**UPDATED 5/16/13 8:38p.m.** Unfortunately all the videos I added below of the HTB Leadership Conference are now marked ‘private.’ =/ Hopefully some of you were able to watch them before that happened. After I finish writing and posting my testimony, Lord willing, I would like to share with you some of the concerns I have after watching much of the conference. I will tell you this much…Rick Warren already agreed to be one of the speakers for the 2014 HTB Leadership Conference, as announced by Nicky Gumbel.
For many of us who formerly attended — or still attend — Harvest Bible Chapel Rolling Meadows, we have valid reasons to be concerned about James MacDonald’s involvement with Steven Furtick. And I’d like to share with you another reason why we should be concerned about Steven Furtick that some of you may not be aware of. But first I need to share this with you:
On Monday, November 19th 2012, I was listening to Janet Parshall’s program ‘In The Market’ as I always do on my way home from work. She has many excellent programs that make her listening audience aware of so many things that are happening all around us, and yet often times go unnoticed. From a program on remote abortions–where we learned that a young woman can simply sit in her bed in an abortion clinic, and as she speaks to a ‘doctor’ via a video screen, she just tells him she wants to have an abortion, and with the click of a control on his end, a drawer to a small side cabinet at the woman’s bedside will then open. Inside this drawer she will find a pill which she will then take that will slowly (and tragically, I might add) put an end to the life of her unborn child. Far removed from the actual room where this is taking place, this doctor coldly, and intentionally, assists in taking the life of many, many precious children.
And on the opposite side of the abortion issue, Janet has had programs where she shares some good news concerning many women who once worked in abortion clinics, but then after witnessing certain things, such as a baby being born alive during an abortion procedure, they came to the realization that abortions are indeed murder, and they left the abortion industry.
Janet’s listeners have also heard many wonderful testimonies of women who have said ‘no’ to having an abortion just moments before entering an abortion clinic all because of mobile units that were placed outside of the clinic that had an ultrasound machine inside. Women were lovingly asked by prolife volunteers who stood near the clinic if they would like to come in and see their baby by means of the ultrasound machine that was inside. After viewing the active, and fearfully and wonderfully formed child within their womb, many women have their eyes opened to see the truth; that within them is not a “clump of tissue” as many women are told by doctors and nurses at these clinics, but indeed, a baby complete with fingers and toes, and many quickly change their minds and do not go through with the abortion.
However, in spite of the many heart moving, as well as very informative programs that Janet has had, and continues to have, she has had a few guests on her programs that have filled me with valid concerns. One of them was Gerald Long, who is the President of Alpha USA, and he spoke with Janet in the beginning of the first hour of her program dated Nov. 19th 2012. Hearing Janet express praise of the Alpha Course for all her listeners to hear, shocked and disappointed me. And above all, raised some serious concerns for the many listeners who would be influenced by her endorsement of the Alpha Course, and possibly choose to get involved with it.
Beginning at the 17:33 mark, Janet says
“..and I spent some time… about 20 minutes 25 minutes earlier today just going back and reviewing a marvelous message that Nicky gave at an opening dinner for the Alpha Course that I think with clarity says what the Alpha Course is all about.”
After the break, beginning at the 18:40 mark, Janet goes on to say the following to Gerard Long,
“…in all that I’ve ever read or studied about the Alpha Course I’ve been very comfortable that it is a clear declaration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
To hear her say that deeply filled me with concern, because, If you are already aware of the valid concerns that many have with Nicky Gumbel’s Alpha Course, it does not ‘clearly declare the gospel of Jesus Christ,’ but rather promotes a message of salvation by works, and introduces people to rituals and occultic practices, as you will learn by the information I have posted below for you.
Towards the very end of their time together the focus of their conversation was on ‘unity’, and how the messages presented in the Alpha Course is bringing many churches together. Near the end of her conversation with Gerald Long, Janet says the following to him about the Alpha Course…
“And throughout the core of those messages is the Word of God which is by its very definition transcendent, therefore it transcends denominational divisions, correct?”
And of course Gerald Long agreed. Unity among true Bible believing Christians is a good thing, but the Alpha Course is promoting unity at the expense of sound Biblical doctrine. And that is something we as Bible believing Christians cannot promote or be a part of.
