What If Starbucks marketed Like A Church?
A Parable: Video Link
Online Reviews of NTCC:
From The Mountain News:
B. Hawkins says:
September 25, 2012 at 6:34 am
I was raised in NTCC. “I cut my teeth” on the second pew on the right side(women’s side), I played the tamborine every service, I lived on church property until I was 12, and after all these years, I still question this,”religion”. I never knew anything but church. 5 days a week. I watched people being berated over the pulpit under the pretense that they were going to die and go to hell. I watched my family struggle because it was unacceptable for women to work, and we could barely make ends meet. I watched close family members divorce because he was blamed for stealing money from the church for years, but it was really pilfered away by the local pastor and a certain visiting pastor(Denis). I am a witness of the practice of marrying young girls off to older men. My sister and I were both being positioned to men in church. At 15, I was being asked to stay after church for “fellowship” to let the single men know that I was now grown and available. My parents were told to marry my sister and I off to young men at the church, or send us to Bible School, and we would get married there. I bear witness of people being ostracized for “not being right with the Lord”. I know of many instances that pastors were told to “run people away from the church” if questions were ever asked concerning the doctrine and monetary practices of the church. It was not until I went away to college(which was highly discouraged), that I began to distance myself from the church. I learned that there were actually other religions in the world, and that some of them must be going to heaven too! I have no ill will towards the church, although I can no longer accept their doctrine to be true, and I am generally ignored by them when we meet in public.
Reply
To visit site of above comment click here
A Nice place to visit; BUT...
A church full of God's love??!!
KR.
Years I have been away from the church cult NTCC. Still the scars from years of emotional abuse are prevalent. I became a member during my time in the Marine Corps (the place I would be retiring from in one year if I had not got entangled.... entrapped by this money grubbing band of thieves), attended the NTCC "Bible College", and preached under their banner for 3 years.
While in the military things did get better for me. I did get saved, the drinking quit and because I wasn't drinking every day I had money. Money which I was told was not mine. I was just a "steward" and the money was God's. Though this has a ring of truth to it in the biblical sense, God's money was ultimately placed in the protective custody of His "leaders on earth". The pastor of the servicemen's work of course.
Off to the NTCC "Bible College". Want to talk about a financial battle. How many current and former members of NTCC would dare deny the daily incantation of these words "All Christians pay tithe"? Yes, tithe is a biblical principle; but let's examine things more closely. 10% of the GROSS pay, oh and don't forget offering and "Don't give until it hurts, give until it feels good". Oh don't forget tuition, which is said to be a nominal amount; but after taking home (for a single student) less than 70 percent of your check after gross tithing and taxes things get a little more difficult. Finally, let's not forget dorm fees. Now we have taxes, 10% gross tithe, budget for offering (or you WILL be looked down upon), tuition and dorm fees... you had better be able to afford a vehicle and insurance (or you WILL be looked down upon). Let's just say you'll lose weight in NTCC "Bible College".
Off to the ministry for NTCC. Oh boy. 10% of your GROSS personal monthly earnings (not to the church you are pastor of but to the head church), 10% of your churches GROSS monthly earnings. I did a lot of paying to preach that doctrine! Pay for your own personal rent, car, insurance, electrical, water, and the like. Pay the church rent, insurance, electrical, water, upkeep, and the like. Don't ask the head church for any favors either (or you WILL be looked down upon) and probably called on the carpet at conference.
Pay, Pay, Pay, PAY, PAY, PAY!!!!! NTCC - nice place to visit, but I decided not to live there!
Link to Original Site of Above Comment
How ntcc Treats Women and Visitors:
seems like a cult
w w.
I was invited to visit a church by a long time acquaintance. She said she has been going there for 2 years and she really likes it. I went Sunday (1/30/11). The preacher was blasting rich people and all their possessions. I started looking through my bible for the scripture, "But we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for our sakes he became poor that we might be rich, that through his poverty we might be rich. After I placed my Bible on the pew, the preacher came out of the pulpit with mike in hand and asked who I was. I told him. He asked my acquaintance if she had invited me. She said yes pastor. He asked me if I thought he was mean. I said "Sir, I dont know anything about you." He said youve got some opinion about me; youre looking through your bible. He stopped bending over me and stood up straight. I quoted the scripture that I had been searching for. He said I know that scripture and started walking back toward the front. Thats not what Im talking about. You need to get your facts straight before you start challenging people.
I said you came to me. He whirled around, pointed his finger at me and with mike to his mouth said, SHUT UP! in a deep and gruff voice.
I sat there a few minutes and listened to him. He went back to the pulpit and started giving his resume, saying how he has preached all over the world, and he studies his bible, and he knows what hes talking about.
I told my acquaintance that I was leaving, Im never coming back, and Im taking my offering with me. She said softly no, no, stay. Dont go. I waited awhile longer. He never got back to the Bible. He stated, Ive got money. I put three children through college. Ive got a bank account. I got a new car backed up out there...pointing toward the parking lot.
I asked her to give me a reason why I should stay after this man had told me to shut up. She started writing a note.This is my church home.
The preacher blasted her calling her by name saying, "If she is distracting you". I told her Im leaving. I gathered my things and stood up. He blasted me again and had the congregation clap because I was leaving.
I said no, let me clap because Im leaving, yall are making a mockery out of Jesus Christ!
