, absolutely, and our
families know we ain't goinganywhere, right, they know where
, and so I'm going to appreciateyou for all that.
So, thanks for being part ofthe show today.
Thank you, appreciate you.
Speaker 3 (46:14):
Appreciate you.
If you've enjoyed this episode,please share it with family and
friends.
The Be A Baller podcast isavailable on all major podcast
platforms.
This podcast was created byCoach Tim Brown and recorded and
edited by the video productionclass of Worthington Christian
High School.
Be sure to come back next weekas we continue to discuss on how
(46:35):
to build a lifelong legacy.
Until then, don't forget to bea baller.
I think it's important that men learn how to
formulate communities of men, tobe supportive of one another,
to help engage us in being goodfathers, to be that example of
community.
I say it is to defend, tostrengthen and to fortify one
(00:24):
another when men can be in acommunity of other men who have
like desire may not be perfect,but they have the desire.
But just being associated withmen can assist you in becoming
the best father you can be youin becoming the best father.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
you can be Welcome to Be A Baller, where we're
building a lifelong legacy forour families, communities and
the world.
Your host, coach Tim Brown, isexcited for you to join him on
this journey.
On each episode, we'll betalking about how to be
intentional, about building alasting legacy.
We'll be exploring what itmeans to leave a mark that goes
beyond just our lives but has apositive impact on those around
us and even generations to come.
(01:08):
So if you're looking forinspiration, guidance and
practical tips on how to build alasting legacy that makes a
difference, then you're in theright place.
So grab your earbuds, getcomfortable and let's dive in.
It's time to be a baller.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Welcome to Be A Baller Podcast.
I'm your host, coach Tim Brown,and we're excited to be a
baller.
Welcome to Be A Baller Podcast.
I'm your host, coach Tim Brown,and we're excited to have a
special guest on today's episodeduring our fatherhood series,
and that's Bishop Howard Tillman, founder of New Covenant
Believers Church in Columbus,ohio.
Bishop Tillman is the father ofthree sons, nine grandchildren,
and is married to his lovelywife, glenda.
(01:43):
Bishop Tillman is truly avisionary and a leader in our
community.
Bishop Tillman, welcome to Be ABaller podcast.
I'm glad to be here with you.
Yeah, and I'm excited.
I've been waiting, I've beenblessed to watch.
Well, I came to Columbus in the70s, early 80s or whatnot, so I
heard about you and then when Iwatched you building that
(02:03):
beautiful facility over thereand just watching it grow and
all the great things you've beendoing in the community, and
then I taught some kids thatwere part of the church when I
was at Sunshine ChristianAcademy, I was Jacob Elsey's
teacher and all that.
So I know the work, I know thework.
I know the work, I've seen thework and I remember you guys had
that men's group and he did aministry with young boys at one
(02:26):
time, boy, you guys discipledsome young men, young
ambassadors yeah, oh man, Iwatched that thing, man, and
those guys, I see those guystoday, you know, just watching.
I know we're going to get tothe podcast, but anyway we're
going to get to the stories, butanyway I just got to applaud
you for so much that's come outof there that people don't even
realize.
You know who started it withyou, you know, and what they're
(02:47):
doing today, you know, and Iwant to applaud you for that and
thank you for that.
Yeah, thank you For making thatimpact.
And then just watching, watchingyou and the vision, you know
that you're truly a visionary.
You always seem to be one stepahead of the curve.
You know Folks trying to figureout what they're going to do
next.
You know what are they doingnext down there, man, the Focus
Center, you know, and all thatman, it's just truly been a
(03:09):
blessing for me.
Why don't we start just talkingabout growing up in Springfield
, ohio, and as we talk aboutthis podcast, about fatherhood
and just men, what were some ofthose men that impacted your
life growing up.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Well, it starts with my father.
Yes, and I think he was the—Ihad an uncle.
He was really my mother'scousin.
His name was Howard Douglas andhe was one of those special
kind of persons that I thoughtwas very unusual for the city of
(03:47):
Springfield.
