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 | 1956–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 known for starting Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. (EMIC) in Texas. Copeland has also written many books and is famous for his TV show, The Believer's Voice of Victory.
Copeland teaches a belief called prosperity theology. This idea suggests that God shows favor through good things like money and health. It also teaches that giving to religious ministries can help unlock these blessings. He is part of the Word of Faith movement, which shares similar beliefs.
Contents
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. This inspired him to want to become a pilot.
In the 1950s, Copeland was a singer. He recorded several songs, including "Pledge of Love." This song became popular and was on the Billboard Top 40 chart in 1957.
In 1967, he went to Oral Roberts University. There, he became a pilot and driver for Oral Roberts, who was a well-known religious leader.
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 saying is "Jesus is Lord".
KCM has offices in six different countries around the world. These include Canada, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and Ukraine. The ministry teaches that God wants believers to have good health and financial success. They believe that giving money to the ministry can bring these blessings. Copeland has written that people might get a "hundredfold" return on their giving to God through his ministry.
Throughout his career, Copeland has worked with other ministers who share his beliefs. Some of these include Heidi Baker, Jerry Savelle, and Oral Roberts.
Television and Programs
Since 1967, Copeland's ministry has held large meetings called conventions. These events last for several days and happen across the United States. KCM still holds a big annual meeting in Fort Worth every August.
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland also speak at other events worldwide. These events are shown live on Copeland's website, kcm.org. They are also broadcast on Christian TV channels like GOD TV and the Daystar Television Network.
In 1971, KCM started a TV show called The Word of Faith. Later, in 1972, they launched The Prayer Group. 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 appeared in several movies. These include The Rally (2010), Superkid Academy: The Mission (2013), and The Rally-LA (2016).
Victory Channel
In 2015, KCM started its own TV channel called the Believer's Voice of Victory Network. It was available on Dish Network. In 2019, the channel 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 being shown on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). By early 2022, Victory Channel was added to more cable systems.
Pastor Gene Bailey hosts a popular show on Victory Channel called FlashPoint. This show talks about current events and prophecies. It often features well-known ministry leaders and sometimes even political figures.
Ministry Facilities and Aircraft
Kenneth Copeland Ministries is located in Fort Worth, Texas. It is on a large property that used to be a military air base. This property includes the Eagle Mountain International Church. It also has TV and radio production studios, warehouses, and homes for the Copeland family. There is even an airport called Kenneth Copeland Airport.
As of 2024, the airport has one usable runway. KCM is working to fix a second runway so it can be used again. The ministry also uses a former military hospital building as a medical clinic for church members. In 2008, about 500 people worked for KCM.
KCM owns several business jets. These planes are used for travel related to the ministry's work. They include a Cessna 550 Citation Bravo for flights within the country. A Cessna 750 Citation X is used for international travel. In 2018, KCM got a Gulfstream V jet. They are also fixing up an older plane, a 1962 Beech H-18 Twin. They plan to use this plane to help with disaster relief efforts.
Kenneth Copeland Bible College
Kenneth Copeland Bible College (KCBC) is located on the same property as Kenneth Copeland Ministries. It is also part of Eagle Mountain International Church. KCBC is a recognized college. In 2003, it opened another campus in British Columbia, Canada.
Support for Israel
Copeland and KCM have openly supported Israel for many years. In August 2022, the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, personally thanked Copeland and KCM. He thanked them for their help to Ukrainian and Russian Jewish people.
In 2020, Copeland was named one of the top supporters of Israel by the Israel Allies Foundation. Other Christian leaders like Paula White and John Hagee were also on this list.
Personal Life
Copeland has been married three times. His first marriage was to Ivy Bodiford in 1955, and they had one child. They divorced in 1958. He then married Cynthia Davis from 1958 to 1961.
Copeland married Gloria Neece in 1963. They have two children, John and Kellie Copeland. Gloria often appears with her husband on their main TV show, The Believer's Voice of Victory.
Their daughter Kellie preaches in different parts of the United States. Their other daughter, Terri, also preaches at Eagle Mountain International Church. Her husband, George Pearsons, is the pastor there.
Copeland has been very successful in his work. He has referred to himself as a "very wealthy man."
Involvement with Donald Trump
Copeland was part of an advisory group for Donald Trump when he was running for president. Being on this board did not mean he had to support Trump's campaign. Copeland said at the time that he did not officially endorse Trump.
Before the 2016 election, Copeland encouraged Christians to vote for Trump. After a dinner at the White House, Copeland said that Trump was "led by the Spirit of God." He also said that Trump's most important legacy 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 truly represent the United States flag while in office. In 2024, Copeland told people at a convention that voting is a very important responsibility. His involvement in politics has received both praise and criticism.
In April 2025, Copeland attended a special White House Easter Dinner. Other notable leaders like Franklin Graham and Greg Laurie were also there.
See also
In Spanish: Kenneth Copeland para niños
- Eagle Mountain International Church
- Ulf Ekman
- Tony Palmer (bishop)
- Trinity Foundation (Dallas)
