Ed, or Mister Ed as the kids call him, started the Childrens Telephone Ministry in 1977, (now known as ChildTel Ministries). At that time, he installed a telephone answering machine on his home phone, so that anyone calling would have to listen to a Gospel message before he would answer the phone. During the first 6 years, over 128,000 calls were received.
Soon after, Ed started sending out free Bible lessons in the mail to those that left their names and addresses after listening. Ed has also developed a colorful Gospel tract that is designed especially for children. Lessons have been mailed to over 162,000 children (and adults) and over 1.4 million Gospel tracts have been distributed.
Ed was born in 1944 in western Massachusetts, where he grew up. He received an honorable discharge after four years in the US Air Force. Ed repaired mainframe computers and electronic equipment until 1985, when he went full time in the ministry. He has been supported as a missionary since that time.
Ed has developed an effective Fair Ministry, where he takes special telephones to state, county and local fairs. Children listen to a recorded Gospel message on the phones and then sign up for the free Bible lessons. He also has many opportunities to share Christ with other vendors and carnival people, as well.
Ed speaks in churches, Christian camps and schools, and does street evangelism. He has put together training programs to help others share Christ with children.
Ed received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1973 after his oldest daughter, (then 5 years old), nagged him to take her to church. He has been growing in God's grace ever since. He says that he has too many favorite Bible verses to quote here.
Ed enjoys writing computer programs in Visual Basic. Ed's activities are all centered around the Lord and the ministry. He has been very active in the Awana program at Countryside Bible Chapel in Lexington, MA, where he also served on the evangelism team and as a deacon. Ed has recently moved to Missouri where he is continuing on with the work of the ministry. Ed is a member of Southside Baptist Church in Mountain Grove where he is actively teaching an adult Sunday school class as well as children's church. Most of all, he loves sharing Christ with the kids.
To contact Ed, call or write...
Edward A. Swehla - (417) 948-2350
RR 1 Box 50B
Mtn Grove MO 65711
Email