By Fred Comella
When I met my wife I didn’t know at the time she would eventually lead me back to the church. I suppose part of the glory of God is that he desires to put the pieces of our lives back together in ways we simply cannot or could never have anticipated. Over the preceding years I’d certainly blundered my way through personal and professional quandaries, but was always able to pray and find my way back to truth and purpose. I could feel God’s presence in my life albeit with a growing need to understand more of what it was He desired for me, the “big picture” if you will. It just seems like the further I progressed along life’s journey, the more I felt as though I wasn’t quite seeing that “big picture”, a picture of me only Jesus could see clearly as he’d already painted it. At five plus decades now, I’ve come to understand that the greatest waste in this life, has to be never realizing your fullest potential, not necessarily your earthly potential, but more so your Godly potential, those accomplishments and attributes in your life that are pre-designed to give glory only to Him and the aforementioned “big picture”. Completely unbeknownst to me, it would be Christian writing. Here we go…
I think I’ve written a time or two about that first day at “Abundant Life Assembly of God” in Swansea Massachusetts, when I was somewhat apprehensive about all that singing and worshiping going on in the sanctuary. My patient and understanding better half quickly directed me to the fellowship hall where I would sit and wait for her call and finally meet this pastor I’d heard so much about. While I waited, and being the veracious reader I am, I snooped around for something to peruse and came upon what looked like more than just a Christian pamphlet or periodical. I actually thought it might be one of those East Bay Newspapers because of its size and folded design. I figured, well this should pass the time nicely. During the approximately one half hour I sat waiting for Janie’s return, I read that little newspaper from the front page to the last. It was filled with varying Christian articles, as well as commentary, editorials, letters, full page advertisements, jokes and even a kids section with matching content and games. To be frank, I couldn’t put it down. I must have had a blank or even surprised expression on my face as I remember Janie motioning me to come in, and with a curious look as if to ask, is everything all right? I didn’t want to put the paper down, but I didn’t want to take it without permission either. I asked Janie if I could keep the paper and she told me she didn’t think it would be a problem. Great! My first day at a new church and someone might chase me into the parking lot demanding their newspaper back. Then I finally focused and took a good look around. I noticed there were more of them on all the tables, and that “The Good News Today (GNT)” was for all to read and partake of its content. Cool, I’m taking this one with me…
Now you already know my story about the good “Pastor Dave”, and how he changed my life. But what you don’t know is that picking up that Christian newspaper that morning was a hugely pivotal and transformational moment in my journey to Christ. You see, I’d already been dabbling with some political writing of my own, and had the good fortune (or dumb luck) of having a number of my ideological rants “re-printed” in newspapers as far away as Israel and the UK. Of course this fueled an already oversized ego to dangerous levels of “full of myself”, to the point where the dirty looks from Janie were becoming more frequent and obvious. Truth be told, I believe she reminded me that “when they start paying you babe, then you may begin patting one’s self on the back”. Well you probably guessed it. Still waiting for those checks… Nevertheless, I was intrigued by the scope of the articles in the GNT and thought, surely the editor would see my obvious talent and seek to include some of my writing in his wonderful paper. So after reading my copy several more times at home, I sent along some of my “best stuff” to Editor-in-chief Lawrence Lepore (Larry),,,,,,,, and received no reply!!!??? What!!?? How could this obviously talented editor not want to include my writing in his publication? Another week, and still no reply. So I decided to send him an email explaining my dismay and letting him know how busy I was and how much I didn’t appreciate being ignored, basically telling him how sorry he would be for passing on this golden opportunity. The nerve of some people… Well, just let that necessary humbling begin…
Shortly after, I received an email from Mr. Lepore, which when I was finished reading it, left me nearly in tears and searching for the best public humiliation which might possibly make amends for my pompous arrogance and presumptuous foolishness. You see my friends, The GNT is Larry Lepore’s mission, and it’s a true labor of love like few I’ve ever known, and amazingly close to home. Larry explained that the paper was a collection of articles and commentary, complete with the advertising and editorials you’d find in traditional papers, but with the “soul” purpose of helping folks understand the world from a Christian viewpoint, as well as help the lost and searching find their way to Christ. He explained further that he’d walked away from a promising publishing career to do as was required of him, and to evangelize and spread the Gospel using those very talents. So eloquent were his words of commitment, along with his heartfelt apology for not getting back, because of the multi-dimensional and awesome responsibilities associated with promoting and forwarding such a publication. As I indicated, it was at this point that there was simply no rock large enough for me to crawl under. Humility and shame washed over me and I immediately emailed back with the only possible apology and response, that being that if he should ever want of any miniscule writing skill I might possess, that I would provide same post haste and at no charge for the remainder of my days on God’s beautiful planet. It was at that hour that I read the entire GNT yet again and realized how very special Larry’s mission really was, a publication for those seeking more, direction, and “the good news”, and how if any trivial words of mine found their way to the parchment, it would be entirely my good fortune. Boy, two life changing experiences in two weeks. I was literally stupefied and out of breath at that point…
Almost a year would pass, during which time Larry and I would speak by phone and he would begin to understand who I really was. He’d send me interview leads of folks with Christian stories to tell that he believed I might translate for “His” paper, and also that might bring some calming and understanding to my own life as Christ meant it to be. Ironically, Larry was nothing more than a voice on my cell phone and respondent to my emails for that entire year, though I felt as though I’d known him all my life. It wasn’t until after many articles, and when I attended a rally for the “traditional marriage” folks at the Rhode Island State house, that I finally met him. Janie and I were ascending the stairs to the rotunda when we noticed an unassuming man handing out “newspapers”. Our eyes met and God told me instantly that it was the man behind the GNT.
