Apostle Duane I. Coats Sr. is the Senior Pastor and Founder of Word of Faith Christian Fellowship Church located in Dumfries, Virginia.  He currently serves with his wife, Pastor Jeanette Coats, where the two have served together in ministry since its establishment in 1991. Apostle Coats is also the founder and Chief Apostle of Kingdom Equipping Ministries, International.

 

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Apostle Coats received his salvation during his youth and was baptized at Greater Union Baptist Church.  He was always active within the community and worked in programs such as the YMCA, where he did mission work within the United States and abroad, alongside the Peace Corps.  He retired from the United States Marine Corps after serving 22 years; during which time he traveled both nationally and internationally. 

 

While stationed in South Carolina, he rededicated his life to Christ and was filled with the Holy Spirit at Full Gospel Deliverance Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Christina Bing. He received his foundational ministerial training at Friendship Holiness Church under the tutelage of the late honorable Bishop Willie Webb, Sr.  Apostle Coats was then stationed in Jacksonville, N.C. where he pastored at Friendship Holiness Church.

 

Apostle Coats holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Andersonville Bible College, a Master’s degree in Christian Education from Faith Bible College & Seminary, and a Doctorate in Divinity from Shiloh Theological Seminary.

 

He currently serves as overseer of Everlasting Life Ministries in Chester, Pennsylvania; Word of Faith Outreach Ministry in Beaufort, South Carolina, as well as ministries abroad in the Dominican Republic.  Apostle Coats presently provides pastoral covering for Breaking Barriers Ministries, Darrell Brown Ministries, 630 Prayer Ministry, Common Knowledge Ministries, Conquering Warriors Ministries International, Destiny Awaits and 4Sisters in the Struggle Ministries.  He has shared the pulpit with many great speakers and teachers of the Gospel. Apostle Coats is a chosen vessel of God and is anointed to teach and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He ministers the Word of God with power, authority, and conviction, yet with clear understanding that it changes the lives of all who hear him. 

 

With over 30 years of service and dedication to the Lord, Apostle Coats is committed to Jesus Christ. He sincerely believes in winning souls for Christ and leads by example. He has a true and genuine love for God, His people, and the lost.  This has led him to lead and establish many ministries through Word of Faith Ministries.  These ministries include community outreach and evangelism; Men of Purpose fellowships, Women of Destiny fellowships, Set Aside Youth ministry, food distribution, international famine relief programs, and nursing home visitations, just to name a few.

 

He believes in equipping and empowering men, women, and youth to do the work of the Lord.  Apostle Coats has mentored and trained numerous men and women who have gone on to become Apostles, Bishops, Pastors, Evangelists, Minister and Deacons; which is why he coined the phrase and often talks about the importance of, “Building God’s People for Kingdom Work.”

 

Apostle Coats loves his wife, children (Moneka, Duane Jr., Samone and Shamika). In addition, they have been blessed with one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law and four grandchildren.