His fellow senior leader Bill Johnson has also compared the COVID vaccine to the mark of the beast. Bethel Church is a charismatic megachurch in Redding, California, that is primarily known for their popular . R.V. Christianity Today defines Christian Nationalism as the idea that America is defined by Christianity and should take active steps to keep it that way. . He and his wife Lois live in Colorado. Old Lyme: 3 inches. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. Members of Bethel, the 11,000-member northern California megachurch famous for elaborate healing services, Bethel Music, and musician Sean Feucht's nationwide worship protests against COVID restrictions, now hold the majority on the Redding City Council after November's elections, according to nearly complete . Hes one of two 30-year-old Redding City Council candidates; a gentle spirit who jumped navely into the deep end of an election pool in which he is in waaaay over his head. The Legislature banned performing this known harmful practice on people 18 years old and younger several years ago. The 2022 local election cycle is heating up in the Northstate. Ministry Watch reports: Redding is a city of 93,462 in Trump-red Shasta County, which has a popula And with that slippery slope, youve hit rock bottom. Since the late 90s, under senior leader Bill Johnson, the church has been devoted to the pursuit of the presence of God, manifested in supposed signs and wonders, including messages from heaven, miraculous healings, gold glitter, feathers, and special stones. Have a question? Bethel is a congregation of worshippers of Jesus Christ in Redding, California, who long to see hearts ignited until heaven meets earth. This couldnt be further from my goals and ideas about how the government should work. Each year, thousands of believers come from every corner of the globe to worship at Bethel, or spend thousands of dollars to enroll in its three-year-long Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. Would your relationship with that neighbor be positive or negative?. Again, its not necessarily hateful to notice this. Some Christian Nationalists advocate keeping prayer in schools, outlawing abortion access and gay marriage and enshrining a Christian Nationalist version of American history in public school curriculums. Is this heaven, or Redding? Do you have a correction to this story? For others, its an indication of the dangerous power and influence on local politics that the church already wields. The church used to be part of the Assemblies of God denomination but is now non-denominational. Redding residents are divided on the churchs impact on their city. But click on the link, and its soon apparent that theres no there, there, and that site has been non-functioning for some time. Patrick "Hacker" Jones He knows a thing or two about hackin', lemme tell ya. Bethel teaches what is known as the 7 Mountains Mandate, a theology that encourages Christians to influence the seven mountains of society, including the political realm, to bring Gods kingdom realities to earth. Im not down with cancel culture. Feb 21, 2023 5:15 PM Agenda Agenda Packet Action Agenda Once was the churchs vocal response to a 2018 California bill which would have made it illegal for Bethel to sell resources with the intent to reduce or eliminate same-sex attraction, according to a tweet from Vallotton. Anyway, your post begins with some rather inauspicious analogies, which might explain the perspiring palms: What if you stumbled upon a post on social media that read FingBlue People! or That ethnic groupis going to hell!? Cover photo for Bethel Affiliated Businesses Facebook group. Classificados de Traduo nos Estados Unidos. Redding Area Bus Authority - Regular Meeting. He said he used to work for the church but no longer holds any staff or leadership positions there. We break down why. Am I too angry about the subject material? They have creative ideas. Audette, a district representative for state Sen. Brian Dahle, has received $37,670 in contributions since the beginning of the year, according to electronic financial disclosure statements. Audette said the way the church engaged that time was legal and appropriate because it would have affected their ability to exercise their 1st Amendment rights.. Why are my palms sweating? The race for Redding City Council is heating up as two candidates have made public announcements in recent days. Audette called the idea that she has access to Bethel funding one of the biggest myths she has heard. Also, you know who else besides social media trolls say ethnic groups are going to hell? I just hope they dont stop there. Second, Bethel Church and its infinite number of horizontally networked sub-ministries has raked in hundreds of millions of dollars during the past decade and hasnt been shy about spreading the manna around. Steve Rabey