Leonard: An LLBN Superstar

The sun still sleeps behind the veil of darkness laid by nighttime, yet as early as four in the morning you can find him preparing for the day. This man is Leonard Cummings. He has been an LLBN volunteer for roughly seventeen years, which is why I like to call him a “superstar volunteer.”

It isn’t just Leonard’s long stretch with the ministry that has earned him this nickname. Leonard is the person here in the LLBN offices you look to when you need someone who seems to be able to do everything. You can find Leonard running audio, operating cameras, managing the floor, editing and in several other capacities around the offices and studios of the Loma Linda Broadcasting Network.

Leonard grew up working with media. He began experimenting with audio booths at the age of fourteen, which transitioned into him running audio at various churches. Eventually Leonard would go on to run a company of his own putting up television cable lines. Leonard laughs when we discuss his time putting up cables. “I could tell you so many stories from those days, but that’s for another time.” Leonard’s business would lead him to move from moody, mild Northern California to the sunny sided Loma Linda of Southern California around 2001.

Leonard began his work with the ministry in the same way many of us do: divine appointment. He was attending the Loma Linda University Church when he saw a blurb in the bulletin indicating training classes for camera and media equipment operation. During these classes he was approached by a longtime volunteer of LLBN, Marlon Paley. Marlon suggested to Leonard that he begin working in the audio booth at the University Church. This eventually transitioned into Leonard working with LLBN when it was still the small studio in room 104 of the University Church.

I call Leonard the superstar volunteer because it seems there is nothing he does not do at LLBN. Though he is a seasoned technical professional, you can still spot the sparks of creativity in Leonard. I see it in the way he edits different programs and in his passion for the ministry of lighting lives, blessing nations. Leonard’s faithful and passionate volunteer work earned him an LLBN HERO award in 2014.

On top of the long hours Leonard puts into volunteering for LLBN, he is a full-time grandpa. Leonard babysits his young grandchildren whenever he is needed. In my own personal experience, I know this to be quite often. It is such a joy to see Leonard’s love for his grandchildren as it is just as important as his work with the ministry of LLBN. I know personally that grandparents are their grandchildren’s first best friends.

From the early mornings waking up to volunteer for LLBN, to the evenings spent with his family, Leonard is truly a superstar. He dedicates his time passionately to all that he does. Leonard even volunteers an extra day out of the week to ensure that the Sabbath programs loved by so many LLBN viewers are broadcast without fail each week. Looking at Leonard, there is no doubt that he is a diligent worker for this ministry dedicated to doing the work of God.