You can listen to their 24 minute conversation in Hour 1 of her program here>>FINDING PURPOSE AND LIFE Be prepared to *roll your eyes* and deeply sigh out of concern and shock as I did while listening to this program. 😦
I shared all of the above with you in order to tell you the following: Two weeks from today, on Monday, May 13th, 2013, as well as on Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, Holy Trinity Brompton, the largest Anglican church in Britain, will again be presenting their Leadership Conference. Since 1990 Nicky Gumbel has been the leader of the Alpha Course. Holy Trinity Brompton church is known for their promotion of the ‘Toronto Blessing,’ with includes manifestations of animal noises and bodily jerking supposedly produced in the people by the Holy Spirit.
On their website they state the following concerning the upcoming Leadership Conference:
“HTB Leadership Conference is a unique opportunity for leaders from many different parts of society to come together to worship God and to learn skills which will enable them to grow in the sphere of influence to which they have been called.” SOURCE <Click here to see the list of 64 guest speakers, worship leaders, and more information about this conference.
One person among the 64 listed as guest speakers and worship leaders, is… yes, you guessed it…none other than Steven Furtick. And even though there are many guest speakers at this conference that I am not yet familiar with, there are others besides Steven Furtick that I am aware of, which will give those of us who are ‘earnestly contending for the faith’ (Jude 3) valid reasons to be concerned. Some of the other names that immediately raise a red flag are as follows:
Bill Hybels, Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, Luiji Gioia, a Benedictine monk, and Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. When I am finally finished writing my testimony and sharing it with you, as well as posting all the information I intend to share with you from the documents of Vatican ll and the Council of Trent, you will then clearly see (at least I hope and pray you will) why we should be very concerned for those who follow the teachings of Steven Furtick, as well as Bill Hybels, and others who claim to be Christians, yet get involved with religious movements aimed at uniting together, and slowly laying aside sound Biblical doctrine.
Below you will find some very important information that I ask you to prayerfully consider checking out, so you will be well informed and not be led astray by becoming involved in the Alpha Course.
CECIL ANDREWS – ALPHA – ATTEND OR AVOID? PART 1 OF 2
THE BEREAN CALL ‘WHAT ABOUT THE ALPHA COURSE?’
In the following video, you will hear Steven Furtick say that he is…
“…so honored to be a speaker at this year’s HTB Leadership Conference.”
I have seen pictures of Steven Furtick and his beautiful family, and have prayed for them as well. However, to see him (and many other prominent Christian leaders ) getting involved with movements such as the Alpha Course which present teachings that are contrary to sound Biblical doctrine, is very disturbing and clearly indicates a lack of Biblical discernment. A pastor is held accountable to God concerning what they teach and how they protect their flock, in spite of many pastors who reject the fact that they are to be shepherds who are to feed the Word of God to their congregations. And those who follow after Steven Furtick, (instead of following Christ) and who do not test what S F says and does in light of Scripture, (as God’s Word clearly shows us we are to do –Acts 17:11) will very likely be led into getting involved with the Alpha Course when they see that Steven Furtick, their pastor, is a part of Nicky Gumbel’s Holy Trinity Brompton Leadership Conference.
Also, if James MacDonald continues to highly praise Steven Furtick, and not make the people who attend Harvest aware of the dangers of the Alpha Course, (which I hope James is aware of) he will also be guilty again of failing to protect his sheep from false teachers.
Whether a Christian is a pastor, a teacher, or simply a repentant follower of Jesus Christ who places their trust only in the finished work of Christ on the cross, and rests in the fact that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, we are all to be Bereans and test things in light of Scripture.
Steven Furtick’s choice to be a part of Nicky Gumbel’s Leadership Conference, is a decision that could possibly influence many to get involved with the Alpha Course. And in so doing, he will be held responsible for any who are led into spiritual deception. (Mark 9:42)
In the following video some of the disturbing comments you will hear is… Nicky Gumbel saying to all the leaders in attendance,
“This is a conference with a purpose. And the purpose is to see the transformation of this nation.”