is a veteran author and journalist who has published more than 50 books and 2,000 articles about religion, spirituality, and culture. Lake has claimed the vote was rigged and B.S. and is challenging the outcome. There are three seats open for this November's election for Redding City Council. Some are even Trump supporters, so go figure. This site uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. I waited and watched Winter carefully for signs that shed wear Bethel on her sleeve. eceived more than $15,000 in campaign consulting fees from Sean Feuchts failed congressional campaign in 2019 and early 2020, along with $2,800 in. Reviews, coupons, analysis, whois, global ranking and traffic for ctfirewood.com. In interviews with local candidates Shasta Scout avoided asking directly about Bethel Church involvement to avoid discriminating against individuals on the basis of their faith. Bethel Redding has also become associated with certain phenomena that are interpreted by the leadership and the congregation as manifesting the presence and glory of God. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. Were talking about vision, Jake. Its designed to attract shoppers downtown during the holidays and drive-by stoners, I guess, for the rest of the year. Bethels 2017 donation of half-a-million dollars to help fund Redding police and another $25,000 to fund police drones hasnt been forgotten by the community. The city approved a 10-year. Reminding readers Bethel saved the Civic Auditorium and funded the RPDs homeless squad only rubs it in. North Haven: 2.5 inches. Michael Dacquisto is the only incumbent candidate, and hes struggling to keep his footing upon a slippery slope studded with loopholes, gray areas and alleged white lies. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Brad Everett, Bethels Director of Communications, declined to answer any of Shasta Scouts questions for this story. Obviously, Jake, you didnt do that. Bethel members Tenessa Audette, 45, a first-time candidate, and Jack Munns, 64, who first ran two years ago, will now join Bethel elder Julie Winter on the 5-member council. Ministry Watch 2022 All rights reserved. Dacquisto may have once been an active member in the community, but it is widely known locally that is no longer the case. You recently wrote fondly of the project. I read your blog post last week, in which you wrongly accused thousands of local citizens of religious discrimination, with concern from the very beginning. My duty isto serve ALL people . Bethel.TV established. Editors note: This section was revised on 10/20/22 for corrections. As Snow Falls In A Redding Camp, Unhoused Community Members Keep Warm With Propane Heaters And Campfires, Shasta County Supervisors, Sheriff, Face Off Over Constitutionality Of Proposed 2nd Amendment Resolution, Reddings Proposed Short Term Rental Ordinance Update Doesnt Take Into Account City Housing Data: Heres Why That Matters, Proposed 2nd Amendment Resolution Is An Overreach of Boards Authority, Shasta County Legal Counsel Warns, Heres What We Spent To Produce The News In 2022, Heres How Weve Funded Free And Independent Shasta County News This Year, Editorial: We Build Democracy By Telling The Truth About Power, Our Diverse Community and Ourselves, Building Democracy: Were Opening Our Reporters Notebooks. These groups arent devoted to hating Bethel Church and its members, theyre devoted to exposing the grip Bethel has on Redding and their lives, and theyve garnered national media attention with their efforts. In fact, I agree with you on at least one thing you wrote: Were on a slippery slope here. Julie was elected to the City Council in November 2016 for a four-year term, and re-elected in November 2020 for an additional four-year term. Prayer Meeting for Redding. Even if Valenzuela hadnt liked [S]election Code on her Facebook page, the fact remains that Valenzuela like Hill and Vollmers lacks even a modicum of experience necessary to be an effectively qualified council member. Frankly, theres an unfortunate campaign trait shared by Vollmers, Hill and Valenzuela: Although they can accurately identify Reddings problems homelessness, crime, water issues, mental illness, housing shortages, etc. Were you afraid to write black people? Which of those three domains would you assume is Dacquistos true residence? Imagine you are overworked and stressed out, Crocket explained, and your neighbor took it upon themselves to mow your lawn. 2008. With three more Bethel-affiliated candidates running for three open council seats this fall, a win by any two would leave the council with what might be described as a Bethel majority., Thats exactly what persuaded candidate James Crockett to run for the council this election. Contact him at RVScheide@anewscafe.com.. One of the most persistent criticisms against Dacquisto has to do with what should be a