WELSH OUTPOURING DECEPTION: Y DDRAIG GOCH - THE RED DRAGON

http://www.mylgcc.com/

And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. (Revelation 12/3)

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.  (Revelation 20)

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’  (Matthew 7/21-23)

A BRIEF BACKGROUND

Prior to 1959 the Welsh flag was St David’s Cross.  The present Welsh flag was officially recognised by the Queen in 1959 after the Gorsedd of Bards (who are Druids) lobbied for the change, but not everyone is happy with the satanic symbolism of the red dragon.  

Prior to the Roman invasion, the druid priesthood was the undisputed power in Britain.  The ancient Druids engaged in divination and nature-based worship which inlvoed the sacrifice of animals and humans. Suppression of the Druids led to the rise of the “bardic school” .

Merle Severy, "The Celts," National Geographic (May 1977), pages 625-626, describes "the eve of Samhain... the start of the Celtic new year:

"According to the Dinshenchas, a medieval collection of "the lore of prominent places," firstborn children were sacrificed before a great idol to ensure fertility of cattle and crops. Samhain eve was a night of dread and danger. At this juncture of the old year and the new, our world and the otherworld opened up to each other. The dead returned, ghosts and demons were abroad, and the future could be seen.. . . Behind such Halloween games as bobbing for apples lie Celtic divination arts to discern who would marry, thrive, or die in the coming year. Behind the masks and mischief, the jack-o'lanterns and food offerings, lurk the fear of malevolent spirits and the rites to propitiate them."

"Tacitus tells us of the bloodstained Druid altars of Anglesey in Wales." (page 601)

Julius Caesar on Celtic Sacrifices

The whole nation of the Gauls is greatly devoted to ritual observances, and for that reason those who are smitten with the more grievous maladies and who are engaged in the perils of battle either sacrifice human victims or vow so to do, employing the druids as ministers for such sacrifices. They believe, in effect, that, unless for a man's life a man's life be paid, the majesty of the immortal gods may not be appeased; and in public, as in private life they observe an ordinance of sacrifices of the same kind. Others use figures of immense size whose limbs, woven out of twigs, they fill with living men and set on fire, and the men perish in a sheet of flame. They believe that the execution of those who have been caught in the act of theft or robbery or some crime is more pleasing to the immortal gods; but when the supply of such fails they resort to the execution even of the innocent.

"No other nation has had this red dragon as its ruling symbol. Wales has been under demonic oppression and under many curses because of this unwise choice. This symbol was only introduced in 1959 and is not the historic symbol of Wales. The gold cross on the black background goes back nearly two thousand years. This Christian cross of the great patron saint of Wales, St David, is the true spiritual heritage and owner of the soul of Wales." George Hargraves.  http://uk-christians.net/profiles/blogs/welsh-flag#.Ulp6j1A3u70

The Welsh Christian Party: "This is nothing less than the sign of Satan, the devil, Lucifer that ancient serpent who deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.”  http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/christian-group-wants-evil-welsh-2263878

THE WELSH OUTPOURING VICTORY CHURCH CWMBRAN - DO NOT MOVE AN ANCIENT BOUNDARY STONE

Bethania Chapel in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil is a very special place where the ancient landmark was set by godly men. In 1823 Bethania was set apart for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In the 1829 revival, the minister at Bethania was Samuel Evans, and after Evans death in 1833 John Hughes was the minister for thirty years.  Historically the overseers of Bethania Chapel had a reputation for helping many numbers of poor people.  I will not go into all the details here; the complete history can be found on the Web, in particular the article quoted below by local historian David Edward Pike is very informative.  

How disturbing to see that now the unrighteous have the use of Bethania Chapel in Dowlais after its lofty history.  The ancient boundary stone is of course a metaphor for the Word of God. God's teaching and commandments should never be crossed, and yet we find that many doctrinal boundaries set by the Lord of Hosts have been violated by Richard Taylor at Victory Church as outlined in previous posts by Rob Thomas and myself. 

