Spreading God’s Love

CHENEY – He can sometimes be seen walking around town, carrying a riding crop and greeting unsuspecting passers-by. If you give him a minute, he’ll share with you some longstanding philosophies of his.

He’s Frank Love, and while this 74-year-old retired Native American pastor may “come on a little strong at times,” according to one friend, the man has a lifelong history of service and love.

Love lives in a little basement in Cheney, where his walls and more than 16 bookcases are overflowing with photos of his children, various people he’s helped counsel over the years, and then thousands and thousands of books on religion and Native American life.

“He came from a tough background,” said his 50-year-old daughter Rebecca Williams, who lives in Spangle to be near her father. “He’s always been there for all his kids – about the best father anyone could ask for, especially coming from his background.”

Love is a quarter Omaha – a Native American tribe in Nebraska. He was raised in Indian schools and orphanages throughout his childhood. He dropped out of school in the seventh grade, joined the army at age 14, and says he was rather confused about life after his discharge at the age of 23.

An uncle shared his Christian faith with him and thus began the biggest enlightenment of Love’s life.

“My miracle happened in 1955,” Love said.

His eyes get a bit reminiscent, remembering how he accepted the Christian faith, was accepted to a Bible school, and met his lifelong partner, Pat, all in the same four years. Pat was a full-blooded Kiowa.

He and Pat married in 1958 and Love went on to graduate from Western Theological Seminary.

They began to take jobs pastoring on Indian reservations across the United States.

Over a period of 30 years, Love eventually shared Jesus with the Comanches, the Apaches, the Winnebagos, the Omahas and many more tribes.

He and Pat had seven children. Today, there are 24 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

When he couldn’t minister to a place with his faith, he began giving “motivational speeches” among youth, telling them that the world was possible if they believed in themselves.

“They really enjoyed when he came by,” said Love’s lifelong friend Jack Nolan, who ran a dormitory for Native American youth in New Mexico.

Nolan still lives in New Mexico. He and Love still talk on the phone once a month, more than 15 years after Love moved away.

“I admire him for keeping so active,” Nolan said. “Sometimes I call him and he’s always out. I say, ‘Frank what are you doing all day? You’re always out when I call you!’ ”

Pat Love died in 1997. They’d been married 39 years.

Today, Love busies himself with creating a chronological chart of world history, which he claims will explain world events on a biblical and theological basis. He’s also trying to finish a book.

On his frequent walks around Cheney, Love carries a riding crop partly as a joke and partly to fend off dogs.

He jokes with people that he carries it to “beat off the devil every day.”

“It’s quite the conversation piece,” he said with a laugh.

One of Love’s heroes is Russell Cronwell, a pastor in the 1800s who furthered a Christian philosophy that everything you need for happiness is right with you. Cronwell went on to found the famous Temple University and wrote a book: “Acres of Diamonds in Your Own Backyard.”

Love mentioned Cronwell’s book about 10 times during an interview Sept.10.

“I try to tell it once a day,” he said.

His daughter said Love becomes more and more convinced of the importance of spreading this love as he ages.

“We all have stuff that’s right at our fingertips, right around the corner,” Williams said. “I got a copy (of “Acres of Diamonds”). All my brothers and sisters got a copy. There’s always something there (in your life) that can help you out.”