He owned his own business,serviced cars, but he was also a
fisherman and just a super niceperson and really believed that
you could be anything that youwanted to be my father.
(04:10):
He came to Springfield in the40s, okay, and he moved from
Huntsville, alabama, toSpringfield I think he was
around 13 or 14, 15, somethingaround there in that age and the
reason why they moved theywanted to get away from the
cotton fields.
(04:31):
And there were jobs opening upnorth factory jobs that were
good paying jobs and theymigrated from Huntsville to
Springfield.
And I tell the story all thetime about my dad that I never
(04:51):
saw him stay home from work.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Come on.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
I was in Springfield.
Well, I was in Springfielduntil I was about 18.
All through elementary schoolback then, you know, junior high
not, you know Right, right andhigh school never missed a day
of work, constantly, constantly.
(05:18):
I don't remember my dad beingsick and if he was sick he never
told me Right, but he wasconsistent in terms of going to
that job and he worked overtime.
I remember one time we weregoing to Cleveland.
(05:39):
My father would take us toCleveland almost every year
because he had some cousins inCleveland.
My father would take us toCleveland almost every year
because he had some cousins inCleveland.
We would literally pick him upand he was getting off work.
And we would drive.
He would drive to Cleveland andback.
Then to get to Cleveland fromSpringfield you had to go O
Route 4.
Speaker 4 (05:59):
Oh yeah, oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
And that was—he was driving all night.
So my dad was a church person.
He was a different because Isaw some of his family members
involved in certain kinds ofbehaviors that he was never
(06:34):
involved in.
He never drank, he never smoked,he was adamant about us going
to church.
He was a disciplinarian.
I mean my mother, you know, shewas the one that kind of gave
us instruction as to how, and ofcourse, if we did not, she
(06:58):
would go and say, well, thechildren are out of order.
And when he came in, you know,he brought everything into order
.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
One way or the other.
You know, back then it wouldhave been today.
Speaker 1 (07:11):
We know Right, yeah, we know Right, right, yeah, he
was he.
He was um a good model in termsof work.
We said about my dad he, interms of work.
We said about my dad he never,he, never.
He came up in a time we didn'ttalk much about family.
(07:34):
Right, right, now we go visitfamily but he didn't talk much
about it.
But he always encouraged uswith my mother you got to do
better than us.
Amen.
Because he was only he didn'tget out of elementary school.
My mother didn't get out ofjunior high school so neither of
them graduated, so they alwaystold us you have to do better
(07:55):
than us.
You have to go to school, youhave to get quality grades, you
have to be a good student, andthey kind of drilled that in us
as children.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
So there's a whole lot more I could say about it no
, no, no, that's good, that'sgood.
That was that time.
It was during that time.
They said man, work, you knowwe, yeah, work yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
That was their contribution to the family.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
They felt that they were caretakers, responsible for
having the necessary financialfunds whatever needed to be done
.
We weren't rich Right, by nomeans.
You know.
We didn't buy our first—hebought his first house in 1961,
(08:44):
and he was happy All that time.
He rented.
But he was consistent.
We had a coal furnace.
My father would go out and getthe coal, put it in the furnace
for heating it.
So we were.
It was in the day.
(09:05):
He was always there and in factI'm doing.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
No, no, no no.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
In fact planted a garden every year.
We had onions, greens, tomatoes.
He would do it in the backyard,even in places he was renting.
He would do a garden in theback and of course we had to
pick the tomatoes and all thosekinds of things after he planted
(09:33):
them.
And so, yeah, he showed me hardwork is something that needs to
be a part of your life, amen,amen.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
I know you grew up with strong values of prayer,
the word and serving others.
Can you share with the audienceabout your faith journey, your
personal faith journey?
Speaker 1 (09:54):
My faith journey.
Wow, my mother and fatheralways took us to church, so it
was about like every time thechurch doors opened, my mother
had us there, even when theydidn't go.
(10:16):
My mother said are they havinga junior choir rehearsal
Saturday?
