D r. Ricky Branham is a television minister, interdenominational evangelist, senior pastor, and author who has traveled all over since the age of sixteen, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. His television program, Ricky Branham Ministries, is on many networks in the United States and continues to grow nationally and internationally. Dr. Ricky and his wife, Victoria, have three children: Ricky, Riley, and Vera. For more information, please visit his website: www.RickyBranham.org

 

(Biography taken from Dr. Ricky Branham’s book: Declaring God’s Goodness):

How the Lord Became My Shepherd

From the Beginning

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

—Jeremiah 29:11

M y mother, Ellen, noticed that I had a calling from God on my life even before I was born. She remembers that I constantly moved in her belly during church services, as though I were praising the Lord. When I was around the age of two, my parents and I had a direct encounter both with an angel from God and a demonic being from the devil. It happened one night when my mother was abruptly awakened from her sleep and saw me standing at the entrance of their bedroom, rubbing my eyes. She told me to come and get in bed. However, she unexpectedly noticed an angelic being standing behind me, waving his hands. The being appeared as a male angel, surrounded by a bright light. He was translucent and wore a long white robe with wide sleeves. Suddenly my mother realized that it was not me standing there; it was my spirit. She immediately woke up my father, but he did not see anything. My mother began praying that I would come and get in bed with them if I was going to live. She prayed intensely until she somehow drifted back to sleep. Without warning, she was awakened again, to find me crawling into bed with them and the angel reappearing in the same spot. She woke up my father once more, but he still did not see the angel. Then I said, “Mommy, I see . . . I see a man in white,” which surprised my parents, because at that time, I could not yet speak in full sentences or even identify colors. They were amazed, and somehow everyone fell asleep again.

My father then had a dream in which an angel touched the bed, and it began to spin. He woke everyone up, and this time my mother saw a man dressed in all black, with red eyes and skin that looked like charcoal. He was clearly a demonic being. He stared at all three of us, then walked out of the trailer, straight through the wall. My father did not see him, but he believed what my mother had seen. She believed this series of events meant that God had something special planned for my life, but the devil was angry and wanted to stop it. Not long after, my parents went through a divorce, undoubtedly an attack from the devil.

Both of my parents would later remarry. When I was about eight years old, I began going to church occasionally with my mother and stepfather, and sometimes with my father and stepmother, when they attended. I can recall most of those times, seeing the people, hearing the music, and listening to the preachers. I even remember giggling at some of the strange and vibrant-colored suits the men wore, which were popular at the time. What stood out to me the most was how kind everyone was to me.

God Uses My Grandparents

As I got older, I began spending more time with my paternal grandparents, Robert and Lena Branham. Originally from eastern Kentucky, they moved to northern Ohio when they were young. They were raised in the ways of God, met, and married at a young age. They loved God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and they loved going to church. I started attending church with them every opportunity I could, because they exuded the love of God, and that love drew me to them.

I went to church with my grandparents two to three times a week. They would arrive early to open the church doors, turn on the lights, and make sure everything was just right and ready to go. My wonderful Sunday school teachers taught me the Ten Commandments, the Twelve Beatitudes, how much Jesus loves me, and how joyful it is to serve God. I even participated in church plays, which was not exactly my strong suit! Some services, I would even take a nap in the pew. Church offered some of the best naps, because it was the most peaceful place a kid could be. However, most of the time, I was like a giant sponge, soaking in everything I could about God. That is when I began to understand what it meant to have a relationship with Him.

My grandparents were a wonderful example of a happy, married couple who put God first in every way. They were hard workers, kind, and selfless. I watched them closely, and I wanted to be like them when I grew up. They were a strong family of faith who truly loved the Lord. They let their light shine just as Christ taught in the gospels. I saw their good works, and so did others. They never boasted about what they did; they simply served in love, which brought glory to God.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

—Matthew 5:16

God Speaks to Me Directly

In 1998, when I was fifteen, I slowly began to drift away from God. One night, after hanging out with friends, I was on my way home when I felt something urge me to put on my seat belt. Moments later, I was in a serious car accident. As I was being rushed to the hospital, I asked the EMT if I was going to live. He looked at me and said plainly, “I don’t know.” I was bleeding heavily from trauma to my face. The hospital performed a CT scan on my head, and afterward, I was placed in a dark, quiet room while they called my family in.