I went to the guest registry and stated scratching out my name and address. A fat woman came to me huffing and puffing and said stop that. I didnt stop but told her that I didnt want my name on their registry. She was looking mean and grabbed my hand hard and said well take care of that, you need to leave. Another fat woman came to me and said mam you need to leave! The first one let me go. I told them not to contact me for any reason.
I turned to walk away when I heard a male child running up behind me saying, You cant treat my daddy like that! I heard a man tell him sternly Boy, get back in that church! I never looked back.
I got in my car; drove to where my husband was at church. I told him all about what had happened to me. He said where is this church? Were going to see that preacher. They had no business laying a hand on you. He had no business shouting at you and telling you to shut up.
We were met outside in the rain by the assoc. pastor. My husband asked, Are you the pastor? The man said, Im the Assoc. Pastor. He said Id like to see the pastor. The man said, Hes in his study. My husband said, I want to know what happened here today, and why yall disrespected my wife. The man said, Sir no one disrespected your wife. You dont know the whole story. My husband asked three times, "What is the whole story"? The man never opened his mouth he just clenched his lips. A man in a green suite opened the door and stood there and asked my husband 3 times, Were you here with your wife today? My husband did not answer. The man told my husband that he was wrong for not answering his question. Then he said that we were on their property. I told my husband to lets go. As we were leaving I left them with this comment. This is not a church, this is a cult and Im going to put you on blast!
New Testament Christian Church located at the corner of TV Road and 5005 Barrier Place
Jackson, MS 39204 (601) 372-6137 Pastor L. C. Barnes
On their website is this statement
If you would like more information about our churches, doctrine or locations, please feel free to contact us. We would be glad to hear from you and we welcome visitors!
I was never welcomed. Those women who thought it necessary to insist that I leave certainly were not welcoming. They can take that statement off the website. They are not living up to your mission nor the full-gospel message of Jesus Christ. Barnes never lifted up the name of Jesus but he tried with all his might to humiliate and tare me down. Ive never met anyone so insecure in their knowledge of Jesus Christ.
A Parable: Video Link
Online Reviews of NTCC:
From The Mountain News:
B. Hawkins says:
September 25, 2012 at 6:34 am
I was raised in NTCC. “I cut my teeth” on the second pew on the right side(women’s side), I played the tamborine every service, I lived on church property until I was 12, and after all these years, I still question this,”religion”. I never knew anything but church. 5 days a week. I watched people being berated over the pulpit under the pretense that they were going to die and go to hell. I watched my family struggle because it was unacceptable for women to work, and we could barely make ends meet. I watched close family members divorce because he was blamed for stealing money from the church for years, but it was really pilfered away by the local pastor and a certain visiting pastor(Denis). I am a witness of the practice of marrying young girls off to older men. My sister and I were both being positioned to men in church. At 15, I was being asked to stay after church for “fellowship” to let the single men know that I was now grown and available. My parents were told to marry my sister and I off to young men at the church, or send us to Bible School, and we would get married there. I bear witness of people being ostracized for “not being right with the Lord”. I know of many instances that pastors were told to “run people away from the church” if questions were ever asked concerning the doctrine and monetary practices of the church. It was not until I went away to college(which was highly discouraged), that I began to distance myself from the church. I learned that there were actually other religions in the world, and that some of them must be going to heaven too! I have no ill will towards the church, although I can no longer accept their doctrine to be true, and I am generally ignored by them when we meet in public.
Reply
To visit site of above comment click here
A Nice place to visit; BUT...
A church full of God's love??!!
KR.
Years I have been away from the church cult NTCC. Still the scars from years of emotional abuse are prevalent. I became a member during my time in the Marine Corps (the place I would be retiring from in one year if I had not got entangled.... entrapped by this money grubbing band of thieves), attended the NTCC "Bible College", and preached under their banner for 3 years.
While in the military things did get better for me. I did get saved, the drinking quit and because I wasn't drinking every day I had money. Money which I was told was not mine. I was just a "steward" and the money was God's. Though this has a ring of truth to it in the biblical sense, God's money was ultimately placed in the protective custody of His "leaders on earth". The pastor of the servicemen's work of course.
Off to the NTCC "Bible College". Want to talk about a financial battle. How many current and former members of NTCC would dare deny the daily incantation of these words "All Christians pay tithe"? Yes, tithe is a biblical principle; but let's examine things more closely. 10% of the GROSS pay, oh and don't forget offering and "Don't give until it hurts, give until it feels good". Oh don't forget tuition, which is said to be a nominal amount; but after taking home (for a single student) less than 70 percent of your check after gross tithing and taxes things get a little more difficult. Finally, let's not forget dorm fees. Now we have taxes, 10% gross tithe, budget for offering (or you WILL be looked down upon), tuition and dorm fees... you had better be able to afford a vehicle and insurance (or you WILL be looked down upon). Let's just say you'll lose weight in NTCC "Bible College".
Off to the ministry for NTCC. Oh boy. 10% of your GROSS personal monthly earnings (not to the church you are pastor of but to the head church), 10% of your churches GROSS monthly earnings. I did a lot of paying to preach that doctrine! Pay for your own personal rent, car, insurance, electrical, water, and the like. Pay the church rent, insurance, electrical, water, upkeep, and the like. Don't ask the head church for any favors either (or you WILL be looked down upon) and probably called on the carpet at conference.
Pay, Pay, Pay, PAY, PAY, PAY!!!!! NTCC - nice place to visit, but I decided not to live there!
