Robert G. LeTourneau was born on November 30, 1888, to
godly parents. From infancy he heard the Gospel. For a time, he
rejected the message, but through the faithful prayers of his parents
he was, at the age of sixteen, won to Christ. At 30 he dedicated his
life to be God's businessman. He recognized the danger of that
dedication being dimmed by his love for his machines, but by the grace
of God that commitment extended over a period of fifty years.
He designed and built machines beyond the imagination of ordinary men.
He introduced into the earthmoving and material handling industry the
rubber tire, which today is almost universally accepted. He invented
and developed the Electric Wheel. He pioneered the welding of various
metals. His huge mobile offshore drilling platforms are supporting the
machines that drill for the rich petroleum reserves under the seas
around the world.
He demonstrated his concern for the Gospel witness by establishing
regular chapel services and by employing three full-time Chaplains in
his manufacturing plants. The monthly publication NOW begun by him
reached 600,000 persons during his lifetime and circled the world with
its message. He traveled the world as a witnessing Christian
businessman.
Many books about his life have published, including his best-selling
autobiography, Mover of Men and Mountains (Zondervan), which is still
in print, thirty years after his death. This book has been translated
from English into several foreign languages. Who can tell how many have
come to faith in Christ through his missionary ministry in Liberia,
West Africa and Peru, South America? The outreach for God through aid
to individuals and organizations by the LeTourneau Foundation has been
worldwide.
LeTourneau University which he, together with his wife, founded may
well prove to be one of his greatest accomplishments as his influence
is multiplied and spread throughout the world by dedicated Christian
young people who have studied at the college.
His life's verse was Matthew 6:33: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."
Source:
LeTourneau University. The Man LeTourneau Online Museum.
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