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Relationship: Peter J. Daniels

Overview​

Peter J. Daniels (1932-2016) was an Australian Christian entrepreneur, author, and international speaker who visited Eagle Mountain International Church in November 2005, delivering a powerful three-part series on Christian entrepreneurship, goal-setting, and life transformation. Though not a direct personal relationship with Gary Sheng, Daniels' teachings and principles significantly influenced the church community's approach to business, faith, and personal development.

Connection to Eagle Mountain International Church​

  • November 6-8, 2005: Delivered a three-evening series at Eagle Mountain International Church in Fort Worth, Texas
  • Invited by: Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, founders of Kenneth Copeland Ministries
  • Special Recognition: Presented Kenneth Copeland with the "Peter Daniels Caleb Encouragement Award" for outstanding Christian service
  • Impact: His teachings on Christian entrepreneurship and goal-setting became foundational for many in the congregation

Key Teachings and Influence​

Business and Faith Integration​

  • Challenged the church to create "1,000 Christian business leaders for this nation within the next decade"
  • Emphasized that Christians should "take back the economics" and own corporations rather than just work for them
  • Taught that business success enables kingdom investment and ministry support

Personal Transformation Message​

  • Shared his own journey from illiterate bricklayer to international business success
  • Demonstrated that with God, determination, and education, anyone can transform their life
  • Inspired many with his story of reading 2,000 biographies and teaching himself through dictionaries

Practical Tools Provided​

  • 12 Principles of Entrepreneurial Success
  • Life Goals Formula - demonstrated live with congregation members
  • "Destiny of the Third Millennium" program - comprehensive success curriculum
  • Multiple books and resources on business, motivation, and Christian living

Notable Quotes from His Visit​

On transformation:

"I suddenly realized I was equal with all men before God and I reasoned that if I was equal with all men before God I need not accept inequality with anyone. I was a son of a king."

On persistence:

"What do you do when your dreams start to fade? You reach for one more dream. We should never give up, let up, or shut up until God takes us up."

On Christian responsibility:

"You are God's rescue squad... We need to take back the economics."

On destiny:

"Finally, finally, finally when you do expire, whatever you've done in your lifetime - that is what you've traded your life for."

Legacy and Impact​

Direct Ministry Impact​

  • Inspired numerous congregation members to start businesses
  • Shifted mindsets from employment to entrepreneurship
  • Reinforced Kenneth Copeland Ministries' prosperity gospel teachings with practical application

Broader Influence​

  • His books and teachings continued to circulate within the church community
  • His "no debt" philosophy aligned with and reinforced the ministry's financial teachings
  • His emphasis on education and self-improvement became a model for personal development

Resources Shared​

  • Books: "How to Be Happy Though Rich," "How to Reach Your Life Goals," "Miss Phillips, You Were Wrong"
  • Programs: "Destiny of the Third Millennium" - comprehensive success curriculum
  • DVDs/CDs: Various teachings on entrepreneurship and goal-setting

Connection to Broader Ministry Network​

Alignment with Kenneth Copeland Ministries​

  • Strong emphasis on prosperity and financial success as part of Christian living
  • Belief in the power of words and confession
  • Teaching that poverty is not God's will for believers

International Influence​

  • Part of a network of prosperity gospel teachers including:
    • Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (whom Daniels worked with for 22 years)
    • Dr. Robert Schuller (helped build Crystal Cathedral)
    • W. Clement Stone (collaborated for 20+ years)

Memorable Moments from the Visit​

The Caleb Award Presentation​

  • Honored Kenneth Copeland with a special medal featuring Caleb saying "God give me this mountain"
  • Previous recipients included Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Dr. Robert Schuller

The Goal-Setting Demonstration​

  • Live demonstration with four congregation members
  • Revealed how most Christians lack clear vision despite talking about it
  • Challenged the audience to think bigger and be more specific about their dreams

The Window-Cleaning Business Example​

  • Practical demonstration of how to start a business with no money
  • Emphasized the biblical principle of giving to receive (Luke 6:38)
  • Showed that anyone can begin entrepreneurship immediately

Lasting Principles Taught​

  1. The Power of Decision: "You can draw a line in the sand and say our family is not going to go over that line"
  2. Continuous Learning: "The bulk knowledge of the world is doubling every 10 years"
  3. Family Legacy: "Build a heritage for your children's children"
  4. Action Over Planning: "Mastery over procrastination - do it now!"
  5. Vision with Specificity: "You're never going to hit a target that says 'unlimited'"

Personal Background Shared​

Early Life Challenges​

  • Third-generation welfare recipient
  • Never passed a grade at school
  • Suffered from diphtheria as a child
  • Worked as illiterate bricklayer until age 26

Transformation Journey​

  • May 25, 1959: Conversion at Billy Graham Crusade
  • Self-taught through dictionaries and 2,000+ biographies
  • Failed in business three times, paid back debts each time
  • Built successful real estate empire across Australia and Asia

Family Life​

  • Married 52 years to wife Robina at time of visit
  • Three children and eight grandchildren
  • Taught grandchildren family creed and values
  • Emphasized being a hero to one's family

Significance to Church History​

Peter J. Daniels' visit represents a pivotal moment in Eagle Mountain International Church's emphasis on practical Christianity - combining faith with business acumen, spiritual growth with financial success, and biblical principles with entrepreneurial action. His teachings provided concrete tools and inspiration for congregation members to pursue business ownership and financial independence as part of their Christian calling.

His message that "Christians should be the greatest entrepreneurs in history" and his challenge to create 1,000 Christian business leaders resonated deeply with the church's vision for kingdom advancement through practical success.

Note: Peter J. Daniels passed away in 2016, but his teachings and influence continue through his books, recorded messages, and the lives he transformed during visits like this one to Eagle Mountain International Church.