Compilation of Media Attention Grouped by Offshoot

Posted: March 20, 2018 in Uncategorized
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We have received a request to post the most up-to-date listing of news stories regarding Faith Christian Church and its offshoots. The following list groups the stories both by media outlet and by offshoot.

Arizona Daily Star

  1.        March 7, 2015 – Tucson ministry a cult, former followers say – http://tucson.com/news/local/star-investigation-tucson-ministry-a-cult-former-followers-say/article_8824efc5-f210-5041-8088-a654585e4673.html

 

  1. March 12, 2015 – UA asks church’s campus recruiting arm for answers – http://tucson.com/news/local/ua-asks-church-s-campus-recuiting-arm-for-answers/article_8ca014fc-3c10-54ac-8712-b5979675d0ae.html

 

  1. March 15, 2015 – Religious Council opens separate inquiry into church – http://tucson.com/news/religious-council-opens-separate-inquiry-into-church/article_a2dcbdfe-38f0-578c-95ca-d413cefe482f.html

 

  1. March 19, 2015 – Church accused of abuses to talk with UA – http://tucson.com/news/local/church-accused-of-abuses-to-talk-with-ua/article_671cfb39-5a6e-5add-bfcd-549160b9ba23.html

 

  1. March 25, 2015 – New Zealand university bans Faith Christian offshoot –

http://tucson.com/news/local/new-zealand-university-bans-faith-christian-offshoot/article_d3631513-c2d7-53c6-a05e-fa909ff3620f.html

 

  1. March 31, 2015 – Web Update – UA religious council revokes Faith Christian’s membership– http://tucson.com/news/local/web-update-ua-religious-council-revokes-faith-christian-s-membership/article_1af01208-d7ea-11e4-8617-5f9fadcfc557.html

 

  1. April 1, 2015 – UA religious council revokes Faith Christian’s membership – http://tucson.com/news/ua-religious-council-revokes-faith-christian-s-membership/article_9998a6c3-08a9-5b08-8935-b0ceefa189dc.html

 

  1. April 10, 2015 – Faith Christian resigns from oversight group amid questions – http://tucson.com/news/faith-christian-resigns-from-oversight-group-amid-questions/article_6be65c89-dc98-5c05-bd53-f12c8ebc51c3.html

 

  1. April 25, 2015 – Amphi investigating its links to Faith Christian Church – http://tucson.com/news/local/amphi-investigating-its-links-to-faith-christian-church/article_cf52f01f-c677-51e0-bb72-a68f3543bcaf.html

 

  1. July 18, 2015 – Controversial Church is Without a Home – http://tucson.com/news/local/controversial-church-is-without-a-home/article_98c54dc2-0c7c-57d0-8ce0-0dfbac147c37.html

 

11.     April 10, 2016 – Tucson church some call a cult is laying low – http://tucson.com/news/tucson-church-some-call-a-cult-is-laying-low/article_5011ffe1-bba7-5647-b0a2-b1b6dec83d48.html

 

12.   April 30, 2016 – UNM ousts arm of church that some at UA called a cult – http://tucson.com/news/unm-ousts-arm-of-church-that-some-at-ua-called/article_5e7c8286-ba3e-556d-90ac-ad6d9e6db971.html

 

13.  February 11, 2017 – Faith Christian Church off-shoot in Boulder faces greater scrutiny – http://tucson.com/news/faith-christian-off-shoot-in-boulder-faces-greater-scrunity/article_88520532-c344-5e8a-8d9d-6a9a7c97c985.html

 

14.  February 11, 2017 – Star Investigation: Church with Tucson roots accused of stalking, hazing at Arizona State University – http://tucson.com/news/local/star-investigation-church-with-tucson-roots-accused-of-stalking-hazing/article_d4585b5d-605f-5bcc-be5e-077fbcac5828.html

 

15.   February 11, 2017 – AZ taxpayers foot bill for church-service space – http://tucson.com/news/state-and-regional/az-taxpayers-foot-bill-for-church-service-space/article_1bc5833d-e39b-50b6-b84b-d9d22a4a67ec.html

