Williamsburg, Va. Pastor Who Teaches Millions to be Honored At 80th Birthday Celebration

Oct. 14, 2010 - PRLog -- HAMPTON, VA – The Williamsburg Community Chapel (WCC) and International Cooperating Ministries (ICM) invite area residents to join them in honoring Pastor Dick Woodward as he celebrates his 80th birthday Friday, October 15th beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the WCC sanctuary. Woodward is the author of a Bible study curriculum used worldwide, WCC Pastor Emeritus, and former pastor of the Virginia Beach Community Chapel. The celebration will include a time of fellowship, praise, special music and testimonials, followed by a reception immediately after the service.

The event is free and open to the public. Those wishing to participate must RSVP BY October 10, by calling 757.2247101, or by using the online form located at: http://www.wcchapel.org/birthday. Birthday wishes and letters of encouragement may also be submitted by using the online form.

In 1982 Woodward, at the peak of his career, was diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease of the spinal cord. By 1998, his illness had totally overtaken him. However, despite the enormous challenges he would face as his illness progressed, he began creating the Mini Bible College (MBC), which would later become the cornerstone of ICM’s worldwide evangelism and discipleship ministry.

MBC is currently available in 26 major languages which are spoken by more than four billion people. The curriculum consists of more than 400 individual lessons in audio and print formats. These include an entire survey of the Old and New Testaments; The Sermon on the Mount; the Gospel of John; studies covering First Corinthians, Romans, the Values of Christ, Family and Marriage; and more than 20 teachings on various aspects of Godly living. It is currently broadcast via radio in 16 languages. It is also delivered via the Internet, and via digital audio players, CDs, booklets, leadership materials and study guides.  Internationally, ICM churches use the materials for evangelism, teaching and nurturing believers in Bible study groups.

According to Janice Allen, ICM Executive Chair, Woodward has had a tremendous impact in the lives of millions of people around the world. “Dick’s impact in helping people come to faith in Jesus Christ and to grow in their faith has been incredible,” she said. “From his humble beginnings in Tidewater, God has continued to bless and multiply Dick’s outreach through the teaching materials he has created. Almost weekly, I hear of people in countries around the globe who have benefitted from the Mini Bible College.”

Woodward, who describes himself as “a poor boy from Pittsburgh,” was the middle child in a family of 12 brothers and sisters. After losing his mother at the age of 15 he became embittered, angry and rebellious. However, he said that he later learned “… what God can do with somebody who has learned that he is nobody.” A graduate of Biola University in California, Woodward also pursued graduate study at San Jose State University and Dallas Theological Seminary, and was mentored by both Ray Stedman and J. Vernon McGee.

In addition to authoring the MBC materials and pasturing two churches, Woodward has also published a book, created an audio book, and written 17 devotional and inspirational booklets. He continues to share his insights via his blog: http://4spiritualsecrets.com/, which he updates each week.

Through it all, Pastor Woodward’s passion for Christ has grown stronger. He often says, “My prayer and desire is that the Mini Bible College will get people into God’s Word, and God’s Word into people, because when it does, wonderful and miraculous things happen.”  For more information about the Mini Bible College, visit: http://www.minibiblecollege.org. For more information about ICM, visit: http://www.icm.org.

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ICM is a non-profit, trans-denominational parachurch ministry guided by God’s Word, a strong statement of faith, & the Lausanne Covenant. ICM nurtures believers & assists Church growth, transforming people, communities, & nations through Jesus Christ.