- Church and Ministry Founder, Bro. R.A. West
- March 12, 1947 - July 6, 2002
History of R.A. West Ministries
R.A. West Revivals and Ministries began in 1969. Brother and Sister West and Jason (Jay-Boy), their son, worked with others in small local churches and prayer groups around the Varney, West Virginia area. Brother West worked at that time as a fireman/engineer for the Norfolk and Western Railway Company until the early 70’s when he resigned to follow his calling from the Lord to preach the message that JESUS WAS AND STILL IS MORE THAN A MAN.
The ministry began to grow as radio and TV programs began to reach millions of people over the next two decades. Large tents were put on the field as the message of the Revelation of Jesus was being carried to the masses who gathered under the tents and in auditoriums and churches. Multitudes were being saved and many long time church members were being brought to the light as they were learning who Jesus really is. Jesus was God, manifesting Himself in the flesh, as He appeared on earth in a physical body.
Brother & Sister West’s second son, Michael Paul was born in 1980. Michael played the piano and keyboard for his father R.A. West along with Jay-Boy who has played drums and sang for the R.A. West Revivals Band for over 25 years. Although Jay-Boy is in a wheelchair, he has done remarkable things for the Lord and has blessed the hearts of multitudes worldwide. He has surely been an example of those who neglect any handicap or hindrance to show their faith in Jesus Name. In June of 1986 Jay-Boy married Stephanie Blankenship of Omar, West Virginia. She works faithfully for the ministry in many capacities. Jay-Boy and Stephanie have two sons Jason Randolph and Joseph Devin. They have brought so much joy to all the family and people of the ministry.
In 1972 the Fundamental Christian Church was chartered. In May of 1976 the church was dedicated. The church was founded by the ministry with the great help of Brother West’s father and mother, Stuart (Tom) and Ruby West who worked faithfully with the evangelistic ministry and church until their death in January of 1992. They are sadly missed but not forgotten. Their work goes on today in the ministry that they worked so hard to help establish in Jesus Name. In 1982, R.A. West Ministries built and dedicated the Fundamental Christian Church of Princeton, West Virginia. In 1996 R.A. West Ministries purchased a building on Rocky Fork Road in Cross Lanes, West Virginia that would become the ministry’s third Fundamental Christian Church. It was dedicated in January of 1997. One church coming together in three buildings. They are the “Jesus People”-“The WORD People”. They are united and decisive in the effort to tell the world the truth and necessity of Jesus’ Name for salvation. The real Jesus People are those who are not denominationally, religiously, or traditionally minded. They could not care less about religious positions and entertainment that cumber millions of people today. They have chosen that good part as they sit in the services, spiritually at Jesus’ feet, to listen for every Word that comes from God’s Voice. They are saying by their faithfulness in gathering together at His Feet, “Talk to us Word of God, tell us what we need to know and learn in order to become all that God says we can be!”
On July 6, 2002 Bro. R.A. West had gone on to be with the Lord. After more than 30 years in the ministry, he preached thousands of messages on the Revelation of Jesus. Most of these messages have never been heard by our world, today. Brother West has also written two powerful Bible Study courses, which have been completed by many over the years. Phase I is a general study of the Bible. Phase II is an in depth study of most of the parables of the Bible. With the large number of sermons available on cassette and CD, along with many singing and musical tapes and CD’s, together with the two Bible Studies, church and evangelistic services, sermon booklets, prayer cloths, anointing oil, and a host of other services, R.A. West Ministries truly has a lot to offer.
Jason “Jay-Boy” West has since taken over as pastor of the Fundamental Christian Church and director of R.A. West Ministries. The ministry is still going strong today because of the truth and the many faithful supporters who have held up our hands prayerfully and financially to proclaim and promote “Jesus’ Name”. The ministry is totally dedicated to keeping the Bread of Life on the spiritual table for all who are hungry to come and eat. Every person who has done anything to help the ministry in any way, will be rewarded. God and His Elect, “The Jesus People” are the ones who are responsible for making R.A. West Ministries what it is today.