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The Rick Amato Story [source: http://www.RickAmato.com ]
The Rick Amato story is a modern day miracle story. The grandson
of Italian immigrants, once removed from the hills of West Virginia,
Amato grew up in the suburbs bordering Detroit. Born to a Roman
Catholic father and a United Methodist mother, Amato's early
roots were marked by traditional religious heritage. It didn't
last for long.
Experiencing childhood in the 60's and adolescents in the
70's, Amato quickly joined the counterrevolutionary drug culture
and embraced any anti-establishment idea that presented itself.
His parents divorced when he was 16 years old, and Amato turned
to Fundamentalist religion as a coping mechanism.
[Editor's Note: Amato turned to fundamentilst religion and
apparently it did not work!] After several relapses to drugs
and a wild ride that included travel through over 40 nations
and almost all 50 states as an itinerate preacher [Editor's
Note: Amato was preaching under the influence of drugs?], Amato
was finally hospitalized in 1993 as a prescription drug addict.
It was then, Amato says, his spiritual journey took a new twist
[Editor's Note: according to his story he was still a fundamenlist
at this point and his journey took a new twist in 1993?].
"In 1974 I stumbled into a Protestant church, stoned out
of my mind on marijuana, determined to mock the minister. After
I heard the message about Christianity as a personal relationship
with God, through Jesus Christ, I left determined to become a
minister. However, it wasn't until 1993, through my prescription
drug addiction that I discovered that knowing God was only
complete if I knew Him in myself." [Editor's note: Knowing
God apparently going to war against addiction. Notice that he
did not mention the Bible anywhere.]
Since that time, Amato has launched a War on Addiction campaign
that has now brought him before hundreds of thousands of public
school students in the United States. In addition to this, Amato
has carried his crusade around the world to, in his words, "impact
the evolution of human consciousness before I die with the message
that the hope of the future of humankind is a synthesis of
science and faith." Amato likens this hope to the
hope he found as a rebellious, confused, drug-using teenager
in the early days of his religious experience. [Editor's Note:
Our hope for humankind is not a "synthesis of science and
faith". Our hope is that our "[hearts] rejoice, and
[our] tongue was glad; moreover also [our] flesh shall rest in
hope: because thou wilt not leave our soul in hell, neither wilt
thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." (Acts
2:26,27)]
The Rick Amato story is about hope. It's about change.
[Editor's Note: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today
and forever!" (Hebrews 13:8)] It's
about finding God's hidden power in the heart of your worst problem.
Amato often says, "We are not humans having spiritual experiences,
we are spiritual beings having human experiences. The focus of
spiritual leaders from this point on needs to be helping people
find out who they are through their darkest problems and who
God is in them." [Editor's Note: Where is the Holy Spirit?]
Amato, his wife of over 20 years, Nancy, and their five children,
live in Woodhaven, Michigan where they are attempting to raise
their family and grow together. Amato says, "my family is
not perfect, but we're together, and we're on the same page when
it comes to commitment. I hope to share the journeys and struggles
we've been through with others, because that's where the power
is." [Editor's Note: "And Jesus came and spake
unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever
I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto
the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20)]
Amato has authored a book, A Pocketful of Pennies, as well
as producing hundreds of video and audiotapes. In addition to
this, he speaks to the nation on television and his work has
been acknowledged on VH1, PBS, CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation),
BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) as well as many major
news outlets. He leads groups of doctors, nurses and lay volunteers
each year in humanitarian efforts of medicine and Christian
spirituality to many nations, especially focusing on the
post-socialist nations of Cuba, Russia and China. [Editor's Note:
If we are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ as Christians, put
Jesus's name in place of Amato's and see if it fits the description
of His ministry. I don't think so. Jesus was hated and persecuted.
He said to the twelve disciples: "And ye shall be hated
of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end
shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22)]
Serious business, that's how Rick Amato defines his journey.
Amato says, "What started out to be a fight for survival
has now become a quest to take Christian spirituality into the
21st century that others might know, whatever their problem,
what it means to be free.
For more information or a free copy of Rick Amato’s book,
fill out the form below. Be sure to include your email and home
address.
