In 2002, Pastor Robert Boettcher and his wife were visiting missionary friends in Southeast Asia. Attending a conference in Malaysia, they observed how powerfully and effectively Rev. Lee Stoneking ministered to the people. Questions began flooding Pastor Boettcher’s mind: Can I learn to minister to individuals like he does? Is this kind of ministry available to others? How long will it take to develop an effective ministry? How would I begin this journey? Pastor Boettcher decided to approach Rev. Stoneking to seek help with his passion to minister to others. Rev. Stoneking was kind enough to meet and talk about his ministry. As the conversation deepened, a realization occurred. 

 “How long has it taken to get where you are?” asked Pastor Boettcher. “Forty-three years,” Rev. Stoneking replied. Furthering the thought, Pastor Boettcher asked “Would you consider coming to Bartlett to train ministry to do what you do?”  Rev. Stoneking deferred, “There is no way I could add more to my schedule.”  “Will it take me 43 years to develop a ministry like yours?” inquired Pastor Boettcher.  “I don’t know,” replied Rev. Stoneking.  Pressing further, Pastor Boettcher responded, “If I was willing to sacrifice, pray and fast, could I shorten the time it would take to minister like you do?  “Possibly,” responded Rev. Stoneking sensing there was more.  “We have 9.5 million people within 75 miles of our church. How many of them will die and go to hell during the 43 years they are forced to wait for an Apostolic church and a ministry team to learn to move in the Spirit like you do?” asked Pastor Boettcher.  “Let’s look at our schedules,” conceded Rev. Stoneking. “Have you ever considered sales?”

With this conversation, the groundwork was laid for a conference to connect established ministries with the next generation. Partnering with Rev. Stoneking would be Rev. J.E. Yonts.

Rev. Yonts staked a large part of his 65 year ministry on training young men and women to further the Kingdom of God. Arriving in the Chicago Metro area at the age of 65, his vision was to start a church. However, that wasn’t the end of it. His total vision was to start ten churches. The only way to accomplish that would be to prepare many individuals foWith this conversation, the groundwork was laid for a conference to connect established ministries with the next generation. Partnering with Rev. Stoneking would be Rev. J.E. Yonts.

Rev. Yonts staked a large part of his 65 year ministry on training young men and women to further the Kingdom of God. Arriving in the Chicago Metro area at the age of 65, his vision was to start a church. However, that wasn’t the end of it. His total vision was to start ten churches. The only way to accomplish that would be to prepare many individuals for the ministry. This new conference would be a breeding ground to develop ministers not just for the Midwest but for the nation.

With a conversation and a cornerstone of the UPCI fellowship, Passing the Mantle was birthed as a different kind of conference. Its mission is to equip ministers, from the pastor to the assistant Sunday school teacher, with the spiritual tools and authority needed to reach the souls in every Apostolic church’s community

The vision of Passing the Mantle is to expose ministers, new and seasoned, to established ministers who are exercising spiritual authority and using spiritual tools to affect their ministries. Established ministers who believe in transferring what God has given them to the next generation. For each Passing the Mantle, much time and prayer is spent choosing the right speaking team for the right purpose at the right time. Rev. Yonts and Rev. Stoneking were the first speakers. Since then, many others have come to transmit what is inside of them to the conference: C.M. Becton, Eli Hernandez, James Kilgore, Harold Hoffman, Wayne Huntley, J.T. Pugh, Allan Shalm, James Stark, T.F. Tenney, Tom Trimble, Raymond Woodward, and many more – all have come at some point to pour into the ministers at Passing the Mantle.

The Lord is to be thanked for all He has done at Passing the Mantle since the first conference in 2003. Year after year, attendees’ ministries have matured and intensified as a result of attending this life and ministry changing conference. With each transformed minister, hundreds of souls are affected by extension.

Passing the Mantle continues to press forward. Each year, Passing the Mantle’s goal is to be the place where every attendee can receive exactly what they need for their ministry, their church, and their community. Join other ministers and ministry teams at Passing the Mantle expecting to be equipped for more victory in your community.