As I lay in that hospital room, I realized that God was speaking to me. It was not an audible voice, but a still, small voice, impressing gently on my heart and mind. It is hard to explain, but deep down I knew it was Him. He was the One who had told me to put on my seat belt, and now He was knocking on the door of my heart, wanting me to let Him in completely.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

—Revelation 3:20

God began speaking to me, telling me that if I had died, I would have gone to Hell because I had turned my back on Him. That may sound harsh, but it was not—He spoke the truth to me in such a loving way that it stirred a deep desire in my heart to change and become fully committed to Him like never before. I told Him that if He would spare my life, I would serve Him all the days of my life. In the stillness of that hospital room, all alone, I repented of my sins, confessed, and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal Savior.

The doctor came back into the room to examine me further. He said I could have died instantly based on how my face had struck the car on impact. He told me I would need to see a plastic surgeon for reconstructive surgery on my nose and face. He called my survival a “miracle.” But I already knew it was an act of God that I was still alive. He had spared me, saved me, and completed His healing work in me. My body healed so remarkably that I never needed any kind of reconstructive surgery. After the car accident, I began serving Him like never before.

Called to Preach

After my car accident, I started going to church again like never before. I went with my grandparents, with friends, with anyone else who would go, and even by myself. I tried my best to be there whenever the doors were open. On April 7, 1999, at the age of sixteen, during a Wednesday night youth church service at the Willard Church of God, I felt God speak to me directly once again. He impressed on my heart and mind that I was called to preach. I knew it was Him speaking to me.

I hurried home that night to tell my mother the good news. She gave me some wise advice: not to tell anyone just yet, but to wait and see if God was truly calling me to minister. Shortly after that, evangelist and senior pastor Rev. Ralph Farmer asked me when I was going to preach at his church. That same day, a musician named R. B. Fallen also asked me when I was going to preach. I asked R. B. how he knew I was called to preach. He smiled and said, “I can just tell.” I knew then that God was using Rev. Ralph Farmer and R. B. Fallen to confirm my calling.

On May 14, 1999, at Rev. Ralph Farmer’s church, North Fairfield Holiness Church in North Fairfield, Ohio, I preached my first sermon at the age of sixteen. The church was packed, with 105 people in attendance. The sermon was entitled “Trust” and lasted twelve minutes. One person repented, confessed, and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior. It was evident to everyone in attendance that I was truly called by God to preach. From that moment on, ministers from various denominations began contacting me to preach at their churches.

Rev. Ken Gifford, a local minister who was in attendance for my first sermon, took me under his wing and began mentoring me in many areas of ministry. I continued preaching and growing in the faith, and soon I began my Christian studies. In 2003, at the age of twenty, I was ordained by Ripley Chapel, a nondenominational church where Rev. Ralph Farmer was then serving as pastor. I became an interdenominational evangelist, filling in for churches of all denominations that believed in Jesus, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

God Blesses Me with a Wife

In 2004, at the age of twenty-one, I graduated from North Central State College (NCSC) as a registered nurse (RN), a career path meant to help supplement my income as a minister. That fall, I began praying that God would send me the wife He had prepared for me. I read Christian books about love and prayed often about this topic. I knew He was placing this desire in my heart for a reason, and I had peace that He would send me a wife in His perfect timing.

Later in 2004, I started seeing this beautiful woman around town. She had a contagious smile, dark brown hair, and dark brown eyes. I saw her at the hospital while I was caring for her father; at the tire shop, of all places; and in other spots around our hometown of Willard, Ohio. I knew exactly who she was. Her name was Victoria, and she had been a senior in high school when I was a freshman. I remember thinking back then how beautiful she was, but I was a freshman, so I had never even tried talking to her.

