Now that the readership is a bit larger, and I have more eyes out in the community, this may be a good time to bring back the PIMP O’ THE MONTH contest. The last time I ran it (over two years ago, two people responded - and one of them was me.
By the way, here is the first candidate suggested by Anonymous (who may actually tell his/her name later on).
I would like to nominate for pimp of the month: Bishop Donald Hillard of Cathedral International in Perth Amboy, NJ. His stated membership is 7,000. He has amor bearers and travels and preaches to other churches in the area. He has a bookstore with books by TD Jakes, Juanita Bynum, etc. website www.thecathedral.org.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have decided to make this a much more interactive site. In order to involve you in the contents with more than just comments, I have decided to initiate a contest.
The pimps and pimpettes are out there. While I want to concentrate on the national Big Dogs and the Big Dog wannabees in my area, I would also like to help people who may need to be informed of their local pimps and pimpettes.
The rules are fairly simple.
1. If you think you know a pimp (or pimpette) operating in your local area, tell me about him (or her).
2. Give me specifics. The fact that they drive a big car or has a large audience is not an automatic indicator of his pimpism. But it’s a start.
3. If the candidate is involved with the Word Faith idiocy, say so.
4. If they have a web site, include it in your comments.
5. If the church is pastored by a woman, or if the church has a husband/wife team as co-pastors, include it.
6. If the pastor has armor bearers (read here - butlers and drivers) include that information.
7. If the church has more than 1000 members (yes, I pulled that number out of my…arm pit) include that information.
8. If the pastor travels a lot to preach at other churches, include that fact.
9. If the church has a book store and they sell books by Word Faith phoneys tell me. Mention some of the titles.
10. A ten point bonus if the church’s book store sells Benny Hinn books such as “Good Morning Holy Spirit!”
11. The decision of the judge is final.
12. There will be no one there to validate my findings.
I will take the submissions and, after scoring the candidates with my secret formula, identify the pimp o’ the month.
The pimp o’ the month will be announced on the 15th of each month, except this month ’cause a contributer just reminded me that the contest is out there and it’s too close to the 15th. I’ll announce the winner on the 20th instead. .
Extra points if you can provide a picture of the pimp candidate or is his site has a picture of him - or her.
I’m toying with the idea of sending the submitter of the winning candidate some cheap token prize. But I haven’t decided on that just yet. I’ll decide later on. At a minimum I will say nice things about you and maybe prophesy something really positive into your life (for a small love offering of course).
If nothing else, we can start identifying the bush league Wannabes and maybe slow their growth a little. After all, I said, holding my hands to my heart, if I can save one man or woman from becoming a pimp/pimpette then all the effort with this site has been worth it.
Well the nominee certainly is a pimp, see this on the front page of that web site (thecathedral.org):
If you don’t know why this sort of thing is a slap in the face at the poor, read James 2:14-17.
Now some people THINK it’s better to fund one of these pimps getting more mass media for their so-called “ministry”. Those are the people who don’t know the true meaning of the term “ministry”.
But hey, this pimp takes advertising on his streaming broadcast. All about funding his face in the spotlight.
These are the kinds of people Jesus warned about!
It’s interesting that you should mention this aspect of the giving thing. Back when I attended First Baptist Church of Glenarden, I mad it clear to John K. Jenkins, the pastor, that I couldn’t afford to give the church 10 percent of my income. I had a family to take care of. His response: The church can help you pay your bills.
A question: Whose responsibility is it to take care of my family? Me or FBC of Glenarden?
Now Melvine, you were supposed to just give your 10%, and have faith for a “supernatural” breakthrough… how dare you use your comon sense. I’ve actually had people to tell me I’m causing people not to be blessed because I don’t teach tithing. I know several churches where you are not allowed to participate in any auxilleries unless you are a current tither.
Bishop, do you know that you will have a hole in your pocket if you don’t teach the tithe?…. Rather you will have a hole in your pocket if you don’t tithe… Or your kids will be be sick, and you will lose your job..Or….. ahh forget it!! I can’t remeber what they used to say.
hi bishop612, i was part of 2 different congregations that held to the same tenets. can’t be on an auxiliary unless they have a record of you tithing. i used to tithe and give offerings faithfully and didn’t miss services (except for sickness) but was told i couldn’t attend the church business meeting because i never completed the new members class! i wasn’t good enough but my money was. smh.
HA! They (the head pastor and the few others IF ANY that could meet his requirements for full borg-hood) could talk about what’s going on with money that you and others gave, but you were not allowed in.
Talk about a scammer!
Oh well, I’ve been places where everyone was allowed into the business meeting, but the financial report provided was a very scaled down version of the whole truth. And anyone who wanted a role where they could see the books had to be a perfect tither. The role remained empty and lots of us ended up leaving.
My wife won’t let me see the bankbook unless I deposit my entire check every Friday. Should I leave her?? I think she’s pimpin’ me
high 5 nancyboo! LOL
I knew you’d be a bad influence on her Mav.
Yep, heard that line before.
But, wouldn’t that just be a version of passing the buck in a circle?
The problem with when a buck is passed in a circle, is that the last guy in the circle usually ends up with 10 cents or less.
