Former Members of Faith Christian Church Tucson and its offshoots

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

 

2. 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

 

3. 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

 

4. 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

 

5. 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

 

6. 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

 

7. 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

 

8. 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

 

9. 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

 

10. 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

 

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

 

3. 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

 

4. 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

 

2. 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

 

2. 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

 

3. 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

 

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

 

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

 

4. 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/

 

2. 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/

 

3. 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/

 

4. 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/

 

5. 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/

 

6. 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/

 

7. 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/

 

8. 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/

 

2. 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/

 

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

 

3. 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

 

4. 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

 

5. 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

 

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

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

 

7. 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/

 

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

 

9. 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

 

10. 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

 

2. 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

 

2. 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

 

3. 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

 

4. 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

 

5. 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

 

6. 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

 

7. 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

 

8. 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

 

9. 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

 

2. 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/

 

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

 

4. April 29^th, 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

 

5. 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

 

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

 

7. 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

 

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

 

9. 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

 

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

 

11. 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

 

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

 

The ABC affiliate in Denver is now reporting on spiritual abuse in Resurrection Church in Boulder.

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

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….

The last couple of days I have been listening to some sermons that Steve Hall preached about 5 years ago. I was struck by how much he appealed to the occurrence of miracles and works of faith at FCC to validate his ministry. Then today, the Lord brought the passage from 1 Cor 13:1-3 to my attention in two quite distinct and unrelated ways.  The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church at Corinth, another church with great manifestations of the Spirit but also with lots of strife and division, selfishness and pride. Paul told them, “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”

This reminded me of when I went to Florida with the Coopers and Saucedos to start Cornerstone Christian Church. One day we sat around discussing the problems that existed in FCC and pondering how Steve could hurt so many people, including ourselves. One of the people there brought up the triad from 1 Cor 13, “faith, hope, and love.” She remarked how Steve always emphasized faith and hope, but love seemed to be glaringly lacking from his ministry and his teaching.

On another occasion in Florida, after talking with Steve and hearing reports of some miracles that were taking place in Tucson, Bill remarked to me that Steve seemed to be using the miracles as proof that he was doing the will of God and his church was in the right. Bill brought up to me the Scriptures where Jesus had sent out the seventy, and they had come back bragging that even the demons were subject to them. Jesus warned them not to rejoice in their works of power but in the fact that their names are recorded in heaven (Luke 10:17-20). Jesus told the disciples that he had seen Satan fall from heaven like lightning, implying that the seventy were in danger of such pride and such a fall.

My prayer is that Steve and his leadership would see the danger in boasting in miracles while neglecting love. May they turn and repent from their abusive and controlling practices, seek to make reparation and find reconciliation, and cry out for the love of God to transform them into agents of His love, a love that can keep them from falling headlong and God’s sheep from being scattered.

–Jeff Phillips

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/church/what-not-say-someone-who-has-been-hurt-church#comments

http://tucson.com/news/faith-christian-resigns-from-oversight-group-amid-questions/article_6be65c89-dc98-5c05-bd53-f12c8ebc51c3.html