Tony was raised in Warren, Ohio in an Italian/American family. Growing up, Tony was a part of a band and disco scene with all its trappings and influences until the age of 23. In January of 1979 he was radically born again after his younger brother passed away causing him to question life after death. He then attended RHEMA Bible Training College and graduated in 1983.
While attending RHEMA as a student, Tony also played bass for RHEMA Singers and Band. Tony was a member and for a season managed the group, traveling with Kenneth Hagin from1981 to 1991.
Tony is compelled to help believers find their place in Christ. His ministry emphasises the finished work of Jesus Christ and just how that work can have full expression in the life of every believer. Tony ministers with a strong focus on healing and his teaching is simple and doable yet profound in its impact and effect.
Tony and his wife Patsy’s life and ministry have been marked by a significant truth – The finished work of Christ. Their ministry therefore not only reflects Jesus and His redeeming work but demonstrates practically how that truth impacts each believer’s daily life and walk with God.
They currently are the lead pastors at Rhema Family Church in Brisbane, Australia. Liliana with her husband Evan reside in the United States, and Annalisa with her husband are with Tony and Patsy in Australia.
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Following God’s Call to the Land Down Under
Tony & Patsy Cameneti, Rhema AustraliaSPECIAL REPORT: INTERNATIONAL RHEMA
From the moment they stepped foot on Australian soil in 2006, Tony and Patsy Cameneti, 1983 and 1977 Rhema USA graduates, knew they were exactly where God wanted them to be. This “land down under” had been in their hearts and prayers for two years. And they were certain that everything they had experienced up to this point had prepared them to follow God’s call in this nation.
Tony and Patsy met at Rhema USA in 1981. Patsy had remained on staff after graduating. She served as vocal director of Faith’s Creation, a singing group; coordinator of the Prayer and Healing Center; and an instructor at Rhema Bible Training College.
Born again for only a few years, Tony had left his large Italian family behind to attend Bible school. Upon graduation, he returned to his home state of Ohio and helped his brother Joe establish a church. He eventually came back to Rhema as bass player—and ultimately, manager—for the Rhema Singers & Band.
To the Nations
In 1989, eight years after they met, Tony and Patsy married. Several years later, the Lord began dealing with them about moving to Sicily. Though Tony and Patsy always had missions on their hearts, they were still surprised. They had assumed they would live in Tulsa and travel to the nations.
However, in 1993, just three months after the birth of their first daughter, Liliana, they moved to Altavilla Milicia. In this small mountain town outside Palermo, Sicily, their second daughter, Annalisa, was born 16 months later.
Once overseas, the Camenetis spent two years setting up a Bible school to train church leaders. Realizing how easy it was to travel to other European countries, they also ministered in Bible schools, churches, and conferences in a number of other nations.
From Sicily, Tony and Patsy moved to Rome where they again oversaw a Bible school. It was here that they heard Rhema was beginning to open campuses around the world. And it immediately came into their hearts to help. They spent three years helping Rhema Italy get started in Verona.
“Our years in Italy were really valuable,” Patsy noted. “We learned a lot.” But in 2002, after nearly nine years in this nation, God opened yet another door.
Singapore Calls
“We were actually looking for a house in Italy,” Tony recalled. Then they received a phone call from Lynette Hagin that changed everything. She asked if they would pray and consider becoming the directors of Rhema Singapore, as the current director was returning to the States.
After doing just that, the Camenetis knew this was the right opportunity. So in 2002, they packed their bags and moved to Singapore to take over running the school. For four years, they poured all they had into eager and attentive students. Deep down, however, they knew Singapore wasn’t their last stop.
Nevertheless, they were surprised again when a few years later God dropped into their hearts another nation—Australia.
Neither Tony nor Patsy had ever imagined they’d serve in this country, but as they prayed over a period of two years, they knew God was in it.
Rhema Australia
In 2006, the Camenetis once again packed up their family and moved—this time to Brisbane, Australia. They had a strong desire to see Faith Library Publications' books on that side of the world, and the first thing they did was start Kenneth Hagin Ministries Australia. They purchased a building and set up a warehouse for book distribution.
Then they set their sights on reestablishing Rhema Bible Training Centre Australia. Rhema previously had two campuses there—one in Perth and one on the Gold Coast. Those graduates were already producing fruit across the nation, but the Camenetis knew that God wasn’t finished yet. “Part of our assignment here has been to finish what Rhema was sent here to do in the beginning,” explained Tony.
In March 2010, Rhema Australia’s doors opened once again—this time in Brisbane. Students came from all over Australia to attend, and it was clear to Tony and Patsy that God had been preparing these men and women for this time.
Rhema Australia’s students tackle a fast-paced schedule, completing first- and second-year subjects in one year. The school is registered with the Australian government as a training organization, which means students receive a fully accredited diploma upon graduation. But it also means a lot of hands-on activities are required.
A favorite of both the Camenetis and the students—and a significant training tool—is the monthly Explosion Day. Students, led by the Holy Spirit, go into shopping malls, railway stations, and many other public places to win the lost. RBTC Australia is located in an area that has many economic and social challenges and numerous international residents. This makes it the perfect training ground. Since Rhema Australia began Explosion Day, hundreds of people have been born again, healed, and filled with the Spirit.
Noticeable changes are also taking place in the students as they realize who they are in Christ. On one occasion, several students went to a hospital to pray for a woman with spinal meningitis. They laid hands on her and she was healed and released from the hospital the very next day.
The Camenetis are also seeing results in the third area of their ministry—Rhema Family Church. The church was founded by Rhema graduate and evangelist Terry Walker. He prayed for six years for God to send pastors to take it over. Tony and Patsy were the answer to his prayers. And with the Lord’s help, they have seen the church steadily grow.
God has assembled a widely diverse group of people—from doctors and other professionals to ex-drug addicts. All are experiencing the transforming power of the Word of God in their lives.
One church member, Annie, had lumps on her back. She heard Tony preach that believers are blessed coming in and going out. That hit her as a word from the Lord. Not caring what the neighbors thought, she started walking back and forth across the threshold of her door—going in and out. And every lump disappeared!
“It’s a privilege to be a part of something that’s proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus
Christ in the world.”
The church is also very outreach-oriented. The “Go! Suburb Invasion” program focuses on reaching different areas of the community. Many of the church people are also sharing the Gospel in their everyday lives. One couple regularly visits the local train station to share Jesus. Over the last several months, they have led over 260 people to the Lord. Another young man with a Samoan background recently got a Samoan chief saved outside the local shopping center.
When Tony and Patsy see God at work like this in the lives of the people, they know it’s the Word that makes the difference. And they are truly grateful they’re able to pass on the truths Rhema instilled in them.
“Rhema laid the foundation of the Word of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit,” Tony said. “Because I stayed on campus long enough, I also learned the practical part of ministry. Pastor Hagin taught me so much along that line and made me finish things. I don’t know if I would even be in ministry if it weren’t for that.”
“It’s a privilege to be a part of something that’s proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world,” Patsy added. “And being able to equip and train other people to do the same … it’s just an honor.”
Did You Know?
In addition to Rhema Australia, Patsy and Tony are directors of Rhema Papua New Guinea.
Future Plans
» Establish additional campuses. Among the campuses Tony and Patsy are considering is one in the Outback for the Aboriginal people.
» Plant churches. There are already two additional Rhema Family Churches in Australia.
» Raise up more local believers to teach in the schools, establish churches, and reach nations. Aussies are well received all over the world, so they can go to places that may be difficult for others to enter.
