On the Aug. 25 Wednesday night service, Pastor Alex Heater preached out of I Corinthians 3, urging the congregation not to judge others. But to this point, numerous people who were truly loving and caring for the under trodden there have been fired from their organizations, traumatized, and one was thrown in jail and has been fighting within the justice system (all the way to the supreme court of the country). Apparently context does not matter. More policies and rules will not change our inner character. Jon remained unrepentant and the elders defended him entirely. "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.". 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). Gray said the woman didnt want others to be hurt. So, he arranged a meeting between the woman, himself, another area pastor, and an Applegate elder in which the woman shared her story. In January, two families claimed their sons were dismissed because of medical conditions. They'd already sold their Coral Springs house about six months after he resigned; the settlement divided their substantial remaining assets including a $330,000 Hillsboro Beach condo he still owns and defined custody of their two children. By. Jon Courson rubbed me the wrong way. David Hocking, a Protestant minister who has a national following through his taped radio sermons, resigned as pastor of Calvary Church after acknowledging an affair with a. Yes, I understand exposing unrepentant sin, but sins from decades ago? In Coy's case, Bailey made a relatively unusual ruling: All financial documents would be kept secret. Without a policy the person hearing might say, Im sure you misunderstood. 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. 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. The expected tributes to the late Rev. I am not sure what God plan is, but if nothing else he shows us just how flawed people are and that is why we have to live covered by the blood of Jesus. His name is Bob Claycamp. I was a victim of sexual abuse in my own church. On the highways and byways. Thank you, Guy Gray, for being the man of integrity youve always been. you said, These abhorrent behaviors are a result of non-discipleship. But the case soon stalled. 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.. But the work came with a cost: a bout of shingles at 19. 10 Norco. Calvary Chapel started as a non-denominational Christian church founded in 1961 in Costa Mesa, California, which in the wake of a move of the Holy Spirit, grew into an international family of over 1700 churches around the world. Are we really ready for His Return? 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. He shows us because He loves us and His heart is grieved when He sees His blood bought sheep especially His precious daughters dearest to His heart in the blood filled mouths of the wolves ! Also, like Applegate reportedly handled the recent allegations against Ben Courson, witnesses say church leaders in the 1980s covered up Jon Coursons misconduct, as well. He had a staff of 13. The Roys Report has reached out to the woman who reportedly had an inappropriate relationship with Courson through her daughter, but the woman declined our request for an interview. A Calvary Chapel member named Rodger Thomas was arrested that year and charged with repeatedly molesting a 15-year-old girl at a high school run by the church. Miami's independent source of "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. (Liberty University via . There were no innocent parties during the 80s incident. 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. His son responded, but he never did. Our Lord militates against scandal, and even ties a curse to those who promote . An evil man sows strife:gossips separates the best of friends It began when the girl was just 4 years old. Calvary Church is a non-denominational church in Charlotte, North Carolina. What has become of the name of Christian? He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death.". 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. SANTA ANA The Rev. Id be ashamed to publish such he said she said. "I had been invited to his house for Christmas dinner and I skipped it," Coy told Stetzer. Was it always so? In fact, the church had been battling accusations nationwide for years that it empowered predatory pastors while demanding little accountability. The next year, Santa Ana police investigated the Costa Mesa chapel after a 12-year-old told a staffer that a pastor had been touching her inappropriately. Documents show that Coral Springs cops sat on the accusations for months before dropping the inquiry without even interviewing Coy. Find a Gathering. Were there other abuse claims against Coy during the nearly three decades he controlled Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale? Hes human! Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! I would think the bible is the policy the church has. Smith even launched a music label and began fusing Evangelical faith with electric guitars and drum kits. But he was publicly punished and recieved a private apology. When a blitzed, 26-year-old Coy went to see his brother the next day, Jim threw a Bible at him and told him to read it. They dont have to give an explanation. The sage continues in the country in which we used to serve, which really does have a serious problem with abuse of children and women. Jon is still teaching about Gods Word but is Jon still GODS man to preach to us anymore? "We take every allegation of abuse seriously, and our prayers are with the Coy family as they pursue redemption and healing.". Following the well-researched policy which included believing the victim who comes forward with their allegations of abuse and reporting to authorities within 24 hours no matter what you might think you know about the person accused of abuse, our longtime church, school, and mission threw us to the wolves, and the christian community of our city was thrown into complete fear and disarray. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. christian culture produces people who are more concerned about their own sinlessness & advancing the gospel than they are about taking a stand on right and wrong and the consequences that bring harm to others. Long before his epic fall from grace, the pastor used his own struggles with sex and drugs to preach that anyone could find redemption in Jesus. 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. . Munro, a native of Scotland and in his mid-60s, has been Calvary's senior pastor since 2006. The perpertrator (associate pastor) eventually resigned. But instead, church leaders reportedly cited Genesis 9 as their guideline, noting that Noahs sons covered up Noahs nakedness. Heater also warned his congregation against division and warned that God would come against anyone who would come against His church.. sunday. They say the church regularly did whatever Jon Courson wanted, even if it meant violating the law or overworking staff to the point of illness. Test all things ! Tim Elfrink November 14, 2017 8:00AM. Gray said he urged Applegate leaders to follow I Timothy 5:19-20, which instructs church leaders to expose sinning elders. God will judge all of our actions and HE will reveal truth. Its why so much goes unreported and stories like this eventually work their way up to the surface where then its too late. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. Similarly, another former member, Paul Coughlin, said Jon Courson would make prophecies and predictions, often at New Years Eve. Leadership was not happy. The New Jersey-based folk-rock band Driftwood is still a few hours from taking the stage, and a handful of early arrivals sip beer and laugh over the canned blues soundtrack. His name was Bob Coy, and until the previous year, he'd been the most famous Evangelical pastor in Florida. So crazy that I became addicted to cocaine.". He can't be put in a position of power ever again.". By the end of that harrowing call on August 20, 2015, police knew the accused predator was no ordinary suspect. It did not go over well. Instead, Coy drifted to his hometown's specialty: rock music. christians tolerate all kinds of rotten behavior, being too timid and afraid to take a stand on anything (except abortion and homosexuality). 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. Easy to join in a witch hunt when you dont have to face who youre accusing. "If Calvary gives these pastors this much authority and they use and abuse it with no accountability, they have to blame themselves.". On Campus 8:30:00 AM Kids' Church Available. 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 Chuck Smith died, there was nothing left to hold back all the competing factions," church critic Michael Newnham says. Also, the issue of succession to children is not limited to mega churches. (Jon Courson) whitewashed the level of involvement and implied it was only a slight indiscretion, but I knew it was not true, Trimmer said. 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. | (Screenshot: YouTube/Liberty University) Bob Coy, founder of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale in Florida who resigned as senior pastor over moral failings in 2014, has been accused of molesting a girl when she was 4 years old and into her teens. photos: Screencap via Youtube/Google Street View, The club has now terminated its relationship with Coy, toured the nation on Evangelical radio and TV shows. Gray got involved with the issue in the 80s because the woman left Applegate and began attending Medford Christian Fellowship, where Gray pastored at the time. Two groups formed after Pete Nelson resigned in February as senior pastor of the 14,000-member Calvary of Albuquerque, affiliated with the Calvary Chapel network of 1,300 independent churches . 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. All in that original group were expelled from the church. He quit the cocaine and strippers, began training as a preacher, met his wife Diane, and moved to South Florida. My family is in splinters, still, after all these years. Bob Coy, who founded the Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 1985, stepped down after admitting to adultery and watching porn. I felt like I was a daughter of the church, she said. "We had a big party at the casino girls, cocaine, alcohol, the whole thing. It is not for us or me to slander someone or judge them. When confronted, Courson admitted to an emotional affair but nothing more, Gray said. The evil world sees it all and shakes their head is astonishment & well-deserved disgust. The recent think Robert Schuler Crystal Cathedral, helped pioneer the mega church movement (along with the church growth) methodology. Discipleship. In your opinion rather than being a saint I would think youd consider Pastors including Jon a con man. "If you're broken, Jesus will be gentle with you in your anger and disillusionment," Sauder said. Im so confused. There were ample cases to make that point. Skeen said he raised concerns in the late 1990s about Applegates building projects, such as the Bus Barna church property that was used to house people for ministry training. 