Link to Original Site of Above Comment
How ntcc Treats Women and Visitors:
seems like a cult
w w.
I was invited to visit a church by a long time acquaintance. She said she has been going there for 2 years and she really likes it. I went Sunday (1/30/11). The preacher was blasting rich people and all their possessions. I started looking through my bible for the scripture, "But we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for our sakes he became poor that we might be rich, that through his poverty we might be rich. After I placed my Bible on the pew, the preacher came out of the pulpit with mike in hand and asked who I was. I told him. He asked my acquaintance if she had invited me. She said yes pastor. He asked me if I thought he was mean. I said "Sir, I dont know anything about you." He said youve got some opinion about me; youre looking through your bible. He stopped bending over me and stood up straight. I quoted the scripture that I had been searching for. He said I know that scripture and started walking back toward the front. Thats not what Im talking about. You need to get your facts straight before you start challenging people.
I said you came to me. He whirled around, pointed his finger at me and with mike to his mouth said, SHUT UP! in a deep and gruff voice.
I sat there a few minutes and listened to him. He went back to the pulpit and started giving his resume, saying how he has preached all over the world, and he studies his bible, and he knows what hes talking about.
I told my acquaintance that I was leaving, Im never coming back, and Im taking my offering with me. She said softly no, no, stay. Dont go. I waited awhile longer. He never got back to the Bible. He stated, Ive got money. I put three children through college. Ive got a bank account. I got a new car backed up out there...pointing toward the parking lot.
I asked her to give me a reason why I should stay after this man had told me to shut up. She started writing a note.This is my church home.
The preacher blasted her calling her by name saying, "If she is distracting you". I told her Im leaving. I gathered my things and stood up. He blasted me again and had the congregation clap because I was leaving.
I said no, let me clap because Im leaving, yall are making a mockery out of Jesus Christ!
I went to the guest registry and stated scratching out my name and address. A fat woman came to me huffing and puffing and said stop that. I didnt stop but told her that I didnt want my name on their registry. She was looking mean and grabbed my hand hard and said well take care of that, you need to leave. Another fat woman came to me and said mam you need to leave! The first one let me go. I told them not to contact me for any reason.
I turned to walk away when I heard a male child running up behind me saying, You cant treat my daddy like that! I heard a man tell him sternly Boy, get back in that church! I never looked back.
I got in my car; drove to where my husband was at church. I told him all about what had happened to me. He said where is this church? Were going to see that preacher. They had no business laying a hand on you. He had no business shouting at you and telling you to shut up.
We were met outside in the rain by the assoc. pastor. My husband asked, Are you the pastor? The man said, Im the Assoc. Pastor. He said Id like to see the pastor. The man said, Hes in his study. My husband said, I want to know what happened here today, and why yall disrespected my wife. The man said, Sir no one disrespected your wife. You dont know the whole story. My husband asked three times, "What is the whole story"? The man never opened his mouth he just clenched his lips. A man in a green suite opened the door and stood there and asked my husband 3 times, Were you here with your wife today? My husband did not answer. The man told my husband that he was wrong for not answering his question. Then he said that we were on their property. I told my husband to lets go. As we were leaving I left them with this comment. This is not a church, this is a cult and Im going to put you on blast!
New Testament Christian Church located at the corner of TV Road and 5005 Barrier Place
Jackson, MS 39204 (601) 372-6137 Pastor L. C. Barnes
On their website is this statement
If you would like more information about our churches, doctrine or locations, please feel free to contact us. We would be glad to hear from you and we welcome visitors!
I was never welcomed. Those women who thought it necessary to insist that I leave certainly were not welcoming. They can take that statement off the website. They are not living up to your mission nor the full-gospel message of Jesus Christ. Barnes never lifted up the name of Jesus but he tried with all his might to humiliate and tare me down. Ive never met anyone so insecure in their knowledge of Jesus Christ.
What it's like in the NTCC:
Wow
Earl M.
I was a member of NTCC in Savannah, GA and Tacoma, WA. I also attended their seminary in St. Louis, MO and Washington state. I first became concerned after hearing Davis say that god told him when the rapture was going to happen (then he said it was going to be in the year 2000) which I knew was directly against scripture. After that I began to look around and watched how people were suffering because of the constant money hole that all of us were throwing our cash into. All the while, we were constantly made to feel guilty that we would never be good enough for heaven unless we gave more. Finally I took my family and moved to another state. When I first left the church members came to my home and accused me of everything from kidnapping my wife to watching porn. They would come to my home when I was at work and pound on the door trying to get my wife to open the door.
I was so glad I got away and found out what is true and what is not.
Wow
Earl M.
I was a member of NTCC in Savannah, GA and Tacoma, WA. I also attended their seminary in St. Louis, MO and Washington state. I first became concerned after hearing Davis say that god told him when the rapture was going to happen (then he said it was going to be in the year 2000) which I knew was directly against scripture. After that I began to look around and watched how people were suffering because of the constant money hole that all of us were throwing our cash into. All the while, we were constantly made to feel guilty that we would never be good enough for heaven unless we gave more. Finally I took my family and moved to another state. When I first left the church members came to my home and accused me of everything from kidnapping my wife to watching porn. They would come to my home when I was at work and pound on the door trying to get my wife to open the door.
I was so glad I got away and found out what is true and what is not.
Another True Story Of Life "In" The NTCC:
please read
Jack S.
