We Saw Isaiah!

by   T. C. Pinckney                                                                                                                                            Vol. XI, No. 5, May 1998

All our Sunday School classes above the nursery gathered in the auditorium with the happy buzz of a large family coming together. Children asking Mommy endless questions or laughing with each other. Adults greeting each other and commenting how nice the church looked after the Saturday clean up day. And families finding enough vacant places together to seat all of them.

The clamor hushed as our pastor set the stage for the treat we had in store from our special guest. At that point none of us realized just how special a guest.

Earl Templeman’s is a most unusual true story. Raised in North Dakota, Earl was dyslexic and unable to learn to read, though no one then understood why. But Earl was saved at age seven and felt called even then to preach the gospel. As compensation for not reading, Earl rapidly developed an amazing ability to memorize what he heard. For example, on Sundays he would memorize the sermon as he heard it and repeat it to his parents on the way back home. His mother would read the Bible to him, and he would memorize. At 12 he won a state-wide contest by delivering I Samuel, chapter 3. But unable to read, Earl dropped out of school at 16.

At age 30 God called Earl to attend Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, CO, but after two weeks he was dismissed because he could not read or write. However, one of his professors suggested he consult Mrs. Adray Williamson, the English and Speech professor on campus. It was Mrs. Williamson who diagnosed his dyslexia and told him it would take about six years of private tutoring to be able to read at college level, and with no guarantee of success. They started work the next week, and in only six months he was reading at college level and re-entered Bible College. His first year he averaged C+, his second year B+, and his final year straight A’s.

God brought another able servant into Earl’s life in the person of Ralph Rogers who was a retired movie producer and coach of numerous nationally known actors, including Charlton Heston. Rogers perfected Earl’s dramatic skills.

Earl has pastored two churches over 15 years, but for the last eight years his full time effort has been directed toward the delivery of Scripture through character portrayal in many denominations and many states. He has even portrayed Isaiah in an Orthodox Jewish synagogue and is invited back for a return engagement! Among other characters, he presents Peter, Paul, John the Revelator, Samuel, David, and one of the Magi.

It is important to note that Earl’s monologues are not skits based on Scripture; the are Scripture. Everything he says is Scripture. On the other hand, neither does he simply stand and repeat chapter after chapter. His time is typically limited to forty or forty-five minutes, so he has carefully selected and combined biblical passages to encapsulate the essence of the character’s teaching and the essence of the man. He appears in costume and uses a very few props (which he brings in his van) to help set the scene.

Earl does not charge for his ministry, but comes for only a love offering.

During our Sunday school hour both adults and children sat spellbound as Isaiah stood before us pronouncing the words of the Lord, pleading with his people to turn unto the one true God. His visit was unique and brought to life extensive passages. He closed with a stirring call to repentance, the only part of his presentation which was not quoted Scripture.

Your congregation would benefit and enjoy a visit from Earl Templeman as much as ours. You can contact him by calling 941-968-9090 or writing to God’s Word Alive; P.O. Box 3339; Winter Haven, FL 33885.