[Edito's Note: there is no reference to the Holy Bible on
this website]
A few suggestions on how to get help:
Getting Help for the disease of addiction!
How can I get help for myself or my loved ones who are suffering
from this terrible disease?
A small group may be available in your area where people who
have the exact same problem as you or your loved ones and are
finding answers are willing to sit down and discuss with you
your problem in an anonymous setting and how you can find help.
[A set of audio tapes is offered].
Resources are available here on http://www.RickAmato.com to
help you.
What Is A Panic Attack?
Panic attacks, currently defined by medical doctors as "anxiety
nervosa" are a horrifying experience. Panic attacks occur
when the fight- or flight-mechanism inherent in the human brain
cause symptoms similar to those the body exhibits during a life
threatening situation. The difference is that panic attacks occur
when the stimulus or the thing that causes them is not actual
physical danger but psychological stress or worrisome situations.
Getting Help
What can I do about these terrible panic attacks?
The good news is that while millions of Americans suffer from
panic attacks, there is an answer. [A tape set]
Medical Help
You may not need to take addictive prescription drugs in order
to maintain healing or recover from panic attacks, although in
the initial phases of your recovery, they may be helpful.
People Help
Many people, just like you, have suffered from panic attacks
and have recovered. These people are waiting to speak with you
and have provided on audio and videocassette immediate relief.
Other subjects:
Eating Disorders
Sexual problems
Co-dependency
Divorce
Grief
___________________________________________________________________________________
Rick Amato Ministries (RAM) [source http://www.therampage.org]
Amato, founder and president of Rick Amato Ministries (RAM),
who came from the welfare ward of a Detroit hospital and the
depths of heroin and cocaine addiction, [Editor's Note:
On his other website he stated that he had a prescription drug
addiction] became the first American evangelist to conduct preaching
crusade services in the Kremlin and presented Bibles to Presidents
Gorbachev and Yeltsin. Television interviews with Gorbachev usually
cost $50,000. What did one cost Amato? Nothing. Not even a penny.
The Canadian Broadcasting Company produced a documentary film
about Amato's work in Eastern Europe called "Jesus
in Russia - An American Holy War". This TV special aired
in over 50 million Canadian homes and was later released in England
on the BBC.
Many passports crossed borders in a multi-million dollar
humanitarian effort which placed over one million Scriptures
in Eastern Europe and other nations, and took more than 20 groups,
including doctors and pastors, to post-socialist nations. The
most recent effort distributed 111,197 New Testaments on the
streets of Russia.
Amato, 38, presides over the humanitarian effort distributing
not only Scriptures, but also millions of dollars worth of
medicine and supplies. Some trips became family ventures
as Amato's wife, Nancy, and five children (ages 13-19) traveled
with him to Russia and 13 other countries.
This grandson of an Italian immigrant, however, is just as impressed
that he has "a pocket full of pennies. I find them everywhere
I go. No matter what I'm doing, I seem to find pennies -- and
sometimes in the most unexpected places. Not everyone who sees
pennies picks them up, but I do. I pocket each and every one,
bright and shiny or dull and worn, because they are reminders
of the overwhelming grace of God and of His power and presence
in my life," writes Amato in his book A Pocket Full of Pennies.
Cuba is another place the Rick Amato Ministries team saw God
open doors. After meeting with the Cuban Vice-Minister of
Health and other officials, Amato said: "the revolution
needed in Cuba is the same one that's taking place in Russia
and spreading worldwide. It is a revolution of love, the love
of the Cross of Jesus Christ."
The sinners' preacher points them to the sinners' Saviour. "You
see, I am a Christian -- a follower of Jesus Christ--and the
goal of my life is simply to know God and make Him known,"
said Amato, the sinners' preacher. Make Him known across America,
in Cuba and Russia -- wherever God opens a door.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The RAM Page is Copyright© Rick Amato Inc. 1999-2001 —
All Rights Reserved
Penny A Day Miracle Story
How good it is that our God hears a mother's prayers. I have
an alcoholic son. His name is Philip. He was never around alcohol
at home. Philip was raised in church from the nursery until the
day he was married. His father and I began praying concerning
him since he started drinking. I begged the Lord to send a man
to help Philip.
