Money wasn’t a normal topic of conversation for Ken Robinson while growing up in a traditional Pentecostal church in Baltimore.

In fact, when money was brought up in sermons the typical message was that people who had it were unrighteous or unholy. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s after experiencing “financial devastation” early on in his marriage that Dr Robinson turned to God’s word for guidance.

“I began a 12-day fast and God began to share with me some very powerful principles in His word about money,” said the pastor of The DreamLife Worship Centre in Maryland.

“God’s will is for His people to be free financially, but when I began pastoring it became clear to me that most of the issues people in the congregation were dealing with were rooted in financial lack, financial problems and pain. That’s why I started to share my personal experience of how I got out of debt and how the Lord was able to prosper me.”

He counts himself a “living witness” that God can take anyone out of financial bondage, if they focus on changing their mindset.

Dr Robinson, the author of six books including his most recent publications, The Cure For Financial Pain, Here Comes The Dreamer and Keys To Unlock Your Financial Destiny, will be on island on August 23.

Speaking at the Saphire Faith International Ministries’ 2019 Empowerment Conference, titled “God Is My Source”, the American preacher and financial dream coach aims to provide island residents with hope — that no matter how difficult their situation may appear God is concerned about their wellbeing and can “deliver them from the dungeon to the palace”.

“I want people to understand they can lead a financially empowered life and be blessed in all areas, as long and they understand why the Lord has given that blessing to them,” Dr Robinson said.

“As Christians, our financial growth and prosperity cannot be rooted in greed, selfishness or jealousy. As believers we are given clear warnings in the scriptures that these attitudes and heart issues aren’t acceptable in the Kingdom of God. Instead, we have to be of the mindset that God blesses us to be a blessing to others, to help the poor and in order to move the Gospel forward.”

Dr Robinson said the poverty mindset for many black families could be traced to slavery days in the Caribbean and the US, when slave masters encouraged preachers to spread the idea that people’s wealth would arrive only when they get to heaven.

“People were told that while you’re on the earth you have to suffer, but those same slave masters who professed to be Christians lived in mansions. It was a very hypocritical message. Now we have to work to change those false ideologies in our church,” he said.

“I believe especially in the body of Christ we have awakened to the fact that poverty isn’t our friend, but rather our enemy and hinders us from moving our message of the Kingdom of God forward. People can’t give what they don’t have and in order to provide facilities, operate ministries and carry out projects, it takes money and finances.

“Often times the church is carrying a poverty message which is not empowering people, yet we are asking those same individuals to do great things and carry out a large vision for God. I believe one of my assignments on this earth is to loosen people from the prison of poverty by showing them how to be blessed financially and understand their Kingdom responsibilities.”

Dr Robinson encourages people to do an in-depth study of the Scriptures, at which time it will become clear that God doesn’t want His people to be at the bottom of the economic pool, but rather effective witnesses of His word.

“At the Bermuda event later this month, I will offer some practical biblical principles so that people can learn to take charge of their own financial destiny and not be made reliant on anyone else. That’s the power of entrepreneurism. You can take your financial destiny in your own hands. It requires faith, work, strategy and vision, but you have to believe it can happen for you and step out on faith knowing God will provide and supply everything you need to be successful.”

The 2019 Empowerment Conference will take place from Friday, August 23 to Sunday, August 25 at Heritage Worship Centre on Dundonald Street, Hamilton. Other speakers include Danette Ming, Terrence Stovell, Marlene Flynn and Shaunté Simons, the later two also serve as event organisers.

• Tickets for the conference cost $149, which include lunch, and are available on www.ptix.bm