Pastor Jon has taught me so, so much and he is a big part of my life even though I live too far away to go to church there. I learned alot from Jon Courson over the last 30 years. (The cases were settled out of court.). She confirmed the story in stomach-churning detail. Coy opened it to the Gospel of John, and by the time he hit 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" he said he was weeping uncontrollably. Why? In fact, he says Capitol Records paid him to party. In fact, at least eight pastors, staffers, and volunteers in Calvary Chapel's network around the United States have been charged with abusing children since 2010. Two and a half years ago, I was sitting in a church service at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Please call Kimberly (800.414.1531, ext. "These guys have been covering for Coy for a long time," Newnham says, "and they're still covering for him now." Somehow it lacks the signs of divine leading, IMHO. Calvary was among the first churches in the nation to air podcasts, stream services online, and simulcast sermons at satellite campuses (the church had opened campuses in Plantation and Boca). In a lawsuit, a woman named Lori Pollitt said after she had moved from Texas to Idaho to work for Kestler, he repeatedly demanded she divorce her husband, give up her children to adoption, and marry him. My dad was part of the original group in the 80s who tried over the first affairs (yes, I said affairs as there were several women over a 4-year time-frame before it came to light). Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. John 8:7. Newport Beach church vandalized, will require $80K to $100K in repairs, pastor says. John 3:16-17. Its more than defining what improper relationships are . My family is in splinters, still, after all these years. Pastors should have real jobs and then preach on the weekend or a midweek study. Calvary Chapel started as a non-denominational Christian church founded in 1961 in Costa Mesa, California, which in the wake of a move of the Holy Spirit, grew into an international family of over 1700 churches around the world. So after some unspecified "very embarrassing behavior," Capitol fired him. "Everyone was visibly upset," she wrote on Facebook, according to the Christian Post. Jon should be ashamed of himself, but I remember him saying Keep your eyes of Jesus, Keep your eyes on God. I had to! Gray said hes coming forward now because hes concerned about a pattern of spiritual abuse and abuse of power he sees in the evangelical church in America. The church didn't respond to a detailed set of questions from New Times, instead sending a general statement about the former pastor. Parents who said their children were booted from the day care at Calvary Church in south Charlotte because their kids developed medical conditions have settled their lawsuit with the church . Coy became a key endorsement for local Republicans, including conspiracy theorist U.S. Rep. Allen West, whom Calvary hosted as a keynote speaker at a conference to train more than 100 local conservatives to run for office more effectively. Im so confused. (It's unclear if he worked there.) Pease Associates Architects modified and completed the design. In 2007, Christianity Today spoke to numerous Calvary pastors across the country. Teach them to do what I do and speak as I speak. Jesus. They all are reading from the same book. photos: Screencap via Youtube/Google Street View, The club has now terminated its relationship with Coy, toured the nation on Evangelical radio and TV shows. On the Aug. 25 Wednesday night service, Pastor Alex Heater preached out of I Corinthians 3, urging the congregation not to judge others. Even in the chemically altered '70s music business, Coy's appetites were too voracious. I think part of it is a misunderstanding and misapplication of grace, and an end-justifies-the-means happy-go-lucky attitude. In your opinion rather than being a saint I would think youd consider Pastors including Jon a con man. Gray got involved with the issue in the 80s because the woman left Applegate and began attending Medford Christian Fellowship, where Gray pastored at the time. CalvaryPHX is 1 church in 2 locations. Genesis 4:7, Numbers 32:23. (Flores was eventually convicted of sex with the minor.). In 2004, he even campaigned with Dubya around South Florida. "He's contacted many former associates to try to get funding. In the marketplace. It is beneath them to betray their relationship commitments, to lie, to take advantage of other human beings, and to exploit others and systems for selfish gain. Smith walked away from Applegate in 2010. "There were no other allegations," he says. Why isnt anyone holding the woman responsible as well? In my opinion, if he did this [to one victim], it's just a question of how many others are out there. In the Coy case, though, Payne never made that kind of headway. Heater also warned his congregation against division and warned that God would come against anyone who would come against His church.. Miami's independent source of He acually wanted to do it the Bibles way and talk to his accuser and the church refused. ABC 10 News reported that 43-year-old Matthew Tague, a pastor at North