For Dr. Rob Schiffman, working alongside legendary Pentecostal evangelist Lester Sumrall wasn’t simply an opportunity to witness the supernatural. He says one extraordinary encounter with Sumrall changed the trajectory of his own ministry.
Appearing with his wife, Vicky, on Sid Roth’s “It’s Supernatural!,” Schiffman described the moment he says he received a powerful spiritual impartation from Sumrall—an experience he compared to being struck by a lightning bolt.
Schiffman, a Jewish believer in Jesus who became a chiropractor, told Roth that he eventually became Sumrall’s doctor and traveled with the renowned minister throughout America and Europe.
“I did verify miracles when they happened,” Schiffman said, adding that his time with Sumrall exposed him to deliverance ministry, prayer and what he described as “miracles,” “the anointing of God,” and “signs and wonders.”
But one encounter stood above the rest.
Schiffman recalled receiving a call informing him that Sumrall was seriously ill. He went to Sumrall’s home and said he prayed over him for at least 12 hours. Eventually, Sumrall called Schiffman closer and instructed him to place his head on his chest.
Then Sumrall prayed.
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“There was an impartation,” Schiffman recalled.
Asked by Roth what he felt, Schiffman answered, “It was like a lightning bolt.”
Schiffman said he began vibrating as the sensation moved through him. Whatever happened in that room, he believes something spiritually significant was transferred to him.
“It took my healing ministry—I call it a ministry, what I do, even though it’s being a doctor—to a whole another level,” he said.
Schiffman says remarkable healing testimonies became part of his practice. He recalled treating a legally blind man and feeling supernatural heat as he adjusted the man’s atlas. According to Schiffman, the patient suddenly began recognizing colors, even identifying Schiffman’s purple shirt.
Schiffman said the man got up and began dancing with his wife.
Yet when Roth asked Schiffman what believers could learn from Sumrall, his first answer wasn’t miracles, deliverance or supernatural power.
It was servanthood.
“He just would stop everything to help you,” Schiffman said. “He would serve you tea. He would do anything to serve you.”
Schiffman recalled that Sumrall wanted only one thing written on his gravestone: “Here lies a servant of God.”
His second lesson was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Schiffman pointed to Pentecost and the transformation of the disciples after they were filled with the Holy Spirit, urging believers to hunger for more of God’s presence and power.
Perhaps that is what makes Schiffman’s story about Sumrall so striking. The lightning-bolt impartation may capture attention. The accounts of miracles may stir faith. But after years of watching one of the Pentecostal movement’s best-known ministers up close, the characteristic Schiffman remembered first wasn’t power.
It was being a servant.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about Abby at abbytrivett.com.