 

Arizona Daily Wildcat

  1. April 9, 2015 – Religious clubs are questioned – http://www.wildcat.arizona.edu/article/2015/04/religious-clubs-are-questioned

 

  1. April 13, 2015 – Letter to the Editor – http://www.wildcat.arizona.edu/article/2015/04/letter-to-the-editor-april-13-2015

 

  1. April 15, 2015 – FCC case about more than just one church – http://www.wildcat.arizona.edu/article/2015/04/fcc-case-about-more-than-just-one-church

 

  1. April 15, 2015 – FCC, church or cult? – http://www.wildcat.arizona.edu/article/2015/04/fcc-church-or-cult

 

Christianity Today

  1. March 12, 2015 – Arizona church says infants should be smacked with cardboard, former staff members allege – http://www.christiantoday.com/article/arizona.church.says.infants.should.be.smacked.with.cardboard.former.staff.members.allege/49815.htm

 

  1. April 7, 2015 – Church Clubs Expelled from University of Arizona Religious Council – http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2015/april/church-clubs-expelled-university-arizona-faith-christian.html?paging=off#bmb=1

 

KVOA News 4 Tucson

  1. April 8, 2015 – Campus church revoked from university religious organization – http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2015/april/church-clubs-expelled-university-arizona-faith-christian.html?paging=off#bmb=1

 

  1. May 19, 2015 – Investigation Launched into Tucson’s Faith Christian Church – http://www.kvoa.com/story/29117519/n4t-investigators-investigation-launched-into-tucsons-faith-christian-church

 

  1. August 31, 2015 – N4T Investigators: Faith Christian Church with out a home: Update – http://www.kvoa.com/story/29911483/n4t-investigators-faith-christian-church-without-home-update

 

Audio Podcasts

  1. March 9, 2015 – 940 KGMS A Reason for Hope – http://www.scottrichardslive.com/kgms_upload/201503/arfh030915.mp3

 

  1. March 10, 2015 – 940 KGMS A Reason for Hope – http://www.scottrichardslive.com/kgms_upload/201503/arfh031015.mp3

 

  1. March 12, 2015 – 1030 KVOI The Voice – http://kvoi.com/podcast-window/?yourKey=402443

 

  1. March 14, 2015 – NPR’s local Arizona affiliate, KJZZ – http://kjzz.org/content/112586/reporter-emily-bregel-and-author-nori-muster-discuss-cults

 

Patheos Blog

  1. March 8, 2015 – Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability Defends Tucson Church at Center of Investigative Report – http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/03/08/evangelical-council-for-financial-accountability-defends-tucson-church-at-center-of-investigative-report/

 

  1. March 12, 2015 – Former Members: Faith Christian Church (Tucson, AZ) Coerced Donations – http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/03/12/former-members-faith-christian-church-tucson-az-coerced-donations/

 

  1. March 19, 2015 – Former members of Faith Christian Church (Tucson, AZ) to Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability: Talk to us – http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/03/19/open-letter-to-the-evangelical-council-for-financial-accountability-from-former-members-of-faith-christian-church-tucson-az/

 

  1. March 22, 2015 – ECFA Agrees to Hear from Former Members of Faith Christian Church – http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/03/22/ecfa-agrees-to-hear-from-former-members-of-faith-christian-church/

 

  1. March 30, 2015 – Update: Faith Christian Church, the ECFA and Continuing Backlash – http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/03/30/update-faith-christian-church-the-ecfa-and-continuing-backlash/

 

  1. March 31, 2015 – University of Arizona’s University Religious Council Revokes Membership of Faith Christian Church and Related Groups – http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/03/31/university-of-arizonas-university-religious-council-revokes-membership-of-faith-christian-church-and-related-groups/

 

  1. May 4, 2015 – The ECFA Will Not Release Faith Christian Church Investigation – http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/05/04/ecfa-will-not-release-faith-christian-church-investigation-results/