You should have told him that by mandate from GOD as written in scripture recorded as 1 Timothy 5:8, his view of things would make you worse than an unbeliever. You would have denied the TRUE FAITH and gone down the heresy road of trying to “buy” your way into Heaven.
Even when I was a fool who gave “the club” (like Eddie Long’s) 10% and watched talk about the poor on TV and said “those sad poor people” (giving them VERY LITTLE when compared to my contributions to “the club”.), even then I was not so stupid as to neglect the actual needs of my family. And even then that meant at times I would not pay the 10%, but allowed myself to embrace guilt about it in the midst of my being deceived.
Let me make this perfectly clear to everyone reading this. Many of you have people IN YOUR ONLY FAMILY who helped raise you in the faith and YOU KNOW they are elderly now and struggle with their bills. If you want to give “to the Lord”, take a look around you, Matthew 25:31-46. God is not going to ask YOU how well “church” or godverment (government) took care of your loved ones if you had the ability to assist them any at all.
This is another case where in modern practice, the heathen carries out the process better in charitable heathen efforts, than saints. The charitable heathen/unbeliever even takes care of his own first, then gives to others outside of his house after doing that. Saints are to take care of their home first, then the poor saints and then consider outreach ministry.
Matthew 6:21, we each must examine ourselves and ensure our heart is where the Lord said it should be.
You quote the bible so much to destroy other people when it’s in your favor, but paying your 10% your tithes is a God given principle. Now my pastor preaches to have common sense when paying your tithes, your family should not starv and your paying tithes, but tithes should be working into your budget just like any other bill. Or maybe you never read that part of the bible. Just whatever works for you
(MN: I take you also do animal sacrifices. Afterall, the tithe is a part of the Israeli Law system. Oh, and even if you say Abraham paid tithes and that was before the Law, Abraham also offered burnt offerings. So again, I assume you do the burnt offerings, take your offerings (a tenth of your crop and cattle increase) into the temple for the Levites - oh wait! There aren’t any Levites any more.
Tell you what, rather than going through everything again, read the paper on tithing. You should be able to get to it with one of the links at the top of the page. And rather than use the same hackneyed drivel most fleeced sheeple use to defend their wolves’ preferred method of fleecing them, address the questions I raise and the statements I make. Otherwise, admit that you love being cheated and maintain a respectful silence when your elders point out the fallacy of what these wolves teach. An unwillingness to think disqualifies you from taking an significant part in this discussion. You will rise only to the level of a visual aid. )
Well, I would like to thank you for nominating my pastor to Pimp of the Month!!! What an honor, for a man who has served the Lord with diligence. I am a product of Cathedral International and have watched as the church and Bishop Hilliard stand by the standard of holiness always confessing that God is the head of the church and that it is not his show but God’s. I have watched as the church and the man you call the “PIMP OF THE MONTH” have put young people through college and take orphaned children into his own home, those are just to name a few.
So, I say all of that to say, thanks for the publicity! Please everyone rush out to Cathedral International located at 277 Madison Avenue in Perth Amboy, NJ at once! You may find more than a “Pimp and his Sheeple” my prayer is that you will find a LIFE!
Well, I would like to thank you for nominating my pastor to Pimp of the Month!!! What an honor, for a man who has served the Lord with diligence. I am a product of Cathedral International and have watched as the church and Bishop Hilliard stand by the standard of holiness always confessing that God is the head of the church and that it is not his show but God’s. I have watched as the church and the man you call the “PIMP OF THE MONTH” have put young people through college and take orphaned children into his own home, those are just to name a few.
So, I say all of that to say, thanks for the publicity! Please everyone rush out to Cathedral International located at 277 Madison Avenue in Perth Amboy, NJ at once! You may find more than a “Pimp and his Sheeple” my prayer is that you will find a LIFE!
i nominate the Paulk Family in Decatur Ga
not only was the Bishop in a sex scandel, but his brother and nephew: her are the links: oh did i forget
to mention that they are all still pastoring and 90% of
his congregation is AA ( african american) we are all dooped agian:
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/15777/earl-paulk-church-sex-scandal-off-the-back-burner
http://www.apostasyalert.org/earl_paulk_exposed_by_cnn.htm
church link:http://www.mycathedral.org/main_mycathedral.swf
I would like to nominate Levonzia Stevens of Hope Aglow Empowerment Center in Woodbridge, VA (with a “South Location” in Fredericksburg, VA). He is a very charismatic leader (defining charismatic as “posesses personal quality that gives an individual influence or authority over large numbers of people”) that preaches and teaches what I call a “stealth” prosperity doctrine under the guise of “get to give”. According to Stevens, the church is to be run as a business and he is known to take council from a certain pimp in Texas in these matters. Members are encouraged to amass wealth through real estate and other investments as a “testimony” to reach others by giving from their wealth. Since they are the “King’s Kids” they deserve the best of everything — clothes, houses, cars — to show what God can do. Many members will decry pimps such as Cashflow, but they don’t realize what is under their nose.
On the website (www.hopeaglow.org) they offer “Armor Bearer Leadership School” (under calendar, then click seminars & conferences). You will also find conferences that feature various female pastors, as well as a “prophetic” conference.
