Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Anyone who knows Pastor David Lloyd will tell you that he is a hard working man. Pastor Lloyd, 63, says it is “just in him” when it comes to working. He freely admitted that he often put in many hours daily working and he wouldn’t have it any other way. But there was a time in Lloyd’s life where his parents was told that because he was born with numerous health issues, that without surgery, he would not live long. He would live, and during his teen years, he couldn’t do things as other teens could because he would have seizures and some saw him as “being disabled”. But Lloyd said that he didn’t accept that label, as one day he was dancing and had a seizure. But no one knew because they thought that he was still dancing. His mother realized what was happening and got him to stop. Time would go on, as one night he was listening to a preacher on the radio and that preacher said something that changed Lloyd’s forever. The preacher said that “someone” is listening and told Lloyd to “step out” on faith by touching the radio to “make contact” with him and believe that everything will be all right. Two weeks Lloyd said that playing outside and his mother not knowing what happened, ask him was he ok, to which Lloyd said “I feel good”, that he was ok. Time would pass some more and Lloyd and some friends was hanging out when they saw some girls. After having a conversation with them, he realized that they were some “church girls”, and invited them to come to church. Lloyd said that his name was called three times to come and he knew that his life would never be the same. But Lloyd has suffered medical issues over his life that, for the Grace of God, he would not be telling his story. Lloyd said that over his lifetime, he has suffered seven(7) strokes and seven(7) heart attacks, that after each episode, he wasn’t expected to live. That’s what was told to his parents when he was an infant. Lloyd said that he wouldn’t “accept” what doctors told him not in rebellion, but he always felt that there “was something” for him to do and he got that through working. Lloyd hasn’t been a bed of roses for Lloyd, as he has been hospitalized numerous times facing surgeries, as back in 1999, he was in St. Francis when he prayed to God and asked to be touched for healing. Lloyd said that immediately jumped out of bed shouting and call his son to come and get him. He didn’t have the surgery. It would be a few weeks later when Lloyd saw one of the nurses when he was at St. Francis and she couldn’t believe that he was alive. But through it all, Lloyd has worked numerous jobs, even to having his own business specializing in roofing and painting. Lloyd said that “not getting enough sleep” was contributing factor to some of his health issues as an adult, but he is sleeping a little more now. He says that he wants to train young men to do his work and that if they have a skill, there is no reason why they can’t get a job. Lloyd said that he will “slow down” a little, as he has someone working for him that he is pleased with because he has been taken advantage of by some who has worked for him. But Lloyd said that everything starts with “opening your eyes” and deciding which road you will choose for the day. As a pastor he says, it will either be a road that leads to blessings or a road that leads to destruction. Lloyd oversees two churches, Bread of Life Church of God in Christ in Monroe and Crossway Ministries C.O.G.I.C. located in Grambling, not far from the university. Lloyd said that as a pastor, his message is simple, “come to Jesus”. Lloyd said that he remembers how it was being sick so much, but now he knows his body and what he can do. Working, he says, will always be a part of what does. It’s just in him. He says. But that moment when he listened to and obeyed that voice on the radio, will be the turning point in his life that gave him the confidence and hope to do what he does best. Keep working, Pastor.

Photo Bishop David Lloyd