Yes, you're going okay, btuBaptist.
Trinity You're going, okay.
Btu Baptist Training UnionYou're going.
Vacation Bible School You'regoing.
Melchor Singing You're going.
(10:37):
Prayer meeting for me startedevery Wednesday in the Baptist
Church.
You had prayer, my, my mother,my, would go to prayer and she
would take us to prayer everyWednesday.
We were the only children atprayer.
(11:02):
My mother would walk across,she would walk their children
across town from the north sideto the west side to take us to
prayer meeting.
So my prayer life started at ayoung age.
I had an aunt and she was fromIndianapolis and every time she
(11:27):
would come to Springfield tostay with us she would pray.
She'd be praying.
When I went to school in themorning, if I came home for
lunch, she was pray, she'd bepraying.
When I went to school in themorning, if I came home for
lunch, she was praying.
When we went to bed, she waspraying.
This was consistent.
I never saw her get out of thatregiment all the time.
(11:51):
So I was being influenced byprayer at an early age but
didn't understand it.
I mean, I'm going because mymother said go.
You know, I see my aunt prayingbecause she wasn't intimidated
by anybody.
She would come in and she wouldbe praying and you could hear
(12:12):
her praying when we left thehouse.
I was in a community choir and Ihad a friend who was
Pentecostal I'll put it likethat but we were all from all
denominations.
They started talking to usabout Jesus Christ on a
(12:36):
different level than I had everheard, and as they started this
discussion with us, I kind ofgot convicted.
Just the discussion.
I was accustomed to going tochurch but I didn't have a
relationship.
I was going, but I just therewas no connection.
(12:58):
I was going because I was toldto go, I was going because my
mother forced us to go, but itwasn't like I want to go, I want
to have a relationship.
I had a relationship with thechurch, but not with Christ.
And so one day I got invited toa church in Urbana by some of
(13:18):
the members of the choir, and sothey invited me and another
young lady.
So I'm going to the service,but I have somebody with me.
So this is a date.
It's not really a churchservice.
I'm going, oh yeah.
So this is a date.
Okay, it's not really a churchservice.
I'm going, oh yeah, oh yeah.
So we get to church and it wasa service like I had never been
(13:46):
in before and the gentleman atthe end of his sermon starts
singing I Surrender All and I'msitting with this young lady
right.
No guy in high school wants tobe seen crying.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
No, that's right, it's a good date, right?
Speaker 1 (14:04):
No, that's right.
So I'm on a date, but all of asudden I just broke down.
I couldn't figure out.
Why am I breaking down?
I walked up to give my lifethat's when it all started
Started right there that journeywith him, and it was not long
after that that I saw a wholeother world that I had not seen
(14:30):
before.
I went to events that wereassociated with this particular
group.
I went to events and there wereso many young people.
I'd never seen that many youngpeople in one place.
In my early life I'd not seenthat and to see that it was
thrilling, it was exciting, itwas motivating to see all those
(14:51):
young people, and once Ihernersyoung people, I was into it.
The journey of faith startedthen, because my pastor then
also was kind of a model for me.
He kind of became the person Iwanted to emulate in terms of
his relationship with his wife,his relationship with his
(15:13):
children, and it was arelationship I had not seen.
My father was kind to my mother, but this relationship was
special, and once he put me in aplace where I could meet
different people, all of asudden my life changed.
(15:34):
And I'll tell you this onething I got drafted in 1969
during the Vietnam War and inSpringfield.
Springfield was known not in agood way about how the draft was
(15:57):
handled with minorities.
And so I got drafted and I hadhad a bout with asthma when I
was younger, and so the doctorwho took over my doctor's
clients couldn't find my records.
(16:18):
So he gave me a notice and thenotice said this patient has
complaints of asthma, that's all, that's all.
My pastor looked at me and saidthis is not going to keep you
out of the Army.
So when I got drafted I left.
(16:41):
They had a big party for me.
