Bernie L. Wade

Bernie L. Wade, born on June 29, 1963 in Lakewood, Ohio, is an American minister and author. 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, DC. The International Circle of Faith - ICOF traces its beginning to the Azusa Steet movement or revival (circa 1906) through the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ.

Family History

Wade has Sir William Wade (Waad), a member of Queen Elizabeth's privy counsel, for his paternal ancestor [ http://www.hullhome.com/wade.genealogy.htm ] (Also See: Armagil Waad) and Scottish imigrants of the Clan Macpherson for his maternal ancestors. The Wade's are an ancient Yorkshire family. [ http://www.hullhome.com/wade.genealogy.htm ] The MacPherson's hail from Badenoch.

The Wades came to America before the American Revolution and settled in Virginia. They were shareholders in the Virginia Colony. [ http://www.hullhome.com/wade.genealogy.htm ] [ http://www.houseofnames.com/xq/asp.c/qx/McPherson-coat-arms.htm ] [ http://kjgillespie.com/MacPherson.html ] Bernie Wade is a descendant of the Wade family of Virginia whose family served in various capacities to both King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth [ http://www.hullhome.com/wade.genealogy.htm ] and who offered such valiant sons of the American revolution as Captain Edmond Wade who fell with his commander, General Montgomery, at the seige of Quebec. [ Elizabeth, Grace and Rachel Martin. Daughters of the American Revolution. http://www.americanrevolution.org/women/women24.html ]

Wade is the eldest of five children born to Bishop Sanford Wade and Georgia Gillespie -Wade. 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). 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.

Education

Wade's educational accomplishments include PhDs from Evangelical Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, ICOF Colleges and Universities - Washington, DC and Global Evangelical Christian College in Montgomery, Alabama [ GECC. Dr. Frank T. Bozeman. http://www.globaleac.org/board.html ] [ Global Evangelical Christian College and Seminary. Commencement Exercises program. Page 4. Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Sunday May 20, 2007. Wetumpka, Alabama. ] . Wade serves as Chancellor of the network of colleges and seminaries known as ICOF Colleges and Seminaries [ [http://icofcm.com/college/HTML_blank/Faculty.htm Faculty of ICOF Colleges and Seminaries] ] .

Dr. Wade holds doctorates in theology, divinity, Christian education, non-profit management and pastoral counseling [ http://www.apostolicarchives.com/page/page/5857685.htm ] . He also serves as advisor to other Christian education institutions and organizations including serving as International advisor to Global Evangelical Accrediting Association. [ http://www.globaleac.org/board.html ] He serves as adjunct faculty and board member to Global Evangelical Christian College. [ http://www.globaleac.org ] [ Global Evangelical Christian College and Seminary. Commencement Exercises program. Page 4. Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Sunday May 20, 2007. Wetumpka, Alabama. ] He serves on a variety of other charitable and Christian organizations including the Victory foundation, Apostolic Congress, ICOF TV, Yeshuavision (Europe).

Politics

In recent years, Bernie L. Wade has been a guest at the White House (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." [ Christian Zionists, Jews & Bush's Reelection Strategy June 3, 2004 Bill Berkowitz / WorkingForChange ]

