c. 1996 Religion News Service

MOBILE, Ala. _ When former television star Demond Wilson stands behind the pulpit, as he did recently at a small church here, he preaches the Gospel like any other fiery, charismatic evangelist.

“I love the Word,” he shouted. “If you got your sword, hold it up.” The worshipers lifted their Bibles. “Now shake it at the devil.”

Wilson spoke for an hour recently at Holy Church of God-Cottage Hill but he never talked about what made him famous. He never mentioned his five-year role as Lamont on the popular television show “Sanford and Son.”

Wilson was there to preach, not to talk about Hollywood-except when he told the congregation that the television can be an “idiot box.”

The lanky actor became famous in the early ’70s for playing Fred Sanford’s responsible but restless son. The show ended in 1977, and not long afterward, Wilson began traveling the country preaching revivals.

Now he’s 50 years old, not as lanky, and beginning to slow down his revival schedule. He’s still involved in television-as a producer-and he’s devoting more time to his new Christian ministry, The Gathering of Eagles.

Later, Wilson plans to settle down with his wife and family and write books, examining subjects such as the plight of American youth. He lives in Orange County, Calif.

“I’m a renaissance man, a man for all seasons,” Wilson said in an interview. He doesn’t like to be labeled an actor or preacher.

Wilson was born into a Catholic family in Harlem and took his religion seriously. But he felt restricted by Catholic tradition and eventually turned his faith in an interdenominational charismatic direction.

Even while playing Lamont in the mid-70s, Wilson said, he knew he wanted to preach one day. “I could see myself standing in front of hundreds of people proclaiming the Gospel.”

Wilson said he’s proud of his work on “Sanford and Son,” particularly that the show was among the first black situation comedies on television. “I’m a champion of the underdog,” he said.

But Wilson said he is not proud of the sexually graphic TV shows of today.

He sounds a lot like an evangelist who came from Hollywood.

One minute, Wilson talks about nudity on television and dancers who “undulate like snakes,” and the next minute he imitates Woody Allen or quotes from a Mel Brooks movie.

But when he stands before a congregation, it’s the preacher, not the actor, whom people see.

“It’s not important that you have the Holy Ghost,” he says. “It’s important that the Holy Ghost has you.”

MJP END HOLMES