I left Springfield on the bus,came up here to Fort Hayes, and
when I got to Fort Hayes theyasked everybody, anybody that
has something, an ailment orsickness, go in this line.
So I got in the line and therewere gentlemen in there with, I
(17:06):
mean, huge envelopes of thingsthat they said was wrong with
them.
And he kept sending them onthrough.
It didn't bother him.
So when he got to me I gave himthe letter, one sentence, and
he said well, how do you feelwhen you have asthma?
(17:28):
I said wheezing, which that wasthe case, but I hadn't had an
attack for a while.
Wheezing, which that was thecase, but I hadn't had an attack
for a while.
He looked at me and said I'mgoing to permanently disqualify
you.
So I walked away that day and Isaid and I made a commitment to
the Lord I said, okay, you donot put me in a place where I
(17:57):
have not.
Not that I didn't want to go,and not that some of my friends
went and I didn't go.
I said, if I'm staying here,there's got to be a larger
purpose for my life and I don'twant to miss the purpose.
So I didn't look at it as justme not going.
(18:17):
I looked at it as God saying tome there's something I need
from you that will require youto be here.
And it was true.
It was true.
My journey after that wasunbelievable because once I
moved to Columbus, my pastortold me not to even come.
(18:40):
He said because you'll neverget a chance to preach, you'll
never get a chance to doanything.
The church is too big.
It's too big.
When I got here, the Lord gaveme favor, so much favor.
So one year later I told mywife I was in prayer.
I was 20 years old, in prayerand I said I'm going to be
president of our young peoplenext year.
(19:01):
I said that to her.
She laughed at me and looked atme in this organization, from
district president, to statepresident, to national
coordinator, to then vicepresident of the international
(19:23):
group, president of theinternational group and this
little kid from Springfield.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
Come on.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
A kid who everybody looked at and didn't think much
of him.
Come on, didn't talk.
A lot was bashful, was shy,yeah, come on.
Didn't like being in front ofcrowds, right, and all of a
sudden, this little kid thatdidn't have anything going for
him now becomes an internationalevangelist, now becomes
(19:52):
president of an internationalorganization of young people.
For me, it's all aboutunderstanding that God is your
source, and when God is yoursource, he has a way of
(20:12):
unveiling to you a future thatwas never a part of your
thinking.
Speaker 4 (20:18):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Never on your mind.
Speaker 4 (20:20):
Right right.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
And all of a sudden you're doing something, and in
positions that didn't fit yourpersonality, nor did it fit you
as a young person.
But now you are.
After that relationship, afterthat day, my life changed and it
became a life of faith.
(20:42):
You're talking about walking byfaith and not by sight.
That's what I understood as anevangelist.
I'd say I need to say thesethings as a father.
When I got called to be anevangelist, I worked at Buckeye
Federal Savings and Loans.
I was an assistant manager atBuckeye Federal.
(21:05):
We had an office on Longstreetand I was considering making a
major in business managementbecause I wanted to be in the
finance field.
I wanted to become president ormaybe at least a manager of the
(21:30):
bank and then go higher.
I was sitting in my office oneday and the Lord spoke to me and
said a doctor goes to school tobe a doctor.
You've been called A preacherneeds to go to school to be the
evangelist.
I'm calling you to be, I quit myjob in 1975 after I graduated
(21:58):
from Union Bible College.
Quit Now.
I wanted to quit on these terms.
I went to my boss and said canI take a leave of absence, just
in case things don't work?
Out.
They said, no, we'll give you aleave of absence if you're going
to the armed services, butwe're not going to give you a
(22:20):
leave of absence for this.
So when I quit my job I told mywife I think the Lord's really
calling me to do this.
So I had nothing.
I had just bought my firsthouse.
We built it from the ground up.
My first house, 1975.
And Landon was a baby two yearsold.
(22:45):
Then I'm on the field.
I have one meeting, twomeetings that I know of, that I
had after I had anything.
I fulfilled those two meetings.
My wife was going to work.
I, you know, here's the male inme.
