Elvis Presley was only 16 when he first heard the powerful bass voice of J.D. Sumner. So captivated by the deep melodias tones produced by the Gospel giant (Sumner), an unknown Elvis would sneak in the back door of the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis, TN to soak up the songs. In the early 1950s, Southern gospel quartets had such a popularity that the performances on the circuit would frequently sell out auditoriums seating 5,000 people or more (60 years ago). One of the biggest shows, however, was the National Quartet Convention. When the convention was in town each year, Elvis, who had scratched and saved to purchase a ticket as a teenager would attend and listen to the gospel music he loved. He became familiar to the members of the leading quartets, including J. D. Sumner, who performed with the Blackwoods at that time and was known as the ‘lowest bass singer in the world’ and daydreamed about singing on stage.

Elvis especially loved the deep, sonorous tones of the bass singers and the characteristic way they would boom out the short lead phrases that gave Southern gospel choruses their PUNCH. The legendary Ellis Auditorium was also the location for shows by leading quartets such as the Statesmen from Atlanta, GA and especially the Blackwood Brothers, who were from Memphis and often promoted singing events featuring themselves and other groups. On one occasion, J. D. Sumner noticed that the young boy who had been attending the sings so faithfully was absent. Then, the next time, he was back. When he had the opportunity to speak to Elvis, J.D. asked him where he was at the last concert and why he hadn’t attended? Elvis replied that he didn’t have enough money for a ticket. J.D. told him he wouldn’t need any money from that point on. ‘You just come to the stage door and I’ll let you in for nothing’. And that’s the way it remained. Later, J.D. said, ‘About the next thing I knew he was letting me in his stage door’. It was the beginning of one of the most enduring friendships of Elvis Presley’s life.

It has been said what you do for others God will do for you. I also believe the doors we open for others the Lord very well may open for us. Regardless, of what vocation or industry you are in the one thing we could use more of is SERVICE and stellar attitude. We live in a ‘me’ first society and its tempting to buy the lie ‘I better get mine first before someone else beats me to it.’ That includes approaching doors, pole position at a red light, or cutting in line for a ride at the amusement park or buying groceries. Selfishness is one of the most disgusting deoderants.

In ministry, Jesus calls us to be servants and stewards even before speakers. A communicator without the “fruit of the spirit” is like wearing a silk suit with tie and cufflinks on the beach reading the paper. One may look good doing it but completely out of place and worse irrelevant.

Four years ago, I connected with www.ActonBowen.com from Gadsden, Alabama. We both were speakers on the www.Cruisewithacause.org to the Bahamas in 2008 and although I had never heard him preach before it was evident that God was using him in a special way. During the cruise we finally caught up and he said before leaving: “Frank, I saw you were on DAYSTAR TV and TCT – “Rejoice” and it was awesome! Do you think you could put in a word for me to get on there? The verse that hit me when he asked was ‘You have not because you ask not.” I love that verse and its nothing wrong with asking. Plus, I admired his ambition and knew his heart was right desiring to build God’s kingdom not his. Without question, he was certainly a man with a mission and message. I paused while he was talking and thought: “WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?”

I have always said if I could OPEN DOORS for others (even if at my expense or getting nothing from it) I would do my very best to bless NOT block others. It would have been tempting to say 1) I don’t know much about you 2) It took 20 years for me to get here – try it on your own (but I will pray for you), etc. Sadly, I have had similar statements said to me by others and it hurts. In my heart, I desire to die a helper than live a hater. One thing I learned in politics is to under promise and OVER deliver. We exchanged info on the ship and I told him I would do my best any way I could. Within a month, God allowed me to make some calls on his behalf and he was able to get on both TCT in Marion, IL on their world-wide network and ATLANTA LIVE in Georgia through my contacts from being a guest in the past. Ironically, on that initial TCT visit he was such a hit that they gave him a 30 minute slot every week on WORLD-WIDE television for FREE to air his preaching ministry X/Roads to over 100 countries and 500 million viewers. GO GOD!