Interestingly, we had also worked together in 2002 at Pepperidge Farm, on one of the packaging lines during summer break from college. The funny thing is, I worked right beside her, and we did not even speak. At the time, she was not a Christian, so it was not God’s timing yet for us to get to know each other. He was preparing her heart first. By the time I started seeing her around town frequently, she had become a committed follower of Jesus Christ. I would later find out that she gave her life to the Lord after watching television minister Dr. Creflo Dollar give an altar call. She got on her knees in her apartment, and right then and there, she repented, confessed, and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and personal Savior. It changed her life. She began going to church and grew greatly in her faith.

I made up my mind that the next time I saw her, I was going to ask her out. As God would have it, on December 20, 2004, I got my chance. I had gone to Cleveland, Ohio, with my friend Ryan Garcia, and I was supposed to be back in town for a family event by 6:00 p.m. However, the roads were bad, and there was no way I was going to make it back in time. As we got closer to home, Ryan asked if we could stop at Barnes & Noble so he could buy a book. I agreed, knowing I was already going to miss the family event.

Almost as soon as I walked through the doors of Barnes & Noble, I saw Victoria there in the store. God quickly reminded me of the promise I had made to myself, to ask her out the next time I saw her. He was not going to let me forget or chicken out. I mustered up the confidence and asked her if she would like to go out sometime. In my mind, I thought there was no way she would say yes, but I knew I had to ask. To my surprise, she smiled and said she would!

We stayed and talked at the store for about an hour until she had to leave to get ready for work—she was now working third shift full-time at Pepperidge Farm. Ryan and I left Barnes & Noble, stopped at another store, and then went to get gas. There she was again at the gas station! We laughed, smiled, and waved. Just four days later, on December 24, 2004, Victoria and I had our first “official” date at a Christmas Eve service at the Christian Alliance Church in our hometown. We were married on August 11, 2007, with Rev. Ken Gifford officiating the ceremony.

Pastoring and Family

Victoria and I traveled extensively, evangelizing, especially at Ripley Chapel where I regularly preached and held a ministry license. In 2008, Ronnie Horsley, the head of the board for Ripley Chapel, asked me if I would fill in for them long-term until they found a pastor. I agreed, with the understanding that I would not be called “Pastor.” At the time, I saw myself only as an interdenominational evangelist. However, Ronnie introduced me to the congregation as their pastor. To this day, I continue to serve as their senior pastor while also continuing to evangelize interdenominationally. Since becoming a senior pastor, God has taught me much about His character and what true servant leadership is. Additionally, our church has faithfully supported my evangelistic outreach.

In 2009, Victoria and I were blessed by God with our first son, Ricky. In 2011, we were blessed again with another son, Riley. Then, in 2013, we were blessed with a daughter, Vera. God graciously expanded our family and provided the perfect church setting for us to raise our children in the Lord. Our children continue to serve Him faithfully, both within the church and in evangelistic settings. We look forward to seeing how God will continue to use them in mighty ways for His glory.

Education

I continued my education by enrolling in the School of Ministry and the Church of God’s ministerial programs, where I completed and received licensure and ordination as a minister through the Church of God. In addition, I earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Organizational Management and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Malone University. Victoria also completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Malone University and went on to earn additional business certifications through the Harvard Business School.

Television, Radio, and Social Media

I have had a desire to be a television minister ever since God called me to preach. The fourth message I ever preached, on July 6, 1999, was aired on television, as I had been invited to speak by Rev. Ralph Farmer. It was broadcast on WGGN-TV 52 in northern Ohio. That would be the only time I preached on television for more than twenty-one years. Eventually I stopped actively seeking God about becoming a television minister because it did not seem like something that would ever happen. However, in His infinite wisdom, mercy, and grace, God did not forget the dream He had placed in my heart so long ago.

