Category: Top Pastors USA

Inspirational Faith and Revival, featuring Pastor John Collins, River Terrace Cowboy Church

Posted on by Loretta Gardner

Compiled by Kurt Sowers, Tawneeshah King, and Ellen Forsythe

Pastor John Collins, River Terrace Cowboy Church and Revival

In the small town of Chillicothe (pronounced chi – luh – KAH – thee), Illinois is a church called River Terrace Cowboy Church, led by Pastor John Collins, an evangelist known for his down to earth and no nonsense style of revival and redeeming the Gospel. He is involved with national and international media broadcasting, connected with musicians and promoters alike out of Nashville, Tennessee, has been awarded much recognition for his evangelism and style of preaching, as well as presides over multiple Christian and Evangelistic alliances and consortiums.

Why isn’t this man leading a mega church?

We have been following outstanding pastors for over ten years, and repeatedly, Pastor John Collins defines the term revival. Revival is what the United States needs, right now. Christians pray for revival, to bring church and God back to everyday life, to end the sorrow of families, individuals, children, and communities.  Speaking without regard to race, creed, color and ethnicity, Pastor John Collins declares “it’s not about race, it’s about Grace!” So why is this man in a small community church in a small town in Illinois?

We think it’s because he chooses to be there, but we also think it’s because God put him there.  Why not a small town?  Didn’t Jesus Christ Himself come from the small backwater town of Nazareth in Israel? This man, Pastor John Collins, preaches as if to large crowds, no matter where he preaches, and rightly so.  His broadcasts and YouTubes and podcasts reach across to every state, and according to one source, about 35 countries. Millions have heard him. 

Revival and redeeming the Gospel

We, the United States, have fallen so far from what God intended this country to be.  Not only is revival needed, but the people on the pulpits are preaching a thinned out Gospel.  Old Testament is forgotten, New Testament is altered and what Paul and other apostles preached against in the Bible is occurring again as it did in the days and years after Jesus was crucified. What was original is forgotten, or reworded, or even ignored as today’s preachers seek to draw attention to themselves and what they are doing, instead of the mighty saving power of salvation that was bought with the very life of Jesus Christ hanging on a tree of crucifixion having done nothing to deserve it but be obedient to His Father so that all humanity could be saved. Each and every sermon and presentation by Pastor John Collins calls for listeners to change our hearts and minds and turn toward Jesus, that the time is coming soon for God to do something unexpected and phenomenal.  Pastor John Collins not only revives faith, but he redeems and revives the very Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Our opinion is that Pastor John Collins could lead a megachurch.  He certainly has a large following from across this country and the world.  We believe he is humble, and has won the approval of God by his humility, honesty, and pure love for the Cross and it’s salvation.  We, however, hope one day soon he has the opportunity to be the best example of a pastor of a megachurch and lead revival across the United States!

US Influential Pastors, Evangelists, and Ministries of 2019-2020.

Posted on by Loretta Gardner
Loretta Gardner

The year 2020 is drawing to a close as a record-breaking and media driven year full of life changing events.  Another turbulent election year, followed by an unprecedented pandemic, people are turning back to faith and seeking guidance from those who are our spiritual experts in Christianity.

Influential Pastors, Evangelists, and Ministries:

  1. Rick Warren.  As a long-time pastor and leader of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.  Saddleback Church is noted to be the sixth largest megachurch in the United States.  Pastor Warren is recognized as an author of several books, including the Purpose Driven Life and God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions.
  2. Dr. Reverend Bernice King.  The daughter of the late Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. King began her calling to follow in her father’s footsteps of  ministry at the age of seventeen.  Dr. King was ordained as the second woman to become a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church.  She has pursued the message of non-violence that her father began, speaking during multiple occasions on non-violence, conservative moral issues of abortion and same-sex marriage. 
  3. Pastor John Collins.  Pastor and evangelist, Pastor John Collins of John Collins Ministries spreads a revival of faith across the United States.  Redeeming the gospel through sermons, revivals, and multiple syndicated and Internet radio programs, Pastor John Collins reaches to every state in the United States, and every country in the world. His unique style of saying it like it is appeals to many searching for answers and guidance in the turbulence of the world we live in.
  4. Charles (Chuck) Swindoll. An evangelical pastor, author, and educator, Charles Swindoll has  taught decades of pastors and preached to many through radio programs over the years. Located in Texas, Chuck Swindoll continues to preach and teach leaving a legacy behind him such as Grace Awakening and Insight for Living.
  5. Max Lucado. Pastor and author, Max Lucado reaches out from Oak Hills Church, San Antonio, Texas.  His stories and books have delighted children and adults alike while teaching Bible lessons in an easily understood and memorable fashion. His writings also include television shows and movies, which preach and teach memorable lessons.
  6. Franklin Graham. The son of the late Billy Graham, Franklin Graham engages in revivals-known as “festivals” around the world and political commentary.  As a conservative Protestant evangelist, he encourages people to pray and vote.  He leads Samaritan’s Purse, a world-wide humanitarian aid organization.
  7. Andy Stanley. Pastor of Northpoint Church, Georgia, Andy Stanley encourages involvement of the church in the local community. Through Northpoint Ministries, thousands of unchurched people have been brought back to involvement in church and local community.
  8. Kanye West.  An American song-writer, hip-hop artist, and fashion designer, Kanye West began “Sunday Service” as a kind of participatory concert and gathering by invitation only to bring people together to worship and praise God.  He has presented this program at churches, gatherings, and venues across the United States to give people a place to feel the love of God.
  9. Priscilla Shirer.  Author, actress, motivational speaker, and Christian evangelist, Priscilla Shirer is effective at teaching and preaching the gospel to women.  Her role in “War Room” was her debut, and books such as The Armor of God help to explain the Bible in an effectively understandable manner.  As a motivational Christian speaker, she is effective in bringing the Bible into everyday life.
  10. John MacArthur. A leading educator and syndicated pastor of Grace To You, John MacArthur has reached across decades of students.  Noted for controversial views against same-sex marriage, women as ordained pastors, and drew attention during social distancing of COVID-19.

Other Noted Influences:

You Version Bible

Created by Bobby Gruenewald and others at Life.Church (under the direction of Craig Groeschel), the You Version downloadable Bible app reaches countries around the world, is translated into multiple languages, printed in multiple versions of the Bible and provides access to the Bible at a finger touch. 

Prosperity doctrine

Prosperity preachers continue to influence thousands across the country with the message that God wants us to feel good.  Included in this list are Joel Osteen, Victoria Osteen, Paula White, TD Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Joyce Meyer, John Gray, Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker, among many others.  To leave these names off the list of influential pastors and evangelists would appear biased.  These individuals have made a name for themselves by promoting financial prosperity as the basis for faith in God.  Some began ministry with righteous intentions, but somewhere along the way strayed by the lure of financial wealth and notoriety. Prosperity theology views the Bible as a contract between God and humans: if humans have faith in God, He will deliver security and prosperity. The doctrine emphasizes the importance of personal empowerment, proposing that it is God’s will for His people to be happy.  These individuals can be seen on media of all genres and travel the country giving speaking engagements that spread the doctrine.

2017 Ten Top Ranking Influential Ministries, Pastors, Preachers and Evangelists living in the United States.

Posted on by Loretta Gardner

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After a turbulent election year and a year of increasing division in the United States, pastors, evangelists and ministers across the country are calling for a return to faith and to God.  The following individuals were chosen from an independent panel who reviewed a wide variety of ministries, evangelists, pastors, preachers, and ministers across the United States.  Some were selected as influential pastors for 2016, others are new to the list.

Billy Graham.

