Leonard Lord, longtime pastor of Light of the World Tabernacle in Port Richey, has led an interesting life by anyone’s standards. As a 7-year-old Georgia boy living in poverty, he somehow learned he would be on television one day. It was 1954, when his family had its first television delivered.
“Upon seeing the new TV, a voice in my head said, ‘One day you will be on TV, but you will not become a star,’” says Lord. That proved true.
“At the age of 37, I sought the Lord Jesus,” Lord says, “and He filled me with the spirit of God. He then told me to pursue a television ministry. The rest is a walk of faith in pursuit of God’s call on my life.”
Lord spent the next two decades working on local television and radio programs and tent evangelism. He also served as chaplain for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. He has been pastor of light of the World Tabernacle for the past 18 years.
His influence in the community can be seen both within the church and outside of it. Lord works with several charities including Somebody Cares Pasco, Acts Resource Center, Volunteer Way and Impact Family Ministries.
“My greatest inspiration is the New Testament gospels of Jesus’ life of service and love for others.”
CHL: What are you most known for in your community?
LL: I am most known in my community for uniting compassion ministries and area churches to work together and recognize how to have compassion for the disadvantaged and how to meet their needs. I partner with the city and county government agencies in Pasco county also for the purpose of meeting the needs of the disadvantaged and how to use the Lord’s gifts and resources He has put in His people to bring love and help to our community.
CHL: Why did you decide to go into your chosen career field?
LL: When I had a relationship with God’s love, that kind of love (brought by Jesus from the cross) showed me two destinies for my life. One was to do what I could with my upbringing and what I could learn from the world, and the other was to find the creative plan God had in store for me before the foundation of the world. I believed I was to follow the example of Jesus the best I could by serving and helping others. Believing in life after death as I do, I believed it would not only help people in this life but in God’s realm of eternity.
CHL: What accomplishments, professional and/or personal, are you most proud of?
LL: The professional accomplishments I am thankful for are using pastoring as a unifying effort to get to know and work with other others who do great things together in Pasco County and teaching people to live in victory by the principles of God’s word. The personal accomplishments I am thankful for are becoming a father and a grandfather and that is this day and age, by the grace of Go0d, having a marriage of 47 years with my wife, Kathy, that grows greater and greater as the years go by serving the Lord together.
CHL: What is your definition of success?
LL: My definition of success is to live at peace with God and man and always have a conscience free of offense, to love and encourage even the “unfriend-lies” and learning to be content in whatever state I’m in.
CHL: The four pillars of Coastal Healthy Living Magazine are physical, mental, spiritual and financial wellness. In your eyes, what does it mean to live a healthy life?
LL: In my eyes, living a healthy life means a living life filled with vision and hope, confidence of a loving Creator, doing all I can do to be accountable for my actions and giving my worries to the Lord. Also, not living with stress, bitterness and unwillingness to forgive; having an inner strength from my spirit that strengthens my body; having wisdom and knowledge for my mental health; and seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness so that al things of life and godliness will be there by His grace.
CHL: Who or what inspires you?
LL: My greatest inspiration is the New Testament gospels of Jesus’ life of service and love for others. I’m inspired by the devotion of my wife, Kathy, and al the years of dedication and love as we have walked and learned life together. I am also inspired by my fellow friends who labor in the community who are of like minds.
CHL: If you could give others one piece of advice, what would it be?
LL: Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you? But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.