Finding photos of the pastor and his wife isn’t hard. Their photos advertise the men’s and women’s ministries.
The bookstore features cd’s & dvd’s of their own sermon series such as “Positioning 4 Total Harvest - This 4-part series teaches that the pulling together of individual resources; in a united and concerted effort to accomplish set goals, purposes, missions, or enterprises for the Total Harvest.” On face value this may seem like a great series, but I’ve seen their church members make extremely poor financial decisions in order to “position themselves” to be used by God. I’ve challenged one Hope Aglow member by pointing out that God can use you to bless others even from your meager means.
The danger in pastors such as Stevens is that there is an implication that we are not only “entitled” to material comforts, but that in witnessing to others we are to advertise these material goods as examples of what faith in God can get you.
Oh Boy!
Let’s go with the wife’s former Pastor and the ‘Pastors Pastor’. Church on the Rock = http://www.cotrin.org/index.html in Indiana and Ed Dufresne Ministries in CA. = http://www.eddufresne.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=54&mos_change_template=edm (yes, that’s a plane on Ed’s web site.
Pastor Michael Jacobs church in IN. is a listed WofF church. He states so in person and it’s listed in the phone book as such. He’s also made claims to being Pentecostal.
He owns several luxury cars. IIRC, one was a gift from another pastor…so it didn’t cost his congregation anything…but did cost anothers. During the height of gas increases, he gave the “I’m rich” sermon noting that he didn’t care how much the cost of gas was as he’s rich.
I believe he and his compatriots own small planes for ‘mission use’. Even giving away an old one to a fellow minister.
The majority of his sermons deal with money, taking care of their men of Gawd, promisses of harvestes to come, tithing and offering gifts, advertising his latest ‘books’, pushing speaking in ‘tongues’, his jet setting missions to other lands and churches, how ‘generous he is’ extolling the parishioners to be Bereans while spoon feeding them specific passages to study and glossing over others. Reinterpreting scripture to mean something different. The list goes on.
As for tithing, there’s the traditional Malachi 3 cries of robbing God.
As for treating the man of Gawd good, there’s the parable of Nordstroms in which he says he should be treated as good by his flock as he was at Nordstroms (where he was served with a literal silver platter, had his shirt cleaned and free gifts given even though he hadn’t yet bought anything from them [read: did anything for them]).
The nearest Nordstrom’s is over 2 hours drive away.
His books include Spiritual Fathers or Spiritual Failures (he doesn’t mention anything about failure though but it does make for a snazzy title.) In it, he steals the Orthadox Christian concept of Spiritual Mentors and applies it to himself and other pastors (like his ‘father’ Ed Dufresne). In the bible, you can replace Pater (father) with Spiritual Father and have nearly everything apply to him. Honor thy Father and Mother…now applies to him as Father is ‘Spiritual Father’ too.
He has a book on Angels out also that from what I rember is more about how to use them to your advantage. Several times in services, he’s mentioned ’seeing angels’ in the congregation.
Actually, as you enter the Church, you come instantly face to face with their book store where they sell merchandise and books from “Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Dr.Ed and Nancy Dufrense, Pastor Michael Jacobs, E.W. Kenyon”
He has threatened dire consequences for those who leave his ministry, the wife even thinking she would die because of an OT passage.
He has sought to separate followers from any negative person or non followers so that their faith can be exercised and grown and they not have to deal with any threat to it. My life is an example of this, with my wife having listened to a brainwashing tape of this for 3 straight months before leaving in 2005 for a year.
He’s said to get sermon ideas while lounging in his pool (at his McMansion Home that also serves as the HQ for a separate ‘ministry’ he has) listening to TBN tapes. The pool cost someone $10,000 to repair (read: congregation member).
His generosity consists of him taking care of visiting pastors (and doing a little for some members)…who, in turn pass the buck and treat him well when he visits them. All of this covered by congregation members from the various churches of course.
During any holiday, expect to be hit up for a contribution for a ‘gift’. Birthdays, Christmas, Father’s Day too of course.
Also be asked to constantly sow seeds into vaious projects. IIRC, even the teens were asked to sow a seed into his son’s new truck so that they could harvest their own cars when the time came.
Guilt trips for not chipping in.
His wife, son, daughter and son in law are involved in the ministry and running of the church. His wife has run house several times as he takes his 5-fold ministry to the world.
He has a youth minister who once commented on their own financial problems…coming to the conclusion that all their donations to other charities were the cause of it, what they should have been doing all along is sowing into their OWN church…giving all the money to COTR and the Pastor rather than to other organizations.
Actually, all are encouraged to sow into the ministry rather than into any other charities. The wife stopped donating to CCF and others.
The wife recalled speaking to other congregants who also expressed being in massive debt but still being encouraged to act as if though they weren’t as they had to operate in faith.
The pastor tried a TV program and does tape his sermons for resale. I have a closet full of these tapes and CD’s. They were all over the wifes car. Even my car trunk is full of them.
People have been berated over the way they dress, with the kids asked to dress nicer when some big wigs visit. Women have been told they need to wear makeup to be attractive for their men. (I HATE makeup…I also thought the bible stressed inner beauty rather than outer beauty).
