Many of my readers are from the Nashville area, specifically Otter Creek, and they frequent the City of Brentwood. If you’ve ever been to Brentwood, you’ve probably noticed the Bethel World Outreach Center.
At first glance, this church looks like any other charasmatic mega church, but what lies beneath is something that most Nashvillians still don’t know about. That Bethel World Outreach and their family of churches called “Every Nation Ministries”, are frighteningly connected to one of the most talked about Christian Cults of the 80s, Maranatha Campus Ministries.
But its not a small connection between the two. Almost all of the leaders of Every Nation’s family of congregations were also the highest leaders of Maranatha. They’ve just reformed and figured out how to keep from getting kicked off campuses. Very little of their theology has changed, and they are still deceptive.
Here is a timeline of Maranatha’s transition into Every Nation (Created by a former member at Bethel)
Anyway, if you get interested in this, I warn you, it gets scary. The theology of this church is just ok enough to be bad. They understand the dire nature of living in the Kingdom. The problem is, they’ve completely missed the point on what the Kingdom is. They feel that God has lost control of the earth, and that he’s chosen a group of people here to win it back for him. Through force if necessary. For the last thirty years, they’ve been going hard after the Republican Party, using politicians to obtain power over our country. Don’t think for a moment that any Republican policy maker doesn’t have some sort of connection with this church. It is absolutely scary. Their latest “annointed one” is Sam Brownback - Neocon - Kansas.
Anyway, I’ve acquired a transcript of a sermon preached when this group’s name was changing from Morning Star International to Every Nation (btw, this is short for Every Nation in a Generation). Some of the things said will blow your mind. Stuff about how God has “called us to rule over the Earth”. If you’d like a copy, please email me and I’ll be glad to send it to you.
In the meantime, if you are a Republican, you should call your representative and let them know they need to stay far away from this group.
15 responses so far ↓
Belinda // February 26, 2007 at 11:10 pm
I’m like a copy . . . Thanks!
y // February 27, 2007 at 4:42 am
I agree as I have known people who go there, but its really hard to say anything about it. Here’s how it would go:
They are crazy.
Why?
Well, they go to church all the time.
So? They are just devout.
No, you don’t understand. They tell the people how to live their lives.
So? Your church doesn’t have sermons admonishing you to live a better life?
No, it’s like a cult. Those people are so completely devoted. It is their whole lives once they join. They tell everyone about it and bring their friends.
Oh, so unlike your church where you go, but usually just leave it at the church, and don’t really say anything about it to people at work, b/c that isn’t PC.
I sometimes wonder if they have it figured out. Then I remember that Daniel Kendrick up and married his girlfriend and they moved out to Riverside, CA to work at Starbucks so he could go to Bethel University and study mystical spirituality. Oh, and a nerd on the tennis team had a dream that he was supposed to marry this really hot Delta Sigma girl, so he told the Church, and they got married.
I guess it’s all your perspective.
justin // February 28, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Y,
There’s plenty of internet documentation to back up that its not just a bunch of devout Christians. If you search “Every Nation Cult” on google, you will find links to message boards frequented by former members of the movement. Also, a blog detailing experiences of several former members can be found at
everynationmsiexposed.blogspot.com
y // March 1, 2007 at 1:57 am
Don’t get me wrong. I think they are crazy. I’m just saying that their strength lies in that they can easily cross back and forth over the crazy line more so than say, the Remnant or the Branch Dividians
Justin // March 1, 2007 at 3:44 am
You’re right, that is definitely a “strength” of the group. And it’s even worse because they’ve been down this path once before and did some things wrong, lots of bad press, got kicked off campuses, but they regrouped and learned from their mistakes.
However, from what I hear, Bethel is down to two services on Sunday morning. That can’t be a bad thing.
Doug // March 6, 2007 at 3:39 pm
The sad thing is, no the fact there are wolves, but that so many Christians desire to be taken for a ride. A lover of Christ is tempted to separate themselves from the name “Christian”, so egregious is the lack of original thought and conviction among these devout worshippers of man.
Don // March 7, 2007 at 12:11 am
Hello could i have a copy of the morningstar transcript?
Thanks
Don
ulyankee // March 8, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Anyone who is interested can also see the transcript posted over here:
http://www.factnet.org/discus/messages/3/15971.html?1143187207
Hey Justin, in case you weren’t aware, there’s a bit of a battle going on at Every Nation’s Wikipedia entry over “To Reach and To Rule” (the title of this sermon). They’re now claiming that this “single message” by this “single pastor” isn’t representative of their theology and that it’s unreliable, and are now denying that they teach this kind of stuffCheck this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Every_Nation#Removed_.E2.80.9CTo_Reach_and_To_Rule.E2.80.9D
The “single message” was presented as indeed the raison d’etre for Every Nation… not just their name change but what Every Nation reall means. And the “single pastor” was Jim Laffoon, one of Every Nation’s top leaders and their highest ranking prophet.