At age 98, Billy Graham remains the most influential preacher and evangelist of the United States.  Traveling across the country, his ministry presented Crusades that consistently taught salvation, repentance, and redemption as he preached to 1000’s in a variety of settings from 1947 to 2005. During those Crusades, more than 3.2 million people accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior.  Billy Graham preached the gospel to more people in person that anyone in the history of Christianity.

Charles Stanley.

The leader of In Touch Ministries, located in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Charles Stanley continues to spread the Word of God through a wide variety of media.  His worldwide ministry is meant to lead people to Jesus Christ and live a more godly life.

Franklin Graham.

Son of Billy Graham, Franklin Graham is the president and CEO of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse.  As an evangelist and missionary in the past year, Franklin Graham presented a clear Gospel message at each state capital, encouraging the United States to come together in unity and faith.

John Collins.

Pastor and evangelist, Pastor John Collins of Love That Cross Ministries and John Collins Ministries continues to spread a revival of faith across the United States.  Called to redeem the gospel, Pastor John Collins brings his unique style of preaching and evangelism similar to that of Billy Graham.  He reaches audiences through media and revivals in person, seeking to redeem the Gospel and bring God back into the lives who hear him.

Greg Laurie.

Senior pastor of Harvest Churches in Riverside and Irvine, California, Pastor Greg Laurie spreads the Gospel and has launched a campaign called 2017 The Year of Good News to promote a return of people to the Bible and to God.  His ministry also holds large revival-style gatherings around the country throughout the year in order to spread the word of God.

Mike Higgins.

Currently the lead pastor for South City Church, St Louis, Missouri, Dr. Higgins promotes faith, gospel, and the elimination of the division of race.  He is also the Dean of Students at Covenant Seminary.  His ministry promotes that “the Gospel brings a message of reconciliation and hope from, through and to the Almighty God who seeks to reclaim and rescue His people from every race, tribe and culture and bring them back to Him through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the real Christmas Story of God’s amazing grace in providing the gift of salvation.”

Jen Wilkin.

Jen Wilkin is a recognized speaker, writer, and teacher of women’s Bible studies. Jen and her family are members of the Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas.  Jen is a minister for women’s ministries at the Village Church.  Her practical and clear teachings reach thousands of women who dearly need a Christian mentor and example to live by in today’s world. She is worth mentioning as a Christian leader and advocate for women for 2017.

James Bryan Smith. 

James Bryan Smith is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, KS and a writer and speaker in the area of Christian spiritual formation. He is the executive director of the Apprentice Institute which provides educational experiences in the area of Christian spirituality, develops resources for individual and church renewal, and engages in research to advance the field of Christian formation.  He is the author of eight books, most notably The Apprentice Series which continue to shape the work of the Apprentice Institute.

Max Lucado.

Max Lucado is a best-selling Christian author and writer and preacher at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. He reaches across generation with his writings, from children to adults worldwide.  His message is simple-God loves you, let Him. He is able to convey the message through his storytelling. He is named one of the most influential leaders in social media by The New York Times.

Andy Stanley.

Andy Stanley founded Northpoint Ministries, a worldwide Christian organization. He and five others founded Northpoint Church which now has six campuses across the Atlanta, Georgia area.  The mission of Northpoint Ministries is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.  The methods used by Northpoint Ministries have churched thousands of unchurched people looking for Christ.

Prosperity doctrine has made an influential impact on faith in the United States.

Our panel is not placing judgement on these individuals, prosperity preachers are influencing thousands across the country.  Joel Osteen, Paula White, TD Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Joyce Meyer-are among a style of preaching known as prosperity doctrine. Based on a religious belief among some Christians, who hold that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them, and that faith, positive speech, and donations to religious causes will increase one’s material wealth. Prosperity theology views the Bible as a contract between God and humans: if humans have faith in God, he will deliver security and prosperity. The doctrine emphasizes the importance of personal empowerment, proposing that it is God’s will for his people to be happy.  These individuals can be seen on media of all genres and travel the country giving speaking engagements that spread the doctrine that has even influenced President Trump to choose Paula White as a religious advisor.

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