This also contradicts times when some members (mostly males) had outlandish punk hair cuts and styles…to be ‘radical for God’.
When my eldest daughter was ‘re-baptized’ there, I asked her why, “To honor Pastor.” she replied…along with a host of other silly reasons that had little to do with Christianity.
There’s plenty of running, babbling, singing and dancing in the church. Altered sound and lighting too.
Did I mention that most sermons are about money?
“In the bible, Honor means giving gifts and finances. Sure it means other things too but this is what they are talking about.”
The pastor will also not return to a place where he’s not ‘Honored’.
Coincidence?
As said before, the pastor encourages people to pray in tongues more often (even over praying normally) so that they can be built up and grow.
On command, he has had the entire congregation start babbling.
Holy Laughter and other ‘drunken’ behavior has happened.
In their belief that fear ‘activates the devil’ they call God a liar. By finding fault in the story of Job (who’s “fears came to pass”) they forget that they usurp Gods judgment of finding no fault in this servant. This is reflected in Dufesne’s web site when he posts a story dealing with this.
The pastor has several catch phrases like Bart Simpson does including ‘You seeing what I’m saying’ and ‘oooiill’ (like the tin man from wizard of oz).
I don’t know if he has actual ‘armor bearers’ but many have helped him in something or other at times and many congregants would beat you for saying a bad thing over their ‘man of gawd’ but not bat an eye over actual blasphemy against God.
I don’t think the church has many members (300ish would be a guestimate) but it acts larger.
Jesus is seldom mentioned in services.
He has the same anti-intellect presence that Jessie Duplantis has. Berating education often.
He’s stressed that if you had the God kind of faith, you wouldn’t ever get ill…but if you did, you can go to the doctor.
The Pastors’ pastor, Ed Dufresne, has a doctorate…in what and from where I don’t know yet. His wife is a former state beauty queen. He’s spent $40k just to paint his new home. He’s bragged how his business and church have worked to make him wealthy, even patting himself on the back.
He’s a prophet…but the kind who needs to be stoned for being false.
He prophesied that Pastor Jacob’s mother in-law-would enter the hospital and have a quick surgery and be out soon. She went in and took a severe turn for the worse, spending the entire time in intensive care before dying.
During this event, Pastor Jacobs made excuses such as people often don’t want to get better and want to die.
The woman was expecting her 1st great grand child in a matter of weeks. Yeah…she wanted to die.
During the wife’s last 6 months there, she gave 18.5% of her meager income…and that’s just what was documented. They were told to tithe off the gross and not the net. They were told to tithe on their desired income even if they didn’t make it. Act like they did get that raise they wanted and already had the money. Standing on faith that God will do what he’s contractually bound to do in that covenant you have with Him.
When she left, she was told her life would get better as she was leaving all evil things behind. It only got worse.
The pastor was hard to reach…having little time to meet the needs of his congregants due to his busy schedule and travel. He did tell her she needed to ‘tweek’ things to get it right and win. Yeah…that’s helpful. Just tweek it. Sooo specific and biblical too.
People were encouraged to spend as much time in church as possible…even forgoing work if needed…then questioned on why they didn’t have the money to give. One of the complaints during the abortive divorce attempt by me was that the wife spent too much time at church and not enough with family (they are scattered when at the church). To the GAL, she tried to pass off that All day Sunday, Monday night, Wed. Night, and every other Saturday (plus additional times as events dictated) wasn’t too much time…you can understand how I got the upper hand in the divorce.
Progressively over time, the children were removed from other events like school sports…just wasn’t time for them to do everything.
Once, the wife was berated indirectly during services (someone ratted her out) for engaging in an annual and pre-planned Christmas party with her parents and missing a service.
Pastor Jacobs runs a Bible Institute…where you go to a Sunday School like event and learn to parrot the mantras. This cost 600 dollars a semester for the 1st 2 years and then 300 a semester for the last 2. You don’t do as much in the last 2. The wife attended 3 years. This cost was for materials and to pay those teaching. Love offerings were asked for non stop…to pay for the visiting teachers. G.I.G.O.
A couple of graduates have gone on to plant seed churches in other areas.
The pastor has ‘bad-mouthed’ numerous people who left the church. Saying he doesn’t ‘need them or their money’.
Other than a couple who had money, he’s never sought after his ‘lost sheep’ who left as a good shepherd would.
He’s refused to listen to the sound warnings of life long friends in the past and turned on them instead (one of the wifes witnesses in the divorce case was actually on my side…oops).
He’s instructed congregants to avoid ex-members with shunning. Most follow this advice even to rediculous extremes.
If you want to see a cult leader in action, come on down. The greatest con of all time…and 100% legal under the guise of religion!
It’s no wonder these former ‘bad boys’ have turned to see this light.
And by bad boy, I mean the cookie cutter stories they tell about themselves and their lives prior to the world shattering Damascus Road Experience(tm) they have. Doing drugs, drinking booze, whoring and rock n’ rolling.
I could go on for hours but, I’d rather watch the 2002 movie Savage Messiah http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303010/
…it’s a lot less painful.
