Curtis Lanier

ANDERSON — Curtis Lanier doesn’t even wait for a question before he starts talking about everything God has done in his ministry through the years. He recalls how when he was 13 when his father was killed, being saved two weeks later and dropping out of high school to begin ministry work. Then he tells how he met his wife, at age 15, and how they were married by 16. Sometimes he slept in a car on Saturday nights because he wouldn’t have time to go home and be back in time for church the next morning. By trade, he’s a painter. On and on he talks, telling of the many things he has seen in his 70 years here on Earth.

Q When did you start your first church?

A We started in 1965 on Lee Street. There for two years, then moved here (to Burdine Road) in 1967.

Q What do you enjoy about ministry?

A The main thing, if I can help people, feed them and see them saved. If you’re out there and you’re hungry, it’s hard to listen. I understand. That’s my life, that’s how I came up.

Q How did your father’s death affect your life and your ministry?

A When we came up we didn’t go to church … The morning that my daddy died, I watched him die. That morning (before it happened) the Lord spoke to me and said, ‘It’s time for you to get right with the Lord.’ I guess it made me realize that I wasn’t going to go to heaven when I was older. I guess Daddy didn’t make it, but Mama got saved.

Q Where has your church started other churches overseas?

A In Mexico.

Q Why Mexico?

A I was called to go build a church, and that’s where the Lord led me. I guess you can’t explain it, except to say the Lord led me there.

Q What does it take to lead a successful Christian life?

A The key to anybody’s success in life is prayer. If you pray, God will bless you.

Q Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

A Chapter 41 of the Book of Psalms.

Q Why does that chapter speak to you?

A It tells me that if I do what he says (to) do, I’ll be blessed. That doesn’t mean I’ll be a rich man. That is my verse, helping the poor.