Ministry History

The testimony of God’s faithfulness to His word has been demonstrated time and time again in the ministry of Faith Life Tabernacle, International. First, Apostle Steadman P. and Barbara-Ann Reis were directed by God to leave their native land to come to United States and start a church. With little more than a vision and faith that God Himself was leading their very footsteps, the Reis’ answered the call and started a church in a storefront building in Richmond, Virginia in 1980. Through ordained steps, Faith Life Tabernacle, International moved from a storefront building to a small church. That building is now used for the ministry’s learning center and private youth academy where students are taught biblical principles along with academic studies. In 1991, the ministry moved into yet another phase of God’s abundant provision. God strategically moved the ministry into a one half million dollar facility that was built from the ground up and paid for totally debt free. Using that same steadfast determination to trust the word of God, Apostle Steadman Reis became the foreman to oversee the construction of the new church. The facility currently serves as a dynamic international teaching center. Later, the Reis’ started Rehoboth Christian Center in Williamsburg, Virginia. Today the ministry reaches millions around the world through television broadcasts, international outreaches and conferences.

In 1999, tragedy struck FLTIM when Apostle Steadman P. Reis died suddenly. Since his passing, the Lord has increased His favor and anointing upon the ministry, which is now led by Pastor Barbara-Ann Reis. The Lord has enabled her to continue to go forward and broaden the vision of the ministry. The Lord has used Pastor Reis to establish a School of Ministry where she is training those desiring to learn how to be true servants of God. She and her team of leaders continue to travel internationally, carrying the message of the gospel. Pastor Reis has traveled to Guyana, South America; Kazipet, Hyderabad, and Trivandrum, India; Durban, South Africa; Ghana, West Africa; and other countries in the Caribbean preaching the gospel.

Our Mission

As a world outreach ministry and discipleship center, we are dedicated to delivering the life changing message of the gospel to bring all men of every creed, and nation to the loving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We are also committed to extending a hand of hope to strengthen the body of Christ to carry forth His work.

Our Vision

FLTIM will be a world known, purpose-driven, steward of the gospel, diligently transforming the lives of people in our community and around the world through the shared knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ. We will be a Holy Spirit led house of prayer committed to:

• Sending forth His life-changing message through television programming, radio, and all other means available
• Interceding for communities, governments and nations to draw them to the knowledge of Christ
• Teaching and equipping people to walk in the full knowledge of His word, attaining all the riches of His promises to effectively execute His mission
• Creating a place of refuge where people from every nation and walk of life feel welcomed to run to and be embraced by the unconditional love of Christ
• Showing the never failing love of Christ by giving of our time, talents and finances
• Stretching our faith in Him to accomplish the inconceivable for the sake of the gospel
• Discipling our youth to utterly compel them to be effective leaders in the body of Christ
• Demonstrating the integrity of Christ in everything we do

Doctrine Page

As a ministry, we believe in the following:

The Scriptures

The Bible is the inspired word of God, the product of holy men of old who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The new covenant as recorded in the New Testament, we accept as an infallible guide in matters pertaining to conduct and doctrine. (II Timothy 3:16; I Thessalonians 2:13; II Peter 1:21).

The Godhead

Our God is one, but manifested in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Philippians 2:6; Matthew 3:16-17).

God the Father is greater than all: the source of the Word (Logos) and the Begotten one (John 14:28; John 1:14; John 16:28). Jesus is the Son of God, one with the Father, the Word covered in flesh, the Begotten, and has existed with the Father from the beginning (John 1:1: John 1:18; John 1:14; John 10:30).

The Holy Spirit proceeds forth from both the Father and the Son and is eternal (John 15:26).

Man, His Fall, and Redemption

Man is a created being, made in the likeness and image of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” “As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was manifested to undo the work of the devil and gave his life and shed his blood to redeem and restore man back to God. (Romans 5:12; Romans 3:23; Romans 3:9-10; I John 3:8; Galatians 3:13-14)

Salvation is the gift of God to men, separate from works and the law, and is made operative by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, producing work acceptable to God (Ephesians 2:18).

Eternal Life and New Birth

Man’s first step towards salvation is Godly sorrow that worketh repentance. The new birth is necessary to all men, and when fulfilled produces eternal life. (II Corinthians 7:10; I John 5:12; John 3:3-5)

Water Baptism

Baptism in water is by immersion and is a direct commandment of our Lord, and is for believers only. This ordinance is a symbol of the Christian’s identification with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (Matthew 29:19; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:36-39)

The following structure regarding the Water Baptism formula is what we’ve adopted:

“On the confession of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God and by His authority, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.”

Baptism in the Holy Ghost

The baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to those who are believers in this dispensation and is received subsequent to the new birth. This experience is accompanied by the initial evidence of the speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit Himself gives utterance. (Matthew 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38-39; Acts 2:4)

Sanctification

The bible teaches that without Holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe in the doctrine of sanctification as a definite, yet progressive work of grace, coming at the time of regeneration and continuation until the consummation of salvation. (Hebrews 12:14; I Thessalonians 5:23; II Peter 3:18; II Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:12-14; I Corinthians 1:30)

Divine Healing

Healing is for the physical ills of the human body and is wrought by the power of God through power of faith, and by laying on of hands. It is provided for in the atonement of Christ, and it is the privilege of every member of the church today (Mark 16:18: James 5:14-20; I Peter 2:24; Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4-5)

Resurrection of the Just and the Return of our Lord

The angels said, “This same Jesus shall so come in like manner.” His coming is imminent. When He comes, “The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Hell and Eternal Retribution

The one who physically dies in his sins without Christ is hopeless and eternally lost in the lake of fires and therefore had no further opportunity of hearing the Gospel or for repentance. The lake of fire is literal. The terms “eternal and everlasting” used in describing the duration of the punishment of the damned in the lake is fire, carry the same thought and meaning of endless existence as used in noting the duration of joy and ecstasy of the saints in the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:27; Revelations 19:20; Hebrews 6:1-2).

Communion – The Lord’s Supper

We partake of the Lord’s Supper to show the Lord’s death until he comes (I Corinthians 11:23-31). The bread symbolizes the Lord’s broken body (Isaiah 53:5; I Corinthians 11:24). The cup represents the new covenant in His blood which provides us forgiveness and relationship with God (Hebrews 9:1-28; I Corinthians 11:25). We judge ourselves and realize that this is our salvation and receive it (I Corinthians 11:28-30) for if we receive it unworthily, without giving it honor as our salvation, we are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (I Corinthians 11:27).

Laying of Hands

A simple belief that power or anointing or any other necessary quality can be transmitted from one person touching another. Laying on of hands was practices by the Levitical Priesthood. Jesus practiced it in Mark 10:13-16 as a blessing and it is our grounds for baby dedication instead of baptism and for healing (Mark 5:22-23 and 41; Mark 5:28-31; Acts 28:8, Acts 19:11-12); Laying on of hands to confer offer (Acts 6:2-6); Laying on of hands to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 6:2-6); Laying on of hands to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:16-18); Laying on of hand for ordination to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry tools (I Timothy 4:14).

Family Life

Lives established on the firm foundation of God’s Word with emphasis on strong family relationships

Faith

Faith in the Logos Word of God.

Coming soom

Coming soom