It didnt make any difference if its right or wrong, its what Jon says, said Ken Skeen, a former deacon and elder, who was at Applegate from 1989 to 1999. 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. Goodness, uncovering sin from the 1980s is a bit nuts. Id be ashamed to publish such he said she said. (My dad was one of the men who went to Guy Gray for help in the Biblical steps of confronting a sinning brother.) He takes in the homeless, he ministers to prostitutes and in the prison. And Coy turned out to be a charismatic preacher. Genesis 4:7, Numbers 32:23. Great! Megachurch Pastor Bob Coy abruptly resigned Sunday afternoon, ending his 30-year leadership at one of the largest churches in the country. Discipleship. The pastor is true man of God. "They have been at war ever since.". As spring breakers poured into Fort Lauderdale to bong beers, he set up "The Recovery Room" at the Jolly Roger motel, where he offered live music, first aid, and of course Evangelical literature. If you are 50+, join us September 18-22 for a Royal Caribbean Cruise! "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. Becoming apprentices to Jesus. This was not any church. It would be highly illegal.. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. The leader passed the church on to his son and last I knew was planting franchises in England. ", "Moses was the leader appointed by God," Smith told Christianity Today in 2007. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. Learning to live my life in the way Jesus would if He was me. "People were really, really hurt," says Colleen Healy, a Broward resident who began following Coy in 1995. When He comes back will he find us in pastures where wolves and hirelings lead blind undiscerning sheep ? Over two decades, Coy had built a small storefront church into Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, a 25,000-member powerhouse that packed Dolphin Stadium for Easter services while Coy hosted everyone from George W. Bush to Benjamin Netanyahu. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. But two weeks after his surprise resignation, Assistant Pastor Chet Lowe filled Coy's followers in on what had happened. I bought it all. Jon Courson rubbed me the wrong way. Please click here to learn how. Hes a saint. The investigation included multiple follow-up emails, phone calls and in-person visits to the churches approached to . The leaders used Genesis 9 as their guideline? 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. Coy's life story is biblical in scope and obvious in moral lessons. Welcome to America.. Jon is no Saint! He stoped going to church and so did we. "We loved him because of his realness. Yes, we might not have a reason to doubt the claims. "I took a polygraph." (Jon Courson) whitewashed the level of involvement and implied it was only a slight indiscretion, but I knew it was not true, Trimmer said. The only cure is Christlike character. 8:00AM. I know an individual who embezzled money from a bank. On Campus 8:30:00 AM Kids' Church Available. Coy is friendly and voluble, but his lively green eyes suddenly brim with tears when he's asked about the sexual assault claims. The expected tributes to the late Rev. These abhorrent behaviors are a result of non-discipleship. Now years later I think churches are far to interrested in looking Christain than being Christain. These religious leaders who fell from grace shocked the world when their crimes and scandals became public. Ben Courson, pastor of an Oregon megachurch, recently stepped down amid allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct. 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. ", "I haven't prayed enough for my Pastor Bob and his family," Beth Graber wrote. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. The senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale's resignation comes amid reports of an affair scandal and admitting tocheatingon his wife, Diane Coy. Upon Smith's death, many members had different visions of where the denomination should go. The statement reminded me of the abusively controlling church that I had been involved with earlier. But the senior pastor also resigned. The reason for the resignation is a "moral failing," according to Calvary Chapel leaders, as reported by the Christian Post. Bob Coy founded Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and turned it into a 25,000-member powerhouse before resigning in disgrace. I got saved in the 80s, and thats a long time ago. "We learned of this report after it was disclosed and reported to the appropriate authorities," says Michael Miller, a church spokesman. In Coy's case, Bailey made a relatively unusual ruling: All financial documents would be kept secret. 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. But instead, church leaders reportedly cited Genesis 9 as their guideline, noting that Noahs sons covered up Noahs nakedness. The doctrine is Christ focused and Bible based and is sound. 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. Charles Ward "Chuck" Smith (June 25, 1927 - October 3, 2013) was an American pastor who founded the Calvary Chapel movement. An officer noted the information and called the victim, who was then a teenager. Munro, a native of Scotland and in his mid-60s, has been Calvary's senior pastor since 2006. That case was settled out of court, but the attorney who brought the case says that, in general terms, Smith's habit of forgiving and rehiring pastors who have committed sexual offenses is a recipe for disaster. "Scandal" is a word often heard used in recent months by U.S. bishops regarding the best ways to provide pastoral care and communicate authentic church teaching to pro-choice politicians who . 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. A major red flag in one of his messages was excessive self praise of his own preaching, followed by and thats why youre here. Discipleship. Recent Sermons. Especially your leaders as the Bereans tested the greatest apostle ever lived! Gray said the Applegate elder told the woman at the meeting that he believed her story, involving lots of private meetings with Courson. Less than three months ago, Hocking, 51, resigned from the 6,000 +-member church amid the disturbing revelation of sexual scandal after church elders heard of his admission of "sexual sin". 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 believe the true scandal in CC is what being a typical CC pastor does to that man's personal walk with the Lord. 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). Youre an atheist. 9 Cathedral. The Bible warns that gossiping and slandering is also a sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines scandal as "an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The Roys Report reached out to Jon Courson, Ben Courson, and Applegate for comment, but no one responded. An evil man sows strife:gossips separates the best of friends His son responded, but he never did. Proverbs 16:27-29 I was feeling horrible.". "There could be other victims out there," says Michael Newnham, an Oregon-based pastor who runs a blog critical of Calvary Chapel. "I was living a life of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, literally," Coy told Stetzer. He has gone on to be successful in another business. Ushers passed tissue boxes down the rows as his followers wept. So crazy that I became addicted to cocaine.". 