In the years that have passed, and as all of you now know, I have journeyed around three states for God and Larry and learned things about the Christian faith (and myself) that I would never have known otherwise. My fingers are flying right now and I could literally write for hours about the changes those interviews and articles have made in my life. It has truly revealed that which I know God had wanted for me all along, but that would not be known to me until He knew that I needed it, and moreover, that someone else might benefit from it. Larry and His paper have changed my life to be sure, and I’m a better person for it.
Larry and I talked recently when he honored me by asking that I write an article about “The Good News Today”. We discussed the struggles he faces every month as deadlines approach and sponsorship is scarce in the Obama economy. I was surprised and a bit disappointed to learn that Larry must often take from his own pocket to subsidize his mission, a task made even more difficult as he must first make a living along with wife and GNT contributor CherylLynn. I could hear the concern in his voice when we talked about the newspapers new and exceptional on-line presence. In true old-school editorial fashion, Larry reminded me that while he was thrilled with the new web-site, nothing could replace the physical newspaper in the hands of someone desperate for the transformational Body and Blood of Christ, and also that physically turning the pages of His paper was like turning a page in one’s life. I thought back to my own experience years ago and realized how much it had meant to me, and how I just wanted to take the paper with me, a feeling you just don’t get from any on-line experience no matter how well-intentioned. We talked of how circulation had grown dramatically albeit disproportionality to the sponsorship of many of the 600+ churches and 250 businesses to which the GNT is delivered. I was disappointed to hear that only a small fraction of those churches and businesses actually support the paper. I thought to myself that while I’d seen first-hand the generosity and commitment of those whose missions brought them to the disadvantaged and Gospel starved around the globe, how could we be missing such an important cause right here at home. I thought of all the folks I knew who were wiping out the stacks of GNT’s at the local retailers I frequent, as well as the emails and letters Larry fields in any given month. I remembered all the stories of lives changed that I’ve heard from other volunteers at the GNT annual picnics and thought, if only more of those church pastors would look a little closer to home, they might find a worthy effort for the Word in the GNT right there in front of them.
The conversation broadened a bit and Larry and I agreed that while missions everywhere are the work of the faithful and Godly among us, Jesus often calls us to works right here at home, with our neighbors friends, families and yes, strangers. And what better way to start (or end) a conversation than to give someone a physical copy of the GNT? What better way to bridge the divide many feel between themselves and God than to offer something so transformative, that they may take with them to read and ponder in their own time.
To the many churches and houses of worship which receive “The Good News Today”, please prayerfully take a moment today and consider the content and advertisement contained in this uniquely Christian publication, and know that while all newspapers offer varying opinions and viewpoints, the GNT offers this from a Christian perspective, and by way of the editor-in-chief’s desire only to introduce a medium or bridge to the discussion of Christ and the Gospel. So as you move to support the good and necessary works of those missions abroad, find some support in your church family for the mission that is truly, “The Good News Today”… Oh, and if you own a business or offer a service you’d like to advertise, why not get the word out via the GNT with a circulation growing by leaps and bounds.
My friends of the Christian walk, I would only ask that while we all consider the many ways in which God calls us to be the real “Body of Christ”, let us be that which we profess to those close to us first and foremost and walk the walk as instructed. Let us adopt a little old-school as we seek to learn what He desires of us and how most effectively we might spread the Gospel to any and all who would listen. In the opinion of this now, many times humbled writer, there can be no better way to spread God’s message but through the printed word, and it seems He feels the same way…Thanks for reading my writing through Him today, and may God bless all of you this Passover and Easter Season.
Get to know Him and support “The Good News Today”. You may contact the paper at: The Good News Today, P.O. Box 161, Little Compton, R.I. 02837. Call the office at 401-619-0418. Visit our new website at www.thegoodnewstoday.org and prayerfully consider a donation via PayPal.
