Dr. Ken Rife is a media missionary who grew up in the coal fields of Southwestern Virginia. After completing his bachelor’s degree from Radford University in Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design, Dr. Rife joined the staff of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ). During his 20-year stent with Cru, Dr. Rife served in various roles including graphic designer, art director, visual design director and a film and video producer/director. During those years Dr. Rife directed multi-media productions Love in a Twisted World and Breaking Free. These were multi-screen/multiple projector evangelistic presentations. In 1995 Dr. Rife earned his master’s degree in film and Video production from Regent University. While a student there he directed the award-winning film Prison to Praise.

In the late 1990’s Dr Rife was co-producer and co-director of God: Discover His Character, a 13-episode TV series featuring the teachings of Dr. Bill Bright.

In 2000 Dr. Rife and his wife, Cindy founded Starshell Media Ministries, and Dr. RIfe continues to serve as president.

In 2007 Dr. Rife joined the faculty of CIU to train and mentor the next generation of media producers and missionaries. Throughout the years he has taught and continues to teach courses in video and film production, graphic design, scriptwriting, and public speaking amongst others.

Dr. Rife completed his doctorate in Communication in 2019 from Regent University and now serves as the Director of Communication Programs which include the majors of Communication, Digital Media & Cinema, Media Arts and Social Media Strategist.

Dr. Rife has been married to Cindy since 1983, and they have four adult children — Jeremy, Jessica, Janae and Jalissa. They also have been blessed five grandchildren — Lottie, Bridger, Riley, Rhys and Lucas.

Education

• PhD in Communication, Regent University
• MA in Communication — Film and Video Production, Regent University
• BA in Art, Radford University

Selected Productions

• Answering the Call — Producer/Director
• A Promised Kept — Producer/Director
• God: Discover His Character — Co-Producer and Co-Director
• Prison to Praise — Director
• Breaking Free — Director
• Love in a Twisted World — Director

Awards

• NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) Award for Best Individual Video of 1995