Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10).
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
and cry to her that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:1-5).
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:1-5).
It is remarkable how consistently David Hind alters the context and application of scripture in order to congratulate himself and align the text with his personal “vision” and building initiatives. He persistently sanitises the history of One Church, and that revisionism extends to All Nations Church (ANC), which was failing and close to collapse prior to its merger with TLC. The One Church website itself describes ANC as a “shipwreck” before the merger.1 This selective retelling of events reflects Hind’s willingness to be economical with the truth. (Psalm 12:2). In reality, the historical record is deeply concerning, as outlined in my previous posts. The false teaching and the platforming of NAR wolves by both churches is a matter that should provoke profound embarrassment, shame, and repentance. One Church continues to function as an NAR church, and with that comes the predictable abandonment of sound doctrine.
Isaiah 40:1-5 refers to the restoration of Jerusalem and the coming of Jesus Christ.
A voice cries in the wilderness.. Verse 3 introduces the prophetic voice identified in the New Testament with John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Jesus Christ and calls for repentance. (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23).
If these verses teach anything, it is the call to repentance and holiness. They offer no justification for physical building projects, nor do they support ventures tied to secular sponsorship. To apply them in that direction is an exegetical distortion, not a legitimate interpretation.
The primacy of the gospel
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4).
It is also necessary to consider whether Open Hands’ planned expansion represents an ethically questionable attempt to dominate the local charity landscape and marginalise smaller organisations. 96% of charities operate on incomes below £1 million, yet the majority of available funding is captured by the largest entities. The wider debate about the impact of large charities crowding out smaller ones is ongoing.2
The historical trajectory of Pentecostalism—particularly within the Assemblies of God—is deeply troubling.* Pentecostal and NAR environments are especially known for suppressing scrutiny and critical thinking. Yet it is neither wrong nor disruptive to ask searching questions; in fact, it is a biblical obligation to think carefully and to test all things by scripture. Despite this, legitimate examination is often portrayed as disloyal or even spiritually suspect, contrary to the command of 1 John 4:1. Paul did not evade criticism; he addressed it directly and transparently.
Whether the church should involve itself in secular partnerships—especially with corporate sponsors—raises a theological question, not merely a practical one. Scripture warns that alignment with the world’s systems signals hostility toward God, not neutrality. Any collaboration must therefore be assessed through the lens of fidelity to doctrine, not the optics of social engagement.
Open Hands unholy history
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14 cf. Ephesians 5:7).
Open Hands Trust received a National Lottery award of £446,626 in 2014, during Adam Simmonds’ period as Director and Trustee of Trinity Life Church. Entering into a binding funding agreement with the Big Lottery Fund — and its accompanying secular value framework — represents, in my assessment, a clear departure from the Christian principles TLC claimed to uphold. The pattern is familiar: biblical standards are set aside when worldly advantage is at stake. The outcome was financially beneficial, but the method was a betrayal of biblical values. The ends do not sanctify the means.
The projected cost of the new Open Hands Centre at 12 Frog Island is a staggering £5 million! Hind has already “prophesied” that God will cover the expense, a claim that conveniently prepares the ground for yet another round of pressure on his congregation to give beyond their means. The pattern is predictable: the financial burden is spiritualised, and members are led to believe that excessive giving is an act of service to God rather than a response to institutional ambition.
It is also necessary to consider whether Open Hands’ planned expansion represents an ethically questionable attempt to dominate the local charity landscape and marginalise smaller organisations. 96% of charities operate on incomes below £1 million, yet the majority of available funding is captured by the largest entities. The wider debate about the impact of large charities crowding out smaller ones is ongoing.2
Those churches that support Open Hands should consider the aberrant theology of One Church before rushing to support them. Are local church leaders so short-sighted that they do not realise that good works detached from sound doctrine achieve nothing? The pastoral calling is a divine commission to shepherd, instruct, and guard the church through faithful adherence to scripture. It includes the explicit responsibility to protect the flock from error. Yet in NAR circles, false teaching is not an aberration but a defining feature, revealing a complete abandonment of the theological duty that scripture assigns to pastors.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20).
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5-10).
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