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 even though the ICOF Statement of Faith makes no claim to be oneness [ ICOF Statement of Faith. ICOF Colleges and Seminaries Handbook. Pg. 17. Copyrite 2002. ] . Also in the meeting were representatives of Bishop Norman Wagner (PAW), [ http://www.apostoliccongress.com/photo.html ] Reverend Kenneth Haney (UPCI) and others who lead Apostolic organizations. [ http://www.apostoliccongress.com/photo.html] [ Apostolic Leaders Given Exclusive White House Briefing. Robert W. Martin April 12, 2004. Apostolic ministers from throughout the nation and from various Oneness organizations were called to Washington, D.C. for an important briefing on President George W. Bush’s domestic and foreign policy agenda on March 25, 2004 in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Robert Upton, Executive Director of the Apostolic Congress, organized the briefing. Several members of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ (ALJC), United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI), and other Oneness organizations were present, including the Assistant General Superintendent for the ALJC and Randy Keyes (Assistant General Superintendent for the UPCI). Approximately 30 people were in attendance.] [ http://www.envirosagainstwar.org/edit/index.php?op=view&itemid=1497 ] [ Aposotlic Congress. Rev. Robert G. Upton. Memorandum. July 17, 2004. ] [ http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/white-house-told-to-detail-christian-leader-visits/ ] , and aligned with conservative evangelical groups such as the National Religious Broadcasters [ While Wade was not specifically named in this article he was on the NRB membership list and invited to participate in the conferenced call with Tim Goeglin, special assistant to the president and deputy director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-94639704.html ] [ http://www.adherents.com/people/pm/Harriet_Miers.html ] [ http://www.adherents.com/people/pm/Harriet_Miers.html ] Apostolic Coalition is a pro-Israel conservative messianic political action committee [ http://www.apostoliccongress.com/ ] .

In recent years, promoters of the "Road map for peace" have sought the endorsement of the leadership of the ICOF [ [http://www.conservapedia.com/ICOF Conservapedia article on ICOF] ] .

His endorsement, or the endorsement of his group (ICOF) has been sought by other national candidates in the USA and abroad, including Hillary R. Clinton [ Dr. Frank T. Bozeman, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Wetumpka, Alabama ] and Mike Huckabee [ Perspectives. July, 6, 2008. Volume 16. Issue 34. "Dr. Cindye Coates who represents the camp of Republican Mike Huckabee has requested the endorsement of Dr. Bernie Wade and cited the recent endorsement of Dr. Wade's friend, Actor Church Norris, as additional incentive for endorsement. However, in keeping with the policy of the ICOF to remain neutral in areas of political endorsement, Dr. Wade continues not to endorse either personally, or on behalf of the ICOF." ] 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 [ http://mikehuckabee.meetup.com/228/members/4247836/ ] and Dr. Frank T. Bozeman (Bishop of Education) have openly endorsed candidates Mike Huckabee and Hillary Clinton in the 2008 United States Democratic Presidential Primaries. [ Perspectives. April 20, 2008. Official organ of the International Circle of Faith - ICOF. ]

Early ministry

In 1982, Wade began fulfilling his call to the ministry as a youth minister for Apostolic Faith Church of God (Cleveland, OH). Apostolic Faith Church of God was founded in 1932 by Bishop Ray O. Cornell (founding Bishop of the PAJC) [ http://www.pajc.org/ ] . He then 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 [ Association of Christian Universities (ACU) Washington, DC ] . Today ICOF has a presence in over 100 countries and key leadership in over 50 countries [ http://www.icof.net ] .

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 as emergentby whom?, Pentecostals and charismatics called Apostles. [ http://www.apostolicparadigms.com/Early/AposDimen/aposdimen.html ] 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 [ http://www.newdestinytreatmentcenter.org/history_mission/history_mission.html The New Destiny Treatment Center is a ministry of the Barberton Rescue Mission (BRM). The BRM started in 1961 as a home for alcoholics and homeless persons to receive food, clothing, shelter, and hope. In 1993, the BRM began a drug and alcohol treatment program, which became state-certified in 1995. This program continues today as the New Destiny Treatment Center. The center is a 65-bed facility in Clinton, Ohio. It provides nine months of inpatient residential treatment. ] , CEO of Christian World Network (CWN) [ http://www.cwnnet.org/ ] , and Executive Vice President of Spread the Spirit of Love.

References

External links

* [http://www.icof.net/drwadebio.html Wade's biography on the ICOF website]
* [http://www.icofcm.com/network/id28.html Wade as Bishop of ICOF]
* [http://www.dcdivinityschool.net/colleges/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=83 Wade on the Faculty of the ICOF Colleges and Seminaries]