 

  1. July 22, 2015 – Faith Christian Church Student Groups Cleared by University of Arizona, Banned by UA Religious Council, Looking for New Home – http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2015/07/22/faith-christian-church-student-groups-cleared-by-university-of-arizona-banned-by-ua-religious-council-looking-for-new-home/

 

Washington Post

  1. March 9, 2015 – There’s a cult ‘love-bombing’ students at the University of Arizona, former members say – http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/03/09/theres-a-cult-love-bombing-students-at-the-university-of-arizona-former-members-say/

 

  1. April 1, 2015 – “Love-bombing” group at University of Arizona called a cult, thrown out of religious council – http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/04/01/love-bombing-group-at-university-of-arizona-called-cult-thrown-out-of-religious-council/

 

Colorado Offshoots – Grace Christian Church & Resurrection Church

  1. May 4, 2015 – The Collegian Central – Cult or community? Questions about Fort Collins’ Faith Christian Church offshoot, Grace Christian Church – http://www.collegian.com/2015/05/cult-or-community-questions-about-fort-collins-faith-christian-church-offshoot-grace-christian-church/124483/

 

  1. July 20, 2016 – This side of life… – https://marie0222.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/this-side-of-life/

 

  1. August 8, 2016 – Ex-members accuse Boulder’s Resurrection Church of cult-like campus ministry – http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_30267624/resurrection-church-boulder-accused-cult-ministry

 

  1. November 22, 2016 – Citing “duty to protect students’, CU religious group revokes Resurrection Church’s membership – http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_30596382/citing-duty-protect-students-cu-religious-group-revokes

 

  1. November 23, 2016 – CU Boulder student: Resurrection Church spiritually abused me – http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/front-range/boulder/cu-boulder-student-resurrection-church-spiritually-abused-me?autoplay=true

 

  1. December 4, 2016 – CU religious umbrella group ends Resurrection Church membership –

http://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-denver-post/20161204/281822873418068

 

  1. December 6, 2016 – Manipulative ministry controversy deeps as more former members speak out – https://cuindependent.com/2016/12/05/manipulative-ministry-faces-controversy-as-more-former-members-speak-out/

 

  1. December 8, 2016 – CU Taboo: A Podcast – https://cuindependent.com/2016/12/07/cu-taboo-resurrection-church/

 

  1. February 11, 2017 – Faith Christian Church off-shoot in Boulder faces greater scrutiny – http://tucson.com/news/faith-christian-off-shoot-in-boulder-faces-greater-scrunity/article_88520532-c344-5e8a-8d9d-6a9a7c97c985.html

 

  1. April 17, 2017 – We have lost our daughter: Parents of Resurrection and Grace Christian Church members accuse churches of abuse and financial manipulation – https://cuindependent.com/2017/04/17/parent-current-resurrection-church-member-speak-accusing-church-abuse-financial-manipulation-grace-faith-christian/

 

Florida Offshoot – Cornerstone Christian Church

  1. April 1, 2015 – The Tampa Tribune – USF ministry is affiliate of church under scrutiny as a cult – http://tbo.com/news/education/usf-ministry-is-affiliate-of-church-under-scrutiny-as-cult-20150401/?page=1

 

  1. April 25, 2015 – The Tampa Bay Times – Offshoot of controversial Faith Christian Church comes under scrutiny at USF – http://www.tampabay.com/news/religion/offshoot-of-controversial-faith-christian-church-comes-under-scrutiny-at/2227024

 

New Zealand Offshoot – Victory Christian Church

  1. March 13, 2015 – “Cult-like’ church sparks concern in Palmerston North – http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/67319454/Cult-like-church-sparks-concern-in-Palmerston-North

 

  1. March 19, 2015 – People bullied into giving cash to Palmerston North’s Victory Church – http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/67441096/people-bullied-into-giving-cash-to-palmerston-norths-victory-church

 