You will also hear Christine Caine say,
“We’re leaders… in the kingdom of God! “...you and I are personally responsible for the evangelization of planet earth before the second coming of Jesus.”
At the 2:32 mark you will also hear Judah Smith say, concerning Catholic monk, Luigi Gioia,
“When I read his emails it’s like reading an epistle from Paul.”
RELATED SCRIPTURES
“If anyone causes one of these little ones-those who believe in Me–to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.” (Mark 9:42)
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly .” (James 3:1)
“Therefore I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. I now that after I leave , savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:26-31)
Unfortunately, time does not permit me to express all my concerns to you in detail about the Alpha Course, and why seeing Steven Furtick (and so many other professing Christian leaders) getting involved with it sets off loud alarms in my discernment detection system and raises large red flags before my eyes, so please consider reading the information below so you can learn much more.
MORE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE ALPHA COURSE
THE DANGERS OF THE ALPHA COURSE
THE ECUMENICAL COMPROMISE OF THE ALPHA COURSE
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UPDATED MONDAY MAY 13TH – VIDEO OF FIRST SESSION
PLEASE BE SURE TO TEST ALL THAT IS SAID IN LIGHT OF SCRIPTURE! (ACTS 17:11)
ARCHBISHOP JUSTIN WELBY, CHRIS HYMAN, AND BILL HYBELS
YOU CAN WATCH ‘LIVE’ ON MAy 18th AND 19th AT LINK BELOW
8:38A.M. LIVE NOW!! SPEAKING NOW…ROMAN CATHOLIC, PATRICK LENCIONI, ON…
‘THE IMPORTANCE OF A CULTURAL LEADER/ SERVANT LEADERSHIP’
10:34a.m. LIVE NOW!! SPEAKING – PETE GREIG-DIRECTOR OF PRAYER AT HTB AND FOUNDER OF 24/7 PRAYER. HIS BOOKS INCLUDE ‘RED MOON RISING’ AND ‘GOD ON MUTE’
UP NEXT WILL BE NICKY GUMBEL
**LIVE!! 5/18th AND 19th CLICK HERE TO WATCH>>HTB LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2013<<**
WILL BE ADDING VIDEOS OF UPCOMING SESSIONS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE
(NOT SURE HOW LONG THESE VIDEOS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO WATCH)
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SESSION 2 PATRICK LENCIONI AND PETE GREIG
In this video, starting at 1:55:50, you will hear Pete Greig endorse not only personal revelations from God, but also speaks of Henri Nouwen, having a ‘secret place’ with God, quotes Eugene Peterson, promotes Mark Batterson’s unbiblical form of prayer in his book, ‘The Circle Maker,’ and he also encourages the unbiblical and mystical form of prayer known as ‘Lectio Divina.’
Clearly, Pete Greig is being led by his feelings and seeking experiences to connect with God, and encouraging those who listen to him to do the same. Gone is the reading the Word of God in context as the Biblical way to hear from God and to get to know Him personally. So much more could be said, but I was hoping to write Part 1 of my testimony today, but wanted to comment on the HTB Leadership Conference, and to post these videos for all of you, and to urge you all to please make sure you test things that people say (who claim to speak for God) against the truth of God’s Word. (1 Thessalonians 5:21,22, Acts 17:11) So many Christians are being led astray by these unbiblical, mystical, and even occultic practices that are being promoted by many so-called Christian leaders today.
INFORMATION FOR YOU
SACRED READING (LECTIO DIVINA) BY PASTOR GARY GILLEY
THE INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIAN MYSTICS MORTON KELSEY AND
JOHN WIMBER ON THE ALPHA COURSE
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SESSION THREE – NICKY GUMBEL (LAST SESSION FOR TODAY)
In this video you will hear Nicky Gumbel share how John Wimber prayed for him to receive the ‘Holy Spirit.’ Test what he says in light of Scripture.
