Dick Woodward helped found and pastor both the Virginia Beach Community Chapel, where he served 23 years, and the Williamsburg Community Chapel, where he served 34 years, his last 17 years as Pastor Emeritus. His relationship with Dois Rosser, the founder of International Cooperating Ministries, made it possible for Dick to realize his dream of “The Whole Word for the Whole World.” His Mini Bible College program has been translated into more than 41 strategic languages and is used around the world to nurture believers and assist in church growth. MBC is a survey, book, and topical study of the Bible that teaches practical and devotional applications of every book of the Bible to our lives.
In 1980 Dick was diagnosed with a degenerative disease of the spinal cord that left him a quadriplegic. In spite of this disease he preached from his wheelchair until 1997, then remained active in his later years as a bedfast quadriplegic in small groups, mentoring, and writing Bible study materials and books through voice activated software until his death at the age of 83 in March of 2014. He often said, “The less I can do, the more the Lord does.”
Click here to learn more about Pastor Woodward.
Click here to learn about Garden Spots & the genesis of this blog.
4SpiritualSecrets 
The Prayer Team of Christ The King Lutheran Church of Mankato is presently meeting in retreat, using Pastor Woodward’s 4 Spiritual Secrets as our study guide. We are listening to the chapters and the using the discussion questions as our guide. What an inspiration. Pastor John Petersen
Happy 80th Birthday, Dick!
My husband Dan and I first ‘met’ you many years ago in Washington State through our old Navy friends, Zip and Marsha Trower, who came to know Jesus while attending VBCC in the 70s. They spoke so fondly of you that we wished we could know you also! In the late 80s we moved to Norfolk where we attended Tab Church, and then had the pleasure of meeting you and your wonderful Ginny in person when you used to come once a year or so to share with us at Tab. I remem- ber you telling the story of a granddaughter (I think) taking you for a wheelchair ride through your garden, and you falling out of your wheelchair face first into the mud and unable to do anything to help yourself! You laughed, and I thought to myself– this man knows something I don’t know! Then, several years later we moved to Williamsburg, and God really drilled into our hearts those spiritual secrets! Here, though we have had the privilege of visiting at your bedside a couple of times, we have gotten to know you through your writings and Mini Bible College–but mainly through your faithful mentee, Bill. It is impossible to say how you have helped us to grow in our Christian walks and to know Jesus better, but we want you to know from the bottom of our hearts how thankful we are to have sat for 12 years now under your teaching and your faithful example of the Christ life lived out in ‘real’ life. And Ginny, we are full of gratefulness for you as well! On this special day we want you to know how very much you both are loved, even by some you may not even know–like us!
Praying for God’s richest blessing every moment of your lives, Dan and Kathy Roper
We want to thank you also for your kindness and prayers for our daughter Jessi, who works part time now at ICM. Please keep praying for God’s young man for her!
Happy birthday Pastor Woodward!
I thank God for you and your ministry. You might not know me. My wife and I are from Indonesia. Let me rewind the story how we were connected a few years back….my wife and I just moved to Norfolk for my graduate study at Old Dominion University. We were struggling to find the right church. We phoned our former church pastor in Maryland, Glen Knecht. He met you in 1970s during a Christian conference and he suggested me to contact you. I found your information through internet and we spoke over the phone. You recommended me to Tabernacle Church of Norfolk. It had been the best in our lives serving the LORD here with Tab Church. God had called my wife and me to serve Int’l students from around the world studying in Norfolk area. If not because God divine time and appointment…we would not be here today. We heard a lot of great stories about you…we had never met yet…I always have hope that we would meet someday. Thank you for all that you do for God and His Kingdom.
Pastor Woodward – I am just reading The God Who Hung on the Cross by Dois Rosser and learning about you. What a inspiration. God bless you on your birthday!
