History of HWCM

Hidden With Christ Ministries was born in the year 2000, the result of a word of the Lord received during a 40 day fast. With a specific directive to “Go ON THE RADIO,” Rita Langeland launched the program “Keys to Victorious Christian Living.” The focus of the broadcast was to present Biblical truth in a practical, down to earth manner that could be applied in everyday life. Starting with one radio station broadcasting the program, the number of stations increased until it was being heard in difference parts of the United States as well as Europe and Africa via World Harvest Radio. Emails began to be received in response to the broadcast along with invitations to speak in various places. One specific invitation from a Bishop in Tanzania, East Africa to put on a seminar for his village pastors, helped to launch what would become a new direction and passion for Hidden With Christ Ministries.

During that very first trip to minister in East Africa, the Lord deposited a supernatural love and vision in Rita’s heart for the African people. Since 2003 she has made numerous trips to the African continent to minister, primarily focusing on the training of indigenous church leaders. She also began to take teams along to do children’s ministry and medical outreaches.

While ministering in Africa, a God-given desire to establish two important projects began to grow in Rita's heart. With the needs of children affected by the AIDS epidemic evident all around, a vision for a place of safety, love and education for orphaned children prompted her to begin the lengthy process required to open the doors to the Treasures of Africa Children's Home in Moshi, Tanzania. TOA began receiving its first residents in March of 2007. (see www.treasuresofafrica.org)

The next major project HWCM will be undertaking in East Africa is the establishment of Faith Training Center International, a Ministry Training Center for indigenous church leaders. The target date for the opening of FTCI is fall of 2009.

HWCM is committed to helping strengthen the native Christian church in Africa through leadership training and discipleship in the Word of God. The opening of FTCI will be an important component of fulfilling that committment.

Other projects in Africa that HWCM has been involved in include: construction of native churches, water well projects, and native pastor support.

In the summer of 2007, HWCM branched out to eastern Europe with the launch of OPERATION LAZARUS, an outreach to teenage orphans being released from state run institutions in Ukraine. (see www.operationlazarus.com)

HWCM’s radio broadcast was phased out last year, with our media focus shifting to the development of a television program to be filmed on location overseas introducing testimonies and stories of faith in action around the world. Under the guidance of Media Director Aaron Culp, Rita Langeland will begin initial filming of this new program in August and September 2007 with hopes to have it released for airing by early 2008.

Rita and her husband David founded Safe Harbor Church in Orange County, California in 1996 and reside in Southern California. (see www.safeharborchurch.org) They have one son, Andy and a beautiful daughter-in-law, Jaimee Joye, who serve as the directors of Operation Lazarus in Ukraine.