It's back. The blog we've all been waiting for (to return). Deb and Greg have not only made their blog visible again, but have been working faithfully to incorporate new graphics, pics, format, and template. One thing remains the same: It is still a true witness of the crazy, whacked-out, CULTure, scandals and behaviors of the corporate leaders of the New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc.
NOTE: Only the Web View shows the entire blog with sidebar widgets and other special features such as the hit counters and Google Friend Connect members. Be sure to check it out to get the full story:
9822 158th St. E.
Puyallup, WA
Where Cori Lewis
was murdered
(lower right unit)
Today marks the one year anniversary of the untimely death of Cori Lewis. She was murdered by a former New Testament Christian Church Lay Pastor in the building pictured here (lower right apartment). This four-plex unit, and three more like it (see picture 2 also) located on 158th St. E. in Puyallup, WA were owned by Cherlyn and Kelly Merz, a couple who moved to the region to attend the New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc. Bible School or Seminary.
Having a knack for acquiring real-estate, the couple remained in Washington, renting out several apartments to other NTCC Bible School or Seminary students and ministers. Though Kelly became a Lay Pastor for NTCC, both he and Cherlyn stopped attending the church. They divorced in 2004, with Cherlyn retaining the ownership of their real estate. Meanwhile Kelly worked for a pizza place and acted as site manager of the buildings where he murdered Cori.
Picture 2: Another
Unit owned by Merz
I knew Kelly and Cherlyn from my time in the ministry at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina from 1994-1995. When I learned of this tragedy, I asked myself (and others who knew this couple): "What happened?" Many issues came to mind, all of them tied to the New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc. and their abusive treatment of people resulting in a profound negative impact on their lives, sometimes ending in death, as is the case here. Let's look at some of these issues.
Long View of site
where Cori Lewis'
Remains were recovered
less than a mile from
the NTCC compound
Racism In The New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc.
Offically the party lines of the NTCC are "All are welcome." and "A Church of All Nations."
In practice, however, that is just NOT TRUE.
All are welcome IF they pay tithe and give in offerings.
And IF they keep their place below whites.
And IF they don't mingle with whites.
And IF they 'white-up' .
Close up of the grave
site off 86th St. E. &
224th Ave. E. in
Graham, WA
What does that mean? African Americans and others are welcome if they pay tithe and give in offerings, dress and act white, and don't wear afros or corn rows. They also would be bombarded with Anti-African-American lingo from the pulpit where NTCC CEO mikey kekel would mock "ebonics" and "monkey music". Also the NTCC founder and President de facto, rodger wilson davis, clearly sees African Americans as being beneath white folks; because he frequently taught the false doctrine that "If a white man marries a black woman, he has low self esteem." WOW! davis clearly is stating that he sees "black women" as being so far below a "white man" that he would only down-grade and marry one if he had low self esteem! Did we mention davis came from dirt poverty, from, in his words, "a cotton mill hill" town in the South? Draw your own conclusions; but he is white. And he constantly used "the N word" from the pulpit and lectern and claimed "If that offends you, you need to get saved. They that love the Lawd, nothing will offend them." [*cough* Yeah, right, whatever dude.] We're guessing davis tore out those pages in the bible describing how Moses married an Ethiopian woman (a sister of color). And yet, somehow, Moses was able to "do a work for the Lord." *ahem* [shaking our heads in wonder at the davis false doctrines that is so deeply embedded in the NTCC] What do people think when they read of the mighty ministry of Moses who married an Ethiopian? Do they murmur against him and God the way Miriam and Aaron did until God judged them and ended that? Read Numbers 12 link.
Another one of the four
four-plex buildings run by
Cherlyn and Kelly Merz
davis also often taught that black-white inter-racial marriages "limit the ministry". Consequently most ntcc ministers discouraged members from pursuing such relationships and refused to perform wedding ceremonies for such couples and deterred them from attending the NTCC bible school, quoting davis' dogma that such unions "limit the ministry" and informing the couple that they would most likely never be sent out to pastor a church as would other couples.
This was the case with the Merz. Their first ntcc pastor confessed that he regretted not performing their marriage ceremony, due to this davis doctrine. Also, the couple was involved with NTCC for ten years (a long time by NTCC standards) before any of their pastors would recommend them for Bible School (a prerequisite for attendance). We feel the only reason they were approved by davis was their ability to generate large income from real estate, paying ten percent (or more) in tithe to the New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc. Perhaps it was the large tithe check that prompted davis to "allow" this couple to stay in Washington when most others who graduate the NTCS are immediately sent out to work elsewhere. Whatever the reason, they stayed and were systematically destroyed by the NTCC machine.
We feel the NTCC man-made doctrines and abusive practices led to not only the destruction of the Merz' marriage, but also the mental health of Kelly himself, driving him down, systematically taking from him his military career, self-esteem, self-worth, marriage, and faith in God. With nothing left, is it a wonder that he took someone else's life?