simple question: Michael Dacquisto, where do you live?. When the Redding Civic Auditorium faced closure, Bethel created the nonprofit Advance Redding to lease the facility. Some in the community worry about how the church's out-sized funding and theological beliefs, including the 7 Mountains Mandate, might impact local political candidates. Shes engaged with the public. Two closed Facebook groups the 960-member Investigating Bethel Redding and the 1,800-member Bethel Affiliated Businesses monitor and critique the church. It's designed to attract shoppers downtown . In reply to R.V. Absences: Dacquisto has missed a number of meetings, including closed session meetings, joint session meetings, RABA, Library, Housing, Capital Services, and Successor Agency meetings. In 2018, the last year for which data is available, the church had annual revenue of more than $60 million. We are on the edge of the greatest revival of all time. Church News. This is Vollmers second try at elected office. She didnt. By the Redding City Council and its Shasta County Supervisors simply turning their collective backs to an obvious safety issue as its sole reaction to the tragedy that occurred there is simply unacceptable, and surly the blood of the next man, woman, or child brutally and horrifically squashed out of them will spiritually be on your hands. Scheide. I confess to suffering significant election heartburn with the knowledge that Audette was Winters former campaign manager, and that Audette received more than $15,000 in campaign consulting fees from Sean Feuchts failed congressional campaign in 2019 and early 2020, along with $2,800 in reimbursements. The sobering reality is that Redding voters are backed against a Bethel wall with some tough questions: Do I wish, for the sake of a more balanced election playing field, that the Redding City Council race wasnt flooded with candidates who attend The Stirring or Bethel Church? In reply to Jeff Gorder. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. Redding council backs Bethel's new campus. The seven mountains are education, religion, family, business, government/military, arts/entertainment and media. Feb 20, 2023 5:15 PM . I have no influence on Bethels decisions, financial or otherwise, Shea wrote, I am just one of several thousand people who choose to spend my personal time there as a private citizen on Sunday mornings.. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Email us, or join the community conversation at Shasta ScoutsFacebook page. Not by a Shasta County country mile. That struggle led Jones to create a new, On February 28, Supervisor Jones hopes to persuade others on the Board to initiate hand counting as a way to tabulate election results in Shasta. I have the financial skills and experience to help us navigate the coming recession. Hear his TEDxRedding talk and tell me you hate his ideas about neighborhoods. Earnest deputy county clerk Ian Hill falls into a bless his pea-pickin heart category. I was born in the mid 80's in Yuba City, California but moved as an infant to Redding, California where I was raised and ultimately started my family. . The church elder on the Redding City Council. These are all responsibilities of a city council member. I'm scared Lol. Do you support free online news in Shasta County? Christianity Today defines Christian Nationalism, Supervisor Jones Wants More Power To Set The Board, And The Peoples, Agenda. Patrick "Hacker" Jones He knows a thing or two about hackin', lemme tell ya. And Redding City Council member Resner decided to run for the Shasta County Board of Supervisors District 1 seat being vacated by Supervisor Joe Chimenti, who opted against running for re-election. Im not religious. On the negative side theres that yawning gap in her leadership experience; a chasm too large for Vollmers to leap over and propel herself onto the dais as a qualified city council member. Slight segue, but Vollmers and Valenzuelas distrust in the election system begs the question: If the women win, will they accept the election results as valid? Christian nationalist Doug Mastriano of Pennsylvania lost his Senate race to his Jewish opponent, while Kari Lake lost Arizonas governors race to the incumbent. Some students are packed-to-the-max into single family homes; their fancy cars clog neighborhood driveways. Others have been threatened by Bethel supporters. (He probably knows it.). As you can imagine, the conversation sometimes gets testy. Pity Partin, whos a respected professional in his own right. Members of Bethel, the 11,000-member northern California megachurch famous for elaborate healing services, Bethel Music, and musician Sean Feuchts nationwide worship protests against COVID restrictions, now hold the majority on the Redding City Council after Novembers elections, according to nearly complete vote counts. View Calendar. Former Bethel