Fulfilling the Vision Around the World
Fulfilling the Vision Around the World
Bonn. Wels. Verona. Lusaka. Abuja. What do these European and African cities have in common?
Each is home, or soon will be, to a RHEMA Bible Training Center campus. And earlier this year Kenneth and Lynette Hagin traveled to each of these cities to participate in graduation ceremonies or see firsthand the preparations for new schools.
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After 14 days, 18,500 miles, and 46-and-a-half hours of flying, one thing became clear—RHEMA Bible Training Center is exploding all around the world!
The Hagins’ first stop on their May trip was Bonn, Germany, where their day began with an alumni luncheon. Around 140 graduates had the opportunity to spend time with Kenneth and Lynette and hear what RHEMA is doing worldwide.
That evening, after attending the graduation ceremony at RHEMA Germany, directed by John and Michelle Grunewald, the Hagins held a healing service. Monika Wagner, director of RBTC Europe, recalled, “Pastor Hagin preached a simple but very powerful message on healing before he laid hands on people. He prayed for approximately 300 people that night and many testified with a show of hands that they could see a difference in their bodies immediately. It was glorious!”
One woman named Sylvia was healed that night of complications from surgery. She had been unable to eat certain foods for many years, but her condition had recently worsened. She was constantly sick to her stomach and only left her house to see the doctors.
However, she decided that when Rev. Hagin laid hands on her she would be well. Monika related, “She received what she believed! From the moment she was prayed for, she began to recover. One week after hands were laid on her, she was perfectly well. She can eat things she hasn’t eaten in years!”
At that same service in Germany, about 50 people responded to the altar call to be saved, rededicate their lives to Jesus, or be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Hagins next flew to Wels, Austria, home of RHEMA Austria. They had just enough time to check in at their hotel before meeting with alumni and then taking part in the graduation ceremony. Fred and Judy Lambert, directors of the school in Austria, remarked, “The students and graduates were so blessed that the Hagins came to visit them and to take part in this important day in their lives. All RHEMA Austria graduates, including those in full-time ministry, recognize the value of what they received at RHEMA and are particularly thankful for the ministry of the Hagins.”
The Lamberts also described the role RHEMA Austria is having in reaching that nation for Christ. “Churches have been planted in 12 different cities in Austria, and there are graduates in various other countries serving as missionaries.” They continued, “That might not sound like much, but the largest Pentecostal denomination in Austria only has about 25 churches after more than 65 years of existence here. God is picking up the pace to save Austria through the work of RHEMA, and this nation is being filled with the knowledge of God’s glory.”
The day after RHEMA Austria’s graduation, the Hagins made their way to Verona, Italy. Before speaking at RHEMA Italy’s graduation, they attended a special luncheon for ministers at a castle built 800 years ago. The gathering provided an opportunity for pastors and ministers from the surrounding area to spend quality time with the Hagins. The directors of RHEMA Italy, Mauro and Connie Girgenti, recalled, “At the luncheon, Pastor Hagin shared how we must work together to accomplish lasting results in our nation. He emphasized, ‘No one can do it alone. We need each other.’ The pastors took this phrase to heart and are excited about the different projects ahead of us here in Italy.”
At the luncheon, the Hagins also heard an amazing testimony from the wife of one of the pastors. “She was miraculously healed of an incurable heart condition by reading and meditating on books she received from Kenneth Hagin Ministries and by studying her Bible,” the Girgentis said. “Her faith grew and she began to realize that Jesus had died so that she could live. It is well over 10 years now since doctors told her she would not live for more than a few months. She is a living testimony.”
That night at graduation, the Hagins laid hands on each of the graduates before sending them out into the harvest fields. “Our graduating class was so excited to have Pastor and Mrs. Hagin here with us to celebrate our special evening,” said one of the graduates. “Thank you for coming!”
From Italy, the Hagins flew to Lusaka, Zambia, where they held dedication services for a new 2,200-seat facility at Miracle Life Family Church, pastored by Walker and Haley Schurz. “Our last church had 600 seats,” Walker noted, “so this gives us a huge way to keep growing.”
Beginning in January 2011, the church grounds will also be home to RHEMA Zambia. Offices are being completed to house Admissions, and a chapel will be built for assemblies and other student gatherings. When the school’s opening was announced, hundreds took information and applications.
“The Lord has been good,” said Walker. “He’s blessed us with 20 acres here. It’s a miracle because I can’t think of another church that has 20 acres.” In Zambia, the Hagins also ministered to about 1,200 pastors and church leaders at a day-long Leadership Conference held at Miracle Life. While they ministered, the Schurzes hooked the RHEMA USA pilots up with a local orphanage. “We spent the day with about a dozen 13- to 16-year old boys,” the two pilots said. “They don’t have any family and would be on the streets if they didn’t have this orphanage and a pastor who works with them. It was just good to give see the impact that the local RHEMA church in Lusaka is having in their city.”
The RHEMA team’s last two stops before returning to the U.S. were in Nigeria: in Lagos, where they met with partners; and in Abuja, where RHEMA Nigeria—directed by Matt and Julie Beemer—is to open this month (October). The Hagins hit the ground running, first meeting with alumni, pastors, and leaders from that nation. Then Kenneth W. Hagin spoke to a crowd of 3,000 at a Full Gospel businessmen’s meeting in the National Christian Center.
“All 3,000 people wanted to see the Hagins as they left,” said David Groves, Kenneth Hagin Ministries’ broadcast media director. “And it’s not just because they’re well-known people. It was because they read the books and watch the television show. I had several people tell me they never miss a webstream.”
While in Abuja, Kenneth and Lynette Hagin and Matt Beemer held a press conference to announce the launch of RHEMA Bible Training Center Nigeria. Eight national newspapers and four major TV/radio stations attended.
“RHEMA Nigeria is a prayer long overdue,” said one Nigerian minister. “We have been waiting for this to happen over the years, and finally it’s here. . . . Africa will hear from Nigeria because of RHEMA coming.”
In August 2011, the Hagins and their team will return to West Africa to hold a Living Faith Crusade in Abuja.
As RHEMA continues to grow and more graduates are sent out from schools around the world, the Hagins’ resolve to reach people with the Gospel is increasing. “There’s a world out there that is ready for harvest,” said Kenneth W. Hagin. “There’s a work that must be done. And I want to say thank you to all of our partners and friends who are helping us accomplish the vision that God gave us for RHEMA Bible Training Center and RHEMA churches all over the world.”
Kenneth and Lynette Hagin’s 2011 travel schedule is full. Please pray for God’s strength, wisdom, and protection for the RHEMA team on these trips. To support this outreach financially, click here.
