Kenneth Erwin Hagin

Kenneth Erwin Hagin (August 20, 1917 – September 19, 2003) was an American preacher. He is known for pioneering the Word of Faith movement, following in the footsteps of E. W. Kenyon.

Biography Personal life Kenneth E. Hagin was born August 20, 1917, in McKinney, Texas, the son of Lillie Viola Drake Hagin and Jess Hagin. According to Hagin, he was born with a deformed heart and what was believed to be an incurable blood disease. He was not expected to live and at age 15 he became paralyzed and bedridden. In April 1933 he converted to Christianity. During a dramatic conversion experience, he reported dying, due to the deformed heart, three times in 10 minutes, each time seeing the horrors of hell and then returning to life. He remained paralyzed after his conversion. In 1937, he became an Assemblies of God minister. Van, Texas, was the last church he pastored before starting to travel.

On November 25, 1938, he married Oretha Rooker.

Hagin began an itinerant ministry as a Bible teacher and evangelist in 1949 after an appearance by Jesus.

In 1979, he founded the Prayer and Healing Center to provide a place for the sick to come and "have the opportunity to build their faith." Its Healing School continues to be held free of charge twice a day on the Rhema campus. The curriculum is derived from a Charismatic heritage. There are seven ministry concentrations specializing in children's ministry, youth ministry, evangelism, pastoral care, missions, biblical studies, and supportive ministry. Rhema has established training centers in Austria, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Romania, Greece, Singapore, South Africa, the South Pacific, Thailand, Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, and the Philippines.

After Hagin's death in 2003, his son, Kenneth W. Hagin, continued to run the institution. Rhema has trained over 80,000 graduates who reside and minister in 52 countries.

Locally, Rhema is known for its annual Christmas display, which in recent years has included more than 2 million lights synchronized to Christmas music.

Rhema was granted an exception to Title IX in 2016. Its 2020–2021 student handbook states that among students, "RBTC will not allow any type of physical or sexual activity/behavior other than what the Bible states is permitted for a husband and wife who are legally married. This includes, but is not limited to, homosexual activities, fornication, adultery, pornography, and so forth ...."

Publications Bible Faith Study Course (1966) Right and Wrong Thinking for Christians (1966) What Faith Is (1966) The Real Faith (1970) I Believe in Visions (1972) The Human Spirit (1974) Why Tongues (1975) Demons and How to Deal with Them (1976) The Key to Scriptural Healing (1977) Ministering to the Oppressed (1977) The Interceding Christian (1978) Faith Food for Spring (1978) How You Can Be Led by the Spirit of God (1978) How to Write Your Own Ticket with God (1979) What to Do When Faith Seems Weak & Victory Lost (1979) Seven Things You Should Know About Divine Healing (1979) You Can Have What You Say (1979) El Shaddai (1980) Having Faith in Your Faith (1980) Why Do People Fall Under the Power? (1981) Casting Your Cares Upon the Lord (1981) The Name of Jesus (1981) Seven Steps for Judging Prophecy (1982) I Went to Hell (1982) Must Christians Suffer? (1982) Three Big Words (1983) Obedience in Finances (1983) The Believer's Authority (1985) How God Taught Me About Prosperity (1985) The Glory of God (1987) Understanding How to Fight the Good Fight of Faith (1987) Prayer Secrets (1988) Knowing What Belongs to Us (1989) Exceedingly Growing Faith (1990) The Holy Spirit And His Gifts (1991) Classic Sermons: The Word of Faith 25th Anniversary 1968–1992 Commemorative Edition (1992) Following God's Plan for Your Life (1993) The Triumphant Church (1993) Love: The Way to Victory (1994) A Common Sense Guide to Fasting (1995) God's Medicine (1997) The Midas Touch (1999) Tongues: Beyond the Upper Room (2007)