I attended NTCC for 11 years and also was a student in their Bible Seminary for a 2yrs.
At first they seem Biblically sound, but things change after being there just a couple weeks. Ivitational efforts on your behalf are highly stressed, mainly for the reason that numbers are highly stressed by the upper echelon, if you are a church leader and don't have numbers you are failing God, this is preached accross the pulpit every bianual minister's conference, which you are required to go to if you are a church leader or seminary student, soldiers that attend the church are encouraged "pressured" to attend. If you are single soldier, as I was when I first started to attend, you will be coaxed into living in the Servicemen's home, a home away from home for servivemen, to escape the "evil" influence of the barracks. There you will be groomed for Bible Seminary. This is not family friendly church. Some have posted to just approach the pastor, its not general Bible question you are repremanded for questioning "THE MAN OF GOD." The president and also the chairman of the organization are hard to approach, for the reason of how they escalate themselves, you are made to feel inferior, and just downright stupid for having a legitimate question, not to mention the mile long permission line just so you can have someone over for dinner. If you planned on visiting the HOP church with Dennis's crew, forget it, it's the same animal, they broke off from NTCC, run things the same way, and have an identical doctrinal statement. If you attend NTCC for about any length of time they will discourage you from attending other churches, watching televangelist, listening to radio preachers, purchasing commentary Bibles, and Bible expositories unless otherwise approved by them, and the list is short. I have learned from listening to some radio preaching a lot of sermons are plagerized, as is a lot of school material, this I learned after purchasing books, especially those written by Dake. I have heard complete sermons preached by R.W. Davis, the chairman of the organization that was word for word, I mean sermon title, illustration, and even jokes that were preached by Jack Hyles. Do not attend this church, this is not slander or backbiting, as I know will be called, this is truth. If you have attended NTCC for as long as I have you know what its like to be disassociated by someone that was your "freind." I have learned more about the Bible since leaving NTCC than I did while in their seminary. I am an independant minister, have had nursing home ministries, been children's Sunday shool teacher, and have preached in other churches, NTCC will have one to believe that one that leaves their church gives up on God, this is not the case. I have met quite a few attending other churches and even preaching the gospel.
How One Man Saw The NTCC:I attended NTCC for 11 years and also was a student in their Bible Seminary for a 2yrs.
At first they seem Biblically sound, but things change after being there just a couple weeks. Ivitational efforts on your behalf are highly stressed, mainly for the reason that numbers are highly stressed by the upper echelon, if you are a church leader and don't have numbers you are failing God, this is preached accross the pulpit every bianual minister's conference, which you are required to go to if you are a church leader or seminary student, soldiers that attend the church are encouraged "pressured" to attend. If you are single soldier, as I was when I first started to attend, you will be coaxed into living in the Servicemen's home, a home away from home for servivemen, to escape the "evil" influence of the barracks. There you will be groomed for Bible Seminary. This is not family friendly church. Some have posted to just approach the pastor, its not general Bible question you are repremanded for questioning "THE MAN OF GOD." The president and also the chairman of the organization are hard to approach, for the reason of how they escalate themselves, you are made to feel inferior, and just downright stupid for having a legitimate question, not to mention the mile long permission line just so you can have someone over for dinner. If you planned on visiting the HOP church with Dennis's crew, forget it, it's the same animal, they broke off from NTCC, run things the same way, and have an identical doctrinal statement. If you attend NTCC for about any length of time they will discourage you from attending other churches, watching televangelist, listening to radio preachers, purchasing commentary Bibles, and Bible expositories unless otherwise approved by them, and the list is short. I have learned from listening to some radio preaching a lot of sermons are plagerized, as is a lot of school material, this I learned after purchasing books, especially those written by Dake. I have heard complete sermons preached by R.W. Davis, the chairman of the organization that was word for word, I mean sermon title, illustration, and even jokes that were preached by Jack Hyles. Do not attend this church, this is not slander or backbiting, as I know will be called, this is truth. If you have attended NTCC for as long as I have you know what its like to be disassociated by someone that was your "freind." I have learned more about the Bible since leaving NTCC than I did while in their seminary. I am an independant minister, have had nursing home ministries, been children's Sunday shool teacher, and have preached in other churches, NTCC will have one to believe that one that leaves their church gives up on God, this is not the case. I have met quite a few attending other churches and even preaching the gospel.
Not Recommended by
Stephen G.
My advice to the curious is to stay as far away from this organization as possible.Sure there are nice people there, but the organization as a whole uses the gospel as a tool to gain control and domination over others. Yes, people get saved, receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, make good friends, and learn some great things about serving God in NTCC. However, the bad experiences unfortunately outweigh the good. Over time, those who become members are indoctrinated with extra-biblical man made rules. For example, they misinterpret Titus 2:5 and teach that its a sin for women to work on the job. However, their interpretation of the aforementioned passage does not coincide with Proverbs 31:10-31 which talks about a woman being proactive and working in and out of the home. This is just one example, but NTCC doesnt stop here. Rather, their control tactics go much further.
When I was in this church, participating organized sports was strongly discouraged as was attending accredited colleges, movie theaters, bowling alleys, etc. A member had to get permission for just about everything.
Ever thought about attending another church while a member of this one? Forget about it! All other churches outside of their insular organization were looked upon as the enemy. NTCC as a whole displays the quintessential "us versus them" mentality with respect to other Christian denominations.
