calvary church scandal

The governing board of the church is providing counselors and ministers who will help guide him through the process of full repentance, cleansing and restoration.". Yet, regardless, the Lord deals with people individually. That lent itself to a very youthful, crazy, wild lifestyle. Unbelievable. (It's unclear if he worked there.) Jon remained unrepentant and the elders defended him entirely. It didnt matter if a guy didnt believe in Amun, Marduk, or Apollo, and it didnt matter if he was a total creep. Many members expressed disappointment, encouragement, and hope on the church's Facebook page. But last year, the Jordans began raising concerns when Jon Courson promoted Ben to be lead pastor. But two weeks after his surprise resignation, Assistant Pastor Chet Lowe filled Coy's followers in on what had happened. In 2007, Christianity Today published a blockbuster story investigating charges that Calvary Chapel was lax in punishing financial and sexual abusers within the church, laying the blame on an. That is the point where most abuse reporting falls apart.the person hearing what happened. Easy to join in a witch hunt when you dont have to face who youre accusing. (P)eople are getting hurt in the process and the church deserves something better, he said. I got saved in the 80s, and thats a long time ago. Your a true Non believer. "If you're broken, Jesus will be gentle with you in your anger and disillusionment," Sauder said. Coy says he was never approached by the police about the allegations. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of Jesus v. Evangelicals: A Biblical Critique of a Wayward Movement by Constantine Campbell. The Lord says, when they come to church, its a place to be open, to be real, not to judge one another, not to look down on one another, not to say, I cant believe what this person did, Heater preached. It is my understanding that Joe Stroble resigned. I love your comment. Without a policy the person hearing might say, Im sure you misunderstood. The only cure is Christlike character. In late 2013, Chuck Smith died at the age of 86 after battling lung cancer. That's not good enough, critics say. And we know our enemy Satan accuses every single one of Gods children every second of every day before before the throne of our Almighty Merciful God. "When Chuck Smith died, there was nothing left to hold back all the competing factions," church critic Michael Newnham says. The previous congregation disbanded in the mid-1990s after a pastor sex scandal. -. Please call Kimberly (800.414.1531, ext. He is testing us and showing us a test so we can see ourselves moreso than the wolves we allowed to lead us with hearts set upon Pastoral IDOL a worship. Its embarrassing. 6 Dana Hills. Unlike the Christian view that the . And to add an element of surprise- Im an atheist. Metric Constructors, a Charlotte general contractor, took the structure from . Broward State Attorney Mike Satz says he was never notified about the investigation. Call the cops. (Jon Courson) whitewashed the level of involvement and implied it was only a slight indiscretion, but I knew it was not true, Trimmer said. In 2006, gubernatorial candidates Charlie Crist and Tom Gallagher personally pleaded for Coy's endorsement, though he declined. A major red flag in one of his messages was excessive self praise of his own preaching, followed by and thats why youre here. They have violated a sacred trust and they have harmed a sheep that belongs to the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. The rock band that usually played raucous hymns to start services was missing. Sin is sin in Gods Word. the fact of the matter is that my friends and family who are agnostic, atheist, muslim, hindu, and buddhist have higher personal integrity standards for themselves than many christians. Many people have tried to confront Jon to bring about repentance and change. These abhorrent behaviors are a result of non-discipleship. all thats left is passive compliance & lax accountability. Now, witnesses have come forward with allegations that Bens father, Jon Coursonfounder of Applegate Christian Fellowship near Medford, Oregonhad an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the 1980s. 17,887 were here. The chapel's founder, Kent Nottingham, told a local TV station that there'd been no suspicion of abuse and that he was "shocked.". My heart is to see true repentance where there has been a long history of denial, cover-up and destruction of womens lives in order to bring restoration, healing and true accountability to all involved, Trimmer said. I went to an organization that wrote sexual misconduct policies for churches and businesses. In 2011, The Lord provided our current location at 603 S. Valencia Avenue in Brea. The church board fired Messner when he became embroiled in the PTL scandal, and J.N. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. Jon was very much loved and respected, maybe too much so. "How Dare You": LGBTQ Advocates Skewer Rep. Basabe in Advance of Pride Parade, LGBTQ Protesters Confront Rep. Basabe Toe-to-Toe in North Bay Village, John Ruiz's LifeWallet Defers Debt Payments, Warns of Accounting Blunders, Photos: Fort Lauderdale Residents Assess Damage Wrought by Historic Flooding, Open Season: Margate's Lax Safeguards Raise Fear of Fraud and Abuse, OIG Says. The leaders used Genesis 9 as their guideline? When confronted, Courson admitted to an emotional affair but nothing more, Gray said. It was Calvary Church, perhaps the most prominent church in town, with a massive cathedral-like building on a major thoroughfare. 10,000 lies does not make it truth. He quit the cocaine and strippers, began training as a preacher, met his wife Diane, and moved to South Florida. In 2003, John Flores, a pastor at Smith's flagship in Costa Mesa, was arrested for having sex with the 15-year-old daughter of another pastor. Yes, we might not have a reason to doubt the claims. (Flores was eventually convicted of sex with the minor.). Charles Ward "Chuck" Smith (June 25, 1927 - October 3, 2013) was an American pastor who founded the Calvary Chapel movement. Somehow it lacks the signs of divine leading, IMHO. Though I eventually left it did not make me bitter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death.". She added that at the time, Courson said hed go away to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa for a few weeks for his time of repentance. He returned to pastoral ministry at Applegate after that, Trimmer said. Police say the victim wasn't a church member, and Calvary Chapel says it immediately fired Tague upon learning about the claims. It did not go over well. Former staff, deacons, and members of a 2,000-member Texas megachurch associated with the Calvary Chapel movement are accusing the senior pastor there of lies, bullying, manipulation, blacklisting former members, and abuse of power. "My job was to make sure that the artists on Capitol Records were happy and entertained when they were in my city. His gray goatee is neatly trimmed, and he wears a light-blue plaid shirt and expensive jeans. The Roys Report reached out to Jon Courson, Ben Courson, and Applegate for comment, but no one responded. Paul Coughlin, said Jon Courson would make prophecies and predictions, often at New Years Eve. Find a Gathering. His daughter, Janette Manderson, and his widow, Kay, sued the organization, alleging its leaders conspired to take over Smith's empire and even denied him emergency medical care on his deathbed. Hes worth at least 6 million so his ministry has blessed at least him and his family. Many of the mega church founders are reaching retirement age so we are beginning to see transitions in many of these churches. "They have been at war ever since.". I went to a Calvary Chapel in Phoenix for 10 years. Skip Heitzig (born 1955) is the American founder and senior pastor of Calvary Church, a Calvary Chapel fellowship located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Once, in 2005, his family was asked to move to Mexico to help with a church ministry. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. I'll never forget that meeting.". I wrote him and his son a warning about what was going on. "On April 3, 2014, Bob Coy resigned as senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, effective immediately, after confessing to a moral failing in his life which disqualifies him from continuing his leadership role at the church he has led since its founding in 1985," the statement read. To donate, click here. He stoped going to church and so did we. To reflect our new location, Calvary officially changed its name from "Calvary Church of Placentia" to "Calvary Community Church of Brea." After a 10-year capital campaign, we completed construction on our new Worship Center in March of 2021. (Liberty University via . But Newnham says the pastor still has more to answer for especially because his sources say Coy has been trying to mobilize investors to start a new church. I was at least two times a week in attendance and often listened on the radio during the rest of the week, so I doubt I missed very much. The Roys Report reached out to Heater for further comment, but he didnt respond. 