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. 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.". They wanted spirituality but could never go back to their parents' churches. But in 1981, his life changed forever thanks to an epic holiday hangover and his brother Jim, who'd already found religion. Do these pastors take a class at seminary on how best to gaslight congregants and misuse scriptures to cover their sins?? At first, the new church led a charmed existence. Shortly after resigning, the disgraced pastor moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where Calvary Chapel has another affiliate church. Lol Well if youre an atheist why are you in church? I was told to leave the church and take other victims with me. 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. But the case soon stalled. If true, the allegations would be disappointing as any would be against a pastor or local church. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! Without a comprehensive policy in place a church is basically sending the message that what one has to report is not welcome. Former Applegate member Charleen Trimmer confirmed Grays story about Courson. Pastor Bob had suddenly resigned, the assistant pastor told the stunned crowd. 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 . The church board fired Messner when he became embroiled in the PTL scandal, and J.N. At the time, Jordan said he and his wife, Teresa, rolled with it and kept working for the church in other capacities. I laugh now, but back then it was no laughing matter. Thats not saying it strong enough these behaviors are abhorrent to them. In fact, the church had been battling accusations nationwide for years that it empowered predatory pastors while demanding little accountability. His ministry was paying his son 20 k a month I hear. Thus, Costa Mesa split from the CCA and is now part of the Calvary Chapel Global Network. Sunday Services. sunday. By. 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.. Jon was very much loved and respected, maybe too much so. 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. To donate, click here. Beginning with the 25-person Costa Mesa congregation in 1965, Smith's influence now extends to "more than 1,000 churches nationwide and hundreds more overseas", some of which are among the largest churches in the United States.He has been called "one of the most . My sheep know my voice and because they know me they will not follow or be misled to another. I think that the important thing is to remember that NO ONE is without sin. 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. Your a true Non believer. The amended suit was filed Wednesday morning in Mecklenburg County. 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. Among Gnosticism's tenets was the conviction that the material world is contemptible, unworthy of redemption. . Just say NO !!! The department assigned the case to Det. A California judge has ordered San Jose's Calvary Chapel church to pay $1.2 million in fines for defying COVID-19 pandemic restrictions by meeting for worship and not requiring masks. Coy's preaching career ended with shocking speed, but his sex scandal was far from the first for Calvary Chapel. It was an ordinary . Every single control out into place according to the Bible, failed from the top to the bottom. The root of Calvary's problems, critics say, lies in its unique structure. There were no innocent parties during the 80s incident. Police say the victim wasn't a church member, and Calvary Chapel says it immediately fired Tague upon learning about the claims. His popularity soared. I think we all went a little bit crazy. This is the tip of only one iceberg. Rest assured, God will not be mocked.". This is not even remotely a text about how to choose pastors or elders. I was part of Applegate Christian Fellowship when Jon had his first affairs. To "avoid substantial injury" to Coy's former employer Calvary Chapel according to the court file. The Voice of God is not to the wolves and hirelings but rather to the sheep ! "When Chuck Smith died, there was nothing left to hold back all the competing factions," church critic Michael Newnham says. As they sank into plush, arena-style seats and flipped open well-thumbed copies of the Bible, Coy's followers quickly noticed something was very wrong. Pastor Jon has worked miracles in my life and all the good hes done should count and be pointed out at this time. What Im still confused about, is WHY Christian stations are still broadcasting SEARCHLIGHT podcasts on their stations. 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. Who of you has a spotless history? I was up against a senior pastor, 9 associate pastors, 39 elders and a church membership of nearly 5000. But after theyd sold most of their belongings, the Jordans were told they werent going after all; Jon Courson was going instead. Its to get all parties to forget or minimize the incident. The perpertrator (associate pastor) eventually resigned. When she rebuffed him, she said he stalked her and put a "hangman's noose" in front of her house. In January 2016, he and Diane filed for divorce in Broward County. "We need answers.". ! READ that again. Two years later, her family sued Calvary, alleging leaders should have done more to stop Thomas. Courson retired in 2020, but still maintains a radio ministry called Searchlight. (Titus 1:5-9) Why would Scripture give these qualifications if Christians are just supposed to use them to determine if a pastor is qualified for office? 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. But he was publicly punished and recieved a private apology. its horrendously embarrassing, whether people immersed in christian culture feel it or not. Its between Jon and God. Preaching Sundays or Wednesdays, big deal! 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. This was also true of an ad for Searchlight: both the promotion and a sample of him speaking. She confirmed the story in stomach-churning detail. Pastors should have real jobs and then preach on the weekend or a midweek study. John's Great Commission and a Gospel Rhythm for the Church.mp4. Cancel culture at its finest. Heater also warned his congregation against division and warned that God would come against anyone who would come against His church.. Even though these didnt pan out, Coughlin said Courson wouldnt apologize. 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. I started attending a Calvary Church 18 months ago. Brodersen, the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, says the pastors of the Calvary Chapel Association saw founder Smith as their common bond. Note; if your church leaders are incorporating Hillsong music in worship , RUN for the leaders are blind ! 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