Bernie L. Wade
Encyclopedia
Bernie L. Wade, born on June 29, 1963 in Lakewood, Ohio
, is an American minister, entrepreneur, and author. He has served in a variety of roles including Senior Pastor and Chief Operations Officer of the Christian Brotherhood (a 28,000 family parachurch ministry with multiple divisions). He also served as President of CWN (Christian World Network), and Vice-President of Spread the Spirit of Love.
He is currently the Presiding Bishop
of the International Circle of Faith
(ICOF), a group of non-denominational Evangelical
, apostolic
, Pentecostal, Christian ministers, churches and parachurch ministries. They were organized in Cleveland, Ohio
and are currently headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The International Circle of Faith traces its beginning to the Azusa Street movement or revival (circa 1906) through the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ
. Other aspects of his ministry include the ICOF Colleges and Seminaries - a network of Christian bible colleges, Christian Leadership Roundtable - a group of Christian leaders, and Children of Azusa Street - a network for persons who trace their church history to the Azusa Street movement.
Privy Council
, for his paternal ancestor (See also: Armagil Waad
) and Scottish immigrants of the Clan Macpherson
for his maternal ancestors. The Wades are an ancient Yorkshire
family. The MacPhersons hail from Badenoch
.
The Wade family served in various capacities to both King Henry VIII
and Queen Elizabeth I The most famous Wade was Armagil Wade who historians call the "English Columbus". The Wades came to America before the American Revolution
and settled in Virginia
. They were shareholders in the Virginia Colony. Bernie Wade is a descendant of the Wade family of Virginia whose family offered such valiant sons of the American Revolution as Captain Edmond Wade who fell with his commander, General Montgomery
, at the siege of Quebec.
Bernie Wade is the eldest of five children born to Bishop Sanford Wade and Georgia Gillespie-Wade. After high school Wade managed for Pepsico
in their restaurant division while working on continuing his education. In 1985 he married Daisy R. Kotouch with whom he has two children, Bernie II and Rebecca.
from Evangelical Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas
, ICOF Colleges and Universities - Washington, D.C. and Global Evangelical Christian College in Montgomery, Alabama
. Wade serves as Chancellor of the network of colleges and seminaries known as ICOF Colleges and Seminaries. Wade holds doctorates in theology, divinity, Christian education, non-profit management and pastoral counseling. He also serves as advisor to other Christian education institutions and organizations including serving as International advisor to Global Evangelical Accrediting Association. He serves as adjunct faculty and board member to Global Evangelical Christian College. Wade attended elementary school at Verda Brobst in Cleveland, Ohio. His middle school was Francis M. Grass in West St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tennessee (1981).
(March 2004) under the Presidency of George W. Bush
. "In late March, at a less publicized gathering, the National Security Council's Near East and North African Affairs director, Elliott Abrams
, and other Bush administration officials met for two hours with members of The Apostolic Congress, a politically powerful group of Christian fundamentalists, to reassure them that the administration's support for Israel was unwavering." The Apostolic Congress is made up of the heads of oneness
pentecostal (sometimes called Apostolic
) organizations and their key leaders. Dr. Bernie L. Wade is considered one of these as the Presiding Bishop of the International Circle of Faith. Although the ICOF Statement of Faith makes no claim to be oneness. Also in the meeting were representatives of Bishop Norman Wagner (PAW
), Reverend Kenneth Haney (UPCI
) and others who lead Apostolic organizations. Apostolic
Coalition is a pro-Israel conservative messianic political action committee.
Wade is also aligned with conservative evangelical
groups such as the National Religious Broadcasters
(NRB) His office would neither confirm or deny his participation in high level conversations between the White House
and the NRB but the NRB admits that there were talks that included NRB members and key White House officials.
and ACORN
started out with similar ideology but quickly became aligned with a particular cause, side or movement. In recent years, promoters of the "Road map for peace
" have sought the endorsement of the leadership of the ICOF.
