Kevin Ramsby – Senior Pastor
Kevin joined the Revival Tabernacle ministry staff in 2005 as Executive Pastor after pastoring Solid Rock Assembly of God on the eastside of Detroit, MI for 4 years. After attending North Central Bible College (Minneapolis, MN) he has served in various positions over his 15 years in full-time ministry. Two of his greatest passions in ministry is the training of ministry leaders and the development of the local church to impact the lives of that community. In January of 2011, Pastor Kevin assumed the role of Senior Pastor of Revival Tabernacle church, a successor to Pastor Tim Dilena.
Kevin is married to Sarah (since 1995), has two incredible kids (Noah and Caitlin).
Outside of the RT Pulpit, Pastor Kevin spends a great deal of his time sharing his story of Hope and how God rescued him in the most darkest hour imaginable. He also travels to raise support for Hope Village, a non-profit birthed out of his miraculous story.
In August of 2009, Kevin was awakened to the sound of breaking glass in his home in Highland Park at 3:00 am. Rushing to investigate the noise, he was met on the stairs by an intruder. Engaging in a fight with the unknown man in his home, Kevin was stabbed a total of 37 times.
During the attack, Kevin experienced the devastating effects of hopelessness as he gave up on life. After being stabbed in his temple, face, throat, chest, arms, nearly losing 2 fingers, abdomen, shoulder, neck and back of the head – Kevin was convinced that his life was over. Lying on the ground with no help or hope in sight, Kevin simply closed his eyes and waited to die. He began to pray what he thought would be his last prayer. For his wife Sarah, his son Noah, and his daughter Caitlin. Until God’s intervention and being moved by 4 simple words, “They still need you”, Kevin’s hopelessness caused him to be paralyzed believing life was over. After losing consciousness praying his last prayer, the intruder who had been recently released from prison, left him on the floor as he ransacked the home for valuables. After regaining his consciousness, Kevin was able to stand to his feet and escape to a neighbor’s house where police and paramedics were called.
Hope Village (Highland Park | Detroit) has been birthed out of this attack as it is now Kevin’s desire to bring HOPE to those who feel life provides no opportunities for change or dreams to become a realization. Kevin experience of THINKING life was over is what many face on a daily basis in our city. It is Kevin’s passion to provide the support, encouragement, and training to many in this situation while sharing his own experience that God is Greater than any circumstance or situation. If Kevin would not have heard those words “They Still Need You”, he is horrified at the thought that he would have remained on the ground, waiting to die, when God had provided him the strength and help to continue living. Literally, hopelessness nearly killed Kevin and unfortunately destroys the lives of many found in the urban community.
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Tim Dilena – Founding Pastor
Pastor Tim is a graduate from the Oxford Center of Christian Apologetics. He has been the visiting pastor at David Wilkerson’s Time Square Church for the last 16 years, where he ministers monthly. Pastor Tim speaks for Major League Baseball and NFL team chapels as well as corporate and entertainment industry chapel services. He ministers cross denominationally in colleges and seminaries. He has also written for magazines and periodicals. He is also one of the contributors for the new Thomas Nelson “Revival Bible”.
In late 2010, after serving as senior pastor for 20 years, Pastor Tim prayerfully accepted the role of an associate pastor at the 14,000 member Brooklyn Tabernacle Church in Brooklyn, NY. In early 2011, Pastor Tim and his family transitioned from the senior pastoral role in Highland Park to join the pastoral team in Brooklyn.