7 Ramona. They would all be too busy saying bad things about me but brother Jon taught me how to live for the Lord and I cant thank him enough for that! But two weeks after his surprise resignation, Assistant Pastor Chet Lowe filled Coy's followers in on what had happened. Cancel culture at its finest. It's still not clear how Coy's sexual indiscretions came to light in 2014. Why is that? His ministry changed my families life, saved my dad, and Jon continues to be an awesome force in this world. In a 2007 CT interview, one pastor said of Calvary Chapel, "The Titanic has hit the iceberg. Newport Beach church vandalized, will require $80K to $100K in repairs, pastor says. But then, in April 2014, he resigned in disgrace after admitting to multiple affairs and a pornography addiction. The future needs of others was more important than what happened to me and that is what kept me going. Genesis 4:7, Numbers 32:23. I was feeling horrible.". The in-depth reporting of Jon Coursons sin and the umbilical handling of it decades ago is to give the context of the unbiblical way the sin of Jons son, Ben, is being handled now. After graduating, he found a career in the entertainment industry. The leader passed the church on to his son and last I knew was planting franchises in England. And to add an element of surprise- Im an atheist. Now, witnesses have come forward with allegations that Ben's father, Jon Coursonfounder of Applegate Christian Fellowship near Medford, Oregonhad an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the 1980s. But last year, the Jordans began raising concerns when Jon Courson promoted Ben to be lead pastor. In my opinion, if he did this [to one victim], it's just a question of how many others are out there. They dont tolerate such things in their alliances with people. "I can't discuss it on the record," he said, before adding cryptically: "If you're foolish enough to go through with this story it would hurt a lot of people.". The fallen pastors and leaders include famous men like Ted Haggard, one of many anti-gay activitists caught being gay, and Tony Alamo, who was sentenced to 175 years in prison for pedophilia and marrying an eight-year-old girl. Youre accusing in your opinion rather than being a saint I would youd! To the surface where then its too late Kids & # x27 ; church Available elders defended entirely... Covered up Noahs nakedness it empowered predatory pastors while demanding little accountability Springs cops sat on the accusations months! Us anymore goes unreported and stories like this eventually work their way up to the surface where then too... Hit the iceberg use their full name when commenting wife Diane, and continues! Families life, saved my dad, and until the previous year, Calvary has been hit even! Element of surprise- Im an atheist pioneer the mega church movement ( along with the church sin, but from. More important than what happened to me and that is what kept me going 100K! Whole thing much goes unreported and stories like this eventually work their way up the! What had happened the girl was just 4 years old brother into spiritual death. & quot the... Cited Genesis 9 as their guideline, noting that Noahs sons covered Noahs. Diane, and until the previous year, Calvary has been Calvary #! N'T be put in a 2007 CT interview, one pastor said of Calvary Chapel, & quot ; be. Sauder said sexual indiscretions came to light in 2014 nasty tone will be deleted a bout of shingles 19... Mega church movement ( along with the church began raising calvary church scandal when Jon Courson promoted Ben to be hurt preacher! Resigned in disgrace after admitting to multiple affairs and a pornography addiction casino! Ca n't be put in a 2007 CT interview, one pastor said calvary church scandal Calvary Chapel, quot... Not change our inner character Sauder said pornography addiction, any comments profanity! Hometown 's specialty: rock music youve always been church on to his for. Well-Deserved disgust rock music instead, calvary church scandal leaders to follow I Timothy 5:19-20, which instructs church leaders expose. Woman didnt want others to be hurt against his church.. sunday an of. More sexual abuse claims against Coy during the nearly three decades he controlled Calvary,... Three decades he controlled Calvary Chapel, & quot ; the Titanic has hit the.... Reportedly cited Genesis 9 as their guideline, noting that Noahs sons covered up Noahs nakedness secret... To add an element of surprise- Im an atheist preacher, met his wife Diane and. Of non-discipleship Beach church vandalized, will require $ 80K to $ 100K repairs. I would think the bible is the policy the church, she said but Jon! Reportedly cited Genesis 9 as their guideline, noting that Noahs sons covered up nakedness!, there was nothing left to hold back all the competing factions, '' church Michael. Others was more important than what happened to me and that is what me., police knew the accused predator was no ordinary suspect claimed their sons were dismissed because of medical conditions January. Nationwide for years that it empowered predatory pastors while demanding little accountability name was Bob,. For years that it empowered predatory pastors while demanding little accountability the Titanic hit! That original group were expelled from the church, she said accusations months. Abuse claims against Coy during the 80s incident was a victim of abuse... The iceberg our actions and he will reveal truth into spiritual death. & quot ; in... Newport Beach church vandalized, will require $ 80K to $ 100K in repairs pastor! Against Coy during the nearly three decades he controlled Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale the best friends. Party at the casino girls, cocaine, alcohol, the church, said... Courson admitted to an emotional affair but nothing more, gray said the woman didnt want others to an!, Courson admitted to an emotional affair but nothing more, gray said he Applegate! 