"God is so loving and so powerful that He's able to take the most broken parts of your life and use them for His glory." — Dr. Terence Lester
Unseen but Not Forgotten
Once a high school dropout living out of a car, Dr. Terence Lester knows what it means to feel invisible. Raised in poverty and facing rejection from both institutions and people, Terence was weighed down by trauma and labels. But his life began to change the moment someone truly saw him.
"There's a deep sense of emotional isolation when you go unseen... but I’ll never forget the teacher who pulled me aside and said, 'You're a leader. I see great things in you.'"
That teacher, Ms. Sharia West, planted the first seeds of hope. She not only gave Terence permission to use her classroom as a safe space, she gave him dignity. And that moment would become the foundation for a lifelong mission: to make sure no one else feels invisible.
(Listen to the entire conversation between Crystal Thornton and Dr. Terence Lester in the podcast below.)
A God Who Sees
Terence’s spiritual turning point came in a Bible study after he had dropped out of college and hit rock bottom. A friend invited him and the group was reading Romans 5:8: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
"I felt so seen. That verse told me God wasn’t ashamed of my struggle. He loved me in it. That’s when I knew God sees me."
That revelation brought Terence face to face with the truth of Genesis 16:13 “You are the God who sees me.” That one moment in Scripture became the launchpad for his ministry, purpose, and healing.
Mentors, Marriage and Mission
God kept placing people in his life. One of his mentors, Mr. Ronald Easton, a real estate developer, paid for Terence’s Bible college tuition and later, even walked his wife down the aisle.
"One of the last texts Mr. Easton sent me said I was the greatest investment he ever made. He built condos, but he believed people were his real legacy."
Fueled by love, faith and education, Terence went on to earn multiple degrees, eventually completing a doctorate focused on public policy, faith and social change. But to him, it’s never been about the accolades.
"I don't wear my education like a cape. It just created an expansive world for me to serve better."
Love Beyond Walls
In 2013, Dr. Lester founded Love Beyond Walls, a nonprofit committed to restoring dignity to people experiencing homelessness. To launch the organization, Terence made the radical decision to live on the streets himself for over a month.
"I wanted to experience life from the inside out. I had nothing, no tent, no socks, just proximity to pain. It changed me forever."
Through that campaign, he met a man named Robert under a bridge, led him to Christ, baptized him and years later, helped him move into his first apartment.
Calling Out the Church
Dr. Lester doesn't hesitate to share what his thoughts are about what Jesus would say to the modern church concerning poverty and homelessness,
"I don’t think Jesus would say anything. I think He’d flip tables. If your faith doesn’t lead you to the suffering, then you’re not really following Jesus. You’re following comfort."
He challenges all of us to reject performance-based religion and instead embrace proximity to get close to the pain we usually turn away from.
Teaching the Next Generation to See
Inspired by his daughter, Dr. Lester co-authored a children’s book called "Zion Learns to See," teaching kids to recognize the dignity in every person. It birthed a real-life program called Zion’s Closet, outfitting Title 1 schools with washers, dryers, clothing, and compassion for students in need.
"Service is who we are as a family. My kids think of going to serve the same way they think of going to the mall or a movie. It's just what we do."
He also cautions parents: "Never use service as punishment. That reinforces the idea that those who are unhoused are 'other.' Serve as a way of life, not as a consequence."
Start Where You Are
For those who feel overwhelmed by injustice or unsure where to start, Dr. Lester says, "You don’t need a massive platform to be faithful. Change happens when a lot of people give a little. But you do need margin. Most people are willing, but not available."
Full Circle Redemption
Even Dr. Lester’s relationship with his estranged father was restored through his consistent service and example.
"My dad came to Christ and was baptized after watching how I served. That blew me away. God used my obedience to reconcile our relationship."
A Message to His Younger Self
"You're not your circumstances. You're not your worst moment. One day, you’ll look back and realize your scars were just scars and that your pain became your purpose. It was all preparation for where God was taking you."
The Final Word
"God is so loving and so powerful that He's able to take the most broken parts of your life and use them for His glory."
Dr. Lester’s journey is a living reminder: no one is too far gone, too unseen, or too broken for God to redeem and when we take the time to truly see others, we reflect the very heart of Christ.
Connect with Dr. Terence Lester
- Book: "From Dropout To Doctorate" (releasing September 2025)
- Podcast: Listen to "Imagined Dignity" on all major podcast platforms
- Organization: Love Beyond Walls (nonprofit advocating for those without addresses) Love Beyond Walls
- Program: Zion's Closet (building resources in Title One schools for unhoused families) Zion’s Closets.
Social Media & Online Presence
- Website: terencelester.com
- Instagram: @imterencelester
- Twitter/X: @imTerenceLester.
Facebook: terence.lester.9
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