For Immediate Release:

Dr. Virgil C. Brackett has served as the Senior Pastor of Rhema Word Church (formerly Original Rising Star) since August 1995. He has humbly submitted to the call of God on his life and has walked in obedience to the voice of God. The Lord has used him to transform the lives of many over the last 16 years.

God has led Rhema Word Church through several transitions. Beginning with our name change from Original Rising Star MBC to Rhema Word Church in 2002.  In 2003, our Genesis 12 Mandate relocated us to Austin High School for a period lasting 20 months. Then in 2005, we moved from Austin High School to our present location at 5460 W. Ohio. Finally, in Nov 2010, we launched Rhema Word Church South Bend. God has raised Rhema Word Church to be a part of the reshaping and reforming of His church in the earth. He has raised us to be a people who break the patterns and traditions of the present with the purpose of moving God's people forward into their divine callings and destiny.

Dr. Brackett has a divine mandate and is anointed to discern, develop, and deploy leaders and pastors. After a season of prayer and fasting, God has given Dr. Brackett the directive to establish Campus Pastors for the Chicago and South Bend locations to aid in shepherding the flock of God.

Effective Sunday, January 29, 2011, Rhema Word Church Chicago welcomed Minister Tyree Beard as its new Campus Pastor and Rhema Word Church South Bend welcomed Pastor Helen Belk as its new Campus Pastor. Dr. Brackett will continue to serve as Senior Pastor and Overseer of both locations.

Appointing Campus Pastors provides Rhema Word Church with the following:

• Reverberations of the Voice and Vision of the Senior Pastor, extending the reach and influence of the Senior Pastor
• Assurance that the needs of the Believers of all locations are adequately met
• The additional support necessary to Tend to, Care for, and Feed the Flock of God
• Assistance in carrying out the charge to Mature and Equip the Saints for the work of the Ministry
• Help in fulfilling the Church's Mission to Advance the Kingdom of God
• A greater capacity to Conquer New Territory - Fulfilling our Commission to go into ALL the world and make Disciples
• The ability to make a broader and more expansive Kingdom Impact within the communities we have been assigned to Serve.

An installation service for our New Campus Pastors will be scheduled in the months ahead. We trust you will join us for this wonderful occasion and we solicit your prayers as we continue to move forward in the Sovereign Will of God.

For more information, contact Dr. Virgil C. Brackett, Rhema Word Church, (773) 378-4327 ext. 11.