One Extraordinary Man

A story of triumph

He was in his nineties when my husband and I began visiting Bishop Coleman and his wife, Ann.

And he began to reminisce.

At this time in his life, Bishop Hardy Lee Coleman, Sr. was a very successful man. He oversaw a large collection of churches throughout north Mississippi— and as far away as Memphis, Chicago and Atlanta. He was well-known throughout the country, as he was often a featured speaker. He was esteemed throughout north Mississippi — even having the City of Ripley pronounce a special day — Hardy Lee Coleman, Sr Day — honoring him and his contributions to the community.

But it hadn’t always been that way.

When he was born in a small, unpainted wooden shack, on a farm, on a dirt road — miles back in the Mississippi countryside, nobody could have guessed the impact Hardy Coleman would make someday.

As we listened to him, my heart cried out.

His story will inspire so many people and change so many lives.

In fact, his story had already inspired many.

So I began writing a biography of his life. We spent hours with the Colemans in their home. Sitting, listening, and taking notes. And more hours riding around the Mississippi countryside noting where this and that occurred.

In the story of this remarkable man, there are many lessons. Lessons about hope and vision and determination and faithfulness to God. As well as the faithfulness of God.

Bishop was born in 1922 — a black child in the segregated south. He was the son of a sharecropper, and as such, at an early age learned to work in the fields. Hoeing rows by hand, picking cotton, and more. Backbreaking work.

Sharecroppers were those who would work the farms of owners, living on the farms. Their pay would be a share of the crops, thus usually they were very poor.

Then when he was 12 years old, his father suddenly left the family. Hardy was heartbroken. He had been very attached to his dad. And besides, now he was the one in charge of bringing in the livelihood for himself and his mother.

No school. Just work. At 12 years old.

Bishop Coleman shared about the life he lived with the other young people in the rural community. After work, the boys would sneak around the dusty roads and woods smoking cigarettes, drinking beer, talking about girls — and sometimes trying to kiss them. He was having fun after the long hot days of work.

Yet something else was going on in the farm community. Church meetings were being held in an old schoolhouse, and the people were “making a lot of noise” in their services. Young Hardy and his friends joined a crowd peeping through the windows to see what was happening.

People were turning their lives to Jesus. Others were going to the altar to receive prayer for healing. And some were getting healed.

It was crazy!

One night, Hardy was going out with his friends when suddenly he had a change of plans. He decided to go to one of the church meetings. He slipped in the back door, trying not to be noticed. The crowd was singing, and he found himself joining in. Almost without realizing what he was doing, the young teenager walked to the front to receive Jesus.

It was a total turnaround. This young teen without any intentions of making such a commitment, had just encountered God Himself.

After that, he never looked back.

For the rest of Hardy’s life he was determined to do what God was leading him to do. About a year later, he was called into the ministry — and began preaching at the age of 19.

Bishop’s motto became, Some people like to “watch” things happen. I like to “make” things happen.

And did he ever make things happen!

Bishop planted churches in Mississippi, Memphis, Atlanta, and Chicago. He grew in stature within his denomination. He ministered tirelessly to the people in his congregations — helping them with their natural needs as well as their spiritual.

Bishop Coleman’s ministry changed the face of the rural counties of north Mississippi. And he never stopped until he went to be with the Lord at 93.

When Bishop was 80 years old he designed and built a huge facility as a convention center in Tupelo. (And when I say built, I mean he did a lot of the physical labor). It was a place for the churches to come together, worshiping God and listening to inspiring messages from the Bible.

You can see why I count the time we spent with Bishop Hardy and Ann as one of my life’s greatest privileges.

So what were some of the lessons I learned from Bishop? They were wrapped up in the characteristics he displayed.

1. Bishop Coleman was faithful to God and continued to follow His leading.

His ministry and influence expanded, but Bishop never let fame and success cause pride to rise up. He always stayed humble.

2. Bishop Coleman never allowed himself to become bitter. When you hear of his tough situation, and some of the injustices he suffered, you realize that many people would have been bitter. However, he considered that a weakness. It would only slow him down from what he wanted to accomplish.

• People with white sheets on their cars drove by his church, shooting guns in the air.
• On his wedding night, someone put a gun to Bishop’s head.
• People tried to overthrow his churches.
• People came to mock and jeer at him as he built a church in the roughest neighborhood.

Through all of these episodes and more, Bishop forgave the people, and left the outcome to God. Bitterness never took hold.

3. Bishop Coleman was unstoppable. Bishop encountered obstacle after obstacle, but he never stopped.

• He lost a child at an early age.
• His wife died prematurely.
• People mocked him and his high aspirations.
• Money was scarce.
• Nothing stopped him.

4. Bishop Coleman was always ready for the next assignment. He was always full of hope and vision — reaching out for the next mission from God.

As a result, Bishop Coleman impacted an entire region — and beyond.

He raised a large, vibrant family of achievers. Sons, daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. And even more spiritual sons and daughters. People who he had introduced to God and who would follow His lead for great achievement.

Bishop Coleman’s life reminds me of a giant Oak tree.

Down on the coast of Georgia, where I grew up, there are beautiful majestic Live Oaks with branches spreading far and wide. The trunks are broad and gnarled. There may be scars where insect or disease attacks have occurred. Sometimes missing branches from the attack of strong winds.

But the roots have grown deep and wide — nourishing the core and expanding the reach of the branches -as they spread out and up to the sun.

This magnificent tree doesn’t get there overnight. In fact, decades — and sometimes centuries are required. From the first days of sending out tiny roots, these trees have lived in the nourishment of the rich soil provided. Continually growing; continually spreading.

That’s the way it was with Bishop Coleman. He had planted his roots firmly in the goodness of God — and in His will. Day by day, year by year, he had grown and his ministry had grown. At the end, he stood as a majestic Oak.

He stood tall and strong and a testimony to the faithfuness of God.

There is so much more to be said about Bishop Hardy Coleman. Too much to say here.

Let me just wind this up by saying that his life is a reminder to me that regardless of my circumstances at any given moment, God is faithful. I can turn to Him for comfort, hope, vision, and wisdom which will lift me up.

And you can too. He’s there for you.

His life is also a reminder that God has greater plans for all of us, if we will do things His way. It’s only as we yield to His will and His guidance that we are able to see the greatness of God’s plan for us.

So keep on listening. And Keep on Soaring!

Originally published at https://www.suellenestes.com on June 30, 2020.

Suellen Estes has written more than 20 books available at Amazon.com in paperback and on Kindle. Amazon.com/author/suellenestes