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See
What Our Graduates are Saying!
Bishop Keith Butler and his
wife Deborah graduated from RHEMA in 1978. They returned to Detroit,
Michigan, and pioneered Word of Faith Christian Center (WOFCC).
Sixty people attended their first Sunday service.
Rev. Butler relates, "When I attended RHEMA, I received practical
knowledge of how to get started in the ministry and the principles
I needed to succeed in running with the vision. Through my continued
relationship with the leadership of RHEMA, I have gained valuable
wisdom that has helped me stay on track. Two of my children, who
are RHEMA graduates, are also ministers of the Gospel. They are wonderfully
developed for the work of the Kingdom. I would highly recommend
RHEMA to those who are called to the ministry and who are looking
for solid scriptural academics, as well as the practical knowledge
offered at RHEMA."
In keeping with their vision to send ministers to every continent,
the Word of Faith Christian Center became the Word of
Faith International Christian Center in 1995. Phenomenal church
growth in a short period of time caused the church to move several
times before settling into their present location. In 1997, church
membership surpassed 14,000, so WOFICC purchased a 110-acre former
friary in Southfield, Michigan.
The vision of WOFICC includes: The Faith Food Store (bookstore),
Laymen's Bible School, Faith Christian Academy (grades K-12), a
gym and fitness complex, a catechism program for laymen, a minister's
training center, Operation Blessing (a food and clothing service
to the poor), a senior citizen's housing complex, alcohol and drug
rehabilitation services, a center for runaways and unwed mothers,
24-hour crisis telephone counseling, several affiliated churches
in urban cities, and multicultural ministries across the nation.
The church also reaches out to various cities around the country
and in the United States Virgin Islands through "The Living
Word" television and radio broadcasts.
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Gary Kruzan graduated from RHEMA in
1982, and his wife Pam completed first year in 1982 as well. They
are the pastors of Faith Christian Family Church in Rushville, Illinois,
which they pioneered in 1987. Prior to moving to Rushville,
the Kruzans pioneered churches in Kahoka, Missouri, and Nashville,
North Carolina.
Gary shares,"If it were not for the teaching and training we
received at RHEMA, we would never have been able to accomplish what
God has called us to do.
"The practical insight into ministry that was engrafted into our
hearts at RHEMA has truly proven to be our most valuable asset.
"We have purposed to maintain our roots at RHEMA and we consider
it a great honor to be hooked-up with RHEMA through RMAI. Our church
has been a RHEMA affiliate church since 1993. We are also Word Partner
Club members, and we also support several RHEMA missionaries around
the world.
"RHEMA continues to be a tremendous blessing to us. Several
of our staff members and volunteers, including our assistant pastor
Gregory Ford, and our son, youth pastor Doug Kruzan, are RHEMA grads.
Many of our church members have attended Continuing Education Seminar.
"We believe one of the most important things we can do is continue
to glean from the success of Kenneth Hagin Ministries as we watch
RHEMA expand their efforts to reach the world. RHEMA was great when
we attended, but now it is outstanding in terms of what it is able
to do to better equip people for ministry. I believe this is especially
true since RHEMA Bible Church was established. I do not believe
there is a better place to prepare for ministry than at RHEMA."
Faith Christian Family Church started with four couples and after
twelve years of ministry, they have grown to 275 members. Rushville
is located in west central Illinois, in the heart of farm country.
And the church stands in the middle of a cornfield. Church members
drive from more than thirty different communities to attend church
each week. Many of them drive more than fifty miles one way to get
to church.
(Top)
Kate McVeigh remarks, "RHEMA Bible
Training Center gave me the knowledge necessary to have a successful
ministry. At RHEMA, I received the foundation I needed to get started
and the wisdom to continue to grow in ministry through a strong
relationship with Jesus and following God's will. RHEMA has always
been an encouragement to me and to my ministry. RHEMA is a vital
part of so many ministries, churches, and missions.
"It is a blessing to be a part of it all. I would highly recommend
RHEMA to anyone who is considering going into ministry."
Kate McVeigh travels and ministers extensively
throughout the United States and abroad. Since graduating from RHEMA
in 1988, Kate has authored several books and produced many cassette
teaching tapes. She also has a daily radio broadcast "The Voice
of Faith" which airs throughout the United States. Kate is
a solid minister of the Gospel who emphasizes healing and winning
the lost. Many people have been saved, healed, and encouraged in
their faith through Kate's ministry.
