October, 2015 2

After graduating from San Pedro High School in California 1962, Rick McKnight made his living singing in night clubs in Southern California for 3 1/2 years. He married his boyhood sweetheart Bonnie Webb in 1964. On the verge of divorce (night club life!) with little or no hope for reconciliation, the Lord's mercy intervened (after much prayer on his part) and the two were reunited. In 1968 the young Rick and Bonnie and their first child Kara moved to Tulsa Okla. Rick calls it "Blind Guidance"! He was saved as a boy, but knew very little about the Lord.

They were Southern Baptist at the time. In 1970 Rick attended a home bible study in Sand Springs, Ok where he received the Baptism in the Holy Ghost! Rick knew he was called to the ministry and he began preaching in 1970. A few months later they began attending some of Kenneth Hagin's meetings at Sheridan Road Assembly of God church. Rick, in a group called the H.I.S. trio, was invited to sing at a F.G.B.M.F.I. meeting with Bro. Kenneth E. Hagin being the Guest Speaker. (More blind Guidance!) Rick attended and graduated from RHEMA Bible training center in 1975. (The Charter Class) At that time the McKnight family (4 kids-Kara, Richard Jr., Tanya, and Johnny-Wayne) moved to Inola, Oklahoma. Rick went on the road as an Evangelist. (He was financially destitute!) Kenneth Hagin called him and asked him to sing and speak at Campmeeting in Tulsa. Things began to open up, doors began to open. (The yearly income quadrupled!) Rick's mission and vision was simple, and still is! Isaiah 61:1-3 pretty much tells it all. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, and to comfort all that mourn: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the Spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified ." This has always been Rick’s vision and calling. He prays this before every meeting from the pulpit. Rick pioneered and pastored a church in Peterborough, Ontario Canada for 4 years. (Which is still growing and prospering) He is beginning his 45th year of full-time ministry. He gives God all the Glory for everything that has been done in his life and Ministry. www.rickmcknightministries.com