Meet Kenneth Erwin Hagin—an extraordinary American Charismatic preacher who left an indelible mark on the world.
Born on August 20, 1917, in the vibrant city of McKinney, Texas, he was the cherished child of Lillie Viola Drake Hagin and Jess Hagin. From the very beginning, Hagin’s life was filled with extraordinary challenges.
Remarkably, Hagin entered this world with a malformed heart and what was initially believed to be an incurable blood condition—a trial that shaped his inspiring journey.
In his own words, Hagin shared the remarkable testimony of his early years. The doctors, doubting his chances of survival, predicted a short and difficult life for him.
To add to the adversity, at a tender age of 15, he found himself paralyzed and confined to a bed.
Yet, Hagin’s story is one of triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds.
With unyielding determination and unwavering faith, he defied expectations and transcended his physical limitations.
Hagin’s life would soon become a testament to the extraordinary power of resilience, healing, and unwavering faith.
Through his remarkable journey, Kenneth E. Hagin left an undeniable impact on the world of Charismatic preaching, becoming an influential figure who touched countless lives.
His legacy continues to inspire and his teachings continue to empower individuals around the globe.
Join me as we delve deeper into the life and teachings of this exceptional man, whose unwavering spirit and profound faith continue to resonate with believers to this day.
Table of Contents
Profile Summary
| Birth Name | Kenneth Erwin Hagin |
| Birth Date | August 20, 1917 |
| Birth Place | McKinney, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | On September 19, 2003 Aged: 86 years old |
| Occupation | Preacher |
| Wife | Oretha Rooker |
| Children | Kenneth Wayne Hagin & Patricia (Hagin) Harrison |
| Parents | Lillie Viola Drake Hagin and Jesse Hagin |
Early Life & Background
Kenneth E. Hagin, a notable figure in the world of Charismatic Christianity, left an indelible mark on the lives of many.
Born on August 20, 1917, in McKinney, Texas, to Lillie Viola Drake Hagin and Jess Hagin, his life was marked by extraordinary challenges.
From the moment of his birth, Hagin faced adversity. He entered the world with a damaged heart and an incurable blood condition, a condition that led doctors to believe he wouldn’t survive.
At the age of 15, he found himself not only fighting against his physical ailments but also paralyzed and confined to a bed.
However, Hagin’s life took a remarkable turn when he had a life-altering encounter.
In April 1933, he embraced Christianity, an event that would shape the course of his life.
Following this conversion, Hagin claimed to have experienced three near-death episodes, each time witnessing the horrors of hell before being brought back to life. Despite these encounters, he remained disabled.
It was on August 8, 1934, that Hagin had a revelation that changed everything.
Through a profound understanding of Mark 11:23-24, he experienced a resurrection from his deathbed.
This revelation instilled in him a deep faith and confidence in the power of God’s Word.
As a result, he was miraculously healed, free from paralysis, and able to walk without difficulty.
His extraordinary recovery was chronicled in Roberts Liardon’s book, “God’s Generals.”
Kenneth E. Hagin Ministry
In 1936, Hagin established his first non-denominational church, delivering his inaugural sermon as the pastor of a small community Baptist church in Roland, Texas.
The following year, he became an Assemblies of God minister, a denomination to which he remained devoted for many years.
Over the course of his ministry, Hagin pastored five Assemblies of God congregations in various towns in Texas, including Tom Bean, Farmersville (twice), Talco, Greggton, and Van.
In 1949, after an encounter with Jesus, Hagin embarked on an itinerant ministry as a Bible teacher and evangelist.
During this period, he became a prominent member of the Voice of Healing Revival, a significant movement in the United States from 1947 to 1958, alongside other influential figures such as Oral Roberts, Gordon Lindsay, and T. L. Osborn.
Additionally, Hagin joined the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) in 1951, an organization that played a crucial role in his life and ministry.
Read Also: T.L Osborn [American Televangelist] Biography, Ministry, Life & Death
Kenneth E. Hagin Wife & Children
Kenneth E. Hagin’s personal life was enriched by his marriage to Oretha Rooker, whom he wed on November 25, 1938. Together, they were blessed with two children.
Their first child, Kenneth Wayne Hagin, was born on September 3, 1939, and is sometimes known as Kenneth Hagin Jr. Following him, Patricia (Hagin) Harrison, their daughter, was born on March 27, 1941.
