Around the Pacific Rim in 14 Days
Kenneth and Lynette Hagin quickly slipped out of RHEMA Bible Church Easter Sunday morning. Normally they stand at a door and shake hands with the congregation and visitors as they are leaving church. But on April 24, 2011, the Hagins needed to get to the airport as soon as possible. They were leaving to visit the international RHEMA Bible Training Centers along the Pacific Rim.
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Lynette Hagin prepared 112 meals onboard the airplane. |
“Tulsa ground, KHM Jet at hanger 13 ready to taxi with information bravo.”
“KHM Jet, Tulsa Tower. Taxi to runway three six right via golf Charlie and the terminal ramp.”
As the Bombardier jet taxied to the hold short of the runway area, the pilots ran through one of their final checklists before takeoff. Once finished, Captain Dave radioed the tower, “Tulsa Tower, KHM Jet ready for takeoff on three six right.
“KHM Jet, runway three six right cleared for takeoff. Fly runway heading.”
The power on the engines were brought up, and as they spooled up, the rumble of the engines became palpable to everyone onboard. With the release of the brakes, the jet surges down the two mile long runway—the parking lots and trees that line the runway whizzing by like a blur. Within seconds the airplane is in the air heading northwest to Alaska.
It takes two days to reach Bangkok, Thailand. The Hagins and crew first overnight in Anchorage, Alaska. From there they cross the international dateline and lose a day on their way to Taipei, Taiwan, for another overnighter. Landing in Taipei brought back many memories for Kenneth Hagin. It’s been 46 years since he was honored to serve in the United States Army. And during his commission, he was based on the mountainous island of Taiwan. Scheduled rest stops on a long trip like this really help to adjust to the many time zone changes. That way when Kenneth and Lynette land in Bangkok, they’re ready to go.
The flight out of Taiwan took Kenneth and Lynette over the rolling aquamarine South China Sea and a quick flight over the S-shaped country of Vietnam and the landlocked nation of Laos. The triple canopy forests of these nations soon gave way to Thailand’s “rice bowl,” one of the most
fertile paddy rice regions in the world. Landing the jet in Bangkok is always a bumpy ride. In
that part of the world there’s a lot of moisture from the sea and it’s always hot. Once the plane comes down through the clouds, the pilots have to deal with a lot of lifting action from the clouds. Captain Dave turns on the “Fasten your seatbelt” sign.
RHEMA Thailand, Bangkok
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In May 2011, Keith and Sharon Higginbothan celebrated 10 years at RHEMA Thailand. Click here to read how the Lord called them to Thailand. |
Thailand is known as the “land of smiles.” And Kenneth and Lynette immediately felt the warm embrace of the Thai people when they landed in Bangkok. First on their agenda was a meet and greet luncheon with the RHEMA family in Thailand. Some students and grads met the Hagins for the first time and others were very glad to see them again. During the luncheon, Keith and Sharon Higginbotham, directors of RHEMA Thailand, showed a slide presentation highlighting what some of the school’s graduates were doing.
One couple, Nathan and Salila Gonmei, started a church on July 11, 2004, in Chiang Mai, which is located in the northern region of Thailand. Today, more than 400 adults attend church services each week. This is nothing short of miraculous in a predominately Buddhist nation where it is common to see Buddhist monks walking down the street and spirit houses in front of many businesses.
The Gonmei’s are also reaching out to more than 100 children every week. Some of the children are HIV positive orphans. They are also embracing children who have been rescued from human trafficking. The Gonmei’s team surrounds the children with love, as well as building a strong foundation for their lives by pouring the Word of God into them.
Later that day, Kenneth and Lynette joined the Higginbothams in presenting 24 graduates with diplomas. Evangelism is a major thrust at RHEMA Thailand and these students are eager to win Thailand to Christ.
RHEMA Singapore
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Singapore, which is almost the size of Chicago, is home to approximately 5 million people. |
Singapore is a major transportation center for Asia. It is a main aviation hub and it also boasts of one of the busiest seaports in the world. At any given time, thousands of ocean freighters are in the harbor and planes are constantly flying in and out of one of its eight airports. From the air, this city-state looks like a beehive of activity. Ships are constantly moving the world’s goods and airplanes are transporting people to just about every part of the world. What better place to send out ministers who know who they are in Christ and the authority they have as believers. And that’s what RHEMA Singapore has been doing since 2001.
While in Singapore, Kenneth and Lynette conducted a one-day Living Faith Crusade at the Lighthouse Evangelism church pastored by Rony Tan. They preached four services, which were simulcast at a sister location. Lynette shared about following God’s plan for your life, step-by-step and day-by-day. Kenneth ministered on faith and healing in the evening service before laying hands on the sick. At the end of the service, several people reported they had an instant manifestation of healing in their bodies. At a luncheon with the alumni the next day, the Hagins spoke words of encouragement to the graduates and laid hands on them for an impartation of anointing, divine equipping, and enablement.
Many would say that you can’t attend RHEMA without your life being transformed. Lorraine Thompson, a 2009 graduate, would concur with this. She testified that she came to RHEMA Singapore with a low self-esteem, a shaky faith, and a lack of confidence. But she emerged knowing who she was in Christ through the indwelling of God in her heart.