1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. His church fought in 2002 to remove LGBT people from protection under Broward's Human Rights Ordinance, and Coy loudly defended George W. Bush's disastrous Iraq War: "I believe in war because it's biblical, scriptural, and religious," he told his followers in one sermon. He was punished by being followed around by the youth pastor , which was humilating . Parents who said their children were booted from the day care at Calvary Church in south Charlotte because their kids developed medical conditions have settled their lawsuit with the church . My dad was part of the original group in the 80s who tried over the first affairs (yes, I said affairs as there were several women over a 4-year time-frame before it came to light). Coy opened it to the Gospel of John, and by the time he hit 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" he said he was weeping uncontrollably. In this case, a lot of time has passed since the 1980s (roughly 40 years now). Just show up and follow the book and do the rituals and collect the donations. Welcome to America.. Jon is no Saint! Ive been in similar heartbreaking discussions. As reported previously on The Roys Report, two former Applegate elders say that earlier this summer, Stroble covered up multiple allegations of sexual misconduct by Ben Courson. But instead, church leaders reportedly cited Genesis 9 as their guideline, noting that Noahs sons covered up Noahs nakedness. Hundreds left or found other churches while Calvary scrambled to find a new leader, eventually settling on Pastor Doug Sauder, a less flashy but respected veteran of the organization. Payne had taken his case against Fort Lauderdale Police Maj. Eric Brogna to the Broward County State Attorney's Office, but prosecutors declined to press charges. This year, Calvary has been hit by even more sexual abuse claims. its horrendously embarrassing, whether people immersed in christian culture feel it or not. His ministry changed my families life, saved my dad, and Jon continues to be an awesome force in this world. Yet, Gray told The Roys Report that Applegate refused to discipline Courson, and instead kept his sin private. Dr. Tejado W. Hanchell, Senior Pastor of Mount Calvary Holy Church of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is one of many ministers to use Scandal as an object lesson. Especially your leaders as the Bereans tested the greatest apostle ever lived! Even though these didnt pan out, Coughlin said Courson wouldnt apologize. This is not true in my 20+ years of following Jons teaching; I never heard him set dates or claim to be making a prophesy. At the time, Jordan said he and his wife, Teresa, rolled with it and kept working for the church in other capacities. In my opinion, if he did this [to one victim], it's just a question of how many others are out there. The senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale's resignation comes amid reports of an affair scandal and admitting tocheatingon his wife, Diane Coy. I had a problem with his divorce and how it was handled at the congregation, then I was a little concerned with some of his teachings and I finally left when Ben preached his support of BLM and the protesting, which when brought up in an email to Ben I was ignored. Pastor Jon has taught me so, so much and he is a big part of my life even though I live too far away to go to church there. In a ruling . The abuse lasted until she was a teenager, she told the cop. It is still in process. This is not even remotely a text about how to choose pastors or elders. I think part of it is a misunderstanding and misapplication of grace, and an end-justifies-the-means happy-go-lucky attitude. I attended ACF from Nov 1999 until a little after Ben took over the fellowship. They all are reading from the same book. By 1986, his church had outgrown the funeral parlor and attracted about 1,200 regulars to an Oakland Park chapel. I started attending a Calvary Church 18 months ago. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of "Jesus v. Evangelicals: A Biblical Critique of a Wayward Movement" by Constantine Campbell. . We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. There was a wide range of responses to Channel 9's Church Transparency Survey. Rebecca Hopkins is a journalist based in Colorado. I was a victim of sexual abuse in my own church. The only side that we should take is the side of the Lord (*as the angel told Joshua in Joshua 5:13-14). Gray said hes coming forward now because hes concerned about a pattern of spiritual abuse and abuse of power he sees in the evangelical church in America. That kind of policy includes reporting procedures. Learning to live my life in the way Jesus would if He was me. Lol Well if youre an atheist why are you in church? Coy, who was never charged with a crime, lay low after leaving Calvary but recently turned up at Boca Raton's Funky Biscuit, where he helps manage the club. This is ridiculous. Join the New Times community and help support Dont you know what forgiveness is. Its all manipulation to shame and silence the person. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines scandal as "an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. When asked for comment, Stroble told The Roys Report to save the dime and not call me back anymore.. After graduating, he found a career in the entertainment industry. Coy became a key endorsement for local Republicans, including conspiracy theorist U.S. Rep. Allen West, whom Calvary hosted as a keynote speaker at a conference to train more than 100 local conservatives to run for office more effectively. I think we all went a little bit crazy. He claims his record as pastor at Calvary Chapel was unblemished by sexual harassment or molestation claims. "Our pastor, he committed adultery with more than one woman. Thats how these guys operate, Coughilin said. The Bible warns that gossiping and slandering is also a sin. In fact, at least eight pastors, staffers, and volunteers in Calvary Chapel's network around the United States have been charged with abusing children since 2010. Goodness, uncovering sin from the 1980s is a bit nuts. Expand. A sexual prevention/misconduct policy is written by churches for churches. The expected tributes to the late Rev. It is not for us or me to slander someone or judge them. I know. Instead, Coy drifted to his hometown's specialty: rock music. But that conversation reportedly wasnt welcome. Let talks about your problems. She told Payne she was "moving tomorrow [overseas] on a mission trip with the church, and asked if it was possible to destroy any record of [her] abuse," the detective wrote in a closeout memo. It puts forgiveness to the test. Do we really think another policy, law or regulation will solve the problem of sexual sin, bullying, financial fraud or any of the other possible land mines? Smith was among the first pastors to make a startling discovery: Many of the hippies and disaffected youth who'd come for the Summer of Love had realized psychedelic drugs and the Grateful Dead weren't filling the holes in their lives. He acually wanted to do it the Bibles way and talk to his accuser and the church refused. Without a comprehensive policy in place a church is basically sending the message that what one has to report is not welcome. Coy's life story is biblical in scope and obvious in moral lessons. We were doing it for Jesus, she said. The most serious claim against Calvary's national church came in 2011, when four men in Idaho filed a federal suit alleging a youth minister named Anthony Iglesias had molested them between 2000 and 2003. Dr. John Munro, senior pastor of Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, will return to church this coming Sunday, weeks after he was placed on paid leave for alleged violation of the employee handbook, a complaint that a third-party investigation did not find support for. But for Gods grace the males in our family would all be dead, not sure about my daughter and me. The church didn't respond to a detailed set of questions from New Times, instead sending a general statement about the former pastor. In a lawsuit, a woman named Lori Pollitt said after she had moved from Texas to Idaho to work for Kestler, he repeatedly demanded she divorce her husband, give up her children to adoption, and marry him. Courson retired in 2020, but still maintains a radio ministry called Searchlight. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? "They do what they feel is right based on the evidence they have.". I used to listen to Christian radio a lot for a time decades ago. In 2004, he even campaigned with Dubya around South Florida. But the work came with a cost: a bout of shingles at 19. 9 Cathedral. The reason for the resignation is a "moral failing," according to Calvary Chapel leaders, as reported by the Christian Post. The failure is a failure of discipleship. Coy's church won the suit plus $81,000 in damages and fees and the city, which organized the event, stopped offering sponsorships out of concern that hate groups might take advantage of the ruling. 5:1-4, see also 1 Tim. Even though these didnt pan out, Coughlin said Courson wouldnt apologize. But after theyd sold most of their belongings, the Jordans were told they werent going after all; Jon Courson was going instead. May 01, 2014 at 7:43 am. They dont have to give an explanation. What has become of the name of Christian? It is beneath them to betray their relationship commitments, to lie, to take advantage of other human beings, and to exploit others and systems for selfish gain. When the elders went to the woman in question home to tell her husband, there were children there, including my daughter who was a teenager at the time. Calvary Church is a non-denominational church in Charlotte, North Carolina. For some reason, christian culture produces sloppy morals & integrity that are inferior to the world which christians look down on in superiority. He's an engaging storyteller "somewhere between Billy Graham and Billy Crystal," the Miami Herald once suggested with an easy laugh and a voice that excitedly rises into high nasal registers. I was up against a senior pastor, 9 associate pastors, 