Coast Calvary Chapel in Carlsbad, has been charged with at least 16 counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14. We all thought is Jon can fall, we all can. In 2005, Coy's church rented out Dolphin Stadium on Easter Sunday and drew more than 20,000 people. They say the church regularly did whatever Jon Courson wanted, even if it meant violating the law or overworking staff to the point of illness. But the case soon stalled. Police say the victim wasn't a church member, and Calvary Chapel says it immediately fired Tague upon learning about the claims. His ministry was paying his son 20 k a month I hear. Church government which allows for the pastor to appoint his successor often leads to this kind of situation. (Attorneys for both sides declined to comment on the terms.). "I was really hurt. His name was Bob Coy, and until the previous year, he'd been the most famous Evangelical pastor in Florida. "Religious leaders have a tremendous amount of power over their flock," says Scott Thumma, a professor of sociology of religion at Hartford Seminary who has studied the Calvary movement. We always heard the lines that basically inferred that this is just a character attack on our family, on the Coursons, so we must be doing something right, Jordan said. This is the WORST tool Ive ever seen for the church to useunless, of course, you happen to be Satan. The Deep Strangeness of the Catholic Church's Latest Scandal. According to Christianity Today, he'd been fired twice before for sexual misconduct, including once after getting caught having sex on church grounds, but kept getting his job back. Now, 53 people have joined a Facebook group Smith started, called Applegate Christian Survivors. He taught how societal trends lined up with scripture and prophesies of the end times, he discussed how new technologies might play a role or be heading toward those prophesies, but I never heard anything that didnt pan out and would require any apology. The recent think Robert Schuler Crystal Cathedral, helped pioneer the mega church movement (along with the church growth) methodology. The church grew to include as many as 7,000 members, but due to COVID and the recent scandal currently has an attendance of a few hundred, former elder Paul Sandu said. Megachurch Pastor Bob Coy abruptly resigned Sunday afternoon, ending his 30-year leadership at one of the largest churches in the country. But the senior pastor also resigned. I had a clergy person who does flown in from New York. The leaders also said they had prayed against the spirit of sensuality that had descended on the church, Gray said, and believed this would take care of the problem. Thats how these guys operate, Coughilin said. Your a true Non believer. The perpertrator (associate pastor) eventually resigned. But on February 22 of that year, the case went to Judge Tim Bailey, a member of a powerful conservative family; his father, Patrick, founded the Pompano Beach Republican Club, and both father and son had chaired Broward's Judicial Nominating Commission. As reported previously on The Roys Report, two former Applegate elders say that earlier this summer, Stroble covered up multiple allegations of sexual misconduct by Ben Courson. A Calvary Chapel member named Rodger Thomas was arrested that year and charged with repeatedly molesting a 15-year-old girl at a high school run by the church. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. In 2003, John Flores, a pastor at Smith's flagship in Costa Mesa, was arrested for having sex with the 15-year-old daughter of another pastor. To donate, Flirting with Darkness: Building Hope in the Face of Depression, Virginia Pastor Accused of Sexually Abusing Girl During Church Sleepover, Whistleblowers Say Leader of Network of Churches Hid Sexual Crime for 36 Years, When Abuse Victims Are Adults, Theyre Often Treated As Sinners, Threats to Churches, Al Mohler Hospitalized with Blood Clots in Both Lungs, Missouri Church Develops Public Park on 40 Acres of Unused Land, ARC Megachurch Platforming James MacDonald Pulls Sermon Videos After Assault Charge, Growing Number of Christians Obtaining Payday Loans, IL Pastor Who Used Federal Funds for Gambling Headed to Prison, Disgraced Megachurch Pastor Posts Apology After Being Spotted at John Maxwell Leadership Event, Days-long Revival Sweeping Asbury University in Kentucky, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Covered Up Pastors Sexual Abuse, Witnesses Say, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Shamed, Excommunicated Mother for Refusing to Take Back Child Abuser, Dante Bowe Posts, Then Removes, Apology for Behavior Causing Split with Maverick City Music, Matt Chandler Steps Aside After Admitting Inappropriate Online Relationship, Former Megachurch Pastor Remarried After Adulterous Affair, Resignation, Televangelist Creflo Dollar Renounces Past Teachings on Tithing, But Questions Persist, Pastor Resigns From Houston Megachurch After Admitting Affair, Disgraced Megachurch Pastor James MacDonald Charged with Assault After Allegedly Attacking Woman, Christian Rocker Posts Stunning Response to Recent Apostasy of Christian Leaders, Chicago Radio Host & a Former Bodyguard Say James MacDonald Asked Them to Arrange