I can relate
I believe if we were living in the Old Testament era, you were a Levite and Jenkins were a priest, then it is his and the church’s responsibility to care for you. Otherwise, according to today’s standard’s it is your responsibility to care for your family because since Christ is now the priest, you are no longer under the law to pay the 10 percent, especially if you’re not a Levite. It sounds like a possible con game to me just so you can pay it. Is it guaranteed that his church would pay your bills? Only at his church’s discretion. Did Malachi 3:8-10 come out of his lips, during your dialogue with him? I wonder if I should bet my last paycheck on it.
To add, many of them out there is not called by God to preach and start a ministry and they know it. Therefore, I expect little or nothing from a con man.
I nominate Tony and Cynthia Brazelton of TCBM (Tony and Cynthia Brazleton Ministries) of Clinton MD.
1. They are definately involved in the WOF hearesy http://www.tonyandcynthiabrazelton.org/links.cfm, and linked with other WOF satellites around the DC area as well as linked to to of the largest WOF pimps Dollar and Copeland.
2. The church is co-pastored by his wife and if you look at the links to other churchs, you see the same, again see here http://www.tonyandcynthiabrazelton.org/links.cfm
3. Here’s the itinerary http://www.tonyandcynthiabrazelton.org/itinerary.cfm
4. He owns a plane http://www.celebrityaircraft.com/aircraft/celebrity/aircraft.html?3876=1123
I used to attend one of the churches on the affilated list (which shall remain nameless), and they did sell materials from Hinn, Meyers, Dollar, Hagee and Copeland. And I believe they still do.
Why name Brazelton, but not the church on the affilated list? I mean, you just put the main guy out there.
MFHCC, does that help.
Adub, how have the been pimping their congregation? If I’m not mistaken, Dollar gave them the plane. I’m not certain about them pimping the congregation, but that lady is anointed. The few times I’ve heard her, for the most part she was on it. I haven’t been able to sit and listen to him though.
I think the fact that they are involved with Dollar speaks volumns. Whether she or he is annointed is not necessarily important, but what is, is that they both are submitted to Creflo Dollar a word of faith heretic if you will. I view Dollar as “leaven” if you will, a corrupting influence, and they are following along right after him.
And please define what you mean by annointed.
I haven’t had any use for these two (well, him especially) since the time he said that if he had been in one of the 9/11 sites he would have been protected because he tithed. I just thought that was so disgusting. He didn’t take into account that Christians died on that day too, nor did he take into account the feelings of the families they left behind.
Ignorant. Just ignorant.
Forgive me for being off the topic but I have a question that I hope that any well informed or equipped person can answer.
I used to fellowship in a COGIC church in New York for six years. During that time when living there, my daughter stayed here in North Carolina, raised by my sister because of my work hours. I approached the pastor and told him about my situation, longing for my daughter. He informed me that I should listen to the Holy Ghost because I belong in New York and my daughter belongs in North Carolina.
He also said that if I move to North Carolina, I will not be able to find work. When I would visit North Carolina, I spoke to one of my sisters church ministers and they said that the Holy Ghost told them I should move to North Carolina.
When the New York pastor gave a sermon one day, he said if the Holy Ghost tells someone to do something and they act contrary (I’m paraphrasing what he said) to what He said, there are bad consequences to pay. Well, in 2005, I lost my job and the union wouldn’t help me and in 2006, I moved here in North Carolina with my mother and sister because I couldn’t find work.
I didn’t tell the pastor nor anyone I used to fellowship with that I am down here. I am so glad to be with my daughter but for a year now, I cannot find work. I can see the anger and resentment in both my sister and mother. My sister told me in my face that she wish I and my daughter would get our lives together and move.
Sometimes it feels like God has turned His back on me and I know better not to sow a seed with some fake tv ministry. Does it sound like I put myself in a bad situation in a spiritual sense or must I believe that all is going to work out?
What you must do is consistently seek work, and perhaps take a temporary position until you find what you really want. You have been manipulated into believing that finding a job is much more “spiritual” than it really is. While God is concerned with every area of our lives, He is not withholding a job from you because of what that crazy man said. Because of those negative words by that man, you may be sabotaging your job search because you are distracted by that nonsense.
Keep looking. Free your mind from those negatives words. You’ll find a job.
(Also, I hope you’re getting child support. If not, it would be a good idea for your child’s father to do his part if he’s still alive.)
Be encouraged. God has not turned His back on you.
Same thing is going on with my mother. She calls Nigeria(where she is from) to talk to a “witch doctor” who calls himself a “pastor”. She calls him pastor Solomon. Everything she says is Pastor Solomon told me not to look for a job yet, Pastor Solomon said this, that. And she is being deceived and this man is deceiving her greatly. It is shameful, my mother doesn’t read the Bible, every sentence that is supposed to have God, has Pastor Solomon. People call her house everyday scheduling job interviews for better positions, but she keeps saying Pastor Solomon says don’t go yet. My mom keeps going back to witchcraft and sorcery mixed with pentecostalism in the name of “hearing from God”. People who don’t know God’s word, or what is says are gullible. And can fall into all sorts of deception, in the name of “obeying your spiritual covering/father/mother…..
Angela, I agree with GaryV. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he WILL direct YOUR path. Praying for you too!