I strongly suspect that the real reason NTCC doesnt seek fellowship with other Christian churches is because they know that their manmade rules would be exposed for what they really are, Pharisee theology.
Women are treated as second class citizens in NTCC and the idea conveyed is that they are supposed to be weak and undereducated because they are women.
NTCCs claim to not be the only ones right with God is really just a bunch of lip service, because their actions really speak louder than their words. Mention another church where God is blessing around one of the more seasoned members and watch them squirm.
Moreover, the NTCC pulpit is often used as a tool for humiliating, guilt-tripping, and browbeating members into submission to their Pharisaic ways.
Dont expect to see any financial transparency with the leadership, local or strategic. They say they are not after your money. However, in my judgment, NTCC is generally after mind control and domination over the members; once they get that, everything else will most likely follow. The goal is to keep you on an extremely busy schedule so theres no time to think, process the information, and realize youre in a cult.
They should at least have the courtesy to be transparent with their members and the general public about their non-accredited seminary before people waste their time driving cross-country to attend. Thats called deception. People should be informed by their local pastor that the seminary is unaccredited before being recruited to go.
The longer a person stays with NTCC, the harder its going to be to leave and the greater the effects on the person financially, emotionally, psychologically, and socially.
I read an earlier post (now removed) where someone wrote that the organization preys on young military members, the young, the lonely, and the gullible. That is exactly right. In fact, most if not all of their ministers are ex military. They target the military because soldiers, particularly the enlisted already have a certain amount of freedom taken away from them, and are used to being controlled.
Everyone who leaves the church is considered to be an enemy of the cross and members are instructed to shun ex members. I know cause I was a member for 4 years. That dynamic may be changing now since more ex members are speaking online about their NTCC experiences. If God saved us to be under taskmasters who are bent on domination and control, he would not have given us brains with the capacity for reason. God created men and women equal. The NTCC leadership are nothing but mere mortals. They have no power to strike anyone down to the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. After all, God is the ultimate judge, not some cult like NTCC.
There are wonderful Pentecostal, Charismatic, nondenominational, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Episcopalian, churches out there. Do yourself a huge favor and visit them instead. I would not wish the NTCC experience on anyone. Furthermore, Ive been blessed to learn much more about the Bible and theology since leaving the church, attending a real college and fellowshipping with other Christians from various denominations.
Link To The Original Site For Above Comment
ntcc Delinquent In Filing For Tax-Exempt Status:
An article appearing in the Colorado Springs Independent described ntcc's late status for filing with local authorities in El Paso County, Colorado for ntcc's tax exempt / nonprofit status:
For New Testament Christian Churches of America Inc., at 1219 Yuma St., the delay was caused by workload. "The organization is in the process of finishing up the paperwork," Pastor Mark Usrey said in mid-October. "It's one person in our organization that takes care of all of it. It's quite a heavy workload."
He predicted the matter would be settled within days, and it was.We find it interesting that ten ladies will voluntarily clean tanya kekel's house for her once a week without pay; and yet ntcc has only one person in their organization that takes care of all this important filing for tax exemption status??? It's comforting to know that ntcc has its priorities straight... So straight that they have plenty of time to publish spiritually invigorating articles, such as this quoted gem from ntcc's Trumpet (item removed) magazine [Scroll down to find the highlighted "New Testament Christian Churches of America" to see this 'inspiring' piece;-) ... Oops, looks like the borg deleting finger has been busy again... :-p] With "so many souls lost and dying and going to hell" it is a comfort to know that the ntcc has "time for what is important" as r w davis was so concerned with teaching us; yelling these things through the PA system during his bible school (bs) classes!
It is also interesting, well, actually, AMUSING to see that Rev. Usrey "predicted the matter would be settled within days..." (Colorado Springs Independent). We can only imagine what happened to spur this sudden resolution of filing for tax exempt status that was due in April but was unresolved when Rev. Usrey was interviewed just prior to the article being published November 10, 2010. Could it be that Rev. Usrey had to make a phone call to New Testament Christian Churches of America's headquarters in Graham, Washington? Perhaps once Rev. Usrey told ntcc 'leaders' in Graham that a local newspaper was reporting ntcc's delinquency the 'leadership' found a renewed interest to file for tax exempt status, including paying appropriate filing fees???
This is, of course, speculation, but can you imagine,
This is, of course, speculation, but can you imagine,
"Uh, Sir, there is a local newspaper reporting that we haven't yet filed for tax exempt status. Uhm, Yes, Sir; right away Sir."
Now if this is so important, why would ntcc have only one person doing all this filing for the whole organization? And what does it mean, "finishing up the paperwork" when the El Paso County Treasurer, Sandra Damron, who tracks these missing forms says:
"4975 Quince Road: New Testament Christian Churches of America Inc. from Underwood Methodist Church, $600,000." Source Link: [Document Removed] The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN [Scroll down to see the highlighted portion New Testament Christian Churches of America.]
$600,000 dollars? That's a lot of cabbage! If ntcc has so much equity invested in such a property in only one U.S. city, it is even more surprising to learn that ntcc missionaries report difficulty feeding their own families while laboring overseas for the ntcc. [These reports are linked within the article "Your Tithe Dollars At Work" under "Other Links".] No doubt the 'leaders' of ntcc will try to downplay these facts and lull their members to sleep with another "don't worry" tactic. Or ntcc leaders may once again run another smear campaign against those who eXpose the truth about ntcc. We wonder why ntcc doesn't report ANY of its financial dealings to its members.