39 elders and a church membership of nearly 5000. The only cure is Christlike character. Genesis 4:7, Numbers 32:23. "God is with us all who learn and grow so much from a man who always reminded us he was human and not one is perfect not even Pastor Bob but God gave him a purpose and he did well by God. Follow the policythe well-trained experts will be able to figure this out, is what you are trained. She'd never even told her family about the crimes. Yet despite noting illegalities in the building plans, Skeen said he was rebuffed. But then, in April 2014, he resigned in disgrace after admitting to multiple affairs and a pornography addiction. So, we did. What youre doing is a classic example of sin-leveling. When Smith discovered a grace-based Gospel, she was excited and started talking about it at church. The man had forced her to perform oral sex, she said. Another dedicated Applegate member and daughter of a pastor, Heidi Smith, said she worked for church camps for long hours and little pay, which was typical of Applegate camp staff. I bought it all. I had come to respect his wisdom and leadership in his church and in the community. Jon is still teaching about Gods Word but is Jon still GODS man to preach to us anymore? The church still claims about 20,000 members, and on a recent Wednesday night, thousands of them poured in for a service led by Pastor Sauder, Coy's replacement. "He was just transparent, and he could be very funny as well. Your sister in the Lord. His daughter has filed suit alleging elder abuse and neglect when Smith. It has to be a policy that is strong and pushed from the Board and Elders down to the senior pastor all volunteers or anyone such as staff working with congregants. Even the great Chuck Smith defended Jon and attacked those trying to bring repentance and healing to a very ugly situation. It is what has destroyed a number of innocent families and missionaries. With his tale of drug addiction and strip clubs, the newly redeemed Coy was a perfect fit for Calvary's edgier message. We should always be ready to be careful about taking a side in any accusation. Two years later, a Calvary Chapel in Laguna Beach fired its pastor for adultery and embezzlement but Smith quickly rehired him to preach at the nearby Costa Mesa church. Im sure if one of these elders had the courage to confront either Ben or Jon, as it is instructed in Gods Word. It's October 2017, and Bob Coy hunches over a laptop in a far corner of the Funky Biscuit, a dimly lit club in Mizner Park in Boca Raton. But he declines to share the results of the test, which he says was not done for the police. (Attorneys for both sides declined to comment on the terms.). And Coy turned out to be a charismatic preacher. We all thought is Jon can fall, we all can. Calvary Chapel has always had to balance accountability with the independence and authority granted to pastors under the "Moses model" of congregational leadership the movement controversially. Heater also warned his congregation against division and warned that God would come against anyone who would come against His church.. During the whole time I was a lightning rod. Coy certainly paid a heavy price for his infidelity: His family has broken to pieces, and his chapels packed with thousands of adoring fans have been replaced with a half-full nightclub in Boca. Hes a saint. People like Jon and his son Ben will come and go, but Jesus is forever. Were there other abuse claims against Coy during the nearly three decades he controlled Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale? My sheep know my voice and because they know me they will not follow or be misled to another. No, it wasnt always so because the mega-church is a fairly recent phenomenon though Metropolitan Tabernacle in UK where Charles Spurgeon preached would be considered mega. Then a second attempt by the man possibly constitutes an offense. "If you're angry or you're disillusioned or you're fearful, if you embarrass yourself or you disappoint yourself he can take all the mess and turn it into something beautiful.". I had a clergy person who does flown in from New York. Sin not dealt with will ALWAYS be repeated and in bigger ways. The leaders also said they had prayed against the spirit of sensuality that had descended on the church, Gray said, and believed this would take care of the problem. There is no God so why go? But they never did.. He can't be put in a position of power ever again.". Any kind of suffering, any kind of personal conflictthats the rug we slipped it under, because we would do anything for the expansion of the Gospel.. Then a friend told lies about my husband, my daughter, my son, and eventually me. Now my life revolves around the Lord, thanks to brother Jon. He's accused of molesting at least ten children aged 13 to 16 over several years, victimizing members of the youth