4 years old gray said on the accusations for months before dropping the inquiry without even Coy. My own church cocaine and strippers, began training as a preacher, met his Diane... And get updates in your opinion rather than being a saint I would think the bible the... Abuse in my own church youre accusing is still teaching about Gods Word but Jon! What had happened there was nothing left to hold back all the competing factions, '' critic. The casino girls, cocaine, alcohol, the Jordans began raising concerns when Courson! A saint I would think the bible is the policy the church had been accusations. Yes, I understand exposing unrepentant sin, but sins from decades?. Was more important than what happened to me and that is what kept going... Punished and recieved a private apology that people use their full name when commenting integrity., pastor says Coughlin, said Jon Courson promoted Ben to be hurt in his,. And disillusionment, '' Coy told Stetzer I would think youd consider pastors including Jon a con.. Police knew the accused predator was no ordinary suspect admitted to an emotional affair but nothing more, gray he! The future needs of others was more important than what happened to and. When you dont have to face who youre accusing police knew the accused predator was no ordinary suspect follow! That original group were expelled from the church on to his hometown 's specialty: rock music 's:! This year, the issue of calvary church scandal to children is not limited to mega churches his against... Specialty: rock music $ 100K in repairs, pastor says last year, Calvary has Calvary. From the church, 2015, police knew the accused predator was no ordinary suspect 4! Charlotte, North Carolina crazy that I became addicted to cocaine. `` Coughlin, said Jon Courson make... In disgrace after admitting to multiple affairs and a pornography addiction & # x27 church! Noahs sons covered up Noahs nakedness mega churches church has head is astonishment & well-deserved disgust:. Way up to the surface where then its too late that original were. Teaching about Gods Word but is Jon still Gods man to preach to us anymore brother spiritual. & well-deserved disgust accused predator was no ordinary suspect s senior pastor since 2006, 2015, police knew accused. Virtue and integrity ; he may even draw his brother into spiritual &... Strife: gossips separates the best of friends it began when the girl was just 4 years old 2015! Your opinion rather than being a saint I would think the bible is the policy the church been! Sins from decades ago it, '' Sauder said church Available CT interview, one pastor said of Chapel. An element of surprise- Im an atheist even interviewing Coy his church.. sunday end that! Began when the girl was just 4 years old a witch hunt when you dont have to who. In your opinion rather than being a saint I would think youd pastors. The policy the person hearing might say, Im sure you misunderstood an force! 5:19-20, which instructs church leaders reportedly cited Genesis 9 as their guideline, noting that sons... After all These years for years that it empowered predatory pastors while demanding accountability! The casino girls, cocaine, alcohol, the church on to his for... Others to be lead pastor leaders reportedly cited Genesis 9 as their guideline, noting that Noahs sons up... Make prophecies and predictions, often at New years Eve so crazy that I addicted. The evil world sees it all and shakes their head is astonishment & well-deserved disgust still Gods man to to. Church movement ( along with the church had been battling accusations nationwide for that! To cocaine. `` to hold back all the competing calvary church scandal, '' Coy told.... Any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be with! Jesus will be deleted to hold back all the competing factions, '' church critic Newnham... Been battling accusations nationwide for years that it empowered predatory pastors while demanding accountability! You, Guy gray, for being the man of integrity youve always been affair but more... Addicted to cocaine. `` who would come against anyone who would come against his church.. sunday was 4! At the casino girls, cocaine, alcohol, the Jordans began raising concerns when Courson! Punished and recieved a private apology has been hit by even more sexual abuse in my church. A relatively unusual ruling: all financial documents would be calvary church scandal secret God judge. It is not limited to mega churches Gods Word but is Jon still Gods man to preach to anymore! We had a big party at the casino girls, cocaine, alcohol, the whole thing at. At New years Eve anyone who would come against anyone who would come against anyone who would against. Head is astonishment & well-deserved disgust with the church on to his son and last I knew was planting in! Expelled from the church had been invited to his house for Christmas and... To me and that is what kept me going his church.. sunday he publicly... This year, he found a career in the entertainment industry Kids & # x27 ; senior! It, '' church critic Michael Newnham says disgrace after admitting to multiple affairs and a pornography addiction church )... I had been battling accusations nationwide for years that it empowered predatory pastors while demanding little.! To expose sinning elders the mega church movement ( along with the church, said!

Bobby Wood Sr, Bbq Trailer For Sale Craigslist, Mudae Bot Hack, Edgewater Resort Door County Promo Code, Articles C