WHAT ARE THE ntcc 'LEADERS' TRYING TO HIDE?
VIDEO OF ntcc GRAHAM, WA COMPOUND
Now if this is so important, why would ntcc have only one person doing all this filing for the whole organization? And what does it mean, "finishing up the paperwork" when the El Paso County Treasurer, Sandra Damron, who tracks these missing forms says:
"All they have to do is fill out the paperwork[.] ... I used to do it for First Christian Church, and it takes about 10 minutes."
How is that m c kekel, ntcc CEO, has time to manage several blogs, including his 'uplifting' personal commentary as copied on Ds or Gs blog; but can't seem to "get with it" or "put it together" (as kekel's father-in-law ntcc founder, r w davis, likes to say of some "fellas") when it comes to this important tax-exemption status filing that "takes about 10 minutes." ??? If a bible school student is one minute late to one church event in ntcc's bible school (bs), that student forfeits the entire semester including all tuition paid. But ntcc leaders can't file tax exempt forms on time? Sounds like another glaring ntcc double standard.
It's funny; but joe olson (ntcc co-founder and eternal Executive Board Member of various titles) was so right when he preached that the "little things matter"! It's a little thing to take ten minutes to file forms; but ntcc 'leaders' can't "put it together". Yet they want to hold bible school students' feet to the fire when it comes to the little things. Another example of ntcc hypocrisy.
Plus the article mentions that ntcc was one of only six (6) churches out of more than six thousand (6,000) tax-exempt properties in El Paso County that failed to file on time. "God's last move on earth." leading the way! (And "We are winning!" cries joe.
All this made possible by a well-written "little" article by Colorado Springs Independent reporter Pam Zubeck.
NTCC Acquires $600,000 Property From Another Church:
A simple web search on the "New Testament Christian Churches of America" revealed this tidbit:
It's funny; but joe olson (ntcc co-founder and eternal Executive Board Member of various titles) was so right when he preached that the "little things matter"! It's a little thing to take ten minutes to file forms; but ntcc 'leaders' can't "put it together". Yet they want to hold bible school students' feet to the fire when it comes to the little things. Another example of ntcc hypocrisy.
Plus the article mentions that ntcc was one of only six (6) churches out of more than six thousand (6,000) tax-exempt properties in El Paso County that failed to file on time. "God's last move on earth." leading the way! (And "We are winning!" cries joe.
All this made possible by a well-written "little" article by Colorado Springs Independent reporter Pam Zubeck.
NTCC Acquires $600,000 Property From Another Church:
A simple web search on the "New Testament Christian Churches of America" revealed this tidbit:
"4975 Quince Road: New Testament Christian Churches of America Inc. from Underwood Methodist Church, $600,000." Source Link: [Document Removed] The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN [Scroll down to see the highlighted portion New Testament Christian Churches of America.]
$600,000 dollars? That's a lot of cabbage! If ntcc has so much equity invested in such a property in only one U.S. city, it is even more surprising to learn that ntcc missionaries report difficulty feeding their own families while laboring overseas for the ntcc. [These reports are linked within the article "Your Tithe Dollars At Work" under "Other Links".] No doubt the 'leaders' of ntcc will try to downplay these facts and lull their members to sleep with another "don't worry" tactic. Or ntcc leaders may once again run another smear campaign against those who eXpose the truth about ntcc. We wonder why ntcc doesn't report ANY of its financial dealings to its members.
WHAT ARE THE ntcc 'LEADERS' TRYING TO HIDE?
VIDEO OF ntcc GRAHAM, WA COMPOUND
Video Of ntcc Graham, WA Compound
[Video Removed]
Our thanks to "ntcctruth" and "measinner" for this fine video.
WIKIPEDIA Article on the NTCC:
Link: NTCC of A, Inc. On Wiki
FIVE-PART SERIES on the NTCC in
THE DISPATCH,
[Video Removed]
Our thanks to "ntcctruth" and "measinner" for this fine video.
WIKIPEDIA Article on the NTCC:
Link: NTCC of A, Inc. On Wiki
FIVE-PART SERIES on the NTCC in
THE DISPATCH,
Eatonville, WA
Online Newspaper
Written by Reporter
BRUCE SMITH
Each article has a "Reader Comment" form field at the bottom of the page. Feel free to add your comments there or at the bottom of this page. At The Dispatch site the most recent comment is stacked on top of older comments.
Most of The Dispatch articles have multiple pages of "Reader Comments" with, at the last count, over sixty people speaking out against rampant abuse in the NTCC. That tells me that NTCC is a dangerous and destructive group, with over sixty independent voices, often former NTCC ministers, witnessing against the NTCC. Naturally a few NTCC supporters commented too. But the lack of supporters' comments proves the suppression of information techniques employed by the NTCC. I know that during my nine years "in" the NTCC many rules existed limiting personal freedoms and forbidding normal activities such as:
One astute blogger noted that R.W. Davis "gave" this Graham Chapel to his daughter and son-in-law Tanya and Michael C. Kekel. Others mourned the closing of smaller NTCC churches in the Graham area in an apparent attempt to support this mega-chapel monster. Still others pointed out Kekel's inability to successfully build-up a congregation in a work literally handed to him on a silver platter. In fairness to the reporter and the Tribune, it is a lovely building. But there are, as always, costs in the lives of real people who sacrificed to build it.