(23:06):
Okay, I can't stay at home,right, right, I have to go to
work.
Right right.
And I'm saying the Lord calledme to the evangelistic field.
All I have is two meetings.
You know, my wife said to me.
My wife said to me Howard, godcalled you.
You can't go back to work, shesaid, you'll be miserable.
(23:30):
Well, right then, and there Ihad the right wife.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
At the end of that.
That's the right answer.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
But it was through that that I had learned.
Now I have to trust God.
If you call me to do this,you're going to sustain me.
Even if they write me bouncechecks, bouncing checks which
they did, bad checks and theybounced he still kept me with no
(24:01):
money.
There were times I had no money.
We went to Kansas City andthere was a gentleman there, a
member of the church.
He said there's a van out hereI need you all to see, because
we were renting vans to travel.
So he said there's a van at my,I need you all to see, because
we were renting vans to travelRight.
So he said there's a van at mydealership I work at.
So we went it's a beautifulblack van, wonderful van.
(24:23):
Right, I can't afford this van.
My credit's not that goodbecause I'm not making any money
.
Right, you know, they approvedthat loan.
Huh, but not only they approvedthat loan, but they told me I'd
have so much money now.
So the Lord provided me to havefavor with a lot of people.
So I called some of the peoplethat were really into our
(24:47):
ministry as an evangelist andthey said I said I need XYZ
dollars.
You know, in a matter of lessthan a week they gave me the
money, put the money down, flewto Kansas City and picked up
that van.
Living by faith only because ofthe voice of God and when you
(25:09):
hear the voice of God, you haveto rely on him to do and to
perform for you what needs to beperformed.
Because you didn't make thecall, he did, he did.
Therefore, he wants to show youhe can take care of you.
Even if it looks like yourworld is crashing, he still
(25:32):
wants to take care of you.
Speaker 4 (25:33):
Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen.
You know you're the visionarybehind founding the End Time
Revival Evangelist Crusade.
Can you share some of thehighlights during that time?
Speaker 1 (25:46):
Oh, my goodness, One of I started that.
I'll tell you how I startedthat.
One of I started that.
I'll tell you how I startedthat.
I was in a.
We were in our graduation atA&M Bible College.
There's a gentleman by the nameof James, bishop James Johnson.
(26:08):
He's from Kansas City and hewas ministering to an afternoon
session in preparation for ourgraduation and he spoke from the
book of Ezekiel and in the bookof Ezekiel, Elijah sees a river
(26:32):
and he goes out in the riverand it's up to his waist and he
goes back to the bank and theriver was overflowing, its banks
and everywhere that water went.
It healed the land.
While Bishop Johnson is talking,I have this vision of the
(26:56):
crusade.
I start writing it down whilehe's talking.
It was birthed in that sessionand we started traveling then,
then and having crusades.
It was difficult because inthat day it was unheard of,
(27:22):
especially by African.
Speaker 4 (27:23):
Americans.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
It was almost unheard of.
So we would travel to city tocity.
What kicked it off for me was acrusade we did here in Columbus
.
I had no money and I all of asudden it came to me I need to
(27:46):
do a crusade here.
I didn't want to do it at achurch because I didn't want any
churches to think that churchis happening.
Okay, it has an advantagebecause, it's going to be there
and I might not get communitysupport.
Yeah right.
So, praising me, I picked thelargest building at that time,
which is Vest Memorial, to havethe crusade.
(28:08):
Everybody thought he's crazy.
It's absolutely ridiculous.
We did that crusade.
I can't tell you how manypeople gave their life to the
Lord.
It's unbelievable.
So that's what we did.
I supported, not just throughthe crusade but as an evangelist
(28:30):
.
We would start churches,initiate them, start them in
fertile ground.
There were no churches inparticular cities.
Part of my team would go withme to assist in starting those
churches.
So I did that.
We traveled.
We never went to Europe, but wewent to Antigua, we went to the
(28:57):
Bahamas, to Boston, los Angeles, san Antonio, texas,
indianapolis, Montgomery,alabama.