Angela, no way this pastor has anything to do with your difficulties. Do all you can do in the natural, and believe God for the supernatural. Be certain you’ve done the first things.
I’m praying for you……….
An interesting article was written about prosperity message in Africa. In Zambia they only have three stations to watch one of them is TBN which they associate with Christianity how sad.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/july/12.22.html
Growing up in Nigeria, there wasn’t as much prosperity teaching as there is today. Now Pastors are known for one thing….MONEY….Plus there are pentecostal churches everywhere in Nigeria. Check this story out……….http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?type=NEWS&id=1127252069
Angela, remember that the Lord God Love you, just hold on help is on the way, Cast all your care on him for he care for you. I keep you in my prayers.
Shalom,
I nominate a local Pastor here in Baton Rouge, La. His name is Larry Stockstill at Bethany.Com. I wasn’t suspicious until I saw a full page ad for a Benny Hinn Circus that was coming to town on the back of my Sunday brochure.
Then I read his book “The Laws of Increase” several statements in the book concerned me:
*I don’t want your money(despite his declaration for 20million dollars by the year 2020; see 20/20 vision)
*All of the sacrifices and offerings had to do with money (despite the Scriptures’ offerings/sacrifices were burnt up or distributed to those without inheritance).
*On the back cover it’s stated, “this is not another name-it-and-claim-it book”.(But it is about giving money to receive mo’ money).
*You CAN’T EXPECT TO RECEIVE your blessing. (Clearly a disclaimer when you go broke and haven’t received your blessing yet). You’re suppose to just wait it out.
*In the 20/20 vision plan we are told:
1.)Give over and beyond
2.)Of course IISam.24:24 is quoted(which deals with sin not prosperity. To redeem our sins cost Christ His life)
3. Cancel the following and give monetary value to BETHANY
a.)a new car(keep your clunker)
b.)vacation(stay stressed out while he “missionaries” to africa/Europe
c.)Home remodeling(paint? Why?)
4.Finishing paying bills? Give that amount to Bethany:
a.)Redirect loan repayment amount to Bethany
b)Child’s tuition paid off, now give that monthly amount to Bethany
5.Committ the FULL AMOUNT of salary increase to Bethany
6.Heirlooms laying around? Give it up!! For examples see “suggestion #4 where one person gave up $20,000.00 in baseball cards. Remember this has nothing to do with weekly tithe$.
7.Inheritance? Give it up!! One couple did(valued at several thousand dollars) and this was “in addition to their committment from their regular income (tithe). See suggestion#5 in 20/20 vision plan.
8.Sitting around relaxing!!?? Get ANOTHER JOB!! See suggestion#6. Lazy Bums!
9.Transfer ownership of assets to the Church, e.g., stocks, etc.
10.Giving doesn’t have to be equal every year. You “might be able to give more in the third year”. For example, 20% of your income in the first year, 30% of your income in the 2nd., and 50 YES 50% in the third year!!
What about The Church in your Last Will!? See a “Final Word” for more details.
I nominate this Merchant of Christ because he has the Sheep so whipped that they actually live in POVERTY. Keep in mind that the Church’s name actually means in Hebrew, “House of Poverty/Misery”. Coincidence? Hmmm.
He also has 3huge Billboard Ads letting you know about the church. These are really, really, expensive and not necessary.
He needs to plant 5,000 new Global 12 Project Churches throughout the world. He was a Disciple and chaplain of The Oral Roberts Sect.
He serves on the Board of Directors for “CHURCH GROWTH INTERNATIONAL” in Seoul, Korea founded by Word of Faith’s David Yonggi Cho(who believes in the 4th. dimension).
Has approximately 11,000 members(that tithe). Sorry, no free memberships.
Shalom Alechem
Now THAT’S some quality pimpin’ Avi
BRING IT!!!!!!!!!!
GaryV,
You from B.R.?
Noooooooooooo………….never been there. Seems a hot bed of pimposity though.
And it is…I’m trying really hard not to nominate my own pastor for P.O.T.M.
Replace everything you said about Jamal and replace him with this guy, and you’ll see a clone. http://www.pastorravernon.org
http://www.wordcity.org
In addition, he claims to have graduated from Cleveland State, false….attending Ashland Theological Seminary…false….
Members call him daddy…..
He preached a ridiculous sermon that had a heretic twist called hater grace
http://www.faithemail.com/poplogin.asp?aid=22&s=116&u=faithemail&k=68371407&vc=1
Face is all over the city, on every bus and billboard, and you’d swear this guy was the son of God.
R.A.Vernon is my pastor, and yea he is my spiritual father so in that sense he’s my Daddy. Pastor Vernon has done alot of good in the greater Cleveland area. Before you go talking negative you need to check the record. You need much prayer!!!!
DADDY?!? Just calling him your church leader, or as you stated “my pastor” is showing enough respect. When you as a grown man call another man DADDY, you cross the line from loyal follower to Idol worship. Bring it down a little.
To Cop I thought it was 1 Cor 11:3 but not in these days. These unbibical terminology have gone mad witht these sayings. The idol thing needs to be brought down a hole lot in my view
DTG-thanks for the scripture back up.
