GLOBETROTTING FOR JESUS

RELIGION If you’re among the millions who were fortunate enough to witness MEADOW-LARK LEMON’S basketball-handling magic throughout his 22-year career as a Harlem Globetrotter, you probably recall the routine in which Lemon faked an injury, rushed to the bench for help, then returned to the foul line to attempt a shot. The crowd would roar with laughter as the ball, attached to a long elastic band, repeatedly snapped back to Lemon.

After his Globetrotter days, the clown prince of basketball displayed the same kind of manic energy and inventive wit entertaining audiences around the world with his Hurst-based comedy basketball team. Meadowlark Lemon and the Shooting Stars. Now, he’s globetrotting tor a higher purpose. Lemon has begun traveling around the world as a disciple of DR. JERRY SAVELLE, whose ministries are headquartered in Crowley, Texas.

As Lemon was finishing a farewell tour this year, he found that the transition from playing basketball to evangelical preaching was simple because, he says, those he ministers to are present to learn about the word of God.

“You revive them,” says Lemon, who frequently quotes from the Bible during interviews. “You revive the fire that they have deep down inside of them. [Preaching] isn’t a form of entertainment. It’s basically what Jesus did when he walked the face of the earth.”

Lemon, who has raised his five children as Catholics, says it was only about seven years ago that he was saved as a Christian. His calling to the ministry came three years later through what the Mid-Cities resident describes as an audible voice from the Lord and a “know a.”

“A ’know a’ is something that you know about deep down inside of you,” Lemon explains. “I didn’t decide [to preach|. I just knew it. I really didn’t want to be a preacher. I thought that I was going to be something altogether different.”