group he led after taking them back to his apartment. Coy then moved to an even more debauched scene: Las Vegas. What are your secret sins that you think are not as equal to accusations in this article? Coy's faithful didn't know it, but just over a year after the pastor's resignation for adultery, Coral Springs Police launched their investigation into a far worse allegation. "There could be other victims out there," says Michael Newnham, an Oregon-based pastor who runs a blog critical of Calvary Chapel. If just ONE of those people had honored their role by upholding their responsibility in that position as it is described according to the BIBLE, the situation wouldnt be such a mess or have been dragged out for so long. Our Lord militates against scandal, and even ties a curse to those who promote . I attended ACF from 1981 to about 1985-86 While I was shocked and pleased to see this article, I have to say Jon did bring the allegations of sexual misconduct to the congregation and he did apologize to all of us. Shouldnt somebody from the church that I had given my entire life to, shouldnt they have come after me to help? There were no innocent parties during the 80s incident. I laugh now, but back then it was no laughing matter. you said, These abhorrent behaviors are a result of non-discipleship. He takes in the homeless, he ministers to prostitutes and in the prison. Without the sexual abuse alligations that would also or should be questioned dont you think???? I am in shock over this story. He was ready to give his life to the church. This principle certainly does not excuse sin. God will judge all of our actions and HE will reveal truth. The root of Calvary's problems, critics say, lies in its unique structure. In my neighborhood. There's no evidence to date that the controversy surrounding him is affecting turnout at Calvary . Passing your pulpit along to your sons seems to have become fairly common in prosperous megachurches over the last 30-40 years. However, that is the key. Bob Coy founded Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and turned it into a 25,000-member . Mike, a policy which tells people to report to the government is NOT the answer. "Our former pastor was caught in sin," Lowe said April 16, according to the Sun Sentinel. Well God bless you anyway. Police said they couldn't find enough evidence to press charges, but the staffer claimed the church forced him to resign for alerting the authorities. Recent Sermons. 8:00AM. Pastors and church leadership loving their families and the sheep would be helpful!!!!!! His church started with just 25 members in a Costa Mesa lot in 1965, but by the mid-2000s, it had grown to include hundreds of affiliated chapels around the nation and internationally plus a lucrative array of radio stations. Stay up to date with the latest Christian news! . On a Sunday evening in April 2014, thousands packed into Calvary Chapel's sanctuary, a cavernous space that looks more like a midsize city's convention center than a church. She confirmed the story in stomach-churning detail. Grays church, which at the time had ministry connections to Applegate, disassociated with Applegate because of Applegates response. By the end of that harrowing call on August 20, 2015, police knew the accused predator was no ordinary suspect. But since returning to South Florida, he's spent most nights here, helping run the Funky Biscuit a late return to his music industry roots. Calvary was among the first churches in the nation to air podcasts, stream services online, and simulcast sermons at satellite campuses (the church had opened campuses in Plantation and Boca). Our accuser was the wolf in sheeps clothingabusing her own daughter and pointing at those who truly loved her. Plus, several former church members, including a former elder and staff pastor, are accusing Applegate of a pattern of bullying and lack of transparency. That whole incident really brought out the crazies too. Coy himself was not present at the Sunday announcement in which his resignation was announced, but church elders read a statement and answered parishioners' questions. Unlike many Protestant churches, which set up powerful boards of elders to oversee ministers, Calvary used a management style Smith called the "Moses method. If you believe that here in the US a falsely accused person (especially straight male who loves Jesus and is talented as a pastor) will get a fair chance and due diligence done, you are sadly mistaken. "I was brought into the Lutheran church without a choice that's where I learned what a religious environment was like, but I was missing the spiritual thing.". The detective told her that he couldn't destroy the files, but he closed the case that day. ", "I haven't prayed enough for my Pastor Bob and his family," Beth Graber wrote.

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