Category Archives: pastors and clergy
PAW’s Bishop Charles Ellis in gay church relationship?
**UPDATED/Scroll down
Bishop Charles Ellis, III is pastor of Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple and is the Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW). Ellis has been lauded for many accomplishments, but could his facebook “friendship” with an Atlanta homosexual church be the bitter fruit of the false inclusion movement? Long regarded as one of the vanguards of oneness pentecostalism, the 104 year old PAW is doctrinally and biblically opposed to homosexuality. But sources tell GCM Watch that in the PAW, like most pentecostal denominations, church homosexuals are exerting behind the scenes influence which have significantly weakened biblical positions.
Its to be expected. Religious homosexual carry a deadly spiritual virus. Read about it here.
Thus, organizations like the PAW may not be aware that sin lies crouched at the door waiting to devour the ignorant. Sadly, in the contemporary church serial religious conferences of every kind, celebrity events, activities, and more hinder the shepherd’s ability to watch and warn.
We’ve reported on Atlanta’s homosexual Vision church and its pastor Oliver Clyde Owens III before. In fact, recently the Lexi show put Allen and his group of feel-good apostates on display for all to see what happens when God gives someone over to their rebellious desires.
Why then is Bishop Charles Ellis a “friend” to such an enemy of God?
Should the bishop come from among them and be separated? What signal does the leader of such a denomination send to its constituents when he is listed as if he is in support with the wicked? Its an issue that is becoming more and more serious as religious gays spread a deceptive —but inviting—table in front of church leaders. Aware saints should immediately raise the red flag when leaders began straying from God’s truth. The scriptures teach however that there is to be no association with individuals who self identify as “gay christians”.
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” 1 Cor 5:9-13 (our bold)
Perhaps Bishop Ellis has no idea that his picture and personal facebook page is one of the supporters of a homosexual church. GCM Watch contacted Bishop Ellis’ church for a response. This post will be updated if a response is issued.
Greater Grace Temple office: (313) 543-6000
Update 2/2/12 9:00am
Although he did not respond directly to GCM Watch, Bishop Charles Ellis told a third party source (who gave us permission to post this) that he has over “20,000″ people on his facebook page and most of them he does not know. Ellis told the third party, “I don’t know these folk and have never heard of the church. Someone in my office will find the attachment and delete it.”
Its still not clear why Ellis’ personal FB page (out of hundreds of apostolic bishops) was added to this church. This situation also underscores what we have been warning the church about for sometime. Homosexual churches like the “Vision Church” are in massive makeover mode. They know the average church-goer –as biblically illiterate as some are— would never be associated with a self identified homosexual church. So they intentionally delete any language that would alert someone to that fact. Instead they opt to use ambiguous sounding language like “church where all are welcome” or instead of gay or homosexual use nebulous replacement terms like “affectional orientation”.
That’s exactly how the devil operates. He conceals or disguises his true nature to gain access to you. He will appear even as an angel of light bearing “love” and benevolence in order to get closer to you without alarming you. His message is always inclusive of all without telling you of the poison hidden in between the layers of his message. Such are the makeover methods of the gay church.
Leaders like Bishop Charles Ellis should be aware of the tactics of the enemy and not only protect themselves but the millions of people who follow them. There is really in this day and age of instant, accessible information for any leader to use the “I dont know” excuse. If Ellis was added without his permission, isnt that cause for rebuke to whoever did it. If someone on his staff administrates his FB page and added him, how did they know to add him to a homosexual church? Its highly unlikely that this was a random incident and for that reason, we are sounding the alarm.
COGIC leader confesses to sex crimes against boy
Media outlets in Wilmington, NC reported that a 54 year old Church of God in Christ “superintendent” has confessed to multiple sexual crimes against a 14 year old boy. The crimes occurred in 1998 while the boy stayed in the pastor’s home.
According to several news outlets [see here, here and here] Superintendent Thomas A. Wiggins,Jr., pastor of the Faith Temple COGIC and Bolton COGIC was arrested and charged November 29th with five counts of first-degree sexual offense and five counts of indecent liberties with a minor.