Wade's endorsement, or the endorsement of his group (ICOF) has been sought by other national candidates in the USA and abroad, including Hillary Clinton and Mike Huckabee
for the 2008 Presidential primaries. The official policy of ICOF, who Wade represents, has been not to take political sides or to offer endorsements, but some officials of the ICOF, including Dr. Cindye Coates and Dr. Frank T. Bozeman (Bishop of Education) have openly endorsed candidates. Dr. Coates served on the Mike Huckabee campaign Republican
and Dr. Bozeman endorsed his friend Hillary Clinton Democratic Party
Presidential primaries.
Also there is a concerted effort to encourage Republican Sarah Palin
to seek the Presidential nomination.
He was formerly the Senior Pastor of Barberton Rescue Mission's The Chapel on Taylor Road, and Senior Pastor of Church in the Warehouse ( Cleveland, Ohio ). He also served as Secretary and past President of Victory Foundation, Vice-President of Marketing for CBN (Christian Brotherhood Newsletter), COO of the Barberton Rescue Mission, CEO of Christian World Network (CWN), and Executive Vice President of Spread the Spirit of Love.
Lakewood, Ohio
Lakewood is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Greater Cleveland Metropolitan Area, and borders the city of Cleveland. The population was 52,131 at the 2010 making it the third largest city in Cuyahoga County, behind Cleveland and Parma .Lakewood, one of Cleveland's...
, is an American minister, entrepreneur, and author. He has served in a variety of roles including Senior Pastor and Chief Operations Officer of the Christian Brotherhood (a 28,000 family parachurch ministry with multiple divisions). He also served as President of CWN (Christian World Network), and Vice-President of Spread the Spirit of Love.
He is currently the Presiding Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the International Circle of Faith
International Circle of Faith
International Circle of Faith is a Christian grouping, which is active in different countries including Nigeria. It is partly pentecostal. Its presiding bishop and founder is Bernie L. Wade. Its headquarters are in Louisville, Kentucky, United States...
(ICOF), a group of non-denominational Evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
, apostolic
Oneness Pentecostalism
Oneness Pentecostalism refers to a grouping of denominations and believers within Pentecostal Christianity, all of whom subscribe to the nontrinitarian theological doctrine of Oneness...
, Pentecostal, Christian ministers, churches and parachurch ministries. They were organized in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
and are currently headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The International Circle of Faith traces its beginning to the Azusa Street movement or revival (circa 1906) through the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ
Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ
The Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ is an independent association of Pentecostal Churches, primarily located in the United States. Like many Pentecostal groups, they trace their modern history to the Azusa Street Revival of 1906. Historically they have had members across the USA and in...
. Other aspects of his ministry include the ICOF Colleges and Seminaries - a network of Christian bible colleges, Christian Leadership Roundtable - a group of Christian leaders, and Children of Azusa Street - a network for persons who trace their church history to the Azusa Street movement.
Family history
Wade has Sir William Wade (Waad), a member of Queen Elizabeth's IElizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
, for his paternal ancestor (See also: Armagil Waad
Armagil Waad
Armagil Waad was a chief clerk of the Privy Council, servant of government and an English parliamentarian.-Early life:...
) and Scottish immigrants of the Clan Macpherson
Clan Macpherson
Clan Macpherson is a Highland Scottish clan from Badenoch, on the River Spey. It is a leading member of the Chattan Confederation.-Origins:...
for his maternal ancestors. The Wades are an ancient Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
family. The MacPhersons hail from Badenoch
Badenoch
Badenoch is a traditional district which today forms part of Badenoch and Strathspey, an area of Highland Council, in Scotland, bounded on the north by the Monadhliath Mountains, on the east by the Cairngorms and Braemar, on the south by Atholl and the Grampians, and on the west by Lochaber...
.