  1. March 19, 2015 – Pastors control marriage pairings, say former members – http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/67454711/Pastors-control-marriage-pairings-say-former-members

 

  1. March 21, 2015 – Former pastor speaks out on ‘cult’ claims – http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/67467155/former-pastor-speaks-out-on-cult-claims

 

  1. March 24, 2015 – Massey Universtiy warns of ‘cult-like’ church – http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/67487872/massey-university-warns-off-cultlike-church.html

 

  1. March 25, 2015 – Former Palmerston North ‘cult’ members tell of emotional scars – http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/67499399/former-palmerston-north-cult-members-tell-of-emotional-scars.html

 

  1. March 26, 2015 – UCOL second education institute to bar ‘cult-like’ Victory Church leaders – http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/67509643/ucol-second-education-institute-to-bar-cultlike-victory-church-leaders.html

 

  1. March 27, 2015 – Churches reject ‘hands-off’ approach to Victory Church – http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/67523368/Churches-reject-hands-off-approach-to-Victory-Church

 

  1. March 28, 2015 – Victory Church leader disputes claims of “cult” – http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/67536122/victory-church-leader-disputes-claims-of-cult.html

 

Hope Church – Phoenix Off Shoot

  1. December 1, 2016 – Investigating Hope: The Series – http://www.statepress.com/article/2016/12/spcampus-asu-hope-christian-church-religious-cult-controversy-3-relationship-pressure

 

  1. February 15, 2017 – Investigation: Church with Tucson roots accused of stalking, hazing at Arizona State University – http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2017/02/15/star-investigation-church-tucson-roots-accused-stalking-hazing-asu/97965896/

 

  1. April 24, 2017 – Five Clubs Given Probation in Hope Church Investigation – http://www.statepress.com/article/2017/04/spcampus-hope-church-update

 

  1. April 29th, 2017 – ASU Sanctions Five Clubs Linked to Church with Tucson Ties – http://tucson.com/news/local/education/asu-sanctions-five-clubs-linked-to-church-with-tucson-ties/article_1776b51d-9684-58cb-bca1-e664d23a9d7f.html

 

  1. March 25, 2015 – New Zealand university bans Faith Christian offshoot –

http://tucson.com/news/local/new-zealand-university-bans-faith-christian-offshoot/article_d3631513-c2d7-53c6-a05e-fa909ff3620f.html

 

  1. July 13, 2017 – ASU Investigation finds Hope Church Violated Multiple Conduct Policies – http://www.statepress.com/article/2017/07/spcampus-hope-church-investigation-update

 

  1. July 16, 2017 – Tempe Church with Tucson Roots Sanctioned for Misconduct by ASU – http://tucson.com/news/local/tempe-church-with-tucson-roots-sanctioned-for-misconduct-by-asu/article_158a9c1b-c572-5518-b4c7-39de6a291e31.html

 

  1. August 4th – Hope Church Membership Removed After Religious Council Vote – http://www.statepress.com/article/2017/08/spcampus-hope-church-cora-update

 

  1. August 6, 2017 – No More Free ASU Rent for Troubled Church Linked to Tucson Ministry – http://tucson.com/news/local/no-more-free-asu-rent-for-troubled-church-linked-to/article_30872eab-2736-5bdc-8793-88534af7fa9a.html

 

  1. August 16, 2017 – The Future of Hope Church – http://www.statepress.com/article/2017/08/spcampus-hope-church-future

 

  1. September 11, 2017 – Hope Church Moves Off Campus – http://www.statepress.com/article/2017/09/spcampus-hope-church-moves-off-campus

 

New Covenant Christian Church – Albuquerque Off Shoot

  1. April 30, 2016 – UNM ousts arm of church that some at UA called a cult – https://www.abqjournal.com/783191/2-pastors-banned-from-unm-campus.html

 

  1. May 31, 2016 – UNM bans 2 pastors, suspends student group – https://www.abqjournal.com/783191/2-pastors-banned-from-unm-campus.html

 

