Kenneth Max Copeland (born December 6, 1936) is an American televangelist associated with the charismatic movement. He is the founder of Eagle Mountain International Church Inc. (EMIC), which is based in Tarrant County, Texas. Copeland has also written several books and other resources, and is known for his broadcast The Believer's Voice of Victory.

Copeland preaches prosperity theology and is part of the Word of Faith movement, which teaches that divine favor is expressed in material and financial blessing, and that giving to ministries unlocks this favor.

Early life and career

Kenneth Max Copeland was born on December 6, 1936, The ministry's motto is "Jesus is Lord". He preaches prosperity theology and is part of the Word of Faith movement, which teaches that financial blessing and physical well-being are the will of God for believers, and that material and financial success are a sign of divine favor. This may be unlocked through giving to ministry, and Copeland has written that parishioners will get a "hundredfold" return on their investment through "giving to God" by offering to his ministry. KCM still holds an annual Southwest Believer's Convention in his hometown of Fort Worth during the first week of August. Kenneth and Gloria Copeland also preach and minister at other conventions and conferences throughout the world.

On May 27, 1971, KCM began a one-hour television program called The Word of Faith. In 1972, a television program called The Prayer Group was launched. This was a half-hour television program aired across the United States.

In 1989, the weekly show The Word of Faith was replaced by a daily series called Believer's Voice of Victory. Mike Huckabee, a 2008 Republican presidential primary candidate, made six appearances on the program.

Pastor Gene Bailey hosts the Victory Channel's popular FlashPoint current-events prophecy program and reaches approximately 11,000 households. FlashPoint commonly features nationally known ministry leaders such as Lance Wallnau and Hank Kunneman; other guests have included Donald Trump, Charlie Kirk, Marjorie Taylor Greene and former Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.

Facilities

Kenneth Copeland Ministries is located in Fort Worth, Texas, on a property that was once Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake (MCAS Eagle Mountain Lake), a United States Marine Corps air base, valued in 2008 at $554,160 () by Tarrant Appraisal District. The site includes the Eagle Mountain International Church, television and radio production facilities, warehouse and distribution facilities, residences for the Copeland family, and Kenneth Copeland Airport. In 2008, approximately 500 people were employed by KCM. Copeland's son John Copeland was the ministry's chief operating officer until his divorce from Marty Copeland in 2018. He remains a consultant to the ministry.

Mike Huckabee rented KCM's facilities for a fundraiser, an action that was criticized by the Trinity Foundation. KCM was one of four that did not co-operate or volunteer to make reforms. The investigation did not conclude the Copelands had done anything wrong.

Aviation

KCM owns several business jets, including a 1998 Cessna 550 Citation Bravo, which it received from a donor in October 2007 and is used for domestic flights, and a 2005 Cessna 750 Citation X, which it uses for international flights. In 2018, KCM acquired a Gulfstream V that was formerly owned by Tyler Perry, and was restoring a 1962 Beech H-18 Twin, which the ministry plans to use for disaster relief efforts. that same year, KCM told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that it was raising money to resurface the second runway so it could be used again. It was using the former Marine Corps hospital building as a medical clinic for church members.

Kenneth Copeland Bible College

Kenneth Copeland Bible College (KCBC) is located on the property of Kenneth Copeland Ministries and Eagle Mountain International Church (EMIC). KCBC is an accredited member with Transworld Accrediting Commission International. On August 28, 2003, Kenneth Copeland Bible College opened an extension campus in Langley, British Columbia.

Personal life

Copeland has been married three times. His first marriage was to Ivy Bodiford (July 5, 1937 – June 20, 2022) in October 1955. They had one child, They are the parents of John Copeland and Kellie Copeland. Gloria co-hosts the ministry's flagship broadcast, The Believer's Voice of Victory, alongside her husband.

Kellie preaches throughout the United States, as does Copeland's daughter Terri, who also preaches at Eagle Mountain International Church, which is pastored by her husband George Pearsons.

Copeland has amassed significant wealth during his career and has referred to himself as a "very wealthy man". As of 2024, Copeland's net worth was estimated to be $300 million. Copeland's use of private jets, luxury cars and lavish houses has been widely criticized,

Politics

Copeland and KCM have been public and vocal supporters of Israel for several decades. On August 17, 2022, the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, called and personally thanked Copeland and KCM for their support of Ukrainian and Russian Jews. In 2020 he was listed by the Israel Allies Foundation as one of the top supporters of Israel along with Paula White, John Hagee, Mike Huckabee, and other Christian leaders. Copeland and other Christian leaders such as Greg Laurie and John Hagee have received criticism for their support of Israel. Copeland has previously drawn criticism for his comments on the Joe Biden presidency.

Donald Trump advisory board

Copeland sat on the evangelical executive advisory board that Donald Trump assembled during his campaign for the presidency. During the 2024 Southwest Believers' Convention in Fort Worth, Texas, Copeland told the thousands in attendance and online that voting is a sacred trust. His involvement in politics as a nationally prominent ministry leader has drawn both praise and criticism.

On April 16, 2025, Copeland took part in an invitation-only White House Easter Dinner, hosted by the White House Faith Office. Other notable leaders at the dinner included Franklin Graham, Jentezen Franklin, Alveda King, Greg Laurie, and Paula White.

Immunization

In 2013, a measles outbreak with 25 confirmed cases in Tarrant County, Texas, was attributed in the press to anti-vaccination sentiments expressed by members of the Copeland Ministries.

On August 3–8, 2020, the Kenneth Copeland Ministries hosted the Southwest Believers' Conference at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas, despite restrictions on social gatherings to limit the spread of the pandemic. Local leaders criticized the event, attended by hundreds of people, but were unable to enforce public health restrictions, because religious gatherings were exempt under Governor Greg Abbott's executive orders.

Selected bibliography

  • From Faith to Faith: A Daily Guide to Victory. 1991.
  • A Ceremony of Marriage. 2012.
  • The Power of the Tongue. 2012.
  • Blessed to Be a Blessing: Understanding True, Biblical Prosperity. 2012.
  • Raising Children Without Fear. 2012.
  • Six Steps to Excellence in Ministry. 2012.
  • Pursuit of His Presence: Daily Devotions to Strengthen Your Walk With God 2012.
  • A House Not Divided: Defeating the Spirit of Division. 2016.
  • God, the Covenant and the Contradiction: Accessing God's Promises of Healing, Peace and Provision. 2023.

See also

References

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  • Kenneth Copeland Ministries official site