The Wade family served in various capacities to both King Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
and Queen Elizabeth I The most famous Wade was Armagil Wade who historians call the "English Columbus". The Wades came to America before the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
and settled in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. They were shareholders in the Virginia Colony. Bernie Wade is a descendant of the Wade family of Virginia whose family offered such valiant sons of the American Revolution as Captain Edmond Wade who fell with his commander, General Montgomery
Richard Montgomery
Richard Montgomery was an Irish-born soldier who first served in the British Army. He later became a brigadier-general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and he is most famous for leading the failed 1775 invasion of Canada.Montgomery was born and raised in Ireland...
, at the siege of Quebec.
Bernie Wade is the eldest of five children born to Bishop Sanford Wade and Georgia Gillespie-Wade. After high school Wade managed for Pepsico
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
in their restaurant division while working on continuing his education. In 1985 he married Daisy R. Kotouch with whom he has two children, Bernie II and Rebecca.
Education
Wade's educational accomplishments include PhDsDoctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from Evangelical Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, ICOF Colleges and Universities - Washington, D.C. and Global Evangelical Christian College in Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
. Wade serves as Chancellor of the network of colleges and seminaries known as ICOF Colleges and Seminaries. Wade holds doctorates in theology, divinity, Christian education, non-profit management and pastoral counseling. He also serves as advisor to other Christian education institutions and organizations including serving as International advisor to Global Evangelical Accrediting Association. He serves as adjunct faculty and board member to Global Evangelical Christian College. Wade attended elementary school at Verda Brobst in Cleveland, Ohio. His middle school was Francis M. Grass in West St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tennessee (1981).
Politics
In recent years, Bernie L. Wade has been a guest at the White HouseWhite House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
(March 2004) under the Presidency of George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. "In late March, at a less publicized gathering, the National Security Council's Near East and North African Affairs director, Elliott Abrams
Elliott Abrams
Elliott Abrams is an American attorney and neoconservative policy analyst who served in foreign policy positions for two Republican U.S. Presidents, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. While serving for Reagan and in the State Department, Abrams, Paul Wolfowitz, and retired U.S. Marine Corps officer...
, and other Bush administration officials met for two hours with members of The Apostolic Congress, a politically powerful group of Christian fundamentalists, to reassure them that the administration's support for Israel was unwavering." The Apostolic Congress is made up of the heads of oneness
Oneness
Oneness may refer to:* Divine simplicity, the belief that God is without parts* Oneness , a 1979 rock album* Oneness , a mathematical concept* Oneness , a concept in philosophy...
pentecostal (sometimes called Apostolic
Oneness Pentecostalism
Oneness Pentecostalism refers to a grouping of denominations and believers within Pentecostal Christianity, all of whom subscribe to the nontrinitarian theological doctrine of Oneness...
) organizations and their key leaders. Dr. Bernie L. Wade is considered one of these as the Presiding Bishop of the International Circle of Faith. Although the ICOF Statement of Faith makes no claim to be oneness. Also in the meeting were representatives of Bishop Norman Wagner (PAW
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World is a Pentecostal Christian denomination. Founded in 1914, it is one of the oldest Oneness Pentecostal organizations in existence. Headquarters are in Indianapolis, Indiana, and The Christian Outlook is the church's official publication...
), Reverend Kenneth Haney (UPCI
United Pentecostal Church International
The United Pentecostal Church International is a Pentecostal Christian denomination, headquartered in the St. Louis suburb of Hazelwood, Missouri. It is a part of the Oneness or "Apostolic" portion of the Pentecostal Movement, and was formed in 1945 by a merger of the former Pentecostal Church,...
) and others who lead Apostolic organizations. Apostolic
Oneness Pentecostalism
Oneness Pentecostalism refers to a grouping of denominations and believers within Pentecostal Christianity, all of whom subscribe to the nontrinitarian theological doctrine of Oneness...
Coalition is a pro-Israel conservative messianic political action committee.