Though I do have additional sermons saying pretty much the same thing by additional high ranking Every Nation leaders, past and present. The most recent one was from the end of 2006.
ulyankee
SUPERPAYDAYCASH // March 20, 2007 at 7:30 am
6-1 Loan Characteristics
Steven Chaney // December 20, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Sorry I’m showing up late for the game, but a lot of the info mentioned is simply gossip, (you know the bible talks about gossip in a not too kind of a way).
Let me tell you my story; I got saved as a Southern Baptist and left the SB when my beliefs about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and such changed. I then joined Bethel (over twenty years ago). Nothing about what I believe spirtually and biblically has changed since before joining Bethel. We were an independant church and joined Morningstar/Every Nation Ministries about eight or ten years ago.
Phrases like “highest ranking prophet” makes it sound like we’re the Shriners or Mormons and nothing could be farther from the truth. We don’t have “a highest ranking system” that wording is meant to sound cultish, and it’s just wrong to try to persuade people with words rather than with “the Word”.
Yes, we try to disciple folks…the bible commands all churches to do so. Most churches do not. I think time better spent would be for you folks to encourage your own churches to make disciples of all nations instead of pointing fingers at those of us who are.
And no, we are still at three services and growing. We have six middle TN locations because the pastor, rather than building a mega church, thinks it’s more important to reach people in their own neighborhood. And we’re constantly raising up pastors and starting new churches around the world.
Maybe sometimes we do get a little too aggressive, but we’d rather error on the side of trying to advance the kingdom of God rather than playing it safe on the side lines.
It’s funny because some will show up at a Titans game painted half blue and half white from head to toe half naked in 40* weather yelling at the top of their lungs for three hours straight in excitement over a grown man carrying a pig skin over a white chalk line and no one thinks anything about it, but you find a body of believers who have been radically changed by Jesus Christ and willing to lay down their lives for the kingdom (no, not by force, but by faith) then you think something is wrong.
All I know is that when at the SB church I looked around and wondered why 80% of the people even bothered showing up since they weren’t living for the Lord. So I found a church where everyone is there because they all love the Lord and it’s an amazing experience. It was amazing 20 years ago when we only had 35 people and it still is today with over thirty-five hundred people.
No, my friend, the wolves in sheeps clothing are those who claim the name but have no fruit. I’ll tell you what… go lead someone to the Lord then come back and we’ll talk.
No/ Yes, no we’re not a cult nor have we ever been, and yes, the the ministry that many of our leaders came out of was beginning to practice cultish like practices which is why the ministry folded. It was not a scheme to change names or deceive people, no it folded and was gone and rightly so.
Now the dilemma, what do all these pastors and Christian leaders do now that the ministry they we’re in folded? Should they quit serving God because their previous ministry got into error? Now that would be foolish wouldn’t it? So, after a couple of years of prayer and soul searching as well as seminary training a NEW ministry was started (not an old re-vamped ministry, but a completely new one) under new leadership.
I am proud to be joined with ministers who aren’t afraid to admit their mistakes, learn from them and move forward. To be able to repent and distance yourself from bad teaching is a good thing and that is what they have done. The danger lies when people aren’t willing to change their ways when they make a mistake, not to those who make corrections. Aren’t you glad people aren’t drumming up things you did or said 15 or 20 years ago without first finding out whether there has been a change of heart or not? According to your statements you’re saying it is wrong to repent from past mistakes or teachings? Isn’t that what you are suppose to do?
Further more, all our sermons and teachings are available free of charge by downloading on your computer. There are no secrets - nothing to hide. So I wish that before Christians start attacking each other they would back each other and become well informed before blasting your fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Justin // December 21, 2007 at 4:02 am
Steven,
How is it advancing the Kingdom of God for your ministers to live in Laurelbrooke?
I’ve known far too many former members to think that they were just pissed off and making up stuff. There’s a problem in that group of churches, and its almost word for word the same as what happened with Maranatha.
Me Too // May 27, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I used to go to an EN church. I truly believed that we were the only ones that were living for God. By this I don’t mean we were the only ones that were saved, but we were the ones that seemed to care about advancing God’s kingdom. We were the only ones that truly cared about what God cared about. We believed we were right.
