Reverend Ike: An Extraordinary Life of Influence

The unlikely and sometimes harrowing journey of an iconic evangelist, known to millions as simply Reverend Ike, will draw you into his remarkable story of rising from extreme poverty and leading millions of poor Blacks to unprecedented financial success, independence, and joyful living by understanding the profound Biblical promises of prosperity.

Lovingly known by his ardent and enthusiastic followers as Reverend Ike, Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter II touched millions of lives. He presented people with a new way to think about themselves, about life, and about all the riches of health, happiness, joy, love, success, prosperity, and money that could be theirs—if they only understood the principles that he had come to understand. These were the very transformational principles he taught to the hungry hearts, souls, and minds who showed up at his church meetings, workshops, and radio or TV broadcasts each week.

Ike’s early life was full of family drama, opposition, and extreme poverty. Still, he refused to follow the prevailing belief—even within his own family and community—that Black people were here to suffer. Rev. Ike embodied his work and his purpose to raise others up to a better life. In truth, he was a perfect example of the power of faith in action. He overcame the odds by rising above obscurity and transforming himself to a place of great significance.

Around the world, individuals were touched in countless ways and lifted out of poverty, anger, hopelessness, and depression. As Ike’s ministry grew, his calling captured the attention and devotion of millions. Compared frequently to the internationally revered Reverend Billy Graham, Reverend Ike became one of the most widely known and heard inspirational prosperity teachers of his generation.

Mark Victor Hansen is best known as the co-author for the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series and brand, setting world records in book sales, achieving #1 New York Times Bestseller fifty-nine times, with over 500 million books sold, and becoming the Time Magazine Publishing Phenomena of the Decade. Mark is a prolific writer, also coauthoring other popular books such as the Power of Focus, The Aladdin Factor, Dare to Win, One Minute Millionaire, and his latest, co-authored with his wife, Crystal Dwyer Hansen, Ask! The Bridge from Your Dreams to Your Destiny.

Xavier Eikerenkoetter is a musician and spoken word artist who has served as a spiritual minister for forty years and worked alongside his father, Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter II, better known as Reverend Ike. After Reverend Ike’s death in 2009, he served as spiritual leader of the congregation housed at the United Palace, formerly known as United Palace Cathedral. He founded two nonprofit organizations, including the United Palace of Cultural Arts in New York, and the Rhythm Arts Alliance in Los Angeles, which works with gang-affiliated youth and teaches transformation through mentorship and ancestral practices like rites of passage and West African drumming. He received a BA in philosophy from Columbia University and a master’s in counseling psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. His spiritual artistry can be experienced at www.xaviersoulstreams.com.