BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

An Open Door of Opportunity Duane called John and the two arranged to meet on the property at KCM where John was horseback riding. “Duane, KCM’s aviation manager is leaving to run our office in Australia. The manager job is open. If you want a chance at it, you’ve got it. But I’ve got to tell you, if it doesn’t work out we’ll put you back in purchasing.” Duane felt numb. He knew John wouldn’t have given him a chance without Brother Copeland’s approval. He knew that, on paper, he wasn’t qualified for the position and that every plane in the hangar was above his skill set. But Duane also knew he had the heart. He had learned from the Copelands how to operate in integrity, faithfulness and a spirit of excellence. He was born to do this job. When he started his new position as KCM’s aviation manager, Duane remembers Brother Copeland pulling him aside and reminding him of Zechariah 4:10, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” ("New Living Translation"). “Duane, don’t ever feel intimidated,” Brother Copeland told him. “We all started at the same place. At zero flying hours. I’ll work with you, and I’ll teach you.” “Yes, Captain,” Duane replied, relieved beyond measure. “That’s exactly what he did,” Duane says. “He’s an amazing pilot, and a great teacher.” “We were flying over Spinks Airport one day when I pointed out the cockpit window and told him, ‘That’s the house where I grew up. I used to sit outside and watch the planes fly in and out.’” “Duane, during that same time, that’s the airport where our first ministry aircraft was based,” Brother Copeland said. Duane realized that Brother Copeland would have had to drive down his street, past his house each time he went to the airport. He also realized that Brother Copeland had been one of the pilots he had watched and admired from his backyard. He felt chills ripple up his neck. A Double Blessing Brother Copeland faithfully supported Mike Barber’s prison ministry, Duane recalls. “At that time, Mike was driving to the prisons,” he said. “Brother Copeland decided to help Mike by providing him with a Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft and assigned me to fly it. He’d not only blessed Mike, he blessed me because I got all the flight hours I needed and more. Those hours allowed me to train to fly larger aircraft.” In preparation for the Citation X, the new jet aircraft KCM had acquired, Brother Copeland and Duane went through three weeks of intense training together. “The plane is very fast and agile,” says Duane. “For a while, it was the fastest civilian jet in production. We called it the Time Machine. This ministry tool provided the ability to go much greater distances in far less time. Brother Copeland likes to say: higher, farther, faster. ****** article continues on p. 22 ******* “Partnership is designed by God to dramatically increase the abilities, resources and rewards of every believer.”—Kenneth Copeland Join us in teaching believers how to use their faith. PARTNER WITH KCM KCM.ORG/PARTNERNOW 1-800-600-7395 U.S. only ***************************** BVOV : 21

• Cover