Hope Church Sanctioned by ASU for Misconduct

Posted: July 16, 2017 in Hope Christian Church, On Campus, Spiritual Abuse
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After Arizona State University sanctions Hope Church for misconduct, leaders of the church insist they are still “in good standing” with the university. Not so, says ASU spokeswoman.

http://tucson.com/…/article_158a9c1b-c572-5518-b4c7-39de6a291e31.html

ASU Takes First Action on a Student Complaint against Hope Church

Posted: April 24, 2017 in Hope Christian Church, On Campus
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The student newspaper at ASU, The Arizona State Press, is reporting that ASU has taken its first action on an investigation into Hope Church and its affiliated student organizations.
 

Hope Church at Arizona State University under Investigation

Posted: February 12, 2017 in Characteristics of A Cult, Hope Christian Church, On Campus
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The Arizona Daily Star is reporting that Hope Church (formerly Hope Christian Church and FCC offshoot) is facing an investigation by Arizona State University after 14 former members (including 8 current ASU students) filed a 123 page complaint with ASU detailing abusive practices.

http://tucson.com/news/local/star-investigation-church-with-tucson-roots-accused-of-stalking-hazing/article_d4585b5d-605f-5bcc-be5e-077fbcac5828.html

ABC News in Denver Reports on Spiritual Abuse in Resurrection Church

Posted: November 24, 2016 in Uncategorized
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The ABC affiliate in Denver is now reporting on spiritual abuse in Resurrection Church in Boulder.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/…/cu-boulder-student-resurr…

FCC Offshoot, Resurrection Church (Boulder, CO), Banned from CU Religious Organization

Posted: November 23, 2016 in Characteristics of A Cult, On Campus, Spiritual Abuse
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The Daily Camera (Boulder, CO) is reporting that the Religious Campus Organizations group at Colorado University voted last month to remove Resurrection Church from their organization. Citing the failure of Resurrection Church to address the RCO’s concerns, the group’s president, Rev. Zach Parris, said, “We have a duty to protect students.”

Read the entire article here: http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_30596382/citing-duty-protect-students-cu-religious-group-revokes

ASU Investigation into Hope Church Progresses

Posted: November 1, 2016 in Uncategorized
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The blog, “Hope Church ASU Cult Investigation,” is reporting that the Student Rights/Responsibilities office has completed its initial inquiry into Hope Church’s campus activities and is moving the matter forward into an “investigation phase.” Hope Church will be notified and called upon to meet with the ASU administration. For more information on the next steps, visit http://www.hopechurchasucult.com/…/hope-church-asu-case-ent….

An Open Letter from Jeff Phillips to Brian Smith, Pastor of Hope Church ASU

Posted: August 30, 2016 in Hope Christian Church, Spiritual Abuse
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Dear Brian,

This is an open letter that I am posting publicly in addition to emailing to you due to the fact that accusations against me have been shared with Christian leaders in the community. Since I do not know how many people have received these accusations, and I may not have opportunity to explain myself to each of them, I feel the necessity to respond to the accusations publicly so that anyone who hears them and cares to investigate may find this letter and read my side of the story.

I am writing, because for the second time in a month someone with whom I have a professional relationship has approached me to ask whether a slanderous accusation they heard about me is true. (I use the term “slander” advisedly fully aware of its legal connotations.)

The accusations are threefold: 1) that I publicly criticize Hope Church at ASU on the internet; 2) that I have emailed members of Hope Church with criticisms of the church; and 3) that I have hacked Hope Church’s website. I will address each of these accusations in reverse order, because the last accusation is the most serious, being criminal in nature.

I am not entirely sure what the hacking accusation refers to, but I am guessing it is in reference to a Prezi presentation authored by a staff member of Hope Church that has been posted on the blog, “www.hopechristianchurchasucult.blogspot.com.” I have no official connection to the blog, nor did I have anything to do with the discovery of the presentation or it being posted on the blog. A former student member of Hope Church who claims to have experienced spiritual abuse there informed me that he had performed a Google search and found the presentation online, accessible to anyone on the Internet, since the presentation’s author did not have a premium membership with Prezi.com.This same student is the one who created the blog and posted the presentation. I did not instruct him or influence him in any way to create the blog or to post the presentation.