The crimes are of a serious nature. North Carolina law defines the charges thusly:
§ 14‑27.7A. Statutory rape or sexual offense of person who is 13, 14, or 15 years old.
(a) A defendant is guilty of a Class B1 felony if the defendant engages in vaginal intercourse or a sexual act with another person who is 13, 14, or 15 years old and the defendant is at least six years older than the person, except when the defendant is lawfully married to the person.
§ 14‑202.1. Taking indecent liberties with children.
(a) A person is guilty of taking indecent liberties with children if, being 16 years of age or more and at least five years older than the child in question, he either:
(1) Willfully takes or attempts to take any immoral, improper, or indecent liberties with any child of either sex under the age of 16 years for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire; or
(2) Willfully commits or attempts to commit any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body or any part or member of the body of any child of either sex under the age of 16 years.
(b) Taking indecent liberties with children is punishable as a Class F felony.
The unmarried Wiggins is an “adminstrative assistant” to Bishop CE Anderson in the denomination’s North Carolina 2nd Jurisdiction [source].
Despite numerous high profile sex crimes and cases of sexual immorality among members of its clergy, denominational leaders continue to deny that clergy sexual abuse is a significant problem. In November 2009, the denomination’s chief lawyer Enoch Perry told a church gathering
“Media coverage of any sexual oriented event and the church will have a negative slant. The pessimistic coverage will have a direct impact on the overall public perception of the church involved, its corporate body and its membership. Additionally, this negativity will directly affect new membership and outside donations.”
Report COGIC Abuse has been documenting the shocking examples of disregard for biblical admonitions and the church’s own seemingly selective application of its own constitution.
Despite a letterallegedy leaked by the church’s COO detailing legal failures and ethical violations by Perry, he was promoted to bishop in the 2011 convention in St Louis.
The case with Thomas raises the number of cases in 2011 to four and 47 total documented cases.
Cross posted at COGIC Abuse Watch blog
Marvin Sapp denies knowing about St Louis gay choir
Via his official facebo
ok page, Marvin Sapp, one of the three judges that advanced an openly homosexual choir from St. Louis in the How Sweet the Sound Gospel choir competition denied knowing about the church.
We asked: “Is Marvin Sapp aware that the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St Louis is a homosexual Christian denomination? Is he aware that as a judge on HSTS, he has advanced them as regional winners? This is a serious question and I would like to hear from Marvin Sapp as to whether (1) he knew this church is St Louis was a choir of open homosexuals and (2) what does he plan to do about them participating in a gospel event?”
Sapp responded:
“Let me say that I usually don’t respond to these types of post [sic] however we (the judges) had no clue about this church or any other church in the national competition and as judges that info isnt released to any of us by the sponsor Verizon. The judging process is based on accumulative scoring so it’s not based on any one person alone. Our resposibilities is to score based on talent and presentation and thats all we do and that night they were the best choir. The goal of the competition is to advance Gospel and the Gospel music and not agenda…. God Bless”
Sapp’s statement didnt voice any opposition to homosexuality although its believed that (as a former apostolic Christian) he is opposed to homosexual conduct. And if he is correct that Verizon doesn’t mention to the judges that the choir (there have been several in the past) is gay or from a gay denomination that opposes bible truth about homosexuality its intentional. Is that because they know that a great majority of the black church fans of the show would be immediately turned off? Sapp stated that the goal of the competition is to “advance the Gospel” but the very presence of the homosexual choir is completely counterproductive to that goal.
We also contacted Shirley Caesar and Isreal Houghton but neither have responded.
MCC minister’s drug and sex party leads to death
FERNDALE, MI – A minister and police chaplain from the gay christian denomination Metropolitan Community Church has been removed from his duties after a drug and sex party at his home resulted in the death of another man.
WDIV in Detroit carried the story [source]
A 43-year-old man died after a sex party Sept. 20 at the Ferndale Police chaplain’s house. Police Chaplain Rev. Mark Bidwell [facebook], who is also the minister at Ferndale’s Metropolitan Community Church, called 911 Wednesday morning to report a man at his home had stopped breathing.