I have to say from the bottom of my heart, they were very controlling. I remember reading about cults, and one of the factors is that there is a difference between being controlling and simply offering advice. Discipleship to EN is controlling.
Jesus said to go and make disciples of all nations. EN teaches that we are all called to go and make disciples. The process goes a little like this: become a christian, meet people around your age, convince them to go to church with you, teach them to act like you (control them).
Issues such as movies, music, friends, dating, alcohol, serving in the church, hours spent praying and reading the Bible, church authority, are all very controlling. Here’s why:
Movies: don’t watch these movies or you’re not a christian, heaven forbid you see a boobie or laugh at an adult joke
Music: don’t listen to any music other than christian, R&B music will make you want to have sex, Rap (by the way I hate rap, most is obnoxious), rock, alternative, if you listen to these you are not a christian. By the way you should throw all of your secular CDs away. Don’t worry about trading them in because you will make God angry by getting a portion of you money back.
Friends: don’t hang out with them, they are a bad influence, they may be people you’ve been friends with for a long time, but bad company corupts good character. Family, if they don’t believe what you believe, you probably shouldn’t hang out with them that much, you should also try to push Jesus down their throats, get them to come to church. We are your family now. Do what your discipler says.
Dating: If you don’t want us to like you, if you want to be disobedient, then dating would be great for you!!! If you decide to date then we can’t disciple you. In fact, to join our little group, to become a true disciple, you need to agree not to date for a certain amount of time (you need to do what your Discipler tells you)
Alcohol: they will refuse to argue over this. They will sarcastically say “You win! If you want to drink, fine. But where is your heart?” If you ever drink, try to get a position in this organization. Any alcohol consumed better be in secret, don’t let anyone see you because you might influence them to drink, and then we would all go to hell.
Serving the church: They will try to make you feel bad during the service if you don’t volunteer to watch their children. With all of that tax free money that they rake in one would think they could simply hire someone. The pastor lived in a freaking country club, right on the golf course. His sons told me he had a pair of shoes that cost over a grand!!! I am glad to know that 3 months worth of my tithes made his feet look good up on that stage. Make sure you tithe, even when it hurts as they say. Don’t worry about your own financial issues just make sure Pappa Bear has some nice alligator shoes.
Time praying: If you don’t spend an hour praying every day then you are not a powerful warrior christian. God is upset with you!!!
Reading the Bible: you better be waking up 2 hours early to spend time in the Word. Then you better read for an hour before you go to bed. If not, God is mad at you.
Church Authority: Whatever we say GOES!!! If you disagree to any of the above issues then maybe you need to rethink things. If you think differently then you have an issue with PRIDE. Humble yourself and you will be in God’s favor. Remember in Hebrews it says that no discipline is pleasant at that time but in the end it produces a harvest in righteousness. True discipleship requires you to submit to authority, namely the authority of your discipler. Don’t ask questions. This isn’t advice. This is discipleship.
We aren’t a cult, we just love God.
Me Too // May 27, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I was in high school when I was involved. EN really reaches out to the young (high school and college). Honestly, now I feel like I was being used. It upsets me when I see young people taking a stand for their religion. I know that might sound bad to some of you but let me explain. I believe that most of the time these positions that the young people are standing for are those initiated by adults. I remember feeling like a faith worrior if I pissed people off over the issue of God. It meant I was shaking things up for God. Something like that might warrant a “Good job!” from your fellow church members.
I am now a pluralist thanks to EN.
Seriously? // July 8, 2008 at 6:01 am
Alright people, it’s clear that none of you really spent any time with these leaders. I lived in Nashville for 6 months, ACTUALLY went through their program and guess what…
I didn’t grow a third eye, I got to choose the relationships I wanted and didn’t want, you know what’s even more amazing!!! I was able to listen to whatever music I wanted!
I won’t pontificate on all that happened or didn’t happen, nor will I take the lengths to cover all the details of these men and womens lives.
What I can tell you is this. Yes weak minded people that would rather follow what someone else has to say rather than thinking for themselves would have a problem with the ministry. Accountability can be a bitch for those that refuse it. Guess what, the great leaders of any nation, organization, or company have it to stay in check (to stay balanced). These men had that, both inside as well as outside the ministry.
As for the snide remark about Laurelbrooke, I’ve been to some of these homes, humm, did you know what any of these leaders did before they were in ministry or how they make their money? I DIDN’T THINK SO!
Pull your head out of your @ss and do your research. (Now mind, you these guys all probably would not appreciate the way I’m articulating my thoughts in this fashion, as crass as they may be, they are correct.)