volunteer worship leader and visible political activist Sean Feucht has openly endorsed Christian Nationalism over recent months, but Shea and Audette both said that belief is not part ofthe churchs teachings. During winter storms, Shasta Countys lack of low-barrier shelter leaves many struggling to stay warm in the cold and snow. ), Similarly, Bethel members, especially Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry students, have a certain look. Is it appropriate to scrutinize candidates religious beliefs or the church they attend? To make a donation,click here. Since then, the North State is still in recovery over the dirty recall of a stellar supervisor, the baseless firing of the countys chief health officer and the resignation of a blackmailed CEO. Candidate Johnson agrees wholeheartedly. Looking to find the non-Bethelites running for city council. widely believed to include the idea that believers should take dominion over society to bring more of heaven to earth. As Trump ran for reelection, Vallotton used the Bethel pulpit to encourage attendees to vote for Trump or risk facing Gods displeasure. If youre suggesting the chamber supports LGBTQ rights, you should know Bethel Church actively opposes LGBTQ rights at the local, state and national level, and spends a lot of money doing it. Photo: KRCR video screengrab. I think they are going to be disappointed after they find out that their positions will force them to be focused on municipal needs such as water, sewer, traffic issues and infrastructure needs, not drag shows and woke teachers.. Bethels slogan, On earth, as it is in heaven, directs its believers to infiltrate every aspect of their communities. Kind of like Dacquisto. People who havent drank the Kool-Aid find themselves on the outside looking in and naturally resent Bethels newfound economic power, attached as it is to the on-earth-as-it-is-in-heaven Seven Mountain Mandate. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Kathy Vallotton, Bethel Church senior pastor, $1,000. While two of Bethels candidates won their races, former Bethel celebrity Sean Feucht was less successful in his worship-music-meets-campaign efforts on behalf of two Trump-endorsed candidates. While the Seven Mountain Mandate is controversial even among many Christian denominations for Bethel devotees, its considered gospel. Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? She lives in Redding, California. Now pretend you also own a tiny apartment over a garage behind your old legal office in downtown Redding between the railroad tracks and Court Street. Theyre not telling you what to do, or how to do it or keeping track of what you do. Candidate Ian Hill says he's running to to shine a spotlight on city needs and bring together resources and people to act on what's important. The large number of travelers who visit the megachurch and its five schools Bethel Christian School, Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, Bethel Conservatory of the Arts, Bethel School of Technology and Bethel Music College helped attract nonstop United Airlines flights to Los Angeles. Some say the church has helped the city in many ways: But some residents have grown frustrated with Bethels combination of other-worldly theology and increasing this-worldly clout, as the appearance of Buck Fethel T-shirts show. Shasta where the couple owns a spacious view-lot if thats his main residence, then Dacquisto cannot legally sit on the Redding City Council. However, as much as some members of The Stirring church might like to distance themselves from Bethel Churchs dramatic spiritual feats, its indisputable that The Stirring and Bethel Church are Christian kissin cousins. Full disclosure: Im a member of two such Facebook groups, Bethel Affiliated Businesses and Investigating Bethel. And Lord have mercy, what does Bethel have against the LGBTQ community, outside of selective biblical literalism? Literally. To think that people wouldnt call out my attendance at one of the biggest organizations in town, Shea said, is unreasonable. While his two hours weekly at the church are important to him, he said, they have less weight in his life than the forty-plus hours he spends working and interacting in the city. Bethels pull on the local housing market, both short-term and long-term, is tremendous, and Bethel-connected dollars spent by attendees in the city are significant. The kidsand Glenn Beckcall this cancel culture.. 