It's our opinion that NTCC's man-made extra-biblical doctrines led to this senseless murder.
What will it take to stop you from following the false teachings of the NTCC?
Diana Taylor at the
Cemetery To Pay Respect
to Mom and Pop Gaylord
Recently we took a trip to Washington state to see old friends, and visit some ntcc haunts. It was a business trip in a sense; but it also was a small vacation for us; and we had a great visit with the X-er's that live in this area. Diana Taylor was our gracious hostess with the mostes. ;o) And she drove us all over and updated us on what's been going on in Washington. We cannot thank her enough for her hospitality and showing us a great time while we were visiting!!
Mom and Pop Gaylords' Grave Site
Headstone for Eileen
"Mom" Gaylord
During this trip we got some good videos and pictures of the ntcc cult compound to share with the viewers of this blog. We started our tour at Mom and Pop Gaylords' grave site. I know many folks have mixed feelings about Mom and Pop; but many have fond memories of them; and we most definitely do. In spite of the fact that the ntcc would probably not exist without them, they were very different than the rest of the ntcc overseers and board members in that they did things the way they felt they should be done, in many cases without the approval of r. w. davis. They would openly disagree with RWD's way of doing things; and they were not afraid of him or verna mae davis either. For us it was an honor to visit their grave site; and we will always cherish the memories that we have of what seemed to be the best of the ntcc leadership. We think when they passed away, the small remnant of good in the organization faded with their memories.
Un-Fellowship: X-ers Reunited
Don and Ange
We spent some time with the Reeds, Bro. Armer and many others we love and are becoming fast friends with. And we all had quality fellowship which we have been starving for. We think one of the most wicked rules of the ntcc is their blatant shunning of anyone who no longer attends their church. Through this rule long time friends are often separated for no reason other than the isolationist rule of the independent founder of ntcc, r. w. davis. If you attend ntcc and think those people are your friends, think again. If you choose to go to church elsewhere, those people in ntcc will drop you like a bad habit just because davis says so. Sad.
r. w. davis Manipulates Matt Reed
Mom and Pop Gaylord
As we were showing pictures of Mom and Pop's graves to Brother Reed, he told us about an occasion in which he had wanted to visit Mom and Pop's grave. Old Manipulative, Double-Standard Davis told him that he wanted to go with Matt Reed to visit the grave; and R-dub emphasized for Bro. Reed not to go without him. He promised that they would go visit together soon. I think two or three years went by and R-DUBlecross had yet to keep his word to the Brother. Without any invite or knowledge of what happened RWD took Gandy to Mom and Pop's grave site and then later told MDR that he missed out because he Wasn't Around. Davis is a very manipulative dude. Why would somebody treat a brother this way?
These are details that I remembered from Mathew Reed's account of this story. If I'm off a little or if there is more to add, I will leave that to the Brother, but that's how I remember it. This pretty much sum's up what davis is all about. He is a control mongering manipulator.
Memories of Mom and Pop
Headstone for "Pop"
William Keenan Gaylord,
MSGT USAF
I will always choose to Remember Mom and Pop Gaylord in a good light as many others also remember them. I corresponded with them through letters; and they always wrote me back. I sent one letter to davis about Ange in which I apologized for breaking bible school rules and writing a letter to her; but he never responded. Mom and Pop always seemed to have time for everyone. They once told me that Davis should have nothing to say about who I write to or talk to. I have it in writing and it is on this blog in the letters from the past post [read more >>].
Ange and Diana
We will be publishing a series of videos and pictures of our visit. Please be patient as it is a very large undertaking because of the amount of media we want to share. Ange has been working on this for weeks now and we hope to release it a little bit at a time as she is able organize it into this blog coordinating pictures, video, and stories of ntcc eXperiences.
Google Satellite Image of the Orting Cemetery and Grave Site:
Hint: Use the "+" and "-" symbols to zoom in and out of the map.
The NTCC Cult Compound lies between 210th St. E. & 224th St. E.
[It is] better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that [is] the end of all men; and the living will lay [it] to his heart. Ecc 7:2
It looks like many of the old timers in the ntcc are starting to age; and along with old age comes a whole slew of health problems, some of which can be terminal. Back in the 80's and 90's most ntcc ministers were pretty young; and it seemed like there wasn't much to worry about in those days. How many times did we hear the words, "Who needs life insurance?" followed by "We have life assurance!" and every one shouted "Amen"! Back in those days Life Insurance was preached against. So much was said about laying up your treasure in heaven and God taking care of us that very few ever prepared for the future, for their wives or their families.
Well, it turns out that nobody is exempt from sickness and as more and more ntcc'rs get old we are finding out that ntcc'rs are just as susceptible to death as the rest of us. Now there may be differences in opinion as to who is ready to die and who is not, but in spite of everything preached and all of the bold statements about "the rest of the world" we are finding out that sickness and death is no respecter of persons.
