Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 15 April 1999 — Page 30

The Muncie Times, April 15,1999, Page 30 MEN WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE LeaVell finds joy trying to help others

By Judy Mays Name: Pastor Adrian H. LeaVell, 29 Life Goal: Excellence. I desire to deposit positive things in the life of others. “I want to make a difference in the life of others as an effective pastor, husband, father, community leader and entrepreneur,” said LeaVell. “The difference I make and strive to make is a process, one in which I desire to see a high level of productivity.” “I appreciate his vision,” said Phyillies Burks, a member of Cathedral Praise Church, founded by LeaVell. “Pastor thinks big and does whatever is necessary to carry out his vision. He is a hard worker who lives a life of holiness and sets an example.” LeaVell was bom and raised in Evansville, Ind. He said he was greatly influenced by the Christian values of his mother, Yvonne LeaVell Stewart, and his grandmother, Mary Bell LeaVell. “As a child I remember having recurring ear infections. I’d have to get tubes put in my ear and went through operations.” “My grandmother would pray for me every morning, anointing me with oil and planting seeds to encourage me in having a strong faith in the Lord.” That faith allowed LeaVell to keep a positive attitude and believe in helping others. Because of his family, LeaVell was exposed to different religious denominations. “In 1991 the Lord gave me a vision for a ministry, Love Productions Ministry, Inc.” He said, “Love originates from God was my thinking.” “The Bible tells us that love covers a multitude of faults. Love brings us into unity, that’s the purpose.” “The mission statement, if you will, of llove

Pastor Adrian LeaVell and his wife, Stephanie.

Productions Ministries, Inc., is unity within diversity through creative programs.” “I believe that, no matter how diverse people are individually, we are unified through the love of Christ,” said LeaVell. LeaVell has produced gospel concerts by Grammy Award winner John P. Kee and minister/singer/actor Marvin Sapp. He brought in motivational speakers and authors such as Dr. Mildred Harris, Dr. Marjorie Holt and evangelist Esther Smith. “At an early age I was privileged to be a pioneer. I was licensed by the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) at 17 and became the first black radio broadcaster in the Vanderburgh school corporation,” he said. He also sang with the University of Evansville Chorale Society and was involved in theatrical productions with the University of Southern Indiana. After graduating from Harrison High School and attending Indiana University, he traveled to New York and then California to continue in musical ministry. When he returned to Indiana he began

traveling with evangelist Jerry Alford and singing in revivals and crusades. One such revival, conducted in Muncie, LeaVell met his wife, the former Stephanie Fitzpatrick. A year later, the couple married and LeaVell along with Love Productions Ministries, Inc. became a part of the Muncie community. LeaVell once spearheaded a drive that secured 35,000 pounds of food to feed the less fortunate. He also sponsored youth workshops on teen pregnancy, crime AIDS awareness and peer pressure. His church has sponsored ASPIRE (After School Prevention Involving Recreation and Education). Asked what help to shape him, LeaVell said “The knowledge and love in Christ was planted in my life at an early age. That is what has developed who I am. Not that opportunities to make bad decisions weren’t present in my life, but because of Christ developing in me a strong voice within leads you away from those negative things. “If you believe that, if you tap into that greater one on the

inside, you won’t look for external things like drugs and alcohol.” It is important for a positive seed to be planted early, he said. “I was always taught to associate with positive people, to be ambitious and have goals. I was taught to learn things that will elevate you and not destroy you.” “Summing it all out, it is simply, the grace of God which has blessed my life, rather than being above any wrongdoing,” he said. Prophet Kevin Ivy said of LeaVell, “He is a great asset to the community.” “We are in daily prayer, he continued.” “I have found Pastor LeaVell to be a man of integrity with a sincere love for people. The LeaVells have four children, Johnnie, Janae, Victoria and Micah. “We are trying to instill values in them such as truth and honesty, but above all else a serious relationship and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. We want our children to be honorable and respectful, to love one another and know the importance of family. We are teaching our children to set goals and achieve them,” said LeaVell. “The main thing we want to

do to make a difference in their lives is to teach by precept and example. We must be role models before them.” LeaVell said he was influenced by the Rev. W. W. Simmons, the Rev. Willie B. Jackson and Dr. James Mumford an Indiana University music professor. LeaVell’s wife sees her husband as a positive influence on people who come in contact with him. “He’s a very uplifting person.” “He really lights up a room.” “He’s a good teacher and leader.” “I really admire how tactful my husband is in bringing about correction or conflict resolution.” “He’s a good example of a Christian husband, father, father figure and pastor. There are a lot of strong points in which I admire him, but, I really admire his biblical knowledge. He is knowledgeable beyond his years-humble and not boastful,” she said. LeaVell has studied at the C. H. Mason Bible Institute and is taking an external study course with Oral Roberts University. He is a member of the Collective Coalition of Concerned Clergy, serves on the Martin Luther King committee and is a board member of Open Door Community Services.

From left to right are Pastor LeaVell and Stephanie’s children.They are Micah, Janae,Victoria and Johnnie.