2023 anewscafe.com. Yes, Audette and Shea are Bethel Church members. The device costs $2,000 and will make AED available to the general public 24/7. She's been featured and quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, L.A. Times, Slate. Listen to Johnson speak and tell me youre not impressed. Audette sees the issue differently, saying that people shouldnt discriminate against a candidate based on their attendance at a church and emphasizing that Bethel doesnt participate in candidate election activities or try to influence votes. Like Vollmers, Valenzuelas social media posts suggest a mindset aligned with election-deniers. Some in the community worry about how the churchs out-sized funding and theological beliefs, including the 7 Mountains Mandate, might impact local political candidates. Do I know what Im writing about? I've searched the names on the ballot and I found James Crockett and Erin Resner are both associated with Bethel. Redding native Jack Munns sits down with KRCR's Sam Chimenti to discuss how he'd help improve his hometown if elected to council (9/1/22) Turn to KRCR: Nort. The problem with this rigid strategy is that generally speaking, once Bethel and Stirring-related candidates are removed from the playing field, the remaining choices are inoffensively OK at best, and stunningly out-to-lunch at worst. Redding City Council approved Bethel to apply for development of a new church and school campus facilities. Bethel withdrew from the Assemblies of God in 2006. It doesnt apply to the voters, who, not being state actors are free to manifest their religious bigotry against the members of Bethel Church as much as they can refuse to elect Jews. At every forum Ive attended, Dacquisto has made a shameless plug for his pal Partin. I cannot vouch for that number, but its probably close. But forget election-deniers for a moment. Were here to discuss the Redding City Council election. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! Disclosure:Annelise Pierce is a former member of Bethel Church and a graduate of the first year of BSSM. In a few short weeks well learn one of two things: Either the Redding City Council will make history as the first council comprised of a majority of Bethel/Stirring Church members, or the fed-up-with-Bethel citizens will rise up and prevail with anyone-but-Bethel votes. If you believe their statements and I do these three are enthusiastic in their dedication and genuine desire to make Redding a better place. ods role in government and if politicians should Christianize a nation. Atlanta Megachurch Files Suit Charging Lenders with Predatory Behavior, Alleges Widespread Fraud Against African-American Churches, MinistryWatchs 2022 Shining Light Awards. Members of Bethel the 11,000-member northern California megachurch famous for elaborate healing services, Bethel Music and musician Sean Feuchts nationwide worship protests against COVID restrictions now hold the majority on the Redding City Council after Novembers elections, according to nearly complete vote counts. Likewise, this new Bethel-hater label could easily lead HR folks to feel pressured just to be on the safe, right side to take action against any employee who says so much as an unkind word about Bethel on social media. Connecting yet more Bethel/Stirring dots, Nathan Edwardson is The Stirring church pastor. Hi. Bethel attendees represent approximately 10 percent of the City of Redding and Bethel is listed by the Shasta Economic Development Corporation as the 8th largest employer in Shasta County. Things got especially slick when you introduced HR departments to this conversation and mention of potential lawsuits. (Click on names for more information about each candidate.). Theres also concern that some church members are fanning secessionist movements and supporting militia groups in Shasta County. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Theres more evidence of collaboration between The Stirring Church and Bethel Church, but you get the idea. They feel like their vision for Redding is being supplanted by someone elses, that theyre being replaced by Bethelbots, that the system is rigged. As a reader-funded outlet, we rely on donations to fund our work and keep our content paywall free. A non-Bethel incumbent up for reelection was the top vote-getter. Scheide. A Bethel majority on the council concerns him, he explained, because its been his experience that people at the church often think similarly and have an agenda that might not serve the city as a whole. The next time you talk to your neighbor, you say hey, I am thankful you mowed my lawn but this is my property, before you do that again can you please ask me? Then imagine if you will that your neighbor launches into this diatribe about how you are this poor struggling person but that they are rich and powerful! One of the most frequent election questions posed recently on North State social media sites pertains to whether candidates do or do not attend Bethel Church or The Stirring. But after watching many hours of multiple candidate forums, and after spending entire days transcribing audio, trawling websites and doing deep dives into social media pages, Ive reached a conclusion: Of the 10 Redding City Council candidates, Audette, Johnson and Shea appear