I wonder if this guy’s “passah”gets up every Sunday and starts his sermons by saying “Turn to you neighbor and say “WHO’S YO DADDY?!?!?!”
SavedbyGrace….
Your comment referring to a minister as your ’spiritual’ father, begs the question: then, who is your god? I intentionally left that in lower case so that you may give it some Biblical thought.
Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, clearly tells us to call no man father (Matthew 23:9); or, did you miss that Holy Script?
While I don’t know this man from a can of Lucite High Gloss paint, rest assured, if he be anything concerning the Kingdom of God, he is at best, a servant.
This is an interesting one for me. In some faiths I know that persons are referred to as someones spiritual father as opposed to their carnal father because that person functioned in the capacity of a parent when they became born again, nurturing , guiding, correcting, upbraiding all in the Word. How would this be in alignment with Paul’s reference to Timothy as his own son in the faith? Or was Timothy actually Paul’s son. 1 Ti 1:2 refers. Does Paul’s statement in Eph 6:1 refer to the same type of parents in the following para? I am genuinely asking and not contending.
For me if there appears to be either conflict or confusion in the Word then the conflict or confusion is in my understanding, thats my first position, thus help a brother out.
Given your reference Mt 23:9 I need to have this issue squared away in my head.
“Feed the flock, not on the flock.”
@Nigel….
I actually don’t see the correlation here, as Jesus, in Matthew 23:9, spoke expressly about titles to men, such as given the Pharisess and Scribes; while, in 1Timothy 1:2, Paul is using a term of description to one who is, literally, a child, in the faith. “Mine own son…” is not a title in this sense, as much as it is an illustration of Timothy’s stance as being, compared to Paul, a youth.
I compare this again with Phillipians 2:2, where Paul says of Timothy, “like a son with a father, he has served with me in the Gospel”. Again, this is an illustration, and not a title.
Agreed, hence I didn’t think referring to someone as your spiritual father was an assigned or recognised title but it was being used in the same manner in which Paul used “son”, illustratively. And ’spiritual’ being used to diffrentiate from one’s natural or carnal father, i.e your father in the faith.
@Nigel….
Sadly, we do not agree. SBG is using a title, spiritual father. Father is a title, a parent. Son, however, is a male child, and therefore, as Paul used it, it was not a title.
Have you ever heard an elder say to a younger male, “son, listen to me”, or, something of the like? He is using this term in lieu of saying something like, “young man, listen to me”. You will never hear, nor has it been defined that Father is anything less than a title. We cannot conclude that, because Paul referred to Timothy as, ‘my son in the faith’, that Timothy referred to Paul as, ‘his spiritual father’.
When you read Matthew 23 in context, you will realize that Jesus is talking about the religious leaders. SBG is talking about her religious leader, and has, therefore, given him a title that is against Scripture.
I don’t say this in an attempt to bring offense, but as saints of God, it would behoove us to loose some of the ‘churchanese’ we speak to one another. It’s not Biblical, and the Lord’s rightful place becomes blurred and obscure when we place others before Him. It’s called idolatry.
Where truth is optional, error becomes justifiable.
This may have posted already while I was having connection problems.
I need some clarification here. My first posittion is if there seems to be any contradiction or confusion in the Word of God that contradiction or confusion is due to my lack of understanding for the Word of God is inerrant. (I think inerrant is the correct word)
The question is when Paul referred to Timothy as his own son in the faith 1Ti 1:2 was Timothy his carnal son? Secondly, in Eph 6:1 could someone please clarify for me? I am under the impression that he refers to spiritual parents 1st then to carnal parents. There are other areas where Paul used himself as representing a parent and the members his children. (2 Co 12:14) In Ga 4:19 whilst upbraiding the Galatians he refers to them as children he travailed in birth.
For example when I became born again there was an elder who performed what I saw as the role of a parent advising, instructing, guiding, correcting, upbraiding and sometimes also consoling me using the word of God where and when necessary. At that point in time I came into a new environment as a child in the faith and for a lot of people they dont necessarily become born again along with their parents.
For me there is no worship or idolising there, just lots of love and respect. I am not defending the knee jerk reaction from “saved by grace” but this is a custom I am acquainted with in churches.
COP,
“When you as a grown man call another man DADDY, you cross the line from loyal follower to Idol worship.”
How so? I still call my father Daddy and my mother Mummy. Please explain a little more for my benefit. Thanks
People help a brother out.