Regarding the second accusation, again I am left to do some guesswork, as I have emailed no one (members of Hope Church or otherwise) with criticisms of the church. However, the same former student member mentioned above is also responsible, along with more than a dozen former members, for the creation of a report detailing the spiritual abuse they claim to have experienced at Hope Church that they have submitted to the ASU dean’s office. The student told me that he had emailed current members of Hope Church to tell them about the report and that it was being submitted to the dean’s office.

As for the first accusation, I assume that this is in reference to the Facebook page, “Former Members of Faith Christian Church Tucson and Its Offshoots.” For the record, I did not create the Facebook page. However, I was invited to be a page administrator early on in its existence by the creators. Currently, there are five page administrators, including me. From its inception, we have striven to avoid making false accusations against FCC and its offshoots. We have encouraged everyone who participates simply to share the stories of their experiences in these churches. The many stories shared on the page, representing former members from FCC and almost all of its offshoots, recount similar stories of abusive experiences. Those who share their stories and those who read the stories have found tremendous healing in the process. I take strong exception to the mischaracterization of this as unfair or irresponsible public criticism of a church. To accuse victims of abuse for being in the wrong to share their experiences is to heap further abuse upon them.

I assure you that besides contributing to and administrating the Facebook page in an effort to keep it up to date and factually accurate, I have not organized any efforts to proactively approach your church’s members, the ASU dean’s office, or anyone in the Phoenix community with criticisms or accusations against you or Hope Church. The main activity that I exert regarding Hope Church is to respond to people who come to us in a desperate search for help and answers regarding their experiences.

Brian, I do not know whether you or someone in a leadership position in your church is responsible for the spreading of these accusations against me. However, based on the nature of the accusations and their informational content, I cannot see how it could be otherwise. If you have played any role in falsely accusing me, especially of criminal conduct in hacking a website, I call on you to repent and to stop slandering me before I am forced to take whatever steps I can to publicly defend my integrity.

If you had contacted me to ask whether or not I had done any of these things, I would have told you that I have not talked to any of my bosses or colleagues about you, Hope Church, or the spiritual abuse that I experienced in Hope Church. However, since someone has gone to my bosses/colleagues with accusations against me, I have been forced to tell at least three people the full story of our Facebook page, the stories of abuse we continuously hear from former members of FCC and its offshoots (including Hope) and their families, and the abuse that I and my wife experienced in Hope Church.

Recently, you reached out to me in an effort to reconcile. As I said in email correspondence to you, the advice that I have been given from multiple people including friends, a pastor, a professional counselor, and an abuse trauma specialist is to keep our correspondence limited to email for the time being. I reiterate my offer to you to correspond via email about any issue you feel needs to be reconciled between us. I especially encourage you to correspond with me by email if you believe I have done anything to wrong you, such as the accusations that have been spread about me, so that we can both make sure we have the most accurate information possible.

Sincerely,

Jeff

FCC Offshoot, Resurrection Church, at U. of Colorado Boulder Exposed for Cult-like Practices

Posted: August 19, 2016 in Characteristics of A Cult, Children, Discipline of Children, Getting Free, On Campus, Spiritual Abuse
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This is an excellent article with thorough reporting that connects a lot of threads in the wider FCC movement.

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_30267624/resurrection-church-boulder-accused-cult-ministry

ASU Investigates Hope Christian Church

Posted: August 12, 2016 in Hope Christian Church, On Campus, Spiritual Abuse
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A blog has been created by former members of Hope Christian Church at Arizona State University. The blog explains that a report of over 100 pages detailing experiences of spiritual abuse at Hope has been submitted to the ASU administration. The blog promises to offer updates as the investigation proceeds and can be found at http://www.hopechristianchurchasucult.blogspot.com

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