Category Archives: religion
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.
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?
Mexicans break with apostate PCUSA on homosexuality
The church’s sexual civil war is going global. Thankfully, there’s good news to report from the Mexican front via the Washington Post as the Presbyterian Church (USA) suffers another loss because of their ungodly support of homosexuality.
Presbyterians in Mexico are breaking ties with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) because of differences over homosexuality.
The theologically conservative National Presbyterian Church of Mexico voted to stop working with the U.S. denomination. U.S. Presbyterians voted last May to remove barriers for ordaining people in same-sex relationships. The churches share a 139-year history and a network of social service ministries that spans the Mexican-U.S. border.
Presbyterian leaders in the United States said Wednesday they are saddened by the decision and hope to find a way they can continue helping the needy in Mexico and along the border.
The vote by the Mexican church was announced as a group of theologically conservative U.S. Presbyterians meet in Minnesota to debate whether they should break with the denomination, which is based in Louisville.
Presbyterian leadership in the US (like several other mainline US denominations) have been steadily bleeding memberships after capitulating to homosexual religious activists entrenched in the organizations. Some, like the Episcopal church have taken a vindictive position to fleeing churches. See here and here for examples.
Per 1 Corinthians 5, severing fellowship is the right thing to do when fellow Christians go against God’s word and refuse to repent. GCM Watch congratulates the Mexican church and encourages other bodies to follow suit.
Ghana denomination launches ministry to help homosexuals change
Good news out of Africa. Now, if only US denominations would stop being afraid (read:politically correct) of doing what the bible said to do.
The Ghana News Agency reported on yesterday that one denomination in the West African nation is reaching out to help homosexuals out of sin as a way of reducing the spread of homosexuality.
The Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), is to establish therapy centres for homosexual victims for counselling and rehabilitation in the various communities.
The church has therefore called on the government to come out with a clear position on homosexuality in the country, to enable the church to offer the necessary support in helping to reduce the spread of the practice in the society.
The Moderato
r of the General Assembly of the PCG, Right Reverend Professor Emmanuel Martey (pictured left) said this at the commissioning of 36 Ministerial Probationers of the church at the Ranseyer Congregation, at Abetifi.
He said homosexuality was spreading fast in the society and urged the country’s leaders and Ministers to put up effective measures to check it and transform the destiny of the country.
The Moderator of the General Assembly of the PCG said the church need leaders, who will go out of the ordinary, filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit to advocate for the deprived.
He said though the probationers would face a lot of challenges in their operations, the Lord would deliver them from all their problems, if they rely on the lord and pray regularly.
Mr Vincent Lawer Marji, on behalf of the probationers, assured to abide by the rules and regulations of the church and call for support from all members of the church.
Is their motive right? That’s debatable, but we commend them for taking a step to help. Prayerfully as they move forward the Holy Spirit will guide them and their motivations.
Is helping homosexuals to change biblical? Of course it is. Its just as biblical as opening the eyes of the blind, feeding the hungry and clothing the naked.
Jesus explicit mission is laid out in Isaiah 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; ESV
Anyone who is in captivity to sin is a candidate for the delivering power of God. Homosexuality like any other sin holds a person captive to lust and perversion. When the church reaches out to offer them freedom, they are fulfilling the mission of Jesus Christ.
Repent, for the judgment of God is at hand!
There is a level of evil that is building and sweeping across this nation as well as most of the world like never before. In my years as a student of history and world events, I’ve never seen the level of wickedness and perversion as I see taking place currently in our world today. It’s almost as if someone has flipped off the morality switch and all hell has broken loose.
Here are some points to consider:
California is set to become the first State in the union that will require (mandate) every child in the State public school sector to know and learn about same sex relationships, homosexual lifestyles, tolerance/diversity training and, to top it all off, they (students) will be required to learn about homosexual “civil rights” leaders such as Harvey Milk.
Not only has California fought long and hard to make this a political issue, even the Obama Administration is watching this closely, as they to, are designing a program which will bring homosexual diversity training into the classroom to children as young as 5 years of age.
Then, with the recent passage and signing into law of New York becoming the 6th State in the union to adopt gay marriage, the recent lifting of the ban on homosexuals in the military and President Obama himself stating his views of gay marriage is “evolving”, the nation is spinning out of control and perversion is becoming another form of normalcy in the land.
Senators and Congressmen caught in the act of immorality, television preachers caught in love triangles while continuing to make millions off of un-discerning supporters. There is a foul spirit in the air and it’s growing.
Recently, statements by Washington officials and political insiders that suggest the real possibility of civil unrest in this nation is prompting many officials to consider enforcing martial law if things come to a head. It seems our nation is heading toward a point of no return.
From catastrophic weather events where floods, tornados and the past harsh winter where national records for snow and cold temperatures were broken, homes destroyed, lives taken and virtual communities lost forever, all suggest something is happening in our land.
Immorality seems to now be the rule of the day, where open nudity can be seen almost everywhere, where even the push for the sexualization of children seems to be epidemic and the idea of traditional morality is seen as repressive and out of date, we are sacrificing whatever morality we have left on the altar of idolatry.