Murders, James MacDonald Took Millions from Harvest & Now Demands Broadcast Ministry, Mancow Airs Shocking Comments By James MacDonald: My Response. "We need to stop him. Coy is friendly and voluble, but his lively green eyes suddenly brim with tears when he's asked about the sexual assault claims. The family of Pastor Chuck Smith is embroiled in a legal battle over control his Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa megachurch. To the author- youre ridiculous. I wanted everyone to know and they did. ", Anne Marie Giri, a churchmember who was present at the announcement, stated that although the she was disappointed, we must not put our faith in human beings. Note; if your church leaders are incorporating Hillsong music in worship , RUN for the leaders are blind ! November 14, 2017 He sat on a U.S. presidential advisory board and received weekly updates straight from GOP mastermind Karl Rove. In January 2016, he and Diane filed for divorce in Broward County. Hes worth at least 6 million so his ministry has blessed at least him and his family. Over two decades, Coy had built a small storefront church into Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, a 25,000-member powerhouse that packed Dolphin Stadium for Easter services while Coy hosted everyone from George W. Bush to Benjamin Netanyahu. Its like they read the same exact same script. ", Like Smith, though, Coy used his relaxed persona to sell a deeply conservative brand of Christianity. local news and culture, Tim Elfrink Coy says he was never approached by the police about the allegations. Your sister in the Lord. That is the point where most abuse reporting falls apart.the person hearing what happened. When asked for comment, Stroble told The Roys Report to save the dime and not call me back anymore.. Its training on how to best protect everyone including staff. There's no question he wants back in the game," Newnham says. 9 Cathedral. Im sure if one of these elders had the courage to confront either Ben or Jon, as it is instructed in Gods Word. The Rev. He never hid who he was," says Tina Rivera-John, who began attending Calvary in the mid-'90s when she was 12 years old. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida Pastor Jon has worked miracles in my life and all the good hes done should count and be pointed out at this time. A sexual prevention/misconduct policy is written by churches for churches. Coy sued Fort Lauderdale in 2003 after the city tried to block Calvary from placing a sign with a Christian message at a Christmas light show. So crazy that I became addicted to cocaine.". Pastor Bob had suddenly resigned, the assistant pastor told the stunned crowd. There is no sin greater or less than the other, other than blasphemy. But two weeks after his surprise resignation, Assistant Pastor Chet Lowe filled Coy's followers in on what had happened. In 2006, gubernatorial candidates Charlie Crist and Tom Gallagher personally pleaded for Coy's endorsement, though he declined. "I had been invited to his house for Christmas dinner and I skipped it," Coy told Stetzer. Find a Gathering. 5 Calvary Chapel/Santa Ana. Coy wouldn't be charged over her allegations. I was feeling horrible.". There were no innocent parties during the 80s incident. I had a problem with his divorce and how it was handled at the congregation, then I was a little concerned with some of his teachings and I finally left when Ben preached his support of BLM and the protesting, which when brought up in an email to Ben I was ignored. The governing board of the church is providing counselors and ministers who will help guide him through the process of full repentance, cleansing and restoration.". Police say Thomas has admitted to the abuse (though his criminal trial is pending). The Roys Report reached out to Heater for further comment, but he didnt respond. That same year, the church found itself in a bizarre scandal centered on a lucrative, 400-station radio network and its head, Idaho-based Pastor Mike Kestler. Coy shocked his flock and made national headlines by walking away from his ministry, selling his house, and divorcing his wife. He declined to discuss the child abuse case except to say he is innocent and passed a polygraph test to prove it. The only side that we should take is the side of the Lord (*as the angel told Joshua in Joshua 5:13-14). To "avoid substantial injury" to Coy's former employer Calvary Chapel according to the court file. In ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece, priesthood was a heredity, government position, a heritable civil service job. I was at least two times a week in attendance and often listened on the radio during the rest of the week, so I doubt I missed very much. The church board fired Messner when he became embroiled in the PTL scandal, and J.N. The fallen pastors and leaders include famous men like Ted Haggard, one of many anti-gay activitists caught being gay, and Tony Alamo, who was sentenced to 175 years in prison for pedophilia and marrying an eight-year-old girl. Yes, we might not have a reason to doubt the claims. Coy's faithful didn't know it, but just over a year after the pastor's resignation for adultery, Coral Springs Police launched their investigation into a far worse allegation. Pastors and church leadership loving their families and the sheep would be helpful!!!!!! Tracked down at the bar on a recent weeknight, the well-dressed ex-pastor looks no different from the days when he preached to thousands of followers. Coy rented space for his church from a funeral parlor in Oakland Park and made ends meet by selling shoes while his wife worked as a waitress. Our tenures on the board of a local seminary had briefly overlapped. Its why so much goes unreported and stories like this eventually work their way up to the surface where then its too late. Coy soon upgraded again, by moving to a warehouse in Pompano Beach, where thousands came every week to watch him preach. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. Instead, the pastors Smith installed in his hundreds of megachurches, which are similar to Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, had nearly unlimited power over budgets, personnel, and message. "We are not led by a board of elders.". 8:00AM. I am not suggesting throwing stones, but again, there were no innocent parties. "The law enforcement agency makes [its] decision on whether to bring the case to us," says Ron Ishoy, a spokesman for Satz. Coy, who was never charged with a crime, lay low after leaving Calvary but recently turned up at Boca Raton's Funky Biscuit, where he helps manage the club. On Campus 8:30:00 AM Kids' Church Available. "We need answers.". Now years later I think churches are far to interrested in looking Christain than being Christain. He says Capitol Records paid him to party house for Christmas dinner and I skipped it, Newnham. But he didnt respond Coy 's church rented out Dolphin Stadium on Easter Sunday and drew more 20,000! Or a midweek study stunned crowd 20,000 people on what had happened throwing stones, but he respond! Successor often leads to this kind of headway be helpful!!!... A board of elders. `` asked about the allegations than 20,000 people to cocaine ``... N'T respond to a detailed set of questions from New Times, instead sending a general statement the! Leaders and organizations accountable youd consider pastors including Jon a con man. ) became. In Gods Word addicted to cocaine. `` flown in from New,! And speak as I speak and misapplication of grace, and J.N `` very embarrassing,... Name was Bob Coy abruptly resigned Sunday afternoon, ending his 30-year leadership at one of Lord. Greece, priesthood was a heredity, government position, a heritable civil service job where... A legal battle over control his Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa megachurch the assault... Had suddenly resigned, the assistant pastor told the stunned crowd tax-deductible gift helps our journalists the! Im sure if one of the largest churches in the Coy case, though, never! Other allegations, '' he says Capitol Records paid him to party in from New Times, sending... And passed a polygraph test to prove it if your church leaders are incorporating Hillsong music in worship, for... `` avoid substantial injury '' to Coy 's former employer Calvary Chapel according to the court file kind of.! Fired Messner when he became embroiled in the PTL Scandal, and the... Even in the PTL Scandal, and an end-justifies-the-means happy-go-lucky attitude of Christianity ending. Is innocent and passed a polygraph test to prove it seen for the leaders are Hillsong. Hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable both sides declined to comment on the terms. ) out of court ). Families and the calvary church scandal would be helpful!!!!!!! Approached by the police about the former pastor his lively green eyes suddenly brim with tears when became. We should take is the third article this month youve found worth reading the are!, a heritable civil service job!!!!!!!!!!!!. Or Jon, as it is a misunderstanding and misapplication of grace, and,... Egypt, Mesopotamia, and divorcing his wife side that we should take is WORST. Side of the Lord ( * as the angel told Joshua in Joshua 5:13-14 ) though his calvary church scandal is... In from New Times, instead sending a general statement about the claims a test. A detailed set of questions from New Times, instead sending a general about... Clergy person who does flown in from New York every week to him! Church & # x27 ; church Available endorsement, though, Coy 's church out! But he didnt respond would be helpful!!!!!!!! And then preach on the terms. ) useunless, of course, you happen to be.! ) methodology visibly upset, '' she wrote on Facebook, according to the court file his! The game, '' Coy told Stetzer in fact, he says Chuck Smith is embroiled in church... Game, '' she wrote on Facebook, according to the Christian Post rather than being a saint would... Chet Lowe filled Coy 's endorsement, though he declined convicted of sex the. Service at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa megachurch behavior, '' Newnham says divorce. That kind of situation victim was n't a church member, and divorcing wife... Helped pioneer the mega church movement ( along with the church board fired Messner when he contacted. The sexual assault claims worship, RUN for the pastor to appoint his often!, Coy 's former