David Armer Shares: Why We Left NTCC

Original Letter Dated:  9/7/09

 Dave And Connie Armer
 Still Saved and Loving
 God and Each Other! 

Dear Pastor Davis, Rev. Olson, Rev. Johnson, Rev. Kekel, Rev. Kinson, your wives,

and anyone else who may read this letter,

Greetings in The Name of The Lord.

Dear Men, and Brethren;

I came to God over 30 years ago, because of the vision, and love of Mom and Pop Gaylord, who saw G.I.'s at Ft. Polk, La. and around the world. Pastor Davis, and Pop worked together, and were used by God to lay the foundation of our organization.

In 1979, I knew nothing about God, except that He loved me, and I was loved by Pastor and Sister Rodriquez. I met Mom and Pop, Rev. Johnson, and Pastor Davis, Bro. Bluementhal, and Bro. Samento. It seemed like everyone I met, who was from our church, had that same love, and the same Holy Power in their lives.

I've Seen I AM by Jonathan David Helser on YouTube


I knew that God was working in our church, and I was excited to be a part of something so great, and so good, and so real. I couldn't get enough of God, or His People. I heard the stories of Great men of God, what they were doing, and what they had done. I wanted to be a part, I wanted to be used by God to help people.

I remember siting spellbound, as men of God like, Pastor Davis, Rev. Johnson, Rev.Ashmore, etc. preached. I remember the first time Bro. Kekel preached at North St. Louis, he asked me to watch the time, so that he wouldn't go over 30 minutes. How about going back to that rule?

Through out the years, in our ranks, I have been privileged to meet some of the finest people in the World. Men and Women of God, Holy, and pure, and real. That same love, shone in their hearts, and lives. A holy radiance, a glow, a peace that surpassed all our understanding.

I have one question for all of you who will read this letter, where did all those people go?

Do they all hate God, and want their sin? Do they all want this world, and not the world to come? Are they all serving the devil, and are now our enemies, and the enemies of God? Reprobates? Perverts, Judas Iscariot's, Benedict Arnold's?

That is the message I heard from the pulpit, over the years.

There are some who do, and have turned from God. Some of them hate you, and me, and everything that reminds them of God, and the NTCC.

How many were run off? Given the cold shoulder, How many were given that disapproving look, that stare that could melt ice. How many were called out, questioned, or rebuked from the pulpit, or simply asked to leave? Or carelessly forgotten? Or returning so impoverished from some field of endeavor, that they were forced to make choices, only latter to regret?

Where is the love that that I knew when I first came in to our Churches?

 The effectual fervent
 prayer of a righteous
 man availeth much.
James 5:16 (p) 

I want my Church back! God wants His Church back.

I want the hate, and clicks, and pecking order, and the favoritism, and the power, and the pride, and greed to be cast out, and to be replaced with the Love of God.

The Pulpit in our Church is St. Louis said it best, "GOD IS LOVE"

Jesus made us servants, one of another, not masters.

Maybe I was too soft to be a leader, I know my faults. But when those who we have loved and known for 30 years act like they don't even know us, something is wrong.

How could a man like R. Denis be the greatest thing that ever happened to serviceman's work one day, and the next day he is the devil himself? He was always the same. Manipulative, power hungry, and in it for the money. Definitely not a Christian, not Christ Like. Remember the 200, or 300 club? I was a dog with 10 people, and a few kids, but he walked on water. Oh ya, what happened.

The truth happened. God yanked the blanket back, and it was ugly. How could he be put into that office? Did God do that? Or are those who are supposed to advise and consent in leadership, simply yes men?

Are those who now hold offices of high esteem, power, and privilege, men with servant hearts, or do they hide their real motives, until the day that God will expose them for who they really are?

I did not forfeit, or loose my Minister's license because of conduct un-becoming of a minister,

I chose not to renew it, and gave it up by default. I felt that I was not worthy to be a minister, in the New Testament Christian Churches of America. I refused to beat my children into subjection, or dull their senses with 5 or more sessions of church each week, with no exceptions. I could not command their obedience any longer, so I accepted from each of them the commitment that I could obtain.

The messages from the pulpit over and over were basically, that I had compromised with God, that I wanted my children to go to Hell, and that I was definitely sending them there. So I grew a mustache to let every one in our church know, that I am not a NTCC preacher.

I got sick of hearing line upon line of rules, and regulations, instead of the Gospel. The letter of the Law, was killing me. I got sick of being held in suspicion. People that I have known for over 20 years, ignored or rejected my wife and I. NTCC Big wigs ignoring my wife, and I at various public meeting places, at restaurants, etc. I wasn't good enough, or hadn't achieved enough, or hadn't done enough. Mom and Pop never did me that way! I threw in the towel, I quit the club, I wanted my name taken off the Graham attendance sheets! I used to love coming to church, but it became a dread to go, when all I would hear was the LETTER OF THE LAW, AND NOT THE LIBERTY OF THE SPIRIT.

