What colleges have you attended?

There are moments in life when the fire in your heart is too strong to ignore—when you feel the unmistakable pull of God calling you to step into something greater. For my wife and me, that moment came with an urgency we couldn’t shake, like a fire burning deep in our souls. We knew we were being called to Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and saying “yes” to that call would forever change the course of our lives.

It wasn’t an easy decision. At the time, we were living in Middletown, Ohio, with good jobs, surrounded by family, and rooted in everything comfortable and familiar. But when God calls, comfort isn’t part of the equation. His call requires faith, obedience, and the willingness to leave everything behind. So, we packed our lives into a moving truck and made the nearly 800-mile journey to Oklahoma, not knowing exactly what lay ahead but trusting the One who called us.

Our families didn’t understand. They questioned why we had to move so far away when there were other Bible schools closer to home. “Why Rhema?” they asked. “Can’t you find something closer?” But we knew deep in our hearts that God hadn’t just called us to go to Bible school—He had called us to go to Rhema. There was no substitute, no plan B. To answer the call, we had to shut out every negative voice and focus on what God had told us. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

Under the leadership of Kenneth W. Hagin, the son of Kenneth E. Hagin, Rhema became more than just a place of learning—it was a place of transformation. We stepped into a season that was nothing short of extraordinary. In 2010, I graduated with a focus on pastoral ministries, and those years at Rhema are still etched into my memory as some of the most impactful of my life.

But Rhema wasn’t just about the classes, the theology, or the profound teachings on faith and the Holy Spirit—it was about the people. I met some of the most incredible individuals during my time there, including one of my closest friends, Calvin Cummings. Calvin and I connected in a way that only happens when you share the same passion and purpose. Even after all these years, Calvin and I still talk just about every day. The bond we formed wasn’t just a friendship; it was a brotherhood rooted in faith, prayer, and a shared calling.

At Rhema, Calvin and I, along with so many others, learned what it meant to live by faith. Leaving Middletown meant leaving behind the jobs we’d worked hard for, and while we found new jobs in Broken Arrow, they came with pay cuts. But we didn’t move to Broken Arrow for the jobs—we moved for the school, for the calling, and for the purpose God had set before us. Rhema taught us to live from faith to faith, trusting God to meet every need as we focused on our primary mission: preparing for the ministry.

Even though we worked, our main focus was always school. There were times when the finances didn’t add up on paper, but God was always faithful. Those years taught us how to lean on Him, how to walk by faith and not by sight, and how to trust Him for provision every step of the way.

What set Rhema apart wasn’t just the education; it was the encounters with God that happened day after day. Whether it was in the classroom, during worship, or in the moments of fellowship, there was an undeniable presence of the Holy Spirit shaping every aspect of our journey. The teaching wasn’t just theoretical—it was alive, practical, and empowering. It gave us tools to walk in faith and confidence, regardless of the challenges we would face.

Looking back, leaving everything behind to answer God’s call to Rhema was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. It wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it. The urgency we felt in our hearts was God’s way of preparing us for the work He had planned. Every moment, every connection, and every step was orchestrated by His hand.

Rhema didn’t just give us an education; it gave us a mission. It equipped us to step into the calling God placed on our lives and empowered us to carry the message of faith to a world in need. And for that, I will forever be grateful.

—Joshua L Mullins