“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
That Bible verse, Philippians 1:21. was one quoted quite often by Dr. Michael Guido, world-renowned evangelist whose ‘ Seeds from The Sower” ministry touched countless lives across the globe.
Long-time friend Rick Hutchison recalled how Guido would often pull that verse from the Bible he kept in his mind as he shared words of wisdom and faith.
Guido, 94, died Saturday at Candler County Hospital.
“It’s a sad day for us,” Hutchison said. “But we don’t need to be sad, because he’s gained.”
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 1, at 3 p.m. at Guido Gardens on Hwy. 121 in Metter, said Ellis Wood, president of the Guido Evangelistical Association Board of Directors.
Viewing will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hamstra Worship Center at Guido Gardens, he said. Burial “will be private, at a later date.”
Guido’s life has been filled with working for God ever since he was inspired by a revival in his home town of Lorain, Ohio. Raised in a close, loving family where laughter and music were commonplace, Guido was lured when he heard the music and sounds of the revival, according to information from his ministry’s Web site www.guidogardens.com.
It was an impulsive visit, but Guido ended up answering the preacher’s call and surrendered his life to Christ then and there.
Later in his young life, Guido decided to go to Bible school and become an evangelist himself. After finishing Bible school he traveled as a religious speaker, and met his wife Audrey when visiting Metter one day.
Audrey Forehand planned to be a doctor, had been offered a scholarship at Johns Hopkins and was an agnostic.”
In spite of the young romance, the pair argued “ passionately about religion, “ according to a story on the web site that described a moment when Guido asked Audrey to read aloud the Fourteenth Psalm, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God...”
In his famous story-telling style, Guido shares the moment. He said Audrey asked “Are you calling me a fool, Michael Guido?’ “
“‘Honey,’ I said, ‘I think the Lord beat me to it, don’t you?’ Well, she finally accepted the Lord, gave up her medical plans, and married me.”
Guido’s faith became stronger after a terrible crash in 1957, which left Guido relatively unharmed but Audrey “lying on the ground unconscious, hands crushed, face terribly lacerated.” During her stay in the hospital, the couple realized there was a need for good religious radio programs, and Audrey convinced Guido to enter into the world of radio ministry.
According to information from the web site, “ We had to start somewhere,” he said, “so when the Mayor of Metter offered us a lot on the edge of town we decided to build a small studio. We only had a hundred dollars, so we started praying.”
The prayers were answered through a gift from the widow of a friend, who said her husband told her to help if the Guidos ever needed anything. She gave them $16,000 for the studio.
Prayers also produced an architect to build the plans when a pilot stopped by to let the Guidos know he enjoyed t heir broadcasts. He was also an architect, and drew the plans for nothing.
In an interview published on the ministry’s Web site, Guido said, “You see, that’s how it works. We tell the Lord what we need, then somebody comes along and offers to give it to us. “
Guido’s day began often as early as 5:30 a.m., with devotions before Guido walked the dog. Around 7:30 he would go to the studio, walking through and praying for each staff member.
A prayer session came next before everyone began working. Audrey Guido handled the business while Guido wrote inspirational messages for his booklets, “ Seeds from the Sower,” newspaper columns, and scripts for television or radio broadcasts.
He was also in high demand as a speaker, known for his moving and humorous deliveries.
Today, Guido’s radio program is broadcast on 435 radio stations and has evolved into a television ministry carried on over 100 television stations as well as cable and satellite systems and the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network. Each month nearly 32,000 homes receive Sower publications, and the popular “Seeds From the Sower” is published in over 1,500 newspapers.
“Michael Guido, known affectionately around the world as “The Sower” is now in heaven rejoicing with old friends and new acquaintances whom he met for the first time as a result of his life-long ministry,” said his brother Lawrence Guido in an e-mail Monday to friends and acquaintances of Michael Guido.
Larry Guido, who joined the ministry a few years ago and will continue its mission, said his brother had been working on three new projects: a cartoon strip for children; a crisis ministry intervention team that would respond to accidents, natural disasters and emergency situations ; and to create the Guido Center for Christian Training.
“He deeply believed that training others to do what he did in ministry and in serving His Lord would be the greatest legacy he could leave. His final vision was to construct a classroom for the Center and name it the Audrey F. Guido Educational Building.
“ In fact, the final prayer that he prayed in public with two of his friends was that ‘God would give me this mountain to train soul-winners.’ To accomplish his dream, the Ministry is suggesting that donations to build the facility be made to the Guido Evangelistic Association in lieu of flowers,” Larry Guido said.
The viewing for Dr. Guido will be held in the Hamstra Worship Center at Guido Gardens on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 1, at 3 p.m. in a tent at the Guido Gardens.