So we were traveling and thenwe started a choir.
So we were traveling and thenwe started a choir.
I only started a choir becauseof Sharon Johnson and Tommy
(29:19):
Adams.
They both had a skill set ofwriting music and I said okay,
we need to find a way for you topromote your music.
So, I was a big proponent ofpromoting other people.
So I said we've got to find away to do this.
So we found a way to do that.
That's how the choir gotstarted.
But the crusade was.
(29:40):
People still talk about thatcrusade and what we did that was
in the late 70s, early 80s.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
You know you also are the founder of a new covenant.
I believe it was church.
Yeah, how did that come about?
What was that?
I know that's another one ofthem.
Good stories.
Good stories About God.
I was in well before Birmingham.
Speaker 1 (30:06):
I was in Birmingham, Alabama.
Before that.
I knew it was time for me tomove from the evangelist to the
pastorate.
I knew it was time for me tomove from the evangelist to the
pastorate.
I knew it was time.
Well, I had been gettingrequests to different cities and
so, and my great desire was togo to Washington DC and be
(30:34):
pastor in Washington.
And I can't tell you, BrotherTim, what kind of desire.
That was a very, very bigdesire.
I really wanted to go toWashington.
I drove to Washington, my wifeand I.
We started mapping out what thechurch is going to be like.
We got to Washington, we metwith real estate agents, we
(31:01):
searched out school districtsand met with some people.
We were pretty good, we feltpretty good about what we were
hearing and I was on my way.
So we left driving back.
We talked about everything wewere hearing and I was on my way
.
So we left driving back.
We talked about everything wewere going to do.
When I got back to Columbus,you know, if you don't want to
(31:25):
know anything, the last thingyou should do is pray.
So I went into prayer.
So I went into prayer and all ofa sudden it started coming to
me about Columbus.
I didn't want to do that.
I told my father-in-law.
I said, papa, I can't do this.
(31:48):
I don't want to do this.
I would rather be in Tupelo,mississippi, than to be in
Columbus.
He said, howard, you got to dowhatever the Lord tells you to
do.
I said okay.
So I went to Birmingham.
I was in Birmingham doing acrusade While we were preparing
to go out for that eveningservice, I had another vision
(32:09):
again.
This is about a vision that hadnothing to do with the New
Covenant, but it was a vision.
It had nothing to do with NewCovenant, but it was a vision.
I could see a door and I sawthis door and there was a key in
the door.
I was waiting on the door openand the voice spoke to me and
said Turn the key, okay.
Then the voice said Open thedoor.
(32:30):
So when I opened the door, thisflood of water just came in
where I was.
I knew then that the HolySpirit was speaking to me about
the church.
So before I went out to thestage, I called my wife and said
(32:52):
we're starting the church.
When I get back it was about 30days.
She said we're starting thechurch in 30 days.
We don't have your money, wecan't do this.
My brother-in-law got the PAsystem together, put it in the
van, the trailer we're drivingback.
We named the church, we talkedabout church all the way home.
(33:15):
When we got to Columbus, I knewwhat I was going to do.
We got to the King Center.
That was our first place.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
King.
Speaker 1 (33:22):
Center's first place.
I didn't have any money, butthe gentleman said to me you
know what?
We need to find a way to dothis, because the King Center
needs some money, right, now.
We never missed a lease paymentat the King Center.
That's how the church gotstarted through the King Center
(33:44):
and of course, the rest ishistory based on what happened
then.
Speaker 4 (33:48):
Right, right, you know, as a global ambassador I'm
sorry global evangelist andchurch leader, how do you manage
the demands of ministry whileensuring quality time with your
wife, children and sons andgrandchildren?
Speaker 1 (34:04):
Oh well, let's say it like this my grandchildren have
a life of their own.
Ok so, but I think what we didand I'll say this as a father
who traveled a lot when mychildren were young, so a lot of
praise goes to my wife forbeing a caretaker for my sons-
(34:33):
but when?