My husband is now diseased and with the Lord, but before he
died, he put something in a bag and put it in his closet. Two
years after his passing I opened the tied up bag, and inside
were tapes by Evangelist Rick Amato. I remembered my son Philip
talking about hearing this preacher.
The tapes were in a white plastic box entitled, "Facing
the Dark Side, Embracing the Light, Engaging the Enemy, Fighting
the Fight." The tapes were about addiction. This guy knew
about being an addict and where to go for help. After listening
for a while, with excitement, I asked, "Who is this preacher?!"
Then it seemed as though God tapped me on the shoulder
and said, "You asked, 'God, please send a man to help Philip.'"
Oh! The precious and wonderful ways that God answers a mother's
prayers.
I knew I had to get a hold of this man. I began praying and
asking the Lord about this. God knew where Rick was all of the
time. After asking the Lord to show me how to find Rick, I saw
the toll free number on the box of the cassettes, 1-800-543-WORD.
I picked up the phone and dialed and a man answered.
By this time I was trembling. I felt the Spirit of God moving
all over me. The voice said, "This is Rick Amato."
To God be the glory, it just so happened that on that day, for
whatever reason, Rick felt that he should answer the office line
himself. I said, "I'm calling from Madisonville, Kentucky.
I lived in your home town for 32 years."
I never cease to be amazed at the wonderful way that God works.
Rick and I talked and prayed.
Thank you, Rick, for listening to me. God has chosen you to
help fill the gap between Jesus and the human race. Praise God
from whom all blessings flow. May they keep flowing from you.
Cora McGaw
“Why should anybody in the world get two Bibles before
everybody gets one?”
—Rick Amato
Join Rick Amato and friends in Russia July 17th through 24th,
2001.
Application for Russia Trip
RAMCARE is the international humanitarian outreach of
evangelist Rick Amato. It is a team of dedicated medical professionals
including doctors and nurses who want to use their gifts of
medicine and healing to help people know God. Together they
are being assisted by men and women from across North America
who are making a significant impact on the world, especially
the post socialist nations of Cuba, Russia and China. Now plans
are being made to impact India. Already thousands of people have
joined Rick Amato on mission trips to dozens of countries. Over
one million Scriptures have been printed and distributed as well
as millions of dollars worth of medicine and humanitarian care.
If you would like to be a significant part of this major world
impacting ministry and are a professing Christian, please contact
us today.
___________________________
War On Addiction [Source: http://www.waronaddiction.com/ ]
From working with government agencies, to private recovery
centers, educational institutes, and even on a case-by-case basis,
the War On Addiction is living up to its name every moment
of every day.
Rick Amato (a former addict himself) and Mike Skupin (from the
Survivor 2 series) are traveling North America delivering a tag-team
message that is getting results. Together they have spoken to
over 100,000 students in the last year alone. They just recently
presented an 8-minute video to President George W. Bush and wife
Laura.
President George W. Bush said in an interview with CNN...
"Addiction to alcohol or addiction to drugs is an illness.
And we have not done a very good job, thus far, of curing people
from that illness. And that's one of the reasons why I believe
so strongly in faith-based programs to help people change
their lives, which would then change their habits." (January
26, 2001)
If you would like to schedule Rick Amato or Mike Skupin in
your school or event, let us know.
Get a copy of one of Rick's hottest message to date, "The
Power of A Choice."
Coming soon: Rick and Mike lobby congress to refocus the
spending of billions of dollars towards the demand instead of
the supply.
Editor's Note: We did not find any reports by Discernment
Ministries on Rick Amato.
His ministry is a perfect example of the Gospel of Social Responsibility.
The focus on addiction and fixing addicts.
"These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven,
and said: "... I have manifested thy name unto the men which
thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were,
and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they
have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me; and
they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things
whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have
given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they
have received them, and have known surely that I came out from
thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray
for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which
thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are
thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now
I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I
come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those
whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are... I
have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because
they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray
not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that
thou shouldest keep them from the evil... Sanctify them through
thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:6..17) |
