Although Ken briefly studied at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gloria was not formally trained in ministry. “I attended college, but that was about it. I didn’t enroll in seminary or Bible College,” Gloria admits. “I knew that the answer to every one of our needs was in God’s written Word. So I fervently studied the Bible, and developed a love for seeking God. I also sat under Brother [Kenneth E.] Hagin’s and Brother [Oral] Robert’s ministries. But for the most part, Ken and I allowed the Holy Spirit to teach us as we studied God’s Word. Everything we needed was in the Bible. Every question we had was answered in God’s Word.”
While Gloria concedes that a formal ministerial education can be beneficial, she doesn’t believe that it’s required. “I don’t think it’s a blessing to be ignorant,” she jokes. “But I don’t believe a formal education in ministry is necessary. Some of the greatest ministers didn’t have a formal education. They simply studied God’s Word, and learned how to listen to His voice. No matter what we’re called to do, it’s important for Believers to become faithful students of the Bible. We must also see the importance of sitting under a good Bible-teaching ministry. Even if you are a seasoned Believer, the Word of God should never get old. We must be life-long students, and never stop responding to God’s Word,” Gloria instructs.
According to Gloria Copeland, the biggest challenge facing the Body of Christ is disobedience. “God has given us free will. That means, every day, we must choose whether we will seek and obey Him,” Gloria warns. “God won’t force us to do anything. He won’t make us study His Word, or apply it to our lives. That’s a choice we must make. But every choice has consequences. We can’t apply some of God’s wisdom, and expect to reap all of His blessings. In the end, obeying God doesn’t cost. It pays. Our faith requires obedience, discipline, and determination.”
Yes, Gloria’s admonishments are easier said than done –– but she’s a woman who has actually practiced –– painstakingly –– what she now preaches. “Obeying God was hard in the beginning. Ken and I had very little faith. We had to learn how to literally take God’s Word, and make changes according to what we read,” Gloria shares. “We couldn’t just read the Word of God; we had to act on it. We had to say what we read. We had to silence our unbelief. It was so hard for us. But we took it one day at a time ... and each day we got stronger and more determined.”
Like many successful people from all walks of life, Gloria Copeland is about productivity. In fact, she didn’t appear to be a fan of mere talk. Throughout our conversation, she repeatedly emphasized the importance of “applying” and “acting on” God’s instruction. “God doesn’t have any favorite children," Gloria asserts. “He just uses those who will get the job done. God is not concerned about our natural weaknesses. He is simply looking for someone who trusts Him enough –– someone who will step out in faith and obey Him –– someone who has enough discipline and determination to finish the job (even though it’s going to be a lot of work). That’s what God looks for. And Ken and I were determined to apply all of God’s Word, not just some of it. If God said it, we did it. Many people struggle because they argue with God. They don’t understand that our opinions don’t matter. God is always right, and His ways are higher than our ways. If God is going to use us, we have to agree with Him.”
At the end of Gloria Copeland’s interview, I remained impressed by the simplicity of her faith. She was a woman who had nothing to lose, nothing to prove, and everything to gain by obeying God. When asked about the “next chapter of her life,” Gloria’s response was unassuming: “If God has something new in store for me, He hasn’t told me yet. But if He asks me to do something new, I’ll gladly do it. And if He doesn’t, I’m content with this chapter of my life.” 