I would come home, I would tryto spend as much time with them
as possible.
You know we both I like sports,so we'd go to the gym, work out
, shoot baskets.
You know, had those kind offather and son relationships,
and my children got to travelwith me to a lot of places Nice
(34:55):
so they could see me andunderstand who I was at home and
understand who I was away from.
So they knew that the man hewas at home was the same way he
was in public the man he was inpublic was the same man he was
at home.
So it was the consistency andthe provision I tried to make
(35:16):
sure that I provided for themthe best of my ability take care
of them, make sure they hadwhat they needed, but make sure
they also understood that ChristJesus was the center of our
life and everything we had.
I had to help them understandEverything we have is based on
this walk of faith and what Godhas done for us.
(35:39):
So I believed in that.
There was another thing I didwhen I started the church
because I wanted to pass amessage on to all my members who
had children.
One Sunday I told them.
One Sunday I told them.
I said I'm going to be gonenext Sunday because my sons have
(36:04):
a soccer tournament inBaltimore.
No everyone in Baltimore isoutside Washington and I'm sorry
but I'm going to miss churchnext Sunday because I'm going to
be with them.
I'm trying to send a messagethat you should never allow
(36:26):
church to be the reason why youdon't support your children.
Speaker 4 (36:31):
That's good.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
And no day is sacred when it comes to your children.
That's good.
And no day is sacred when itcomes to your children, not even
Sunday.
If you have to do it on Sunday,there are 51 other Sundays in a
year or whatever that you canbe there.
But your children are yourfirst responsibility, not the
(36:56):
church, and I didn't learn that.
I learned that from being withmy pastor, but I learned that my
children I never wanted mychildren to think about church
in a negative way.
And this, for me, was importantto tell them okay, you guys can
(37:17):
be anything you want to be, youcan do anything you want to do.
You live a holistic life.
Be true to your family, be trueto your relationship with Jesus
Christ.
And.
He will bless you in every areaof your life.
Speaker 4 (37:35):
That's good you know, what advice would you offer to
fathers seeking to mentor theirchildren in faith and character?
Speaker 1 (37:45):
In faith and character.
Well, here's, here's my speechabout that.
Every father every one of ushave a sphere of influence and
there are multiple spheres Job,community, family and, if you're
(38:14):
at church sphere of influence,in your sphere of influence, you
must always understand thatwhoever is in your sphere of
influence is in your life sothat they can experience
something from you.
It is essential, then, that youunderstand it is not just your
(38:35):
speech but also your behavior,and with your speech and
behavior surrendered to JesusChrist, you actually put
yourself in a position so thatthose people in your sphere of
influence are able to see whatit's like when a person
(38:57):
surrenders their life, in speechand behavior, to Jesus Christ.
The best mentoring tool is notjust your voice, but your
actions.
Your actions and your voicegive harmony to give harmony in
(39:20):
terms of your relationship withGod, but also gives those who
are watching you a view of whatit looks like when a person is
fully committed and surrendered.
So I always say I wasn't alwaysthere, but my speech and
behavior mirrored what I saidand what I preached, how I led,
(39:46):
and I think that that had animpact on my children without a
doubt, without a doubt, amen,amen.
Speaker 4 (39:52):
You know this is a different time, living in this
fast-paced world.
You know everybody just go, go,go, go go.
You know how can fathersmaintain a strong spiritual
foundation and be present fortheir families in this
fast-paced world of the internetand 50 channels on TV?
Speaker 1 (40:14):
I first of, and 50 channels on TV.
First of all, we have to becommitted to being a father.
And next we have to understandwhat that is.
Yes, once we understand whatthat is, I just think it's
important for, let's say, menI'll leave just fathers a title,
(40:39):
just men.
I think it's important that menlearn how to formulate
communities of men to besupportive of one another, to
help engage us in being goodfathers, to be that example of
(41:01):
community.
I say it is to defend, tostrengthen and to fortify one
another when men can be in acommunity of other men who have
like desire may not be perfect,but they have the desire.