Donna from Ashburn Virginia
Dear Dick,
Even though we have never met in person, after listening to your wonderful story, The Four Spiritual Secrets, coming with my husband to enjoy your wonderful and most blessed birthday party, and being a “regular” at the Chapel, I feel as though we have met. It was so wonderful to meet your precious and angelic wife, Ginny, and your children who so lovingly care for you, through the videos and live streaming that we enjoyed. I can’t think of a person who has been more used by God for His purposes in such a miraculous way than you. I know today is your official birthday and I wanted you to know how blessed we’ve been by having the opportunity to get to learn more about you and your family and the ministry of ICM. In the six years I have attended the Chapel, it’s been such a blessing to be taught by Bill and John and you’ve played such a major role (through the Holy Spirit’s power)to touch so many lives — God is truly awesome and amazing. God bless you for all you do to reach others for Jesus Christ in this world in which we live. Thank you and Happy 80th birthday. Romans 8:28 has been my most favorite promise, too. 🙂
[…] Adapted from Where is Your Heart? by R. Woodward. […]
[…] Adapted from How do you see things? by R. Woodward. […]
[…] from The Gates of Thanksgiving by […]
[…] Adapted from The Therapy of Thanksgiving by R. Woodward. […]
[…] Adapted from “Faithful Stewards” by Dick Woodward. […]
I am using MBC discipleship materials to teach discipleship evangelism higher diploma course. I request that you prepare a certificate in the name ICM bearing the signature of the director to be given to the students after completion. The material are quite devotional. Be blessed, Rev. Richard Chemwa
[…] Adapted from One Step at a Time… by Dick Woodward. […]
[…] Adapted from Where are you going in this new year? by Dick Woodward. […]
Dear Ps Woodward,
I’ve started using your materials to teach my church through the bible (3rd lesson now). We are conducting it in Mandarin/Hokkien every Wed. I endeavor to complete it within 3 years.
Be blessed!
Rev Billy Lee
Blessed Grace Church
Singapore
[…] Adapted from Boundaries of Responsibility by Dick Woodward. […]
[…] Adapted from The Unconditional Love of God by Dick Woodward. […]
At last! Soenome who understands! Thanks for posting!
[…] Adapted from Access to Grace by Dick Woodward. […]
[…] Adapted from A Prescription for Failure by Dick Woodward. […]
[…] Adapted from “When it is time For a Change“ by Dick Woodward. […]
[…] Adapted from The Purpose of Life by Dick Woodward. […]
[…] Adapted from I Must Work While It Is Day by Dick Woodward. […]
Reverend Woodward,
You have really touched my life through the mini Bible college CDs. I listen to them every day driving to work, sometimes I listen to the same ones for up to a month, until I think I have gotten the message. I am a work in progress, but I truly believe I am much better off because of the work that you did on these CDs. I attended the chapel in Virginia Beach when you were there, along with my mom. You baptized my mother when she was around 50 years old. She had been a smoker and was plagued with bronchitis. Her doctor gave her an ultimatum to quit or seek a new doctor. She happened to watch you on TV soon after that and she got down on her knees and asked God to take away her smoking habit. She hasn’t smoked since. Mom also said one day while at the chapel when you walked by her on your way to the vestibule to shake hands with people, she saw a presence in the aisle and she was afraid you were going to walk right into it. You had been at a spiritual retreat for about a month and had come back just full of the spirit. Mom said she wanted to touch you and tell you not to walk into it. When you got to it it disappeared. She always wanted you to know that. Because of your ministry at the chapel, you brought my mom and me closer together. We shared many a Sunday morning there in the Chapel. Thank you for your stories that coincided with the Bible verses. I hope that you know what a difference you made in our lives. Thank you so much!!!
Reverend Woodward,
You have really touched my life through the mini Bible college CDs. I listen to them every day driving to work, sometimes I listen to the same ones for up to a month, until I think I have gotten the message. I am a work in progress, but I truly believe I am much better off because of the work that you did on these CDs. I have some favorites, but they are all excellent!
I attended the chapel in Virginia Beach with my mom back in the 70’s when you were there. You baptized my mother when she was around 50 years old. She had been a smoker all her life and was plagued with bronchitis. Her doctor finally gave her an ultimatum to quit smoking or seek a new doctor. She happened to watch you on TV soon after that and afterwards she got down on her knees and asked God to take away her smoking habit. She hasn’t smoked since and she is 86.
Mom also said one day while at the chapel when you walked by her on your way to the vestibule after church, she saw a presence in the aisle (an angel or the holy spirit or God, she didn’t know what) and she was afraid you were going to walk right into it. You had been at a spiritual retreat for about a month prior to this and had come back just full of the spirit. Mom said she wanted to touch you and tell you not to walk into it. When you got to it though it disappeared or went into you. She always wanted you to know that.
Because of your ministry at the chapel, you brought my mom and me closer together. We shared many a Sunday morning there in the Chapel. Thank you for your stories that coincided with the Bible verses and sharing your family and experiences with us. I hope that you know what a positive difference you made in our lives and do every day. Thank you so much!!!
Jimmie Anne Campbell and Elizabeth Harrison
Hola, por favor podria ayudarme con el correo electronico del instituto biblico del aire, cada que escribo me rebota el correo. la direcion que tengo es iba@icmmbc.org pero no me funciona esta direccion. muchas gracias.