Wade is also aligned with conservative evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
groups such as the National Religious Broadcasters
National Religious Broadcasters
National Religious Broadcasters is an American organization that represents Christian religious broadcasters on American television and radio, including several high-profile televangelists and Christian radio show hosts. It claims a membership of more than 1700 organizations...
(NRB) His office would neither confirm or deny his participation in high level conversations between the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
and the NRB but the NRB admits that there were talks that included NRB members and key White House officials.
Endorsement
ICOF claims that they are politically neutral and offer no endorsements. Other groups such as Moral MajorityMoral Majority
The Moral Majority was a political organization of the United States which had an agenda of evangelical Christian-oriented political lobbying...
and ACORN
Acorn
The acorn, or oak nut, is the nut of the oaks and their close relatives . It usually contains a single seed , enclosed in a tough, leathery shell, and borne in a cup-shaped cupule. Acorns vary from 1–6 cm long and 0.8–4 cm broad...
started out with similar ideology but quickly became aligned with a particular cause, side or movement. In recent years, promoters of the "Road map for peace
Road map for peace
The roadmap for peace or "road map" for peace is a plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict proposed by a "quartet" of international entities: the United States, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations. The principles of the plan, originally drafted by U.S. Foreign Service...
" have sought the endorsement of the leadership of the ICOF.
Wade's endorsement, or the endorsement of his group (ICOF) has been sought by other national candidates in the USA and abroad, including Hillary Clinton and Mike Huckabee
Mike Huckabee
Michael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...
for the 2008 Presidential primaries. The official policy of ICOF, who Wade represents, has been not to take political sides or to offer endorsements, but some officials of the ICOF, including Dr. Cindye Coates and Dr. Frank T. Bozeman (Bishop of Education) have openly endorsed candidates. Dr. Coates served on the Mike Huckabee campaign Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and Dr. Bozeman endorsed his friend Hillary Clinton Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Presidential primaries.
Also there is a concerted effort to encourage Republican Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
to seek the Presidential nomination.
Early ministry
In 1982, Wade began fulfilling his call to the ministry as a youth minister for Apostolic Faith Church of God headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Wade first served at the Columbia Station location, then in St. Paul Minnesota and Cleveland Ohio. Apostolic Faith Church of God was founded in 1932 by Bishop Ray O. Cornell (founding Bishop of the PAJC). Wade served in a number of positions with the church including assistant pastor, principal of the church school and pastor.Bishop
International Circle of Faith (ICOF) is a 21st century movement. This global, multiracial, multi-cultural, nondenominational fellowship has some 40,000 ministers. They also have a network of over 100 bible colleges, universities and seminaries under International Circle of Faith Colleges and Seminaries. Today ICOF has a presence in over 100 countries and key leadership in over 50 countries. He serves on a variety of other charitable and Christian organizations including the Victory foundation, Apostolic Congress, ICOF TV, Apostolic Archives, Apostolic Historians Association.Books
- Baptism According to Matthew 28:19
- Is Christmas Christian?
- Does God Have a Name?
- Frankenstein Church
- I was the Ugly Duckling
Apostle
Wade is part of a growing group of leaders recognized by groups such as the ICA (International Coalition of Apostles) as emergent, Pentecostals and charismatics called Apostles. “An apostle is a Christian leader gifted, taught, and commissioned by God with the authority to establish the foundational government of the church within an assigned sphere of ministry by hearing what the Spirit is saying to the churches and by setting things in order accordingly for the extension of the kingdom of God."He was formerly the Senior Pastor of Barberton Rescue Mission's The Chapel on Taylor Road, and Senior Pastor of Church in the Warehouse ( Cleveland, Ohio ). He also served as Secretary and past President of Victory Foundation, Vice-President of Marketing for CBN (Christian Brotherhood Newsletter), COO of the Barberton Rescue Mission, CEO of Christian World Network (CWN), and Executive Vice President of Spread the Spirit of Love.