Some may be in the group whodon't even have the desire, but
(41:25):
just being associated with mencan assist you in becoming the
best father you can be.
So I think, more than justcoming to church, there needs to
be community of men who committhemselves to fatherhood, to
commit themselves to manhood andbe supportive of one another,
(41:48):
enabling them to make surewherever I am, I'm going to do
something to make sure whereverI am, I'm going to do something
to make sure that my sons and mydaughters get my best.
And if I'm struggling, I've gota community of men who allow me
to be free enough to talk about, maybe things that are
(42:12):
bothering me, maybe interferingwith my being the best father.
If I've got a group of men whoallow me to be transparent.
That's going to give me even agreater, going to put me in a
situation that will allow me togrow, because you can't grow if
(42:34):
you're not transparent.
Transparency allows you to growbecause it means I can say and
be free to talk about who I amand you not be offended.
She'd be there to support me.
Speaker 4 (42:51):
Amen, Wow, Well, you dropping some gems in here, Jack
.
Give some good life lessons,Jack, as we come around the
corner.
You know this is a legacypodcast and we talk about
building a lifelong legacy.
First off, what does the wordlegacy mean to you?
Speaker 1 (43:10):
To me, it means leaving something behind,
tangible, that speaks to who youwere while you lived.
That's good.
Speaker 4 (43:30):
That's what legacy is to me and specifically what
legacy are you building in thatframework of what?
Speaker 1 (43:42):
you just described.
I don't know if I'm, when yousay, building it.
I think my life's work is mylegacy.
Yes, yes, and I think thatthat's how I'll be remembered.
I'll be remembered because ofmy life's work and I think
(44:07):
that's how you live your life.
Yes, you live your life.
Sometimes you don't think aboutlegacy.
Most times you don't.
What I think about is howvaluable is my life?
What am I doing with thisvalued life?
And is this valued life makinga difference?
And if I'm doing something tomake a difference, then I feel
(44:35):
that that will be my legacy,Because I've done what God
wanted me to do and I followedthrough on it, and it's made a
difference in people's lives.
Speaker 4 (44:50):
Well, bishop, I want to thank you for your time and I
want to thank you for living alife well lived that people have
watched, and I just want tothank you for just the power,
making us all understand thepower of prayer.
But two, following up, you know, not just you know, praying for
something and startingsomething and, like I don't know
(45:11):
if you said, do that.
No Lord said do that.
No Lord said do that.
You know and do it and it'struly been a faith walk.
Just looking over your life,it's truly been a faith walk.
And then you can see it in yourchildren and your grandchildren
.
You know how they have caughtthat.
They have caught that faith andI know it's truly a blessing,
you know you working with yoursons in ministry yes, you know
ministry, yes, being able to seethem, you know, see their
(45:32):
families and not having to lookfor them.
You know where they're at.
You know that's truly ablessing, you know.
In that regard, but I just wantto thank you for being that
visionary and all of you donefor uh, not just Columbus and
for the world, you know for theworld, and I'm looking forward
to what, what you know for you.
So thanks for being on the showand being a part of this
fatherhood, and sharing withdads and men how important we
(45:54):
are, and you just remind usthrough this podcast about how
important men are.
Yes, how important men are.
So we're not perfect, like yousaid, we're vulnerable, but
we're there.
Yes, sir, we're there, we'represent, absolutely, and our
families know we ain't goinganywhere, right, they know where
, and so I'm going to appreciateyou for all that.
So, thanks for being part ofthe show today.
Thank you, appreciate you.
Speaker 3 (46:14):
Appreciate you.
If you've enjoyed this episode,please share it with family and
friends.
The Be A Baller podcast isavailable on all major podcast
platforms.
This podcast was created byCoach Tim Brown and recorded and
edited by the video productionclass of Worthington Christian
High School.
Be sure to come back next weekas we continue to discuss on how
(46:35):
to build a lifelong legacy.
Until then, don't forget to bea baller.
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