About Us

“It is written, man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Our History

Bishop Rick spent many years in church planting, pastoring churches, and traveling to nations of the world fulfilling ministry opportunities in helping local pastors grow and develop leaders and churches.

In 1996, while in Seoul, Korea, Bishop had the opportunity to attend a prayer service on Prayer Mountain and later met with Dr. David Yonggi Cho who laid hands upon him and prayed an anointed prayer over him. Out of this experience, Proceeding Word Ministries, International … a dynamic and anointed ministry with an Apostolic call and vision, whose purpose is to enhance and encourage the body of Christ at large … was birthed. Prayer was monumental in the conception and birthing of this ministry, and it continues to be a major factor contributing to the ongoing success of Proceeding Word Ministries, International.

A rhema word from the scriptures to Bishop Rick during his revelatory experience serves as its foundation:

“It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Upon returning to the United States from Korea, Bishop Rick initiated the process of incorporating Proceeding Word Ministries International. The ministry was fully incorporated in September 1996. Since that time the focus of Proceeding Word has been convening, connecting, and commissioning ministers, Christian leaders and workers, for the purpose of joining together the body of Christ, seeking God’s strategy for life, marriage, family, church, and missions, while in pursuing to unlock the destiny of a generation.

Our Leadership

Bishop Rick Callahan

Founder & President, PWMI

Apostle Rick Callahan and Dr. Phyllis Callahan reside in Orlando, Florida, headquarters for Proceeding Word Ministries, International. Under a mandate from God, Bishop Rick, Dr. Phyllis, and their two sons left their home in North Carolina and moved to Vermont in 1982, where Bishop served as Senior Pastor of Maranatha Christian Church from 1982–2009. He now serves as Bishop Emeritus for the Maranatha Ministerial Fellowship, traveling and ministering extensively both nationally and internationally.

Dr. Phyllis Callahan

Co-Founder, Conference Speaker & Bible Teacher

Dr. Phyllis has served for many years as Secretary of Maranatha Ministerial Fellowship International. Motivated by her passion for God’s Word and helping others study it, Phyllis earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Christian Life School of Theology. She now travels both internationally and domestically ministering with her husband as a conference speaker and Bible teacher.

Dr. David Foxworth

Board member, PWMI, Bible Teacher, and Author

Dr. David Foxworth is an anointed Bible teacher and author. He earned a Ph.D. in Renewal Studies from Regent University in 2011. His lifelong passion has been the study of revival movements in history. He and his wife, Patricia, founded Lighthouse Christian Church in Montpelier, Vermont where he served as Senior Pastor for 15 years. He currently oversees Burning Heart Ministries to teach the history, principles, and preparation for genuine revival. He is the author of Fire in the Green Mountains: A History of Evangelical Revival in Vermont in the Nineteenth Century, and Raymond T. Richey: The Full Life of a Pioneer Healing Evangelist. David’s wife, Patricia, is a dynamic and powerful intercessory prayer warrior. They currently reside in Rock Hill, SC.

What We Believe

The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative instruction in righteousness, equipping man for every good work. (2 Timothy: 3:16)

The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. Before Him there was no God formed. He is exclusive, and His nature is eternal. (Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29)

Christ taught a distinction of Persons in the Godhead which He spoke about in specific terms of relationship … Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matt. 11:25-27; 28:19; 1 John 1:3-4; 2 Cor. 13:14)

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The title, “Lord Jesus Christ,” is a proper name that belongs solely to the Son of God. (Romans 1:1-3, 7; 2 John 3)

His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His substitutionary work on the cross, His bodily resurrection from the dead, and His exaltation to the right hand of God. (Matt. 1:23; Heb. 7:26; Acts 2:22; 1 Cor. 15:3; Matt. 28:6; Acts 1:9, 2:33; Phil. 2:9-11)

Man was created good and upright; for God said, “Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness.” However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby caused not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from God. (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:1-19)

Man’s only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:13-14; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7)

Salvation and new birth in the Scriptures represent a spiritual transformation (regeneration) performed by the Holy Spirit, not by human effort. It is essential for entering God’s Kingdom, brought about by faith in Jesus Christ, and results in a new creation. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life. (John 3:3-5; 2 Cor. 5:17; Romans 10:9; Acts 4:12)

Evidences of a person’s salvation, or being “born again,” are rooted in a transformed life that produces spiritual fruit, which includes a love for God’s Word, obedience to His commands, love for other Christians, and a decreased desire to sin. The inward evidence includes the witness of the Holy Spirit, while outward signs are righteousness and service. (2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Jn. 2:3-4; 1 Jn. 3:14; 1 Pet. 2:2; Rom. 8:16; Gal. 5:22-23)

Those who are baptized declare that they have died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Scripture emphasizes baptism as a crucial step of obedience, repentance, and identification with Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38; Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:3-4; Mark 1:4)

Holy Communion consists of the elements —bread and the fruit of the vine— the symbols expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ, His blood of the covenant. A memorial of his suffering and death and a prophecy of His second coming and is enjoined on all believers “till He come!” Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19-20)

Paul explains the tradition, stating that communion proclaims the Lord’s death “until He comes.” (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

All believers are entitled to and should expect and sincerely seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, prophesied by John the Baptist, distinguishes Jesus’ ministry from repentance (water baptism) by offering spiritual empowerment and purification. (Matt. 3:11)

This was the normal experience of converts in the early Christian Church. With this baptism and fire comes the enduement of power for life and service, and the bestowing of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry. The gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. (1 Cor. 12:4-11)

The baptism of believers in the Holy Spirit is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6)

Sanctification is an act of separation from sin at salvation, a progressive transformation into the likeness of Christ through the Holy Spirit’s work. Sanctification is a lifelong process. (1 Cor. 6:11; Phil. 2:12-13)

The Church is the Body of Christ, the habitation of God through the Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer, born of the Spirit, is an integral part of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Scriptures on the Church and its mission focus on proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, and building up believers. (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Eph. 4:11-16; James 1:27; Matt. 16:18)

The purpose of a divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry is to proclaim the gospel to the world, to glorify God, build up the Church, and expand Christ’s Kingdom through love, compassion, and discipleship.

Scripture teaches that the Second Coming of Christ will be a literal, visible, and glorious event, where Jesus returns to earth to judge the world, defeat evil, and establish His Kingdom. Every person will see Him arrive in the clouds with power, and it is a time for believers to anticipate with hope rather than fear. (1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:30-31; Acts 1:11, 2 Peter 3:10-12)

The second coming of Christ includes the rapture of the saints, which is our blessed hope, followed by the visible return of Christ with His saints to reign on earth for one thousand years. (1 Thess. 4:13-18)

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be consigned to the everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Rev. 20:11-15; Matt. 25:31-46)

Global Missions

Taking the Gospel to the nations — serving, teaching, and building His Kingdom worldwide
Dominican Republic

Dominican Advance — feeding and educating children through Christian schools

Philippines

Faith Island Mission — church planting and Bible college on Negros Island

Nigeria

Victory Church International — discipleship and equipping leaders in Aba

Spain

Church planting — 35+ years advancing the Kingdom through Pastor John Cutler

Ecuador

Newest mission field — training young pastors and promoting God’s Word

Partner With Us

In the development and expansion of any ministry, being partnered with others is essential. Very few people are “self-made” — they have had help along the way. Proceeding Word Ministries is a collective effort of many people like you, who give, who pray, and who share words of encouragement and hope.