Keith A. Butler (born 1955) is the founding pastor of the nondenominational Word of Faith International Christian Center (WOFICC) Church based in

Southfield, Michigan Southfield is a city in Oakland County, Michigan, Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census, the city had a population of 76,618. As a northern suburb of Detroit, Southfield shares part of its ...

. The Church has an estimated 22,000 member

congregation A congregation is a large gathering of people, often for the purpose of worship. Congregation may also refer to: *Church (congregation), a Christian organization meeting in a particular place for worship *Congregation (Roman Curia), an administra ...

. He is a former

Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...

City council A municipal council is the legislative body of a municipality or local government area. Depending on the location and classification of the municipality it may be known as a city council, town council, town board, community council, rural counc ...

man (1990–1994), and possibly the only

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

on the council since 1965's election of Louis Miriani. Detroit city council elections are non-partisan so candidates do not have to declare or affiliate with a political party. Butler is currently the Michigan National Republican committeeman. Butler has written several books, including a popular church best-seller, ''A Seed Will Meet Any Need''. He has also obtained several awards for both church and community services. One of the many was "2005 Inductee – Heritage Hall of Fame" for international cultural excellence. He is also well known for setting up satellite churches from San Francisco to Brazil to the UK, numbering well over 300. Butler, who was born and raised in Detroit, became a Republican in 1982, and has been a GOP

activist Activism (or Advocacy) consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived greater good. Forms of activism range fro ...

in presidential campaigns in Michigan. In 2006, Butler sought the Republican nomination for

U.S. Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and powe ...

to challenge the incumbent

Debbie Stabenow Deborah Ann Stabenow ( ; née Greer, born April 29, 1950) is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Michigan, a seat she has held since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, she became the state's first female ...

. He was however defeated in the primary by

Oakland County Oakland County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the metropolitan Detroit area, located northwest of the city. As of the 2020 Census, its population was 1,274,395, making it the second-most populous county in Michigan, b ...

Sheriff

Mike Bouchard Michael J. Bouchard is an American politician who has served as Sheriff of Oakland County, Michigan since 1999. A member of the Republican Party, Bouchard previously served in the Michigan State Senate from 1991 to 1999, and as the Senate Majo ...

, who lost the general election. In February 2008, Butler replaced

Chuck Yob Chuck Yob (born February 14, 1937) is a former Republican National Committee member from the state of Michigan, having been elected to the post in 1989. He is frequently quoted in the media as an expert on internal Republican politics and is well k ...

as a

Republican National Committee The Republican National Committee (RNC) is a U.S. political committee that assists the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican brand and political platform, as well as assisting in fu ...

member from Michigan. Butler is on the Executive Board of

Christians United for Israel Christians United for Israel (CUFI) is an American Christian organization that supports Israel. Its statement of purpose is; "to provide a national association through which every pro-Israel church, parachurch organization, ministry or individu ...

, the pro-Israel organization founded by Rev. John Hagee. In late 2008, Butler started a church and ministry school in

Round Rock, Texas Round Rock is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, in Williamson County (with a small part in Travis County), which is a part of the Greater Austin metropolitan area. Its population is 119,468 as of the 2020 census. The city straddles the Bal ...

, called Word of Faith Bible Training Center. The church was renamed faith4life in 2009. The Bible School was later renamed Pistis (Greek for "Faith") School of Ministry and relocated to Dallas, Texas. In January 2016, the school was again relocated to Southfield, Michigan.

Education

Butler attended from

University of Michigan-Dearborn A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, ...

from September 1973 to May 1977, graduating with a bachelor's degree. He completed theological studies at

Rhema Bible Training Center Kenneth Erwin Hagin (August 20, 1917 – September 19, 2003) was an American preacher. He is known for pioneering the Word of Faith movement. Biography Personal life Kenneth E. Hagin was born August 20, 1917, in McKinney, Texas, the son of ...

in May 1978, and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from

Canada Christian College Canada Christian College and School of Graduate Theological Studies, commonly shortened to Canada Christian College, is an Evangelical Christian Bible college located in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. , over 6,500 people have graduated from Canada Chri ...

Personal life

Butler has been married to Deborah Bell for 42 years. They reside in Michigan. They have three adult children (Keith II (Andre), MiChelle, and Kristina). Michelle is the Executive Pastor, Kristina is a minister and attorney, and Andre is Pastor of Faith Xperience Church (downtown Detroit). They have 4 granddaughters and 3 grandsons. Butler is an advocate fan of the Pistons, Red Wings and Tigers

Electoral history

* 2006 United States Senate election in Michigan – Republican Primary **

(R), 60% ** Keith Butler (R), 40%

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Butler, Keith African-American people in Michigan politics African-American Christian clergy American Christian clergy Detroit City Council members Michigan Republicans Pentecostals from Michigan University of Michigan–Dearborn alumni Living people 1955 births 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American people