the most qualified to serve as Redding City Council members. Subscribe to Signals from Shasta Scout our stories and news updates, right to you. The 11,000-member Bethel Church in Redding, California, led by Bill Johnson, now hold the majority on the Redding City Council after a successful electoral run in November by Bethel members saw them emerge victorious and now hold the swing vote. Several of the candidates running for the Redding City Council this fall are connected to Bethel Church. Behind the scenes last week, a struggle played out over the Shasta County Board of Supervisor's agenda. At first, to look at the un-clicked link, one might assume its an active, working site. The Awakening Australia eventand its main speaker, Bill Johnsonare increasing the awareness of the controversial church throughout the continent. Redding City Council candidates Joshua Johnson, left, and Alex Shea. Shes participated in all the candidate forums. He was an instructor at Fuller and Denver seminaries and the U.S. Air Force Academy. . But Bethel Senior Associate Leader Kris Vallotton has made multiple political statements from the pulpit, including his prophecy that Donald Trump would win the 2020 presidential election. Like the $500,000 Garden of Lights project dreamed up by Redding City Council member and Bethel Elder Julie Winter and recently passed by the council. Feucht also worship-campaigned for Doug Lamborn, U.S. House member from Colorado Springs, who coasted to reelection. Toll free: (866) 364-9980, Christian Musician Sean Feucht Held Defiant Seattle Worship Protest After Concert was Banned, Sean Feucht Protest Worries Los Angeles Homeless Advocates, Sean Feuchts Finale Worship Protest on the National Mall Included More Politics Than Usual, Andrew Wommack Urges Followers to Take Over Colorado City. If he does have campaign signs, they must be hidden in secret locations. I can confidently say that (the issue of homosexuality will have) no influence on my role as a council member, Audette wrote by email. These three appear the most polished, most prepared, most experienced, most articulate and most accomplished. But many in the community, including Crockett, feel that a harder look at Bethel-affiliated candidates is valid given the size, funding and theology of Bethel Church. Tenessa Audette leads the way in fundraising in the crowded Redding City Council race. The theology is sometimes referred to as dominionism, and is widely believed to include the idea that believers should take dominion over society to bring more of heaven to earth. When the Redding Civic Auditorium faced closure, Bethel created the nonprofit Advance Redding to lease the facility. They are young. In fact, in most places it would be considered impolite and inappropriate to ask about candidates religious lives. For the November 8, 2022 general election . You know the difference between Bethel Church and a casino, Jake? On the plus side, Vollmers has fairly lively, updated social media pages. At worst, based on your weak analogies, a person belonging to one of these Facebook groups could be in danger of being fired, if chamber HR members whove read your blog post now feel justified in handing out pink slips to those who belong to Facebook groups youve characterized as Bethel-haters. I grew up embracing a ranch life with early mornings feeding horses and late nights mucking stalls. Instead, I make my selections based upon candidates backgrounds, experience, endorsements, creativity, tenacity, enthusiasm, ideas, energy, and the amount of work theyve invested in their campaigns. Annelise Pierce is Shasta Scouts Editor and a Community Reporter covering government accountability, civic engagement, and local religious and political movements. In reply to R.V. Redding is teetering upon the unprecedented brink of being governed by a city-council majority comprised of followers of Bethel Church, The Stirring church or a combination of both. Correction made. AFAIK, Schreder and Sullivan are not. She cited the churchs involvement in bringing funding to the city to help secure a daily flight from Redding to Los Angeles on United Airlines, the half-million in funding given by Bethel in 2017 for local police staffing, and Bethels decision to form Advance Redding, a nonprofit that was awarded a contract to run the citys Civic Auditorium. As evidence, she points to the Civic; to Winter's place on the city council; to the hordes of Bethel students who volunteer across Redding, saving the city money. Below are excerpts from Johnsons post of accusations against Dacquisto: City of Redding insiders describe incumbent Dacquisto as weary and worn out. The Bethel Church can be characterized as promoting Word of Faith teaching, the prosperity gospel, dominionism, " grave sucking ," and other aberrant doctrines and practices.
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