How Did Les Feldick, a Layman, Develop a Successful Television Ministry?

Direct Answer

Yes — Les Feldick's television ministry developed gradually through God's leading, not through formal training or church sponsorship.

Les had taught homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas before the program began. He says he never dreamed of having a television program. The ministry is sustained by faithful financial help and prayers from viewers and class members, while four programs are taped in a single Wednesday afternoon.

Key Scriptures

Romans 1:16 — Les specifically returns to Romans 1:16 in a program session, showing the gospel message that his ministry exists to teach.

What Does the Bible Say?

Romans 1:16 (KJV) says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." The verse expresses Paul's boldness in proclaiming the gospel, the same message Les Feldick teaches in his program. The Scripture does not give details about how a television ministry should be built. What the verse shows is the centrality of the gospel — the message that undergirds the program's teaching.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About How His Ministry Developed?

Les's own account is that the television ministry was never his plan. He says, "I never dreamed of ever having a television program," and that if the Lord gave him the first opportunity to stop, he would say, "thank you." Yet he intends to carry on as long as the Lord seems to be leading in that direction. This response shows the ministry developed through God's sovereign leading rather than through personal ambition or institutional backing. The program's opening identifies Les as an Oklahoma rancher and farmer who had taught homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. He describes the teaching as an informal Bible study, not connected with any group, and no one underwrites it. Les says he and his wife take nothing from the ministry, not even travel expenses, and the ministry depends on God's people who are "always so faithful." Practically, the television ministry is a modest production. Four programs are taped on a Wednesday afternoon in a single session, with a studio audience. Past programs are offered on videotape and in printed books, not to make money but so people can study. Les thanks viewers for letters, financial help, and prayers, and says the studio class members make the program possible because he cannot talk to a camera without a live audience.

What Did Les Feldick Do Before the Television Ministry?

The program's introduction describes Les as an Oklahoma rancher and farmer who had taught homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. His teaching style is described as making the books of the Bible come to life, with listeners saying time seems to fly by while he teaches.

Did Les Plan to Have a Television Program?

Les says he never dreamed of ever having a television program. He comments that if the Lord gave him the first opportunity out of it, he would say thank you, but he will carry on as long as the Lord seems to be leading in that direction. He does not describe any strategic plan, church backing, or underwriting; instead, the program appears to have grown out of his existing teaching ministry.

How Is the Television Program Produced?

Four programs are taped in one Wednesday-afternoon session, with cameras starting around one o'clock and the session usually finishing by four or 4:15. Local viewers are invited to call the station or the ministry's 800 number and attend a taping. Les explains on air that the studio audience wears the same clothes and sits in the same places because all four programs are recorded in succession on the same afternoon.

How Is the Ministry Supported?

Les says the ministry is an informal Bible study, not connected with any group, and no one underwrites it. He depends on God's people, who are 'always so faithful,' and he stresses that he and his wife take nothing from the ministry, not even travel expenses. He also thanks viewers for their letters, prayers, and financial help, and says the studio class members make it possible because he cannot talk to a camera without them. Past programs are available on videotape and in print, not for profit, but for study.

From the Teaching

Rancher with 20 Years of Homestyle Classes

Les's television ministry grew out of two decades of lay-led Bible classes in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas, and he invites viewers to attend the Wednesday tapings.

No Underwriting

Les explains the program is informal, unconnected to any organization, and supported only by God's people; he takes nothing from the ministry, not even travel expenses.

Studio Classes and Four-Program Tapings

Les confirms the studio gathers a class to tape four programs in one afternoon, showing the program's low-cost production model.

Viewer Prayers and Financial Support

Les thanks television viewers for letters, prayers, and financial help, saying the ministry cannot continue without that support.

Class Members Make It Possible

Les says he could not talk to a camera without the studio class, and he insists the ministry is not connected with any group.

Four Programs Recorded in Succession

Les explains the same clothes and seats are due to taping four programs in one afternoon, revealing the practical production arrangement.

Videotapes for Study, Not Profit

Les says past programs are available on videotape if there is enough demand, not for making money, showing the ministry's non-commercial approach.

Never Dreamed of a TV Program

Les admits he never dreamed of having a television program and would gladly stop if the Lord released him, but he will continue as long as the Lord leads — evidence the ministry came about through God's leading, not ambition.

Bible Verses

Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Les starts a program by returning to Romans 1:16, the gospel passage that frames his teaching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Les Feldick have formal Bible training before his television ministry?

The transcripts do not describe formal Bible training. The program's introduction calls Les an Oklahoma rancher and farmer who had taught homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas, and he describes the ministry as an informal Bible study not connected with any group.

How does Les Feldick's television ministry support itself?

Les says no one underwrites the program. It depends on God's people, who are faithful, and he thanks viewers for their letters, prayers, and financial help. He also stresses that he and his wife take nothing from the ministry, not even travel expenses.

Why do the studio audience members wear the same clothes on Les Feldick's program?

Because Les tapes four programs in a single Wednesday afternoon, the studio audience stays in the same seats and clothing across all four episodes. He explains this on air to answer the many questions they receive.

Did Les Feldick ever want a television program?

Les says he never dreamed of ever having a television program. He even remarks that if the Lord gave him the first opportunity out of it, he would say thank you, but he will carry on as long as the Lord seems to be leading in that direction.

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