[…] Rosser founded International Cooperating Ministries or ICM. The idea for ICM was came from Rosser’s friendship with Bible teacher Dick Woodward. […]
[…] Rosser founded International Cooperating Ministries or ICM. The idea for ICM was came from Rosser’s friendship with Bible teacher Dick Woodward. […]
Pastor Woodward,
I can’t begin to tell you how happy it made me to stumble upon this website just for the simple fact to say “thank you and god bless you.”
I’ve always lived my life with the best intentions in my heart but always have felt there was something missing, something more. In July of this year I turned my life over to Christ and for the first month I can honestly say I wasn’t sure what that meant. I was desperately looking for direction.
I ran across the Mini Bible College app in the iTunes store and thought I might give it a try. I’ve always been intrigued by The Bible but honestly had a tough time focusing on the messages and sometimes simply just trying to understand it.
Because of the guidance you provide in the Bible College Series I now wake up in the morning, an hour or two early, excited to learn to learn everyday. I’d love to share more, but I’m finding it hard to put my graditude into words.
How about this: Thank you for helping me so much on my journey, thank you, thank you, thank you! God bless you and your family.
[…] from ‘God’s “Eighteen Wheeler”‘ by Dick Woodward. Rate this:Share:MoreDigg Pin ItShare on TumblrEmailPrintLike this:LikeBe the first to like this […]
Dear Pastor Woodward in Christ,
Greetings in the precious and holy name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I praise God for this opportunity to share few lines with you about
our children’s home.
I have started a children home with 15 orphan and street children and 16 Blind boys. We have provided them shelter in our church and feed
them daily and send them to a public school. We live by faith and work
by faith. We have no financial support from any source. We do what we can with what we have. We take care of these helpless children in spite of daily problems, trials and financial hardships. we need
generous and Kind –hearted sponsors to sponsor a child or more . we
need to provide them daily physical needs , medical care and clothing.
Please pray and plan to be a part of this ministry.
If you want to know the information of 16 children, I will send you
their bio-data and pictures.
“ To care the neglected children and giving bright future”
If you would like to sponsor a blind or more please e-mail to us..
Thanking you in anticipation
Humbly in Christ .
Bro.Ezra. Evangelist , Andra Pradesh, India
Note: Visit Us On Face Book — comforthomeforneedy
[…] I took our friend Paul Miller who stayed with us when he visited Williamsburg, Virginia, to meetDick Woodward, pastor emeritus of the church we belonged to, Williamsburg Community Chapel, at Dick’s home, […]
Hello Dick
Your devotional today Thursday may 23 reminded me also of the importance of strong meditation on the character of God A good book out small group has been reading is Tozers Knowledge of The Holy.
agencja-gekos.pl
[…] I took our friend Paul Miller who stayed with us when he visited Williamsburg, Virginia, to meetDick Woodward, pastor emeritus of the church we belonged to, Williamsburg Community Chapel, at Dick’s home, […]
[…] Adapted from Adversity or Atrophy by Dick Woodward. […]
[…] who was desperate to do just one thing: read and write–go blind? Why is my former pastor Dick Woodward a quadriplegic? Why did my mother lose her first-born […]
Outside of people in the Bible or my own family, the three most influential people in my life are George Orwell, D. James Kennedy and Dick Woodward.
Terry Read
Kirby Texas
[…] * * * One of my life’s epiphanic experiences was visiting the Bible teacher Dick Woodward who was paralysed from the neck down and in pain, but ebullient, wise and cheerful. What is inside […]
[…] Adapted from “New Things for the New Year” by Dick Woodward. […]
[…] Adapted from “Access to Grace” by Dick Woodward. […]
[…] Adapted from “When We Do We Will Know” by Dick Woodward. […]
Pastor Woodward – I am also a quadriplegic. In August 2013 I fainted in my kitchen, hit the back of my neck on the stove handle and it broke my C4 in my neck. I had actually fasted that day and prayed for God to do whatever he had to do to keep me focused on him alone. My faith had diminished over the years and I knew I was headed in the wrong direction. I believe this was meant to happen – not for punishment but for mercy and grace. Thank you for your wonderful writings.
dear brethren in the might name of our savior Jesus Christ.
I would like to know how I should find the MP3 of bible study especially the kinyarwanda version.
thanks a lot
Is this a Bible course that you take and what is the cost thank you please email meThank you and blessings Regina
Is this a Bible course that you take and what is the cost thank you please email me