Some of the church big shots, just call me dave now, and call my wife connie, thats ok, we are still the same people. I remember when they were just nobodies, like us too.

I went to Tillicum because I needed to get away from the politics, and the positions, and the categories. How about preaching the Bible, and making it live? How about the Gospel?

I am praying for MY CHURCH, GOD'S CHURCH, THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OF AMERICA. THE CHURCH THAT USED TO BE.

I am praying for a revolution, a great awakening, an Asuza Street, and Welsh revival that will shake our church to it's foundation, AND POUR OUT THE HOLY POWER OF GOD.

What ever, or whoever is in God's way, I pray that God take them out, Now! Today.

I hope that you do not dismiss this letter, or the message I give you. They are both from God. I figure I am at a safe enough distance, that your looks can't harm me now. The gossip. The whispers.

I want my church back, the NTCC that used to be! And when that happens, I will be there, because I love God, and know what you ought to be, because you used to be that, too.

I love what our church, used to be. I love what many of you, used to be. I pray that NTCC returns to it's former glory, before it is too late.

When the glory returns, I hope that you are all there to let the power of God fall on you, too.

Don't cut me out of your photo albums, I am still the same, Brother Armer.

I won't be sending you any more letters, please see that a copy of this makes it into my permanent NTCC file. Put me on record that I oppose your un-scriptural conduct, and actions!

I don't believe all that I have heard over the pulpit at the NTCC. I believe God, and I believe HIS WORD.

It is time to get right with God.

Update:

I want to add my voice to those who have posted blogs on the internet, and call for the removal of the General, and Executive Board members of Both the New Testament Church of God, Inc., and the New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc, according to the Missouri Statutes of Incorporation for Not For Profit Corporations:

Follow these web links below, to view the incorporation laws for the State of Missouri:

http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c355.htm

Removal of Directors:

http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C300-399/3550000346.HTM

From the Removal Of Directors / Missouri Statutes link above:

Removal of directors.

355.346.

1. The members may, without cause, remove one or more directors elected by them.

2. If a director is elected by a class, chapter or other organizational unit, or by region or other geographic grouping, the director may be removed only by the members of that class, chapter, unit or grouping.

3. Except as provided in subsection 9 of this section, a director may be removed under subsection 1 of this section or subsection 2 of this section only if the number of votes cast to remove the director would be sufficient to elect the director at a meeting to elect directors.

4. If cumulative voting is authorized, a director may not be removed if the number of votes, or if the director was elected by a class, chapter, unit or grouping of members, the number of votes of that class, chapter, unit or grouping, sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director's removal.

5. A director elected by members may be removed by the members only at a meeting called for the purpose of removing the director and the meeting notice must state that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is removal of the director.

6. In computing whether a director is protected from removal under subsection 2, 3 or 4 of this section, it should be assumed that the votes against removal are cast in an election for the number of directors of the class to which the director to be removed belonged on the date of that director's election.

7. An entire board of directors may be removed under the provisions of subsections 1 to 5 of this section.

8. A director elected by the board may be removed without cause by the vote of two-thirds of the directors then in office or such greater number as is set forth in the articles or bylaws; but a director elected by the board to fill the vacancy of a director elected by the members may be removed without cause by the members, but not the board.

9. If, at the beginning of a director's term on the board, the articles or bylaws provide that the director may be removed for missing a specified number of board meetings, the board may remove the director for failing to attend the specified number of meetings. The director may be removed only if a majority of the directors then in office vote for the removal.

(L. 1994 H.B. 1095)Effective 7-1-95

Follow these links below to view The Original Incorporation(s) for Both of the Organizations entities.

Rev J.H. Olson is COB of BOTH:

NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD, INC.
AND
NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN CHURCHES OF AMERICA, INC.

https://www.sos.mo.gov/BusinessEntity/soskb/Agent.asp?4136683

Ex member's Heartbreaking Testimony of Her Life in The NTCC

We recently saw this public profile of a former ntcc child who calls herself "Ex member".  This story is so heartbreaking to read.  NTCC  really is an unhealthy environment that hurts you, your marriage, and your children.  Thank God she has survived this and, we pray, will continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth!  Here is her testimony in her own words:

I was born into NTCC in 1981.(St.Louis MO) My young childhood was fairly Then when I was five my father did something that the NTCC deemed unforgivable: he lost his job due o a injury he received in the military. Therefore was unable to pay as much tithe b4. This did not ruin my parents dedication to this organization. My father was encouraged to do what ever work he could which included hard manual labor(which he was advised by his doctor not to do). My mother during this time asked if she could get a part time job just to make sure her kids(my brother and I) were fed. she was told know that she needed to remain at home to support her husband, and with the other ladies at the church supporting gods wrk. She then asked if she could get gov. assistance (just medicaid for us she wasn't looking for a hand out)and was told that god was testing our loyalty to him. my father would often "junk" (drive or walk with shopping cart down alleys looking for metal to sell to salvage places) he would barely make enough money to keep us fed, but would still pay tithe. then it got worst, my mother tried to get away she took my brother and I half was across the USA o be with her sister, but my father found us and the pastor in STL at the time prsured him in to bringing hr back into the fold this lasted for 2 ms then she left again filed for divorce and lost custody of my brother and I. Due to the church convincing my father hat she would turn us evil if we were raised out side of NTCC. She only got visitation. And was constantly hassled about that. As I grew up with little to know positive female influence . I became very shy and introverted. When I was 14 I tried to commit suicide, i had recently been told by a church member that knew my parents when they got married that the marriage had not been blessed by NTCC and that was why it failed I took this to mean that my being alive wasn't blessed by NTCC and therefore god himself. i wrote god a letter asking him that if I was wrong please spare me but I was trying to fix all the wrongs that had happened to my family, I took every pill in my fathers med cabinet and went to bed 15 mins later I was in the bathroom puking them up. I believed god answered me and I wasn't a mistake. from them on I started to look at thing differently I noticed more than before how "after church huddles" would literally move away from my father when he tried to join a conversation. I also stared asking questions about the rules that made no since to me. Basically I was told to keep my place as female and I child. I knew at this point that I had to get away, but couldn't until legally old enough to be on my 1 month before my 18th birthday I ran away.

Once again, we thank God for sparing this young woman's life and pray that she can fully understand the love of God in a real way in her own heart and learn that she is very valuable and important!

Irene by tobyMac

 And he took them up in his arms, 
 put [his] hands upon them, 
 and blessed them. 
 Mark 10:16 

 Before I formed thee
 in the belly I knew thee;
 Jeremiah 1:5 (p) 

Related Posts:

1. Welcome, Friend
2. Take My Kids to NTCC? Not After Reading This True Story
3. Your Children Are NOT Welcome in NTCC
4. Michael Fontenot - Child Rapist While NTCC Seminary Instructor

Casey Hayes: Why I Left NTCC

true story
Why I Left NTCC
Thread Link:
http://truestoriesoflifeinthentcc.blogspot.com/2009/04/why-i-left-ntcc.html

4/01/2009
Why I left NTCC
By Casey Hayes
Thread #12

I want to explain to everyone why I left ntcc and why I am speaking out against them now. I was in ntcc from 1982 – 2006. Most of those years were as an ordained minister in good standing. When I first left ntcc in 2006, I just wanted to go away quietly, and not say anything negative. But after exhaustively reading all the complaints against ntcc, studying the issues, and talking to people firsthand—I am absolutely convinced that ntcc is a seriously messed up church organization; that it uses cult tactics to manipulate and control it’s preachers and their families; and that their main purpose is to make Davis and the Kekels incredibly rich.

I left ntcc, because I was completely disillusionedwith the whole organization, especially the leaders. It became very evident to me that 24 years of loyal service didn’t amount to a hill of beans, and that I would always be broke and in poverty if I remained in ntcc any longer.

Me, my wife and my two kids had just come back from 3 years of intense hardship in Puerto Rico. Although, the church eventually gave us some support there, it was lukewarm support, and Rev. Olson made it very clear that the church could not “afford” to help us more. I won’t go into the details here, but I will say that I sold my house and cars to go to PR, and spent $8000 of my OWN money. In the 3 years we lived there, we had NO furniture—and were broke most of the time. I even got very sick down there (so sick I couldn’t work), but the leadership of ntcc acted like they didn’t care. All they cared about was—church reports and offerings. We were the Fourth couple to go to Puerto Rico (Medina, Casanova & Ramirez went before us), and that ALL the previous couples had also gone through intense financial problems down there, with lukewarm support, if any. It also became very apparent that Rev. Olson (who I have always looked up to), could not make ONE decision, no matter how minor, without getting permission from Davis. I thought he was CEO?

When I got back from PR I was physically, emotionally and spiritually drained. The church gave us a cold welcome. Some of you know what I am talking about.Now, friends of mine were happy to see me, but the leadership’s reception was a lot cooler. I had no possessions, no car, no nothing. But, what shocked me the most was how incredibly wealthy the Kekels and Davis were. Here we were basically starving (as are the missionaries in Panama and elsewhere), but the leaders are living in plush luxury. Olson said the church didn’t have the money to help us properly, but it is because the majority of the money is siphoned off to support the lifestyles of Davis and his family. Is this really what God had in mind? Is this really supported by the Bible? No way! As far as I’m concerned, ntcc is nothing but a big sham, and Davis is just a spiritual conman, who has duped a lot of people into giving all their money and time to make him and his daughter rich. Don’t tell me it’s God blessing, because it’s not. Anyone can guilt trip thousands of people into giving them 10% of their money and then live like kings. God has nothing to do with it.