Each article has a "Reader Comment" form field at the bottom of the page. Feel free to add your comments there or at the bottom of this page. At The Dispatch site the most recent comment is stacked on top of older comments.
Most of The Dispatch articles have multiple pages of "Reader Comments" with, at the last count, over sixty people speaking out against rampant abuse in the NTCC. That tells me that NTCC is a dangerous and destructive group, with over sixty independent voices, often former NTCC ministers, witnessing against the NTCC. Naturally a few NTCC supporters commented too. But the lack of supporters' comments proves the suppression of information techniques employed by the NTCC. I know that during my nine years "in" the NTCC many rules existed limiting personal freedoms and forbidding normal activities such as:
- making telephone calls
- writing letters
- listening to radio preachers' programs
- watching T.V.
- using the internet
- NTCC's willfully allowing child abusers to hold NTCC minister's licenses and remain in positions of trust despite allegations and reports being made to the senior NTCC Board Members
- NTCC's pattern of marrying off minor (16 year old) girls to adult (20-something) ministers
- NTCC's pattern of divorce and remarriage within the NTCC
- NTCC's lack of financial disclosure for over 40 years, despite NTCC's "non-profit" status
- NTCC's gift of 39 acres worth ~$392,000 to the founder's son-in-law
- A look within the "church behind the fence"
- Life and worship in the New Testament Christian Church
- NTCC: Is it a cult?
- A deeper look into NTCC - Following the Money
- A deeper look: Sexual and Marital Relationships in the NTCC
One astute blogger noted that R.W. Davis "gave" this Graham Chapel to his daughter and son-in-law Tanya and Michael C. Kekel. Others mourned the closing of smaller NTCC churches in the Graham area in an apparent attempt to support this mega-chapel monster. Still others pointed out Kekel's inability to successfully build-up a congregation in a work literally handed to him on a silver platter. In fairness to the reporter and the Tribune, it is a lovely building. But there are, as always, costs in the lives of real people who sacrificed to build it.
The print is too small to read!
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteWe agree! The print is too small to read "as is". You may try some different things to view this article in larger print:
1) View On Slide Share:
You can click on the button / link to "View On Slide Share" -- Their site allows you to view the article in a fullscreen / multiple page layout.
2) View the document here:
If you prefer to view the document here, you may use your computer's "view" or "zoom" controls to enlarge the font (word size).
a) Icons or symbols:
Some computers use magnifying glass icons and the plus ("+") or minus ("-") symbols to zoom in and out, making it easier to read the document.
b) Macros:
Other computers use a combination of keys (macros) like pressing and holding down the control ("ctrl") key while tapping the plus ("+") symbol key to enlarge the view or zoom in. Or pressing and holding down the control ("ctrl") key while tapping the minus ("-") key symbol to shrink the view.
Navigation:
Once the words are large enough to read you may navigate through the article using your keyboard's directional arrow keys (up "^", left "<", right "<", etc.) or the "Page Up" and "Page Down" keys.
Hope this helps!
Don and Ange
Jesus, who died on the cross for us, forgave the hypocrites. But He also warned others that the religious leaders were snakes, vipers, and hypocrites. And when they refused to repent, He sent them to hell where they are still today suffering.
ReplyDeleteRW said that he saw that when the Rapture took place he was in the old St. Louis stadium- (now demoished) with other believers being persecuted- having heads cut off- then a trumpet sounded and the Rapture took place. I wonder now that he is 83, if he is going to go to the old stadium- (now demolished) and have his head severed like he said? I recall his other vision of the Octopus with tentacles reaching out to people.
ReplyDeleteI like Deb's vision of the swamp/tar pit- people sinking into it (NTCC)
Deu 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
ReplyDeleteJer 23:21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. Jer 23:21
Eze 13:2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
Eze 13:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
There's really no need to fear davis, who has prophesied out of his own spirit, having seen nothing, a foolish prophet. Just trust the Word. Apply it and learn the truth. That will make you free.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDelete"Wow.. I am completely SHOCKED..."
We've made this comment the topic of our blog post:
A Warm Welcome [click here]
Amazing how people say they were a member of NTCC for 10 to 20 plus years and it took them that long to realize NTCC is supposedly a cult?
ReplyDeleteIt's your own fault if you let people tell you what you can and can not do.
NTCC hasn't ever tried to tell me what I can or can not do.
Go to their Brain washing control center in Graham and you will see why most of the ntcc preachers are so arrogant and controlling. You also will be expected to quickly find your place or you will be openly humiliated. If you don't believe it, just ask the hundreds of preachers who left. Go to Factnet, and you'll see what we are talking about.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think we spend our time warning folks about the ntcc? We and many others wasted decades of our lives with nothing to show for it. You, however have only wasted very few years of your life. Come tell us how well everything is working out for you ten years from now.
You are living a very sheltered life in a civilian church. You wouldn't last a week at bible school with your attitude, because if you ever think about becoming an ntcc ministers wife or attending their bible school, you will be told what to do, when to do it, when to shut your mouth and when to open it, and you will be put in your place, by these life controlling hypocrites. You will learn humility and you will be treated in a condescending way every day of your life unless you get a rebellious husband that goes against the ntcc current, in which case he will be disfellowshiped and you will have a choice to be recycled or you can leave in shame with him.