I often wonder what would have happened if I was ‘too small’ to try to OPEN A DOOR for others. God is sovereign and He opens doors that no man can shut and would have used someone else to get the job done but I would have missed out on the blessing. In basketball one scores but the anonymous assist is just as important in the Coaching staff eyes (Father, Son & Holy Ghost). Today, Acton is one of my dear friends and he has been contacted about doing an 11 city tour this Fall with TOBY MAC and he will get to preach a 10-12 minute message at each concert to thousands! PRAISE THE LORD and rock on AB!

Two weeks ago, I was on the last leg of my 1,600 mile round-trip trek from Atlanta, GA for the board meeting for PRAISEFEST MINISTRIES www.Cruisewithacause.org (by the way I have 44 friends coming and cabins have been reduced to below costs at $500 pp for a limited time only). Tell the operator you are with FRANK & FRIENDS and they will give you the discount when you call 800-247-1899.

On my drive home from Georgia last month, I got a call from Acton and he is now a religion correspondent on FOX NEWS and flies to New York City every other month to be on their national tv show FOX & FRIENDS / God Talk. Our mutual friend Merry Miller (one of the best harpists in the world) open the door for Acton to be a guest on their major news network last year. Merry has been a co-host on THE VIEW with Whoopi, Barbara Walters and Hasselback. Late last year, a Fox News producer sent me an email back indicating they got my information and would be back in touch. I definitely wasn’t going to rock the boat so I left it alone. When Acton called me two weeks ago he was already scheduled to be a guest again on FOX & FRIENDS on Friday, Feb 25, 2011 @ 10 AM EST in NY.

He then said: “Frank, I am going to call FOX NEWS now and ask if you can be a guest with me that day on their round table discussion.” I was driving in Virginia and almost wrecked on the inter-state. FACT: You cannot out give God and what goes around – comes around. In life, I met many who promote Christ but don’t always pause and open doors for others (both literally and vocationally). LIFE LESSON: Every door has a hinge. It cannot swing open wide if it didn’t have a hinge. Doors to a janitor closet and even the curved doors opening the Oval Office have hinges. We need more folks to resemble that little device because our potential and even future promotion may HINGE on helping others. My motto is when approaching a door is this. I know by God’s grace I was going to open it anyways – WHY NOT OPEN IT FOR OTHERS in the process?

We need an OPEN DOOR policy and we should be an OPEN DOOR people as born-again Christians. I was a doorkeeper at the United States Capitol for the Senate for two years (1994-1995). I adored that job. Get it – a DOOR that job 🙂 It was a privilege to hold the door and meet countless people in the process and interact with everyone from dignitaries to homeless. Professional athletes to spouses of United States Senators. Plus, the Biblical admonition is true – “The greatest among you is the servant.” The doorman at fancy hotels work for someone bigger than self and have a chance to connect with all walks of life. Its amazing what a single act of kindness can do. Today, we need more service with a smile. By doing the little things big it can not only make a difference but make someone’s day. The blessing is BEING the blessing! I would rather be a doorman for Divinity than be waited on by the Devil. No higher calling than being a servant of the MOST HIGH GOD. Service is a form of ministry to humanity. You may not have opportunity today to open door for a tv show but you can certainly hold that elevator that was closing on the single mother with a baby in her arms. Ministry is not just to the masses but ministering to individuals because everyone needs a helping hand. Can I get a witness?

It is true – the doors you open for others today may just be an OPEN DOOR for you tomorrow. How do I know – watch FOX & FRIENDS on Fri Feb 25, 2011 (by God’s grace and Acton’s invite I will be the guy sitting next to his left). Preach on preacher……For over three decades, I have done my best to emulate that timeless truth. It pleases God when we promote Christ and promote others. Its worked for me and it will work for you. Pray for us both as we have the high honor to share Christ’s love and compassion on their network next week. It is ALL about JESUS!

JESUS first. OTHERS second. YOURSELF last = JOY. The JOY of the Lord is your strength and when you live JOY and open doors you just may get the JOB you always wanted in the process. Plus, we don’t do it for what we can get but its our duty to consider others greater than self. Today, you can be a builder or a blocker. You can’t be both. Which one are you? Jesus is the Door and His arms are still OPEN wide.