Let me tell you the thing that pushed me to leave ntcc.Tanya and her mother were constantly coming up to me before and after church to tell me how much they were praying for me. At first I appreciated it, but after a couple of weeks it started getting annoying. I thought, “Why don’t your husbands come up to me?” Why the wives?But, it was basically, “Be ye warmed and filled…” while they went back to their mansions. Well, Tanya felt sorry for me so she gave me a bag full of old towels and sheets.They were wore out and had a hole in them, but I had nothing, so I gratefully took them. The next day I get in my $800 car and am driving down the street, when Tanya drives by in a brand new BMW 745!! That’s like a $100,000 car! It was then that I knew I had absolutely no value to ntcc. After 24 years of faithful service, I was worth a bag of old towels. You or me would have flipped someone $20 and said, go buy yourself some towels and sheets, but not the leadership of ntcc. They weren’t going to part with a penny of their wealth to help anyone, even though their sole income is from the tithes and offerings that you an I give. I calculated that I have given ntcc about $85,000 in tithe over the years. Doesn’t that count for anything? No way. Soon after that I see Mike Kekel tooling around in a brand new convertible Mercedes sports car ($65,000). Their son’s private schooling cost $18,000+ a year. You really get the impression that the Kekels have more money than they know what to do with—but don’t expect them to help you when you’re down and out. What does Tanya and her mother spend most of their time doing? Shopping (and everyone knows it).

Now, for those of you who think I jealous or envious, you’re wrong. I have no problem with a pastor living in a nice house and driving a new car. But, when almost all the church ministers are at the poverty level (and you know they are), while the leadership is living a life of intense luxury—something is seriously wrong. Why don’t you loyal ntccers open your eyes and see the obvious—that Davis has set up ntcc to make his family, and his only, incredibly rich. And he uses cult tactics to guilt trip everybody into giving their hard earned money to make them richer. (Even when I had no money to buy food for my family, or buy my kids clothes, I STILL paid my tithe). Are you aware that Davis’ house is valued at 1.1 million, and that Kekels’ is valued at $650,000. And both houses are decked out with the most expensive drapes, rugs, and furniture money can buy. Yet, if YOU want to buy a house, they will make you feel like you’re selling out God and putting the world first. How come they can have it, but you can’t?

So I left ntcc and it has been great. Yes, it was tramatic at first, because I felt like I had wasted 24 years of my life in a messed-up organization. But, God has blessed and I have made more money and been happier than anytime I was in ntcc. And I know it is God that has blessed me.They want you to think that those who leave ntcc are miserable, but it is ALL A LIE!!. Everyone I know who has left is doing great, and most find another church that appreciates them and lets them do what God wants them to do. There IS life after ntcc, and it is a whole lot better than what you have now.

Lastly, the reason I am speaking out against ntcc is because I am sick of the hypocrisy, the double standards, the fake holiness (where they dress holiness, but act without God’s love and mercy), the abusive pastors who never get punished, and the manipulation through fear and guilt of a lot of good men and women. NTCC has hurt a LOT of people. They have broken up families. They have destroyed good, godly men and women. They have caused much emotional and spiritual damage—sometimes permanently. Why does Tanya and her mother intentionally break up a marriage if one of the couples decides not to attend ntcc anymore? Where is that in the Bible? I thought Jesus said that what God has joined together, man should not separate? What hurt the most for me, was hearing that Davis and Kekel were going around lying about me, and saying I “misappropriated” money sent to us in PR. God and the angels in Heaven know that is a complete lie. They also say I left the church, because I wanted “money”. Sure I do—I was always living in poverty in ntcc, so why not want some money now that I’m out? I’m just trying to take care of my family like the Bible teaches. Davis and Kekel sure love money, and nobody seems to have a problem with that. At least I get my money honestly, without manipulating poor families into giving what they cannot, or jacking people up.

I honestly don’t know why some of you are still in ntcc. I guess, because they are so secretive of everything, and don’t let you talk to others in different works, you don’t see how bad things really are. When you do finally leave and look back with 20/20 vision, you’ll be shocked by what you see. And you’ll wonder why you didn’t leave years ago.

POSTED BY CASEY HAYES AT
4/01/2009 06:56:00 PM

Link to original:  http://truestoriesoflifeinthentcc.blogspot.com/2009/04/why-i-left-ntcc.html 

The original article has many relevant comments in addition to the main post.