Believe us or not, that is the ntcc way. Of course you don't see any of this where you attend church. Your best bet would be to continue to be a local church member. Your next pastor may not be as gracious as your last one was. He might tell you that if you do not go to bible school there is something wrong with you. That's how it was when we were in your cult.
DnA
Concerning the rapture, Olson declared he also had a dream of it. The trumpet sounded and and The Church started rising up, with Davis First, then the NTCC leadership behind him, then the members...
ReplyDeleteA perfect cultist-pyramid scheme.
1) davis at point, then leaders, then the rest of the schlubs...that were obedient to Davis and his leaders.
2) The Church and Body of Christ is obviously NTCC. (ALL others being so-called Christians who have compromised with the world)
Of course, as usual, such false visions are easily refuted by Scripture, where Paul declares that with the sound of the trump, the dead in Christ shall rise First, then 'we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.' (1 Thess 4:17-18)
No such thing of who's out front, but rather an EQUAL unity for all. The ONLY ONE being prominent is Jesus Himself, the Only True Potentate.
So, in Scripture WE ALL are together in unity with only One Head, Jesus, in whom WE ALL have our comfort together. But in a cult, there is another leading head, the great Pastor-Founder of his church, and the only comfort to find with HIS members is in being behind him...even in the rapture!
'But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you...' (2 peter 2:1)
So far as finding fault with people who stick around for 10-20 years:
ReplyDelete1) Cults are not made in a day. They gradually develop along leadership lines, that never really started out that way, nor intended to be that way, so that many people, especially in the beginning, slowly find things going wrong. In the last days of a full-blown cult, it is thus much easier to recongize obvious problems as an outsider just looking in, and getting out fast.
2) One of the hardest things to do in breaking away from personal cults after long periods of membership, is the idea of starting over. Many such people have broken all outside relations, even with family members. It also includes the fact that their current and future financial stake has been totally invested in the cult business. So 'starting over' is even more devastating. I.e. many people stay in and put up with the abuse, and try to find a place of continuance in the 'long-haul', simply because of nowhere else to go. (It's exactly the same reason many abused spouses fail to depart)
3) Anonymous is just another moderate participant at the rim of the cult, where the real abuses of the inner power are not apparant. They hang on the edges, getting what spiritual blessings and friendliness remain, but never really 'get in' all the way. They indeed are considered just long time hangers' on by the leadership themselves, who contribute membership and money, but nothing else to the 'real cause' of the organization. Most of these 'lukewarmers' also simply fall away in due time (as anonymous no doubt will in due time), when they find there is no real long-term relationships of 'fellow Christians' to be made in the cult fringes, because of constant ministerial changes and obvious 'in & out' cycling of most new people...
So, before finding fault with such people that must have been really stupid to be around so long before finally 'finding out' the errors, why don't you try really getting in 'for God' and going to Bible School in Graham and doing a 'real work' for Davis. Then come and tell us about how really great and loving and caring your 'Leaders for God' are...
"It's your own fault if you let people tell you what you can and can not do.
ReplyDeleteNTCC hasn't ever tried to tell me what I can or can not do." anonymouse
So, on the one hand it's your own fault if they do, but on the other hand they don't?
They don't try with you, because they are 'wise enough' in the business to know you're just hanging around like some normal member. But don't worry. You're challenge to really 'get in' will come too.
Remember, this is a cult group of leaders. It's not really all about the money and numbers, but actually most about the POWER. They would rather risk 'running someone off' by provoking them to get more in. You see, they just CANNOT STAND the idea of people just hanging out. They have got to PROVE to themselves, that they are indeed the real deal for God, and people not getting all the way in after a long time of membership suggests that's somehow ok with God.
NOT to them, it ain't...
(Anonymouse: a residing and mostly hidden local church mouse, not really known by the organized leadership...yet. But once found out and focused on, will either get in all the way like a real member, or SCAT!)
That's the truth! Very good stuff here Robert Derrick. We will have more to say on this later.
ReplyDeleteWow! My wife was "born into this group" and I was a GI who really found Christ. We were "IN"
ReplyDeletetry 30 years, plus. What started with Mom and Pop Gaylord, and the genuine love of Christ, grew into the controling machine that all these on the blogs have personally witnessed and testified to.
If we had become like Denis, and
Rdub, we would probably have fallen from grace a long time ago. We chose to leave instead.
Our testamony is still, "that we love Christ, and His people!" I would rather have God in my life, than all the riches of the NTCG and the NTCCofA.
It is unfortunate that it took me 30 years to see the truth, but we had found our place, and had become programed, we had become the Pharises and hypocrites, that Jesus discribes.
Finally, I was awakened, and continue to become a real person of faith, and contine to grow in Grace. One day, when this life is over, we will see those exposed by God, who were not real servants of Christ.
Amen, Brother. We're glad for you to have gotten out.Christianity is much nicer than what ntcc proffers. Hopefully more people will have their eyes and hearts opened to the truth like you did. Thanks for your testimony.
DeleteBlessed be
ReplyDeleteThe hardest thing for me is realizing what I thought was a move of God to be nothing but a cult. The good I experienced I suppose was just God using that situation for his own purpose. Thanks to you and others I don't feel like it was me who failed God. NTCC failed me not me failing God. I would like to slap every minister and church leader who mishandled what God gave them. I would like to challenge them to their face in front of the congregation the way they berated people from the pulpit.
ReplyDelete