The former church I use to go to!!! here is the website..
allnationschurch.tv (MN: The web address is correct, but it doesn’t take us to the church’s site. )
they have a billboard and a limo service to pick up kids for church, and the pastor says things like”this church has never seen this much money since i have been here” yea its the biggest church in southern illinois…
very organized religious church of God, He loves juanita bynum and reads all the latest books to help him out! yea I read the sign today as i drove past the church it said, “where God is 24/7, 365 Here at All Nations Church!. yea I was a little disgusted!! they built a daycare center just to pay off church debt, they built a brand new youth facility with only 6 youth they are in debt over their head because they keep instilling and building more and more and bringing in guest speakers!! they have matching outfits on the “praise team and well just check it out!
remember that is allnationschurch.tv
To Sbrenea, boardmanudobi, anyomous, gary v, Moe, and Love:
I would like to say thank you all for your support and understanding. These were issues that I had to get off my chest and I do feel better. Ever since I’ve got saved, it has not been easy and I’m sure some of you feel the same. I am going to take it day by day and step by step. I know this blog topic is pimp of the month so I’m going to say this. I have been to several churches in my lifetime and have seen or hear some things that made me suspicious of pimpery. In one church, the pastor said that if they don’t raise x amount of dollars, they were going to close down permanently around October. Well, the church was still standing and they announced that they were opening another church in Russia. I was baptized in that church and never came back again. In another church, till this day, I wonder why families and people were leaving one by one and when I run into one of them on the street and ask why they left, they refuse to talk about it. In this same church, they broke the congregation up into twelve groups and named them after the tribes of Israel and had to raise $20,000 for a new building by selling things. Children and teenagers shaking and rolling on the floor, babbling during service. I’ve never seen anything like that before. In this same church, I used to wonder why the cops used to show up a few times, before service in uniform and walk to the back where the kitchen is. You suspect a lot of things about your church but don’t say anything because I’m not ashamed to say it, of fear. It was this particular church in New York called the Greater Bible Temple Way and I don’t know the pastors name. This is a big church where the elite and professional people would go to. I went there maybe twice in my lifetime. The preaching had no substance and the collection plate would go around maybe five times during service (no kidding). Now that sounds like a pimp to vote for. Again thank you all and God bless.
Yup………..that sounds pimpworthy to me too Angela
Be blessed!!
I know where you are coming from. A few years ago I had to “re-accept” Jesus into my heart because I had grown up in a pentecostal church. I always had questions as a little boy in Nigeria. At about the age of 19 or 20, I denounced everything(pentecostal doctince/practices/acts) opened the Bible and studied after a while. Later I got down on my knees crying, and asking God to forgive me for being involved with such foolishness. I remember at the age of 14, my mother use to take me and my brothers to see a “voodoo/witch doctor/pastor”. He would bring out eggs and honey and give my mother and tell her to eat it with us. He also use to pray in the name of ..something.. and deceive my mother. Unfortunately my mother is still involved in this pimpery/wickedness, at the end of the day they end up taking her MONEY!
I have a correction. The twelve groups had to raise $20,000 each, totaling almost a quarter of a million dollars($240,000).
I have a Pimp alert from a group called, “God’s News Behind the News”. Has anyone heard of them before? If not you need only to watch TBN to see this group of “so-called” Prophecy experts. They usually get together with Pimps like Bill Cloud and Perry Stone. Well anyway I just received a nice letter
OK, what I stated is the truth and was transcribed from this letter I received. According to Dr. Joe he will take my prayer request to the garden along with my financial seed and personally intercede for me on my behalf. Did you notice the whole “pressing” thing? You know, pressing and overflow. Sigh! So many Pimps so little time. Here is the website below. Please notice all the nifty things for sale off to the right of the web page.
http://www.godsnews.com/
Kyle
Does anyone know anything of a New Covenant Baptist Church in Orlando, Fl? My friend just attended the church recently and as she is a babe she asked me to research the church for her (being in London makes it quite difficult to do so, lol).
Stephenolan, - Pimp Alert
STAY AWAY! RUN! TELL YOUR FRIEND TO RUN RUN RUN! I have the web page below for the Church you were inquiring about. Everyone peruse the site and see that its ALL about the MONEY. Richest Black man, success stories, and cruises are a sure sign that this is a PIMP Church. After clicking on the site below look to the right and click on the “other articles”. You will see everything from women Pastors teaching Creole, cruises, revivals with “overflow”-Hmmm, and a beauty line of products. Stephenolan tell your friend to GO!
http://www.thecovenant.org/news/index.php?refID=99
Kyle
To Kyle,
Is this the same Robert Johnson who used to own BET?
Angela,- YES this is the same Robert Johnson that once owned BET and became a billionaire over night. However he lost a large portion of that wealth because of his divorce. Like I said I helped Stephenolan get the info about this church and YES it is ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. Here is the site about Mr. Robert Johnson. At best we can say he is a brilliant businessman and that is highly commendable BUT, the question is what does this have to do with a church? Nothing! unless your a church in the pimp game.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_L._Johnson
Kyle
Pimp Alert-
Here is a Vid from New Covenant Baptist Church in FL.
Click on the link and scroll down to the Pastor Sharon Riley-Yes a woman Pastor and click on her ,”Sisters get your wings and soar”.(Lower left of screen) More Pimp nonsense about gettin the dough and success. Lots of hoopin and hollerin but NO scripture.
BTW wasn’t “Get your Wings” a song by the rock group Aerosmith in the 1970s?
http://www.thecovenant.org/broadcast/
Kyle
Thank you, thank you, thank you brother Kyle. I knew one of the P.P fam would be able to help me out. I had a feeling from her description of the church (and all she had to say about the Pastors message was that he made her laugh, not a good sign) that it was no good. I shall be warning her very shortly. Thanks again!
New Pimp Alert!
Bishop Oscar Brown, Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church
Read the baltimoresun article for today. Unbelievable!