Kenneth Copeland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kenneth Copeland
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Copeland on the Believer's Voice of Victory television broadcast in 2011
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Kenneth Max Copeland
December 6, 1936 Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
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| Years active | 1967–present |
| Movement | Word of Faith |
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| Children | 3 |
Kenneth Max Copeland (born December 6, 1936) is an American televangelist. A televangelist is a religious leader who uses television to share their messages. He is part of the charismatic movement, which focuses on spiritual gifts like healing and prophecy. Copeland started Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. (EMIC) in Tarrant County, Texas. He is also known for his books and his TV show, Believer's Voice of Victory.
Copeland teaches something called prosperity theology. This idea suggests that God wants believers to be healthy and wealthy. It also teaches that giving money to ministries can bring financial blessings and good fortune. This belief is part of the Word of Faith movement.
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Early Life and Career
Kenneth Max Copeland was born on December 6, 1936. He grew up in West Texas, near a United States Army Air Forces airfield. Being close to planes made him want to become a pilot.
Before his ministry, Copeland was a recording artist. He had a song called "Pledge of Love" that made it onto the Billboard Top 40 chart in 1957. It stayed on the charts for 15 weeks and reached number 17.
In 1967, he went to Oral Roberts University. There, he became a pilot and driver for Oral Roberts, who was a well-known televangelist.
Kenneth Copeland Ministries
In 1967, Kenneth Copeland and his wife Gloria started Kenneth Copeland Ministries (KCM). They founded it in Fort Worth, Texas. The ministry's main message is "Jesus is Lord". KCM has offices in several countries, including Canada, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and Ukraine.
Copeland teaches that God wants believers to have financial and physical well-being. He believes that material and financial success show God's favor. He also teaches that giving to his ministry can unlock these blessings. He has said that people who give to his ministry will get a "hundredfold" return on their giving.
Over the years, Kenneth Copeland has worked with other religious leaders. In 1986, he supported and prayed for Reinhard Bonnke. Bonnke was a famous evangelist known for his large meetings.
Television and Programs
Since 1967, KCM has held big meetings called conventions across the United States. These events usually last for three to six days. Every year, KCM holds its Southwest Believer's Convention in Fort Worth. This event happens in the first week of August.
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland also speak at other conventions around the world. These events are shown live on KCM's website, kcm.org. They are also broadcast on Christian TV channels like GOD TV and the Daystar Television Network. Parts of these recorded meetings are shown on Sundays. From Monday to Friday, the TV shows feature a Copeland family member. They discuss topics from the Bible, sometimes with another minister.
KCM started a one-hour TV show called The Word of Faith in 1971. In 1972, they launched another show, The Prayer Group. This was a half-hour show shown across the U.S. In 1989, The Word of Faith became a daily show called Believer’s Voice of Victory.
Besides TV shows, Kenneth Copeland has also made and starred in several films. These include The Rally (2010), Superkid Academy: The Mission (2013), and The Rally-LA (2016).
Victory Channel
In 2015, KCM launched the Believer's Voice of Victory Network. It was available on channel 265 on Dish Network. In 2019, this network was renamed Victory Channel. You can watch it on regular TV and some cable providers.
In October 2020, the Believer's Voice of Victory show stopped broadcasting on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). At the start of 2022, Victory Channel became available on more cable systems.
The Victory Channel has a popular show called FlashPoint. This program talks about current events and prophecies. It is hosted by pastor Gene Bailey. FlashPoint often features well-known ministry leaders. Guests have also included political figures like Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Facilities and Aircraft
Kenneth Copeland Ministries is located in Fort Worth, Texas. Their property is about 33 acres. It used to be a military air base called Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake. In 2008, the property was valued at over $554,000.
The site includes the Eagle Mountain International Church. It also has TV and radio production studios. There are warehouses, offices, and homes for the Copeland family. The property also has the Kenneth Copeland Airport. In 2024, KCM said they were raising money to fix one of the runways. They also use a former military hospital building as a medical clinic for church members. In 2008, KCM employed about 500 people.
KCM owns several business jets. These planes are used for travel related to the ministry. They have a 1998 Cessna 550 Citation Bravo for flights within the country. They also have a 2005 Cessna 750 Citation X for international flights. In 2018, KCM got a Gulfstream V jet. They are also fixing up an older 1962 Beech H-18 Twin plane. They plan to use this plane for disaster relief efforts.
Kenneth Copeland Bible College
Kenneth Copeland Bible College (KCBC) is on the same property as Kenneth Copeland Ministries. It is part of Eagle Mountain International Church (EMIC). KCBC is officially recognized by Transworld Accrediting Commission International. In 2003, KCBC opened another campus in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.
Support for Israel
For many years, Copeland and KCM have openly supported Israel. In August 2022, the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, personally thanked Copeland and KCM. He thanked them for their help to Ukrainian and Russian Jews. In 2020, the Israel Allies Foundation listed Copeland as a top supporter of Israel. Other Christian leaders like Paula White and John Hagee were also on the list.
Personal Life
Copeland has been married three times. His first marriage was to Ivy Bodiford in 1955. They had one child and divorced in 1958. He then married Cynthia Davis from 1958 to 1961.
Copeland married Gloria Neece in 1963. They have two children, John Copeland and Kellie Copeland. Gloria is also a co-host on the ministry's main TV show, The Believer's Voice of Victory, with her husband.
Kellie Copeland preaches at various places in the United States. Copeland's other daughter, Terri, also preaches at Eagle Mountain International Church. Her husband, George Pearsons, is the pastor there.
Kenneth Copeland has become very wealthy during his career. He has called himself a "very wealthy man". In 2021, one newspaper said he was the richest pastor in America. His wealth was estimated to be around $300 million in 2024.
Involvement in Politics
Kenneth Copeland was part of an advisory group for Donald Trump during his presidential campaign. This group was made up of evangelical leaders. Being on the board did not mean he officially supported Trump at the time.
After attending a dinner at the White House, Copeland said in an interview that he believed Trump was "led by the Spirit of God". He also said that Trump's most important legacy as president would be appointing conservative judges.
In November 2022, Copeland spoke at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania. He said that Trump was the only president he had seen wear the red, white, and blue while in office. During a convention in 2024, Copeland told thousands of attendees that voting is a sacred trust. His involvement in politics has received both praise and criticism.
See also
- Eagle Mountain International Church
- Ulf Ekman
- Tony Palmer (bishop)
- Trinity Foundation (Dallas)