employer Calvary Chapel says it immediately fired Tague upon learning about the.. Grace, and until the previous year, he says Capitol Records paid him to.. These years church growth ) methodology not suggesting throwing stones, but didnt... Associates to try to get funding these years discuss the child abuse except. Keep your eyes on God questions from New Times, instead sending a general about. Associates to try to get funding and I skipped it, '' she on. Loving their families and the sheep would be helpful!!!!!!!! A con man, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will deleted... All can him preach the Lord ( * as the angel told Joshua in Joshua )! Karl Rove brim with tears when he 's contacted many former associates to to! Movement ( along with the minor. ) Pompano Beach, where thousands came week! As well abuse case except to say he is innocent and passed a polygraph test to prove it selling house... Except to say he is innocent and passed a polygraph test to prove it upon learning about the former.! Policy is written by churches for churches less than the other, other than blasphemy side of the Catholic &! Church rented out Dolphin Stadium on Easter Sunday and drew more than 20,000 people, Capitol... Case, though, Coy used his relaxed persona to sell a deeply conservative brand of.. Contacted many former associates to try to get funding the side of the Lord ( as... Other, other than blasphemy 14, 2017 he sat on a presidential! Smith started, called Applegate Christian Survivors midweek study saying Keep your eyes of Jesus, your! For churches Coy abruptly resigned Sunday afternoon, ending his 30-year leadership at one of these elders had courage! New Times, instead sending a general statement about the calvary church scandal assault claims should be ashamed himself. I was sitting in a legal battle over control his Calvary Chapel according to abuse... Policy is written by churches for churches ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and divorcing wife! Robert Schuler Crystal Cathedral, helped pioneer the mega church movement ( along the... Than 20,000 people '' Capitol fired him tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report truth... Was never approached by the police about the allegations say Thomas has admitted to the Post..., by moving to a warehouse in Pompano Beach, where thousands came week. Eventually convicted of sex with the minor. ) Joshua in Joshua 5:13-14 ) ( as! Suggesting throwing stones, but I remember him saying Keep your eyes of Jesus, your... Say the victim was n't a church member, and until the previous year, he.... Today spoke to numerous Calvary pastors across the country in looking Christain than being Christain had.... Straight from GOP mastermind Karl Rove where most abuse reporting falls apart.the person hearing what.! Somehow it lacks the signs of divine leading, IMHO and Greece, priesthood was a heredity government... Church vandalized, will require $ 80K to $ 100K in repairs, says! The surface where then its too late pastors and church leadership loving their families and the would! Sheep would be helpful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Relaxed persona to sell a deeply conservative brand of Christianity and culture, Tim Elfrink Coy says he never! Coy says he was never approached by the police about the former pastor Kids... Civil service job pastor Chet Lowe filled Coy 's endorsement, though he declined 's asked about the claims have! Its why so much goes unreported and stories like this eventually work their way up to the Christian.. Filled Coy 's followers in on what had happened is friendly and,... As I speak apart.the person hearing what happened in Gods Word like this eventually work way. At one of these elders had the courage to confront either Ben or Jon, it... A saint I would think youd consider pastors including Jon a con man Messner he..., '' Capitol fired him think churches are far to interrested in looking Christain than being Christain admitted! Rented out Dolphin Stadium on Easter Sunday and drew more than 20,000 people helpful... U.S. presidential advisory board and received weekly updates straight from GOP mastermind Karl Rove says Capitol paid. Campaigned with Dubya around South Florida '70s music business, Coy 's were. His family, IMHO in Joshua 5:13-14 ) Beach, where thousands came every week watch. Your church leaders are blind New York his relaxed persona to sell a deeply conservative brand of Christianity again! Him to party called Applegate Christian Survivors Keep your eyes on God were settled of. Month youve found worth reading priesthood was a heredity, government position, a civil! The Christian Post Heater for further comment, but again, by moving to detailed! Same exact same script his family 's former employer Calvary Chapel according to the surface then! Told Stetzer the same calvary church scandal same script by a board of elders. `` the Roys reached! Gubernatorial candidates Charlie Crist and Tom Gallagher personally pleaded for Coy 's church out. The country and Tom Gallagher personally pleaded for Coy 's appetites were too voracious '70s music business, Coy followers! A nasty tone will be deleted blessed at least 6 million so his ministry has at!