That Bible verse, Philippians 1:21. was one quoted quite often by Dr. Michael Guido, world-renowned evangelist whose ‘ Seeds from The Sower” ministry touched countless lives across the globe.
Long-time friend Rick Hutchison recalled how Guido would often pull that verse from the Bible he kept in his mind as he shared words of wisdom and faith.
Guido, 94, died Saturday at Candler County Hospital.
“It’s a sad day for us,” Hutchison said. “But we don’t need to be sad, because he’s gained.”
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 1, at 3 p.m. at Guido Gardens on Hwy. 121 in Metter, said Ellis Wood, president of the Guido Evangelistical Association Board of Directors.
Viewing will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hamstra Worship Center at Guido Gardens, he said. Burial “will be private, at a later date.”
Guido’s life has been filled with working for God ever since he was inspired by a revival in his home town of Lorain, Ohio. Raised in a close, loving family where laughter and music were commonplace, Guido was lured when he heard the music and sounds of the revival, according to information from his ministry’s Web site www.guidogardens.com.
It was an impulsive visit, but Guido ended up answering the preacher’s call and surrendered his life to Christ then and there.
Later in his young life, Guido decided to go to Bible school and become an evangelist himself. After finishing Bible school he traveled as a religious speaker, and met his wife Audrey when visiting Metter one day.
Audrey Forehand planned to be a doctor, had been offered a scholarship at Johns Hopkins and was an agnostic.”
In spite of the young romance, the pair argued “ passionately about religion, “ according to a story on the web site that described a moment when Guido asked Audrey to read aloud the Fourteenth Psalm, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God...”
In his famous story-telling style, Guido shares the moment. He said Audrey asked “Are you calling me a fool, Michael Guido?’ “
“‘Honey,’ I said, ‘I think the Lord beat me to it, don’t you?’ Well, she finally accepted the Lord, gave up her medical plans, and married me.”
Guido’s faith became stronger after a terrible crash in 1957, which left Guido relatively unharmed but Audrey “lying on the ground unconscious, hands crushed, face terribly lacerated.” During her stay in the hospital, the couple realized there was a need for good religious radio programs, and Audrey convinced Guido to enter into the world of radio ministry.
According to information from the web site, “ We had to start somewhere,” he said, “so when the Mayor of Metter offered us a lot on the edge of town we decided to build a small studio. We only had a hundred dollars, so we started praying.”
The prayers were answered through a gift from the widow of a friend, who said her husband told her to help if the Guidos ever needed anything. She gave them $16,000 for the studio.
Prayers also produced an architect to build the plans when a pilot stopped by to let the Guidos know he enjoyed t heir broadcasts. He was also an architect, and drew the plans for nothing.
In an interview published on the ministry’s Web site, Guido said, “You see, that’s how it works. We tell the Lord what we need, then somebody comes along and offers to give it to us. “
Guido’s day began often as early as 5:30 a.m., with devotions before Guido walked the dog. Around 7:30 he would go to the studio, walking through and praying for each staff member.
A prayer session came next before everyone began working. Audrey Guido handled the business while Guido wrote inspirational messages for his booklets, “ Seeds from the Sower,” newspaper columns, and scripts for television or radio broadcasts.
He was also in high demand as a speaker, known for his moving and humorous deliveries.
Today, Guido’s radio program is broadcast on 435 radio stations and has evolved into a television ministry carried on over 100 television stations as well as cable and satellite systems and the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network. Each month nearly 32,000 homes receive Sower publications, and the popular “Seeds From the Sower” is published in over 1,500 newspapers.
“Michael Guido, known affectionately around the world as “The Sower” is now in heaven rejoicing with old friends and new acquaintances whom he met for the first time as a result of his life-long ministry,” said his brother Lawrence Guido in an e-mail Monday to friends and acquaintances of Michael Guido.
Larry Guido, who joined the ministry a few years ago and will continue its mission, said his brother had been working on three new projects: a cartoon strip for children; a crisis ministry intervention team that would respond to accidents, natural disasters and emergency situations ; and to create the Guido Center for Christian Training.
“He deeply believed that training others to do what he did in ministry and in serving His Lord would be the greatest legacy he could leave. His final vision was to construct a classroom for the Center and name it the Audrey F. Guido Educational Building.
“ In fact, the final prayer that he prayed in public with two of his friends was that ‘God would give me this mountain to train soul-winners.’ To accomplish his dream, the Ministry is suggesting that donations to build the facility be made to the Guido Evangelistic Association in lieu of flowers,” Larry Guido said.
The viewing for Dr. Guido will be held in the Hamstra Worship Center at Guido Gardens on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 1, at 3 p.m. in a tent at the Guido Gardens.