God has prepared blessings for me and for hundreds of millions of people around the world through television and radio broadcasts. It all began in March 2020, when I started diligently seeking God’s face and His ways like never before while alone in my prayer closet, which was also my bedroom. As a result, I began experiencing His presence regularly. During one of these times in my prayer closet, He impressed on my heart and mind to begin a Facebook ministry, especially since most churches were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although I was initially hesitant to begin this kind of ministry, I chose to follow His leading and obey.

On September 30, 2020, I met with a preacher who was already on television and who had seen my sermons on Facebook. He told me that he liked how biblically based my messages were. Then he asked if I had ever considered a television ministry. What he did not know was that, ever since I had begun preaching at the age of sixteen, I had dreamed of becoming a television minister. When he asked that question, something came alive in me, and the desire to preach on television was reignited. However, I did not know how it could ever happen. After all, I lived in a small community and pastored a small country church. So I went to the Lord in prayer, retreating to my prayer closet once again. There I experienced the presence of the Lord, and He impressed on my heart and mind exactly what I needed to do.

The Lord led me to contact WGGN-TV 52, which I did. On October 21, 2020, exactly three weeks from when I had been asked if I had ever considered a television ministry, I had a signed television contract with WGGN-TV 52 and was taping my weekly program in their studio. Ricky Branham Ministries first aired on November 25, 2020, at 6 p.m., on WGGN-TV 52 in Ohio. The title of my first televised sermon was “Remember Your Testimonies.” Just days later, on November 29, 2020, my first radio program aired on WLRD 96.9 FM in Ohio. Then, on February 2, 2021, my weekly television program aired for the first time on WLLA-TV 64 in Michigan. On June 5, 2021, Ricky Branham Ministries began airing nationally through the GEB Television Network, which is owned and operated by Oral Roberts University.

My weekly television program, Ricky Branham Ministries, has expanded to many more networks across the United States, and it continues to grow both nationally and internationally. It now airs in all fifty U.S. states and in over thirty countries, including regions across North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania. My program reaches a potential audience of hundreds of millions of people each week, and that number continues to grow. Search your local TV listings to find out when and where Ricky Branham Ministries airs near you.

God has truly amazed me with how He has so wonderfully orchestrated every part of this television ministry. He has blessed me with a trusted television agency, an incredibly talented producer and editor, a quality closed-captioning company, my very own international headquarters that houses my television studio, and the list goes on. The television networks have been a joy to work with as we partner together to spread His Word around the world. All of this has been arranged by God alone for this small-town preacher. He has done it in such a way that only He can receive the glory. His blessings have literally chased me down.

I regularly seek God to know His will in the areas of television, radio, social media, and every other aspect of ministry. He continues to reveal Himself to me and guide me in His perfect will. As I follow and obey His leading, I have experienced great blessings and witnessed numerous miracles and so have many others. I have been blessed to see multitudes around the world repent of their sins, confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord, and accept Him as their personal Savior. God is being glorified all over the world through this ministry. My heartfelt prayer is to see one million people come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior through the ministry He has so graciously entrusted to me.

Master of Theology (ThM), Doctor of Ministry (DMin), and Author

I had thought I was finished with college, at least when it came to pursuing more degrees. I had once desired to earn my doctorate, but eventually I assumed it was not meant to be, and I let go of the idea. However, God clearly revealed to me that it was His will for me to return to college and pursue my doctorate. He opened the door and made a way. I received further confirmation when the president of the college told me I could write a book as my doctoral dissertation, because God had already placed a book idea in my heart long before. At the time, I did not know how my book idea would come to pass, but God brought it to life by divinely connecting my doctoral pursuit with His purpose for my book.

While working on my doctorate, I wrote Psalm 23: A Psalm for the Living. I graduated with a Master of Theology (ThM) degree and a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree from Christian Bible Institute and Seminary (CBIS) in April 2022. After graduation, I submitted my book to a select group of publishers. To my amazement, an executive from Trinity Broadcasting Network’s (TBN) publishing branch, Trilogy Christian Publishing, reached out to me. TBN is the largest Christian television network in the world, and I was deeply humbled by the opportunity. The executive told me he appreciated how I had incorporated so many Bible references into my writing. He said, “The more Scripture an author uses, the fewer chances of error there will be.” He and his team conducted a full review of my book and offered me a publishing contract, which I gratefully accepted. Glory to God! I knew this had all been put into place by God. He had already revealed to me that my main calling in ministry would be through television. So, having my first book published through TBN made perfect sense. I grew up watching TBN, and to now be a part of their family is truly humbling. I give God all the glory.