“I’ve got someone who has apparently stopped breathing,” Bidwell said. He said he met the man, Steven Fitch, of Lincoln Park, on a website the night before. Bidwell told police he invited Fitch over to his house for sex and that he didn’t know anything about him.911 dispatcher: “How old is he?” Bidwell: “Honestly, I don’t even know. We just met today.” Police said Fitch brought crystal methamphetamine to Bidwell’s home and injected himself.
Fitch later died at a hospital. Bidwell told police that Fitch injected him with the drug as well. The men had sex and invited a third man over to join the party, police said. The 911 dispatcher asked Bidwell if Fitch was using any narcotics. “Um. I don’t know,” Bidwell told the dispatcher. Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter said Bidwell is a respected member of the gay community and is involved in the entire Ferndale community. “This is not the Rev. Bidwell that I or most of us know,” Coulter said. “I am shocked and sad and worried for him. “Police said Bidwell has been relieved of his chaplain duties at the Ferndale Police Department.Police also said there was no evidence to charge Bidwell. Bidwell did not respond to Local 4′s request for comments.
This was apparently something the “respected member” of the community engaged in on a regular basis. Birdwell told police he met the man on a gay sex website and invited him over for sex.
Just several weeks prior to the deadly drug and sex party at his home, Bidwell falsely accused Reverend David C. Vorce, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Chaplains, Inc of “advocating the murder of homosexuals”. [source] Bidwell dropped out of a chaplaincy improvement program citing fear of Vorce.
Very typical given the low standards of personal conduct for MCC clerics. According a statement from the denomination’s website, Bidwell has since resigned as pastor of the church. Notice that the only thing they were concerned with was the “illegal drug use”. Said the Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, Moderator of the Metropolitan Community Church:
“We are deeply saddened whenever drug addiction impacts an individual or a community. No community across this country is immune from the scourge of illegal drugs, but when it hits close to home, we are reminded of the commitment we have to teach people about the harms of drug abuse and to be a place of spiritual healing for those who are recovering.”
We’ve reported before on this gross caricature of a Christian denomination and its ministers who have portrayed Christ as a promiscuous homosexual having sex with his disciples, a prominent MCC minister who openly claimed to masturbate to images of Jesus, purchased a $55,000 ventriloquist Jesus, members arent required to believe Jesus is savior, encouraged people to deface the bible out of hate toward scriptures that condemn homosexuality and more religious madness than you can imagine.
COGIC Bishop booked on sexual battery charges
New Orleans – The Times-Picayune reported last night that Bishop Charles E. Brown, I, bishop of the Church of God in Christ Greater New Orleans Jurisdiction was booked on charges of sexual battery in June. Brown was released after posting a $25,000 bail. But the story quickly raised more troubling issues about Brown, his past, COGIC’s so-called zero tolerance sexual abuse policy and his association with the church’s presiding bishop.
According the paper, Brown seemed to have made a very foolish decision to contact the woman he is alleged to have molested. [source]
The spiritual head of a local Pentecostal denomination has been arrested and booked with sexual battery on a teenage girl more than 23 years ago. New Orleans court records show that Bishop Charles E. Brown, 58, was released on $25,000 bond.
Brown, who since Hurricane Katrina has divided his time between New Orleans and Houston, is the jurisdictional bishop for Greater New Orleans in the Church of God in Christ, a Pentecostal denomination with headquarters in Memphis. He is also pastor of a local congregation, Full Gospel Church of God in Christ.
Brown was arrested June 28, according to police records.
Several attempts to contact Brown at his home in Houston were unsuccessful. Court records did not list a lawyer. And denominational officials in Los Angeles and Lafayette who would know about the arrest either were unavailable or did not respond to an inquiry.
A police affidavit supporting the arrest warrant said an unidentified 39-year-old woman called the department’s child abuse unit in March to report that Brown molested her between the ages of 14 and 16.
The woman said at the time Brown was her aunt’s boyfriend, and the acts occurred at his home.
She told police Brown recently reached out and asked to “friend” her on Facebook. She told him she knew him to be an abuser and decided then to go to the police, the affidavit said.
