The roots of Word of Deliverance Ministries for the World, Inc. trace back to 1970, when Elder Bishop Lewis T. Hilton, Sr. founded the Apostolic Church of Deliverance in the West End of Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Though the church would later relocate to Lower Price Hill, the early years were marked by intense challenges, including racial hostility and acts of vandalism that tested the faith and resilience of the congregation. In response, the Cincinnati Police Department assigned officers to stand guard during worship services—a testament to both the danger and the church’s unwavering commitment to its mission.

In 1982, the church relocated to 346 Hearne Avenue in the Avondale neighborhood. It was there, in 1983, that Lewis T. Hilton, Jr., affectionately known as Bobby Hilton, answered the call to ministry. By February 1990, Elder Bobby Hilton received the pastoral mantle from his father, becoming Senior Pastor of the church.

A pivotal milestone came on Resurrection Sunday, April 7, 1996, when the congregation moved into a newly constructed sanctuary located at 11331 Southland Road in Forest Park, Ohio. Members labored through the night to prepare for the first morning service, and local media were on-site to witness this historic day. The church also adopted a new name to reflect its expanded vision: Word of Deliverance Ministries for the World, Inc.

A Growing Church for a Growing Vision

Under Bishop Hilton’s dynamic leadership, the ministry experienced explosive growth—expanding from fewer than 200 members to over 2,200 in just a few years. The church hosted multiple Sunday services to accommodate the growing congregation, and the message began reaching far beyond the sanctuary through the television broadcast, “Taking the Word to the World™ with Bishop Bobby Hilton,” which aired on local and national networks.

In 1997, Pastor Hilton was ordained to the Bishopric under the Born Again Church of Jesus Christ, where he served as Secretary of the Board of Presbytery.

As the ministry continued to flourish, Bishop Hilton launched the “Pursuing the Vision… Let Us Rise Up and Build” capital campaign. The result was the construction of a 41,000 square-foot Family Life Center, completed in April 2006. The facility was built to:

• Meet the spiritual needs of the congregation
• Offer human service programs and economic solutions
• Provide community outreach and recreational space
• Promote restoration and healing for individuals and families

Breaking Barriers, Building the Kingdom

From the beginning, Bishop Hilton has been committed to breaking down walls of division—racial, denominational, and societal—within the Body of Christ. His heart for outreach and community transformation has shaped every stage of Word of Deliverance’s journey. He often reminds believers that true ministry goes beyond the four walls of the church:

“Too many Christians want to stick to a predetermined format and stay within the four walls of the church. However, now is the time to go beyond your comfort zone and reach out to those who are lost and in bondage.”

Bishop Hilton continues to lead boldly, riding on the wings of soul-stirring teaching, prophetic insight, and visionary leadership. With each step, he remains true to the mission of Taking the Word of God to the World™ — one life, one city, and one generation at a time.