In February 2024, I was blessed to be selected as one of four authors for a special Author Showcase event with TBN, based on my second book, A Pathway to Experience God’s Presence, which I also published through TBN. This amazing honor included being interviewed on TBN’s flagship program, Praise. The moment I was notified that I had been chosen and invited to appear on the program, I responded as quickly as I could, with an emphatic, “Yes!” I immediately began thanking and praising God, overwhelmed by His greatness and mighty acts. The way He divinely aligned every detail leading up to this opportunity was something only He could do. I grew up watching TBN, especially their signature show Praise, when it was formerly known as Praise the Lord. To now be invited as a guest on Praise was a powerful reminder of how God does exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). It was a true testament of His goodness, favor, and power at work in my life.

The taping with TBN went remarkably well. In fact, they told me they would be in touch about more opportunities in the future. I am truly excited about the possibility of working with them again, as well as with other networks, to continue doing the work God has called me to do. I know without a doubt that God has called me to preach the Gospel. He has clearly shown me that television is to be the primary avenue of ministry for the vision He has entrusted to me. True to His faithfulness, that is exactly what He is doing, opening doors and directing every step. I wait with great anticipation for all that is ahead, because He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23)!

I have noticed this theme about God: He is the Great Physician, who specializes in the impossible, making the impossible possible. When I was first called to preach, I dreamed of becoming a television minister, but I gave up on that dream because it seemed impossible. I had a desire to earn my doctorate, but I let it go, thinking it was impossible. I wanted to write and publish a book, but I could not imagine how that would ever happen; it seemed impossible. But God made every one of those dreams come to pass, in His perfect timing. What I thought was impossible, God made possible.

Going Forward

Ricky Branham Ministries (RBM) mission is to win one million souls for Jesus Christ and to help others experience the impossible through Him by ministering worldwide to reach the lost, to strengthen the saints, and to meet the needs of all people from all walks of life. We do all of this for the glory of God through preaching and teaching, television and radio broadcasts, interdenominational evangelism, social media outreach, books and other resources, counseling, visiting, giving, and other compassionate forms of ministry.

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

—Matthew 19:26

My weekly television program continues to grow both nationally and internationally. Once again, search your local TV listings for Ricky Branham Ministries to find out when and where it airs near you. I also frequently appear as a guest on various Christian television and radio programs across the United States. On my social media pages, I regularly post ministry content, so please follow, like, and share. Search for Ricky Branham Ministries on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

As an interdenominational evangelist, I travel all over the world, preaching at churches and ministry events that proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Savior. I also serve as the senior pastor of a nondenominational church called Ricky Branham Ministries, which is located at my international headquarters. In addition, I serve as the senior pastor of a nondenominational church called Ripley Chapel. I continue to preach at both places when I am not traveling. As an author, I pray that my books teach and inspire you to grow closer to God, live in victory, and believe for the impossible. My desire is to leave everyone with a message from God that is timely, memorable, and applicable. If you would like to invite me to speak at your church or ministry event, please contact Ricky Branham Ministries through my website at www.RickyBranham.org or through my social media platforms on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Our middle child, Riley, has also felt the call of God to become a preacher. I am thankful that he has surrendered his life to Christ, he is a child of God, and he has embraced his calling: to be a servant and minister of the Gospel. I praise the Lord for calling him, and I trust that God will help him fulfill his calling. On May 25, 2025, at the age of thirteen, Riley preached his first sermon during a youth service at the Willard Church of God. He spoke on the gifts of the Spirit, with around one hundred people in attendance. I look forward to working alongside him, helping him, and supporting him in every way that I can.