Brown originally was arrested and booked with aggravated rape. But Magistrate Commissioner Harry Cantrell said the specific facts alleged by the woman supported only the lesser accusation of sexual battery.”
Brown, pastor of Williams Temple COGIC in Houston and two other churches, was a prominent figure in pre-Katrina New Orleans. His bio connects him with several powerful civic and religious leaders around the country including serving as a board member with Dr. Fredrick Price of LA, Bishop IV Hilliard in Houston, as the “spiritual advisor” to former Katrina-era NO mayor Ray Nagin and ironically as a board member of Bishop Blake’s “Save Africa’s Children” charity. Within his denomination, Brown was the former Chief Operating Officer of the church until he resigned after a fallout with Blake over a Houston church he now pastors.
What’s troubling is that the police report alleges the crime occured about 23 years ago. That would put the timeline of the crime about 1990-91. During that time, according to Brown’s bio, he was
- Director; Youth Church, [COGIC] UNAC/AIM 1980-1997.
- Executive Board Member; General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ, 1984 to present.
- Board Member; Fellowship of Inner City Word of Faith Ministries (FICWFM), Dr. F. K. C. Price, Founder. (1990-Present).
The woman alleges that Brown committed the crime while he was her aunt’s boyfriend. Just a few weeks ago, we told you about the case of adulterer and deadbeat father Joseph Hogan. The biblical requirements for the office of a bishop mean nothing to COGIC leadership. If blatant adultery and sexual immorality doesn’t disqualify a man from the office, what will? Sources told Report COGIC Abuse that despite the hard evidence on Hogan, COGIC will consecrate him to bishop.
Brown was arrested in June, but still holds his office of pastor and bishop in the Church of God in Christ (see this unconfirmed comment). Report COGIC Abuse has learned that the denomination passed a resolution giving bishops the power to immediately remove a local church pastor upon allegations of sexual misconduct or criminal sexual activity until an investigation is concluded. But there was no clause for the bishops to remove those in their own ranks.
As the Times-Picayune story noted, church officials aren’t responding even though there is evidence that all members of the church’s “general board” —including Charles E. Blake— were made aware of Brown’s situation prior to the story going public.
This story was cross-posted at COGIC Abuse Watch.
Gays and the Mars Hill Church
Not sure what to make of this developing –but strange— controversy involving a franchise of the Mars Hill Church and Portland, Oregon’s stridently liberal gay community. The story via the Christian Post:
“Things were expected to get ugly outside Mars Hill Church’s new Portland, Ore., location this Saturday, as gay rights groups planned to protest the megachurch‘s move into the city for their stance against homosexuality. Fortunately for Tim Smith, a Portland native and the pastor of the new branch of the church, he was forced to postpone the first service due to parking issues, buying him some time to address those who criticize his doctrine.”
Faced with the controversy, the pastor of the church went into possum mode it seems, even raising “parking” issues.
On the Portland branch’s blog on Thursday, Smith wrote, “Mars Hill is without a doubt a ‘single-issue’ church. But, contrary to how many have been quick to portray us, that one issue is not opposition to any particular political, moral, or social issue.”
The only reason the church exists, he says, is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ.”
But how can you make disciples when you have not preached the gospel to those who are lost? That would be the homosexuals in the community in which the church is located. Why move there only to coexist? The church seems to be dumbing down evangelism for the sake of peace.
“His challenge moving forward is to embrace that anger and want to learn about why that exists and how being part of a religious institution has gotten people to that place.”
Although Smith still affirms his belief that homosexuality is a sin, he says that his church will not take the Gospel and “force it down anyone’s throat.” He also notes that his church has something in common with the gay community, having been protested by Westboro Baptist Church and “the religious right” for serving the community and their lack of political advocacy.
“You will not hear us preach that we are the good guys and the sinners of Portland should be more like we are,” he wrote. “If you want to come and hear what we have to say, you will hear that Jesus is so loving and gracious he can even save sinners as awful as we are and make us more like himself.”
That’s a strange common ground stance to adopt. Since when did being “protested” by Westboro Baptist Church become some biblical badge of honor?
