Long-time Partner Charles Smithwick has known Kenneth Copeland for over forty years. He’s learned about the integrity it takes to always live according to God’s Word, whether in business or ministry.
Charles Smithwick opened his own business buying and selling airplanes in the early 1980s. At the time, he knew nothing about the airplane business. However, he was blessed throughout the learning phases of making it a successful company, which he attributes to the Lord and to learning principles from the teaching of Kenneth Copeland about the Word of God, the favor of the Lord and the blessing of the Lord.
Eventually, Smithwick met Brother Copeland at an airplane auction; he was able to share that he listened to Brother Copeland’s cassettes and appreciated his teaching. A relationship formed, and since then Smithwick has learned much from Brother Copeland and about his character along the way.
Said Smithwick, “The things that I have learned from him are the same things that you hear every time he preaches: the integrity of the Word and living a life of integrity.”
Resources to help you learn about the integrity of God’s Word:
- Integrity of God’s Word Teaching
- Integrity of God’s Word Study Guide
- Honor: Walking in Honesty, Truth and Integrity – Revised and Expanded
Smithwick believes that Brother Copeland is the biggest giver that he has ever met. “I’ve been involved in quite a few of the airplanes he’s given away over the years, and my last count was around 32 [airplanes given away]. He’s just been such a tremendous blessing to me and my family and to people around us, and he’s been a pleasure to work with.”
Say What the Word of God Says
Smithwick credits Brother Copeland for teaching him about integrity. “Psalm 15:4 says the Lord honors them that fear Him and that He does not change. Brother Kenneth taught me: ‘If you say it, you do it,’” said Smithwick. “If you say you’re going to be there at three o’clock, don’t show up at 3:15; be there at 3:00!”
A few things Smithwick has learned firsthand from Brother Copeland:
- Say what the Word of God says
- Put the Word first place
- Make the Word final authority in your life
- If you miss it, repent
- Don’t run from God, run to Him.
Said Smithwick, “That has been a lesson in my life because it’s easy when you miss it to think, Well, God’s mad at me; He’s not going to forgive me this time. But that’s not the case. We have such a loving Father.”
According to Smithwick, because of the integrity he’s learned from Brother Copeland, he believes he is a lot quicker to repent now. “He is just a tremendous teacher, tremendous friend, Partner mentor and a blessing to many people around this world; I’m learning all the time, and I appreciate his ministry.”
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Six Steps to Excellence in Ministry
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