Rice Broocks- author and inherited his families business, OIL!!! that = $$$
Tim Johnson- Oh, did we forget he played professional football? that’s of course outside of the other businesses that he has a hand in.
Tony Boselli- ooh, ONE more professional football player.
I can go on and on and on!
These guys have businesses, have written books, and have had success in other places other than just being “lowly pastors” trying to “take over the world” (common, leave that to pinky and the brain), by the way, some of these pastors even refused their salary and gave it back to the church. Stick that in your pipe!
PEOPLE, seriously, start looking at the positives the organization has done for the WORLD! One of the first NGO’s to land after the war in Afghanistan (and other nations), taking in agricultural specialist, dr’s, nurses, dentists, engineers, carpenters, and I can go on. Why??? No, not to brow beat the people into becoming, dundundunnnnn, Fundamental extremest Christians, but to actually help them rebuild. Do you know how many leaders around the world respect these guys because of the impact the organization has had on their cities and nations, MANY!
Just to share my personal story, I have been in a number of churches through out my life and seen some “wacky” things that caused far greater questions than what I saw in EN.
In the four years going to EN churches around the country, I saw people, both in leadership as well as in the masses that truly wanted to follow Jesus, passionately!
I did see some error, no doubt, but did you happen to wake up this morning? Gosh, I did and when I looked in the mirror my halo just wasn’t shining as bright as yours i guess.
Really people, no body told me I was going to rot in hell when I moved out of town and away from the church I went to after four years.
When I ended the relationship I was in, I sought counsel and was held accountable to my decision, note, “my decision.”
When I chose to leave ministry, my pastor was the one that told me “I” was released to pursue business. guess what, “I” actually prayed and fasted on my own to find out exactly what “I” needed to be doing, I do believe that God will answer our prayers if we seek him. And, if we seek him earnestly, we will find him. It was after I felt like it was what I was supposed to do that I left. No one forced me.
There was one other small “flaw” if you will. That would be in their approach to leadership and yes, depending upon your school of thought it could be misunderstood.
The thought is this: Where ever you go seek out the leaders. Where do you find the leaders of a school, or even the military? You find them in the elite groups, right?
The thought process is no different than the company that you work for. Why do company’s choose to hire a college graduate verses a high school drop-out?
Because people will follow someone they respect. Why do they target the athlete’s or cheerleaders on a campus, because those are people of influence. Why the navy seals over some peon that just enlisted? Because the peon has no voice, no impact, no way to communicate throughout the ranks.
Why students, same reason company’s do, they are the next generation to take power, they have to have the moral compass to get the job done so we don’t have more “Martha Stewart’s” and “Enron” scandals.
And yes, this can breed an elitist/magisterial type of environment if people do not take advantage of that environment and grow.
adrianne // July 10, 2008 at 1:02 am
Seriously, There a serious flaw in your discernment when it comes to explaining to us about your leaders.
Just some first common sense things to look at that you have obviously missed: first of all there is no basis for EN’s doctrine to “adopt” churches like they do in the bible. The apostles went to places and planted churches. This “joining” and recruitment where you get churches to join your ministry to be “under cover” is nothing more than a Business for your leaders to make money. And yes, this has been reported to the US goverment for them to monitor your group. The Bible is very clear that in order to have Godly authority you have to be under authority. Your leaders want the World to submit to them but they are not submitted to anyone. That’s the first big clue you missed. Secondly, and the most prominent feature that has destroyed people like you and your discernment is the role of false teaching. My old pastor said that God is going to give you and En the nations and You and EN will rule them and manage them until God gets back and judges you on how well you did. I got news for you, the last government on earth is the antichrist government and YHWH will return and destroy him with the breath of his lips. So, EN is the Antichrist? This type of teaching leads to the fruit of loving the creation more than the creator which the Bible calls a repobate mind, people who are rejects of the faith. Your vision, that God wants you to go after the rich and famous is completely again, surprise false teaching. The bible says YHWH is not a respector of persons but your vision is. How can You have a vision from “God” that is based in a premise that he is against and not based on his word? Again, you have to look at the fruit. Your leaders are after money that ’s why they target these types of people. Just because your are sucessfuly does not mean you are alive. In fact, the Lord has shown me how some of your leaders are indeed spiritually dead and in the process of becoming twice dead. Once thier season of iniquity reaches full maturation, the Lord will pluck up what he did not plant. This may take 50 years, it might be around the corner, who knows. I do know though they will reap and be exposed for what they have sown. Remember you put your trust in God not man. As ezekiel told the prince of tyre, your just but a man, not a God.
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