RHEMA Indonesia Jakarta
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The Hagins learned of the death of Osama bin Laden right after they landed in Jakarta. |
There was low visibility flying into Jakarta, Indonesia. Smoke and haze seemed to cover the city. Spiritually speaking, Jakarta is a place you can tell the light of the Gospel has not been able to shine brightly. But since its inception in 2004, RHEMA Indonesia has been changing that. In the heart of the largest Muslim nation on earth, this Bible school is training men and women who are excited and zealous to proclaim the Gospel of Christ.
Before the graduation service, Kenneth and Lynette laid hands on key people of RHEMA Indonesia. Andrew Tanoko, Director of RHEMA Indonesia, later testified that they felt like a fresh anointing from heaven touched their lives. For his keynote address, Kenneth preached on obedience to the heavenly vision. Graduates, alumni, and everyone who was in attendance were encouraged to go all out for God no matter what may come.
Indonesia is made up of 14,000 islands. And RHEMA Indonesia graduates have planted and pioneered 30 churches in the fourth most populous nation of the world. The 16 men and women who marched across the stage to receive their diplomas that night are looking forward to putting their hands to the plow in this great mission field.
RHEMA Australia, Brisbane
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The Australian dollar hit a record high the day Kenneth and Lynette landed in Brisbane. Cars are driven on the left-hand side of the street in Australia. There 70 million sheep but only 21 million people in Australia. Three quarters of Australia’s population lives in metropolitan cities and coastal areas. |
It’s about a seven hour flight from Jakarta to Brisbane, Australia. On this trip, the pilots took a different route and flew over the Outback. Looking out the window of the plane, the Outback looked like a barren wasteland, and at times it seemed as though there weren’t any signs of inhabited life. But when Kenneth and Lynette landed in Brisbane and began ministering to the RBTC Australia students, alumni, and pastors, it was evident that they were pulling on the anointing—the life of God inside the Hagins. They wanted all that they could get from God.
Lynette ministered at the first session Wednesday morning. Then, she and Kenneth were interviewed by Patsy Cameneti during the second session. The Hagins shared from their wealth of experience on how they managed their priorities with family and ministry. At the evening meeting, RHEMA Family Church was filled to capacity as Kenneth conducted a “RHEMA style” healing service. And just like the “old days,” Patsy led music while he and Lynette laid hands on the sick.
Kenneth and Lynette prayed for many people that night, including Tim, a young man who had developed asthma when he was 12 years old. Without knowing his ailment, Kenneth laid his hand on Tim’s left lung. Tim said it felt as though the wind was knocked out of him and he felt heat in his chest long after he went back to his seat. Because he likes to run, Tim constantly had to use an inhaler—morning and night and sometimes during the day. But after hands were laid on him that night, he has been able to breathe easily and has only had to use his inhaler twice!
RHEMA South Pacific, Apia, Samoa
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Automobiles imported from New Zealand have made it affordable for everyone in Samoa to have a car. There are three traffic lights in Apia, Samoa. It’s been said that Samoa is the last place on the earth to see the sun set. This will soon change. The tiny island nation is planning on switching to the western side of the international dateline so it is in the same time zone as New Zealand. To read more about RHEMA South Pacific, click [[here – insert url for the Sept. 2011 article, “Search & Rescue in the South Pacific]. |
Going to Samoa is like going back in time. It’s Hawaii 100 years ago. And this tranquil setting was the last leg of the Hagin’s 14-day journey. On their first day in Samoa, the Hagins taught three class sessions in RHEMA South Pacific. The next day, Kenneth and Lynette participated in the church dedication of ALL NATIONS, which launched on May 6, 2011.
Several dignitaries from Samoa attended the church dedication including Afioga Le Mamea Ropati, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the king of Samoa, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and his Good Lady Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese Efi. It was an exceptional honor for the Head of State to be present at this event. Kenneth remarked that this was the first time he had spoken in the presence of a king. After the service, he and Lynette were able to sit and fellowship with the king and his wife.
While the Hagins taught in RHEMA South Pacific, the students and staff were strengthened and encouraged to never waiver but finish all that God has for them. The Hagin’s time at this tropical paradise went much too fast, and tears welled up in the RBTC student’s and staff’s eyes as they bid farewell to Kenneth and Lynette.
Taking off at the Samoa airport is always amazing. The airport is right on the edge of island and within seconds after takeoff, you’re over the water. After the plane reached altitude, these words were heard over the radio of Uttermost Witness—the 100-foot ship RHEMA South Pacific uses to reach the remote islands of the South Pacific with the Gospel:
“Uttermost Witness, this is KHM Jet. Come in Uttermost Witness. Whatever it takes to bring this message to the world: planes, ships, airwaves, or going through the jungles on foot, we’re running with you. The whole earth is filled with the glory of God, even to the uttermost parts!”
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And no matter where a RHEMA graduate is sharing the message of faith and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ—whether it’s in the asphalt jungles of large cities or in remote places on the earth—Kenneth and Lynette Hagin are running with them. They are standing with them with their faith, love, and prayers.
Who would have thought that when Kenneth E. Hagin said, “We’re going to start a Bible school,” that more than 95 schools would have sprung up around the world. This vision is big—much bigger than one man or woman. But thank God there are tens of thousands of men and women who are united with one purpose to see that the Gospel and the message of faith are preached around the world.