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Reggie
Scarborough is the founder, pastor, and president of
Family Worship Center in Lakeland, Florida. After several years
as a highly successful businessman, Reggie sold his businesses in
1983 and moved his family to Tulsa, Oklahoma, so he and his wife
Bea could attend RHEMA.
Reggie explains,"My life and ministry have been profoundly
impacted by the life, ministry, and example of Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin
and the entire Hagin family.
"Attending RHEMA was my opportunity to receive from my 'father in
the faith.' My life would not be the same without what Brother Hagin
has given me spiritually; attending RHEMA was vital.
"If you are led by God's Spirit to attend RHEMA, your life
will never be the same. I'm sure of that because that's exactly
what happened to Bea and I."
After graduating from RHEMA in 1985, the Scarboroughs felt led of
the Lord to return to Lakeland to pioneer Family Worship Center.
Since then, Reggie has started four vibrant churches in surrounding
communities, a strong children's and youth ministry, a daily radio
program, and most recently, a television ministry with a weekly
telecast on a secular TV station.
Reggie and Bea are active RMAI and RHEMA Alumni Association (RAA)
members. In May 1999, their oldest son Reggie and his wife Doreen
also became RHEMA graduates.
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In 1997, Yew-Kwong Cheong graduated
from RHEMA, and his wife Geok-Eng completed first year. They felt
led of the Lord to return to Singapore to pioneer Faith Family Church
and to present the faith message to southeast Asia. The Cheongs
purposed in their hearts to start a family church where people would
be taught the Word of faith and how to become effective in prayer.
Their first Sunday service was attended by 36 adults and 8 children.
By the church's second anniversary, attendance had grown to 122
adults and 40 children! They have also established six home prayer
groups that meet once a week or bimonthly. The church also financially
supports four RHEMA graduates and their families on the mission
field.
Yew-Kwong reports, "RHEMA taught us the Word of faith, the
practical aspects of ministry, and how to maintain an effective
prayer life. The RHEMA instructors' many years of combined experience
is a substance the Holy Ghost draws from and imparts into the lives
of the students. The practical wisdom that the Hagins and the instructors
at RHEMA shared with us is most valuable. Those lessons continue
to help us avoid many of the dangers in ministry. The knowledge
they imparted to us helped shorten our learning curve and helped
us avoid many pitfalls. And when we have made wrong decisions, those
lessons helped us climb out of 'pits' quickly and easily.
"At RHEMA the spirit of excellence prevails. And as RMAI members,
the long-established and proven ministry of Kenneth Hagin Ministries
lends us much credibility on the field. . . . Our relationship with
RHEMA assures us that there is always someone we can turn to, even
though we are in another country."
(Top)
Ed Elliott and his wife Laurie, founders
of Word of Life World Outreach, have been serving as missionary
evangelists to Southern and Central Africa since Ed graduated from
RHEMA in 1984. Their ministry focuses on evangelizing in hard-to-reach
areas where there has been little or no missionary activity. The
Elliotts travel to remote villages in various African countries
to hold open air crusades and establish local churches. In conjunction
with their crusades, they conduct teaching seminars for national
pastors, evangelists, and others who sense the call of God upon
their lives. Their "Bush Bible Schools" are vital to equipping
and empowering national ministers to retain the great harvest produced
by the crusades and to effectively present the Gospel to their own
people. The Elliotts also hold Power for Living Conferences to minister
to the Body of Christ around the world.
Ed says, "I believe the foundation I received at RHEMA is the
major reason we have seen such tremendous success over the past
fifteen years. I can honestly say that we would not have been able
to accomplish what we have accomplished without RHEMA's input in
my life. Another benefit of attending RHEMA is that RMAI has brought
much-needed insight and fresh reminders concerning the things of
God. I have made relationships that have been very beneficial spiritually
and mentally.
"Since 1984, RHEMA's growth and impact have been phenomenal!
Now RHEMA's outreach capability is nothing short of amazing considering
all the nations they are reaching. And even with this tremendous
growth, RHEMA is still concerned about us alumni. The care they
have shown us has been a great blessing. We feel like part of the
RHEMA family even though we are thousands of miles away on the mission
field.
"There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank God for
allowing me to attend RHEMA. I have met many missionaries who attended
other Bible schools, but they were not equipped with the skills
that I received at RHEMA. If you're serious about the call on your
life and fulfilling your destiny, I recommend without reservation
that you attend RHEMA!"
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