Lighting Up This Generation

I vow this day to lift the banner high
And to walk in the truth sown into my life.

-From The RHEMA Alma Mater

With the words of their alma mater ringing in their hearts, RHEMA Bible Training Center’s 36th graduating class has been sent out into all the world to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15).

As loved ones cheered and trumpets sounded, 351 second-year and 70 third-year graduates walked expectantly into the Tulsa Convention Center Friday, May 21, to enjoy a night capping their effort, sacrifice, and determination. Among those graduates were 42 international students representing 27 countries.

Excitement filled the air as Dean Tad Gregurich opened commencement ceremonies with prayer and those present then joined in a powerful time of praise and worship. Speaking from his heart, school President Kenneth W. Hagin welcomed the graduates and their friends and families. Addressing those graduating, he said, “When you walk from this hall, you will step into life anew. Continue to follow God the same way you followed Him to come train at RHEMA. As you walk the road of life with God, He will be right on time and everything will be all right. I’m not going to tell you there will be no bumps or trials. But if you are faithful to apply what you have been taught about believing God’s Word, you will always be the victor!”

Joe Cameneti, a 1983 RHEMA graduate and pastor of Believers Christian Fellowship in Warren, Ohio, echoed this sentiment in his commencement address.

“I exhort each and every one of you to go forward,” Rev. Cameneti told graduates. “Hook up with a church and impact the world, because that’s what God has called us to do.

“There are three Ps I want to give you that will help you have a successful ministry. The first is PRAYER. Prayer is not a fruitless exercise that God gave us to perform in order to determine whether we’re faithful. Prayer is the vehicle that releases God to move in the earth. No matter what situation we face, when we pray it’s going to flee before the awesome power of God.

“The second P is PEOPLE. Jesus made an incredible statement in Mark 10:45: ‘“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many”’ (NKJV). God created us to serve. That’s how we shine our lights (2 Cor. 4:6). Remember how important people are to God, and understand the impact we can have as we lay our lives down and begin to serve.

“The final P is PERSEVERANCE. Matthew 13:20–21 says that persecution and troubles come because you and I receive the Word. The devil will come to steal the Word and try to cause us to back down. Having done all to stand, we must stand therefore (Eph. 6:13–14). No matter what comes at us, we must stand our ground and never stop.

“So never back down! Don’t let the devil say you can’t. You can! The thing God created you to do you will do! And you will rock and shake this world! Whatever God has spoken to your heart, I encourage you to walk on the water as Peter did and watch God be God.”

Following Rev. Cameneti’s address, the graduates came forward one by one to receive red track-and-field relay batons. The runner’s batons symbolized their commitment to run their race, take their place in the end-time revival, and carry the message of faith they received at RHEMA to their generation.

After a final charge to the class by Kenneth W. Hagin from the Word and the benediction given by Craig W. Hagin, graduates marched out—batons in hand and candles held high—ready to go into the world and light it up for God.

Be inspired and encouraged as you read these words from one extraordinary RHEMA graduate.

“I really want to thank and admonish the students. I want to let them know that the reason I am graduating is not because I showed up for class, but because the Body of Christ was functioning. And because it was functioning, I was able to do what God wanted me to do. Everyone offered to help. From helping me put the wheelchair in my car to carrying my bag to class . . . any way you look at it, I’m here because of them.

“My point . . . I want to encourage people to do two things when they leave RHEMA. The first is to join a local church and be part of a Body, because in order for people to reach their full potential they must be rightly related to the Body of Christ. I say rightly related because it’s important that there be no walls of separation or pride.

“That brings me to my second point: I’ve learned how to ask for help. Asking for help was the hardest thing for me to do when I was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia [a disorder of the nervous system] at 18 years old. For three years my life was a living hell and I was headed down a very destructive path. But when I got saved and joined a church, some of the people began to show me that it was okay to ask for help. I couldn’t help them physically, but they would begin to open up and share their struggles with me and I could pray for them.

“I began to see that most people had an affliction of some kind—the only difference is, you can see mine. My heart goes out to the people who try to hide their afflictions because of pride. When you are rightly related to the Body of Christ, the Lord can bring friendships your way that can help bring those walls of separation down. When they come down, then you can develop into your full potential.

“I can’t take credit for who I am today. I am who I am because the Body of Christ was functioning. I am who I am because I’ve learned to ask for help. I want to thank you for everything that you’ve done.”

—Jeff, 2010 RBTC Graduate