INFORMATION ON THE TORONTO ‘BLESSING,’ JOHN WIMBER, AND MORE
TORONTO: ANTICS AND HERETICS – CECIL ANDREWS PART 1 OF 2
INFORMATION ON NICKY GUMBEL AND ALPHA IN PART 2 STARTING APPROXIMATELY @44:22
CECIL ANDREWS PART 1 OF 2 ‘TORONTO: THE FACTS
SHOCKING DOCUMENTARY PART 1 OF 3
FALSE SPIRITS INVADE THE CHURCH – KUNDALINI WARNING
AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE ‘QUICK CAPTURE’ OF THE SCHEDULE FOR TOMORROW’S HTBLEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, STEVEN FURTICK WILL BE SPEAKING. AGAIN, PLEASE TEST HIS MESSAGE (AND ALL OTHERS) IN LIGHT OF SCRIPTURE. I WILL ADD VIDEOS OF TOMORROW’S SESSIONS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
TUESDAY MAY 14th DAY 2
Again, I urge you to test all that will be said and done against the truth of God’s Word!
SESSION 1
PATRICK LENCIONI, CARDINAL CHRISTOPH SCHONBORN, AND ELEANOR MUMFORD
SESSION 2
STEVEN FURTICK AND DANIEL HO
SESSION 3
Mary Dalke - Living4HisGlory
Living4HisGlory 
Thanks for this information. I continue to pray for James MacDonald & hope his eyes will be opened to the wayward road he seems to be following now. I have stopped listening to Walk In The Word, & have re-directing my Change Partner monthly donation elsewhere where it can glorify God. It hurt a lot at first, but I’m finding leaving James MacDonald’s ministry was for my own good. A ministry should be all about glorifying God. James MacDonald seems to have gotten wrapped up in things of this world which are clouding his judgement & his ministry. I continue to pray for God to open his eyes. I hope I’m not alone in this. Take care & may God go with you always!
You are not alone, Kenneth. Many have left Harvest due to the direction James MacDonald has taken the church. It is a shame. Harvest used to be a great church.
I also am grateful for the information on this site, the resources, and the beautiful poems.
May God go with you as well!
Thank you for your encouraging comment to Kenneth, as well as the continued encouragement that you give to me. You are a true blessing!
Thank you for your comment, Kenneth. And you are very welcome for the information.
I can assure you that you are not alone in this. There are many who are very concerned about the direction that James has been going in over the past few years or so, and who still faithfully continue to pray that God will open his eyes so that he will clearly see just how far he has drifted from being the man he once was who preached the uncompromised message of God’s Word with boldness and without apology. Many also pray that he will repent and return to God, being determined from that point on to pray for God’s wisdom so that he will carefully and cautiously make the right decisions in choosing what pastors and conferences he should become involved with.
Yes, you are correct in stating that “a ministry should be all about glorifying God.” Sadly, it seems that many pastors today have lost sight of that truth.
Thank you, Kenneth. And may God bless you.
I will end my reply to you with this Scripture for your encouragement:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
I don’t know what to make of this, but here it is. I don’t even understand most of what is said here:
http://jamesmacdonald.com/blog/my-resignation/?utm_source=Vertical+Church+Blog&utm_campaign=b6bb94f9c3-My_Resignation_4_30_13&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bdbed4214e-b6bb94f9c3-2220577
Sounds like James is going off the deep end. The guy is so “sideways”, to use his own term, he seems to have no idea of what a pastor is supposed to be doing. I wish he would just step out of the pulpit (if we actually had a real one at Harvest), take a long vacation, get some counseling, and sort out who he wants to be. I pity the man.
That ‘resignation’ post James wrote is unlike any other post that he has written in the past. There seems to be a flippancy in his words and attitude that really saddens and concerns me. We all really need to pray more for him.
Thank you for that link, Kenneth. I just read it and don’t know what to make of it either. His thoughts in that post (though very hard to figure out) seem to clearly convey that James is very troubled right now, and I think the best thing we can all do is to seriously pray for him.
I totally agree regarding prayer for James MacDonald. I have shown the email to some friends & they don’t know what to make of it either. He doesn’t appear to be leaving his post at Rolling Meadows or Walk In The Word. My best friend interprets from it that he is lashing out at his vocal opponents on blogs & at HBC itself. I’m still confused by it. I hope God opens his eyes to the problems at HBC & his own personal troubles. Take care & may God go with you always!
I totally agree even though I still don’t understand the “resignation” post.