The world is being shaken. From the economic turmoils that control the economic destiny of people everywhere, to the regulation of restrictions against Christians in democratic nations such as Canada and the UK, where it is now illegal for a preacher to declare the word of God against sin, especially when it comes to homosexuality. Preachers as well as Pastors are being jailed for doing nothing more than proclaiming the truth.
Even in the church today, immorality, false teachings and idol worship is gaining a foothold in many pulpits across America. What was once preached against has now become accepted, and what is now accepted is being preached to those who have ears to listen and hearts to believe. A form of Godliness is all too common today and yet, most believe they are experiencing a revival, yet there is no true power behind it.
It seems as though someone has taken all of the worse case scenarios one could dream up and found a way to make it reality. Even in our civil laws, where justice is promised to the weak and the abused, justice is but an illusion to the highest bidder or the best looking. When a mother, accused of murdering her child can be acquitted by a jury for murdering her own child; who sought the life of night clubs, who waited almost one month before reporting her child missing, as in the case of Casey Anthony, there is a problem with our culture. The Justice system itself has become just that, just-a-system.
But these events, these occurrences are indicators that our world is on a collision course with judgment. With each new day that brings another amazing revelation or discovery, or catastrophe, it only proves one thing, that our world is coming to a significant point in time where Christ has all but told us would come in due season. Today’s headlines are reading like the very pages of Revelation and as such, our only thought should be as believers is, are we doing all we can to preach the gospel before the end of our age nears?
So what is happening? What is going on in our world? Obviously the world is not getting better, it’s becoming worse and with every passing moment of time. What is the answer? The answer lies in the words of Jesus himself in Matthew 24, where he spoke about signs in the heavens as well as in the earth. Jesus gave us a warning of what was to come, and by the looks of it, his words of warning are echoing true.
We as Christians need to take an account where we are at in our own lives, for the time is coming when those around us will not endure sound doctrine, but instead, seeking soothing words, will seek false words and a false hope. But we move forward, preaching to all those who will hear, that judgment is coming.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 “But know this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
Repent, for the judgment of God is at hand.
Alabama deliverance service for teens angers gays
HAMILTON, AL – Before its all over we may need a national “religious exemption” clause for churches to pray with, minister to and preach against homosexuality. With SOTUS’s ministry of “justice” demanding that the Defense of Marriage Act be struck down (so much for “states’ rights”), things are not going to get better. As we see it, there is no way biblical truth about homosexuality and the oppressive social inclusion ideology to peacefully coexist. The inevitable is happening before our eyes. One homosexual activist is accusing Alabama based pentecostal evangelist Damon Thompson of a litany of offenses after an impromptu deliverance service for young people struggling with homosexuality and lesbianism.
Ashton Pittman, a homosexual teen who said he was looking to get out of his boring religious life in a small town Alabama Baptist church, says he was attracted to Thompson’s ministry because the evangelist “wore jeans, had tattoos and preached against religion.” But in one service, he didn’t like it that Thompson called teens struggling with homosexuality to come forward and receive deliverance. So Pittman started a crusade and in the short run is getting the attention his small town Baptist church didn’t give him.
Pittman posted a video of the service and predictablity its raised the ire of gay rights activists.
The service took place at a church called “The Ramp”, founded by frequent TBN guest Karen Wheaton. Thompson has responded to the emerging controversy with a statement on his website.
I first and foremost preach with a strong sense of responsibility to present Biblical truth. As part of that Biblical responsibility, I can in no way condone homosexuality. I understand, along with every genuine preacher and teacher of the Bible, that it is my vocation to call sin sin and to compel men and women to the path of eternal life Jesus and the Apostles prescribed. That path is forsaking sin and placing faith in Jesus Christ.
The video clips most viewed are very short and depict strong statements about homosexuality. I wish to clarify my purpose behind making them. The brevity of the video clips do not allow a viewer the opportunity to hear the entirety of my message and heart.
Any statements I make concerning homosexuality are in the hopes of turning the homosexual to the path of eternal life. I talk about homosexuality as I would adultery, alcoholism, pornography, drug addiction, etc. As with all sin, I recognize its destructive nature and out of love call people away from it.
Was Thompson wrong? Should he apologize for “offending” gay sensibilities? Should he now only talk about homosexuality in secret and prohibit any filming? Should he just tell young people that there is no hope for change; that they are doomed to be something that God never created them to be?
We hope not. Its no secret that many young people in churches are struggling with homosexual bondage just like they are struggling with bondages of all type. Somebody must be bold enough, anointed enough, biblical enough to speak the truth in love. We can’t separate the church from the Lord and the Lord from his message. The mission and message of the true church has always been the same mission and message as the One who established the church.
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV (our bold)
That’s what its about people of God. Everyone deserves to hear the message of freedom. The slaveowners of America’s past didnt want black people to hear the message of freedom either. Now, it seems like satan has just found another host to suppress the message of freedom. And if we allow a blind and lost world force us to stop preaching this message of freedom, we will have truly lost our identity and purpose.
