About Us
Agape Faith Bible Training Center
HISTORY:
(AFBTC) was founded in 1989, with just 5 students, inside the home of Dr. (Pastor, Rev.) Joseph Rodriguez, Sr. and the late Olivia Rodriguez in Saginaw, Michigan.
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The school started off as a two year program for approximately 6 years, but under the direction of God, Pastor Joseph was instructed to add another year to the program. AFBTC is now a Three Year College where students can earn their Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies.
Although the school continued to grow, Rev. Joseph and First Lady Eva still believed God for the school to become accredited. After years of believing and not giving up, their desire came to pass, and in 2018 AFBTC became a fully accredited school under the leadership of Transworld Accreditation.
Also, to better accommodate our students at AFBTC, in September 2019 we launched our online bible school to go alongside our campus classes. Our on campus classes are currently being held at Agape Faith Fellowship, our home church, located at 8121 Dixie Hwy., Birch Run Michigan.
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WHAT TO EXPECT:
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AFBTC provides a well-rounded and carefully selected group of courses geared to build up the Body of Christ, whether laity or clergy or further your education in other fields. It is the intent of AFBTC to teach Bible principles for SUCCESSFUL Christian living.
AFBTC is A FULLY ACCREDITED three-year program; Under the leadership and accreditation from Transworld Accrediting Commission International. Our main purpose is for personal growth and maturity in your Christian walk; for developing men and women of INTEGRITY.
Our program is simple, yet effective.
Expect your life to change!
This program is designed:
- To help you learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit
- To learn the importance of the “Gifts” of the Holy Spirit
- To understand the “Anointing” and how to flow with it
- To learn how to love people and walk in obedience to the Word
-To learn the meaning of faithfulness to God and to the church
-To help build leaders
-To learn to work harmoniously with your Pastor and staff
-To come to know your Pastor and his family
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The objective of AGAPE FAITH BIBLE TRAINING CENTER is to “Remind the people of these facts, and solemnly charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good, but upsets and undermines the faith of hear-ers. Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing - rightly handling and skillfully teaching - the Word of Truth.”
II Timothy 2:14-15 Amplified
ABOUT THE FOUNDER/INSTRUCTORS
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Dr. Pastor (Rev.) Joseph Rodriguez & First Lady Eva T. Rodriguez
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Dr. Pastor (Rev.) Joseph Rodriguez, Sr., is the founder of Agape Faith Bible Training Center. Pastor Rodriguez is a 1983 graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he had the privilege of being under the leadership ship of the late Kenneth E. Hagin which is also his spiritual father. Upon graduation Pastor. Rodriguez continued his stay in Tulsa and joined under the leadership of the late Dr. Doyle (Buddy) Harrison who was also considered as Pastor Rodriguez’s spiritual pastor, leader, and mentor.
In 1984 Pastor Rodriguez and his first wife, the late Olivia Rodriguez, returned back to Michigan to pioneer the church in 1983, Agape Faith Fellowship, where he still resides as Senior Pastor. He and his first wife, the late Olivia Rodriguez, began Agape Faith Bible School in their home in the year of 1989 with only 5 students. His first graduating class was in 1991. When this school was started it was a very trying time in his life, his first wife’s body was attacked with cancer and God spoke to him to start a bible school in the midst of this trial. Of course he did not immediately obey but God would not let go and constantly reminded him “What about the Bible school?” So in obedience he began to get the curriculum together and AFBTC was started and has been going strong since. His first wife went to heaven in 1991 but he continue with the vision God put on his heart, “to teach godly principles, for godly living” to our students. Over 1000 students have graduated coming from many different background and cultures. Young and old traveling over 500 ratios to attend AFBTC.
In the year of 1998 Pastor Rodriguez remarried, First Lady Eva Rodriguez. First Lady Eva is the administrator/director of the school also an instructor and has been working alongside him since their marriage.
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Pastor Joseph & First Lady Eva continued their education to obtain their Masters & Doctorate Degrees. Rev. Joseph obtained a Doctorate Degree of Theology from Minnesota under the leader of Dr. O’Donnell in the year of 2006; in the year of 2008 he was honor with an honorary Doctorate Degree of Divinity from Saint Thomas Christian College under the leadership of Dr. Z. Gulsum. First Lady Eva obtained her Master Degree of Biblical Studies from Minnesota under the leadership of Dr. Jerry O'Donnell Maranatha School of Theology in the year of 2006.
First Lady Eva is the founder of a ministry called “Kings & Queens” which she holds monthly meeting at their church for both men & women of all ages. She also mentors women of all ages in a 12-month program in which she ministers practical living principles for everyday living entitled “Leading Ladies.”
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Pastor Joseph & First Lady Eva have traveled to many countries to minister the word of God in bible school - Argentine, Brazil, Praga, Spain, Italy, Greece, Czech, Russia, New Mexico, plus various cities in the USA. Rev. Joseph is a spiritual father to many pastor and mentor as well. He and she are well respected by their peers and are known throughout the community as a man & woman of integrity. They both bring the word of God in its simplest form to the body of Christ.
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