Kenneth Wayne Hagin followed in his father’s footsteps and became deeply involved in ministry.
He is the current pastor of Rhema Bible Church and serves as the President of Kenneth Hagin Ministries, an organization he himself established.
Establishment of Rhema Bible Training College
In addition to his family life, Kenneth E. Hagin made significant contributions to theological education. In 1974, he founded Rhema Bible Training College (formerly known as Rhema Bible Training Center) in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
The college sits on 110 acres of land and serves as a Bible institute with a Charismatic/Pentecostal foundation.
Students at Rhema Bible Training College can pursue various ministry concentrations, including children’s ministry, youth ministry, evangelism, pastoral care, missions, biblical studies, and supportive ministry.
The legacy of Kenneth E. Hagin extends beyond his own family and ministry. His teachings, influence, and the educational institution he established continue to impact the lives of many within the Charismatic Christian community.
List of Publications By Kenneth E. Hagin
Kenneth E. Hagin left a significant literary legacy through his numerous published books. Here is a list of some of his notable works:
- A Better Covenant
- A Commonsense Guide to Fasting
- A Fresh Anointing
- Authority of the Believer
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit [Study Guide]
- Bible Faith Study Course
- Bible Prayer Study Course
- Biblical Keys to Financial Prosperity
- Bodily Healing and the Atonement
- Casting Your Cares upon the Lord
- Classic Sermons
- Concerning Spiritual Gifts
- Don’t Blame God
- El Shaddai
- Exceedingly Growing Faith
- Faith Food Devotions for Autumn
- Faith Food Devotions for Spring
- Faith Food Devotions for Summer
- Faith Food Devotions for Winter
- Following God’s Plan For Your Life
- Gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Growing Up, Spiritually
- He Gave Gifts unto Men: A Biblical Perspective of Apostles, Prophets, and Pastors
- Healing Belongs to Us
- Healing Scriptures
- Health Food: A Daily Guide to Spiritual Nourishment for the Soul
- How to Keep Your Healing?
- How to Turn Your Faith Loose?
- How You Can Be Led by the Spirit of God?
- How You Can Know the Will of God?
- I Believe in Visions
- Laying on of Hands
- Love: The Way to Victory
- Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
- Ministering to Your Family
- Mountain-Moving Faith
- Must Christians Suffer?
- New Thresholds of Faith
- Obedience in Finances
- Plans, Purposes, and Pursuits
- Prayer Secrets
- Praying to Get Results
- Prevailing Prayer to Peace
- Redeemed from Poverty, Sickness, and Spiritual Death
- Right and Wrong Thinking
- Seven Steps for Judging Prophecy
- Seven Things You Should Know about Divine Healing
- Seven Vital Steps to Receiving the Holy Spirit
- The Art of Prayer
- The Believer’s Authority
- The Gift of Prophecy
- The Holy Spirit and His Gifts
- The Human Spirit
- The Interceding Christian
- The Key to Scriptural Healing
- The Midas Touch: A Balanced Approach to Biblical Prosperity
- The Ministry Gifts (Study Guide)
- The Name of Jesus
- The New Birth
- The Present-Day Ministry of Jesus Christ
- The Real Faith
- The Threefold Nature of Man
- The Triumphant Church: Dominion over all the Powers of Darkness
- The Women Question
- Three Big Words
- Turning Hopeless Situations Around
- Understanding How to Fight the Good Fight of Faith
- Understanding the Anointing
- Welcome to God’s Family: A Foundational Guide for Spirit-Filled Living
- What Faith Is?
- What to Do When Faith Seems Weak and Victory Lost?
- Zoe: The God-Kind of Life
Kenneth E. Hagin Death & Passing Away
The passing of Kenneth E. Hagin, a beloved figure in the Christian community, occurred under unexpected circumstances.
According to a news release from his ministry, Hagin retired to bed on Saturday, September 13, feeling well and without any apparent health concerns.
However, on the following Sunday morning, he sat at the breakfast table and exchanged a smile with his wife, Oretha.
Shortly after, he let out a moan and lowered his head to his chest. It was at this moment, at the age of 86, that Kenneth E. Hagin passed away on September 19, 2003.
His departure left behind a legacy that continues to impact countless lives through his teachings and writings.
