Kenneth Copeland: ‘They’ll Never Be the Same’

Editorial note from Steve Strang: Kenneth Copeland’s ministry began a few years before Charisma and by the time I wrote a cover story on his ministry in 1979 he was considered a successful up-and-coming ministry. His teaching on faith influenced me; I share that in the article.

In 1981, I was privileged to travel with him on his first international meeting to the Philippines. Although he received a prophecy that 50,000 would be saved, a total of only 34,000 people attended the eight-night crusade. Writing that was difficult because I couldn’t ignore the obvious discrepancy; but, I also had great respect for Copeland’s ministry. It’s interesting to reread the article below after all these years, considering how it was prophesied that Copeland would be changed through the Manila trip. I believe he was.

In spite of what some might think was a critical report, Copeland and I have remained friends through the years and my respect for him has grown as I’ve seen the stability of his ministry and its great impact on the body of Christ.  

The article below originally appeared in the June 1981 issue of Charisma magazine. Begin reading here:

Kenneth Copeland wrote his supporters early this year that he was “expecting to win in excess of 50,000 people to Jesus” during his eight-day crusade in Manila in February.

It was to be the first major overseas crusade for Copeland’s tremendously successful, though sometimes controversial, faith-teaching ministry.

In the past decade, Copeland has become one of America’s foremost Bible teachers because of his special gift of helping people understand who they are in Christ, and how to exercise the faith God has given them as believers.

Each year, tens of thousands attend his twice-monthly Victory Crusades in major cities across America. The faithful pour millions of dollars into his ministry, supporting his daily 15-minute radio program, his weekly hour-long television program, buying his books, records and tapes by the thousands and reading his monthly publication, The Believers’ Voice of Victory.

Copeland teaches that Christ redeemed man from the curse of the law which means, among other things, that all believers can live in divine health and can enjoy prosperity.

Copeland believes what he teaches. He is vigorous and looks younger than his 43 years. And he enjoys a comfortable lifestyle which includes flying to his meetings in America in his private jet (which is more economical and saves more time, he points out, than flying his large crusade team on commercial airlines).

But critics call his teachings “Cadillac prosperity.” It’s something that will work only in America because it is a prosperous nation. But what about the rest of the world? It won’t work in third-world nations, they say.

I was invited to cover the eight-day crusade in Manila as a journalist. Copeland’s staff members were excited about the meetings scheduled for the imposing Araneta Coliseum, site of Muhammad Ali’s 1975 “Thrilla in Manila” boxing match, as well as one of the places where Pope John Paul II would celebrate mass during his historic visit to the Philippines only a few days after Copeland’s visit.

They told me Copeland’s meetings would be the greatest meetings ever in the Orient, the beginning of the greatest revival in the Philippines. So I went, my curiosity aroused, hoping for a good story.

I had written once about Copeland in Charisma (June, 1979). I have read his books, listened to his tapes and been influenced by his ministry. I wondered how he would be received in a non-American environment.

What I saw was an interesting blending—and clashing—of two cultures. But I saw that the Word of God works in Manila as well as Miami, as well in Luzon as in Los Angeles.

Copeland’s ministry (after a slow start) was well received by the Filipinos who eagerly grasped—some for the first time—the faith message that they have authority as believers.

Many testified they’d never be the same. Copeland’s message gave them something to hold on to after he left. In faith, I am sure, the Philippine Islands will never be the same because of the seeds of faith that were planted.

While the Filipinos changed and grew because of the faith message, I watched—close-up—a change in Copeland and his ministry team. They were deeply moved by what they experienced in Manila. And as Copeland’s director of publications George Pearsons told me, Copeland’s ministry will never be the same either.

Interestingly, this is what Oral Roberts prophesied several months before the Manila crusade. He was at a Kenneth Hagin camp meeting in Tulsa where Copeland had been ministering on “change.”

Roberts then rose and prophesied over Copeland: “The word ‘change’ that you used tonight over and over ‘you’re going to be changed. You’re going to be changed. You won’t be the same,’ you were speaking to yourself.”

“You didn’t choose to go to Manila,” Roberts continued. “Forces came together and called you. The Spirit called you through these people and you said, ‘Me, go to Manila?’ Yes. The Spirit is speaking to you but we must envelope you with the very anointing and power of God or you won’t come back. Something is going to happen over there. I’m burning up with it … .”