There is a culture in the ntcc that is almost unheard of in many other churches and society in general. This is how things work in the ntcc. A man marries a woman, or young girl. The man is the provider and works, while the woman takes care of the man. In the old days the man would get a vasectomy because they were told that children hinder the work of the Lord. This policy didn't go over very well and a few years later men started getting tired of shooting blanks, so they got their vasectomies reversed. Many were rebellious and had "filthy evil children" anyway. Now we have families in the ntcc that need to be provided for. We will come back to this explanation of how things work in the ntcc in just a moment.
I don't know how to say this without being really blunt or offending anyone; but it needs to be said so others can learn. People in the ntcc are starting to die off and they have made very little preparation for their wives and children. In all of their preparation for heaven and trying to live up to all of the ntcc standards and jump through all of the ntcc hoops, they are leaving their families without much of anything. Why is this alarming? Because the same preachers that will take up offerings to buy Rolex watches for a multimillionaire real estate tycoon will not set aside a few bucks a week to insure their families are provided for if anything happens to them. This is sick behavior; and it has nothing to do with God. If you really think that it is more important to take up an offering purchase a watch, gun, knife, Cadillac or anything for a multimillionaire than it is to provide for your family there is something wrong with your relationship with God.
This brings us back to the previous paragraph. How things work in the ntcc. The man gets sick, has no health or life insurance, and dies. The widow hasn't had a job in decades and has children to provide for. What happens next is even more sick. The woman is usually left with very little and must get a job. Finding a job that doesn't interfere with the ntcc schedule is hard enough if you are a skilled laborer with years of experience, but for a glorified house wife with no job history it is much harder. The widow has no credentials and is left in a desperate situation. The widow is now very vulnerable and becomes desperate to provide for her children.
The ntcc recycle center is now open for business. There are only two choices when it's all said and done. Remarry or leave ntcc, which we all know is, according to the ntcc, akin to leaving God. You may ask, "What kind of sick person would put a Christian sister in that kind of position?" The ntcc does this and thinks nothing of it. What is even more sad about this whole thing is that the woman will marry another preacher and go through this whole cycle again. In many cases the man is less established and financially secure than the one he is replacing.
We are not directing this to any individual; and if you are in this situation we feel bad for you and wish you didn't go through it. But this stuff has been covered on the blogs so many times that it would be hard to count. Many have ignored Chief, and GS/DS and many others that have breached this topic. Greg was very concerned about his wife's future to the extent that he expressed his concerns to the borg leadership and got nowhere but blacklisted and mocked. That is nothing but foolishness. How can you watch as RWD, Kekel and their close family and friends get richer and richer while your family's basic needs go unmet?
You don't need to give another dime to world missions, or to some overseer that stops by in an expensive recreational vehicle on an all expense paid vacation across the country to blast you and your congregation for not giving enough for the lost and dying souls. You are stupid if you give in an offering for a multimillionaire real estate tycoon. Why would such a person need your money to purchase a rolex watch? How blind can you be? You are a bunch of suckers and it makes me mad, because I was just like you at one time. Do you think on the day of judgement that God is really going to say, "Well done my good and faithful servant, you bought a rich pharisee named R-dub a Rolex watch, while your family had to settle for kook store wardrobes and was left nothing when you died"? You shouldn't send another dime to Graham until you take care of your family.
Family is more important than a filthy rich church leader. The Bible does not say "He who provideth not for the ntcc preacher is worse than an infidel". Wake up and get your priorities straight. Take care of the ones that really matter in your life, then in good conscience you can give freely and willfully to God.
R. Briggs
This blog post was written a few weeks ago but we decided to hold off on posting it. Today we found out that Pastor Briggs passed away and we feel the need to share this information with anyone that will listen. When we first started blogging we got into a major confrontation on Chief's blog with Rev. Briggs and we disagreed on quite many issues. One thing I will say is that Rev. Briggs did show concern for many of the complaints we had of corruption in the ntcc and even admitted that there were things that were not right. He was one of the few that actually had dialogue with X-members of the ntcc and was not afraid to publicly post his opinions.
I have to say that in spite of all of our differences we are saddened by the passing of Rev. R.A. Briggs. It makes me sick that the last weeks and months of his life were consumed with the uncertainty of how his family would be provided for. What does 25+ years in the ntcc get you? Your loved ones are reduced to having to organize sporting events with other churches to raise a few hundred bucks so that the surviving family could have a few bucks to move to St. Louis or Graham. You leave this world with no assurance that your family is going to be taken care of. You pay tithe and give in offerings for decades while sending scores of tithe payers off to bible school. You sacrifice everything to include health and life insurance to please the filthy rich ring leaders of your church organization and they give nothing in return for the decades of faithful service you have given them. Meanwhile they live in complete luxury, lacking nothing. This is your ntcc and you can have it. But you don't have to live like that. Won't you lay these things to your heart and make a change before it is too late for you and your family?