SOMETHING DOES NOT ADD UP

In 2012 Victory Church secured the use of Bethania Chapel - the opening date was the 9^th of September 2012.  The Victory Church website claims that prior to acquiring its use, Bethania Chapel was disused for many years.   “After so many years of disuse it was a blessing to see this building re-opened…….”   http://www.victorychurch.co.uk/victory-church-2012-review   This statement is totally false.  
The details are a little fuzzy, but what is known is that a group of Christians named Bethania Fellowship were holding meetings at the chapel six months prior to Victory Church.  In March 2012, Bethania Fellowship reluctantly gave up the chapel having done some costly renovations to the building.  What do we make of all this?  It would seem that Bethania Fellowship were intending to stay at the chapel as they had undertaken costly restorations.  Here is an excerpt from an article written by David Edward Pike:

The building was subsequently bought (?) in 1999 by a small independent Pentecostal group which called themselves Bethania Fellowship, and so began an encouraging process of spiritual renewal for the old, historic chapel. It was this small group who did a lot of costly work to restore the building, adding a baptistry and a small toilet block. The Holy Spirit moved powerfully in their meetings, and many were saved. The small original congregation grew to more than thirty in subsequent years, and many were baptised in the newly installed pool. Bethania Fellowship reluctantly had to give up the building in March 2012, and it was then bought (?) by Victory Church. http://daibach-welldigger.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-reviving-of-bethania-dowlais.html

I do question whether the building was actually “bought” by Bethania Fellowship as David Edward Pike has written, because if they did own it, why were they constrained to leave?  On the other hand, why would they make costly renovations to the chapel if there was doubt about their continued presence there?  After the demise of Bethania Fellowship, there was barely time to draw breath; Richard Taylor invited his congregation to view the “potential new venue” on the 17^th of March 2012.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7dC648DOiU    Victory Church immediately started their own extensive renovation work, the VO residents providing much of the labour gratis, and the opening date was barely six months after Bethania Fellowship had left.  A very interesting fact is that Victory Church in Cwmbran and Bethania Chapel in Merthyr Tydfil are owned by one and the same person, Richard Sheppard who is a local businessman. How auspicious Taylor is in his connections; it is almost inexplicable. He rises above the law against the local residents of Greenforge Way with retrospective planning permissions and illegal congregations, all the voiced concerns about the vulnerable adults at Victory Outreach UK are ignored, no one looks into his finances, his congregation are enraptured despite all the contradictions, he does just exactly what he likes……one might almost say that he leads a charmed life, it is uncanny - but what will happen in the end (Jeremiah 5/31; Isaiah 47/7; Galatians 6/7)  Since Taylor likes to talk in riddles, I will give him one:

NABOTH'S VINEYARD - 1 KINGS 21

Naboth the Jezreelite owned a piece of land, a vineyard, which King Ahab greatly coveted.  He offered Naboth an even better vineyard or alternatively money.  It was Naboth's ancestral inheritance by right and it appears from the text that it was all that he possessed. To alienate a family inheritance was contrary to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 25/23) and so Naboth quite rightly protested that Ahab’s scheme was contrary to the Lord’s will. 

Naboth said to Ahab: "May Yahweh forbid me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!"

Because he could not acquire the vineyard legitimately, Ahab was sullen and angry, but Jezebel his wife said: “I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”  The result was that Jezebel, acquired it for Ahab by treachery.  A crafty and cruel plot was put in place which resulted in Naboth's murder.  Ahab got his wish to own the vineyard at the cost of Naboth's blood.  The Bible tells us that Ahab sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD (v20).  The spirit of Jezebel lives on.

Do not move an ancient boundary stone

or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

for their Defender is strong;

he will take up their case against you.

(Proverbs 23/10-11)

You shall not covet your neighbour's house. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour."  (Exodus 20/17; Deuteronomy 5/21)

Do not plan evil against your neighbour, who dwells trustingly beside you. (Proverbs 3/29)

Jesus Christ: “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”   (Mark 12/29-31)

Woe to those who scheme iniquity, Who work out evil on their beds! When morning comes, they do it,  For it is in the power of their hands. They covet fields and then seize them, And houses, and take them away. They rob a man and his house, A man and his inheritance. Therefore thus says the LORD, "Behold, I am planning against this family a calamity from which you cannot remove your necks; And you will not walk haughtily, For it will be an evil time. (Micah 2/1-3)

“And you (Elijah) shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.”’”   (1 Kings 21/19)

“Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons, declares the LORD, and I will surely make you pay for it on this plot of ground, declares the LORD.' Now then, pick him up and throw him on that plot, in accordance with the word of the LORD." (2 Kings 9/26)

THE WELSH OUTPOURING: FALSE ANOINTING, FALSE TEACHING, FALSE CHURCH - RICHARD TAYLOR VICTORY CHURCH CWMBRAN

http://www.podbean.com/site/player/index/pid/120396/eid/6218701

Taylors unbiblical sermon on the 24^th of September once again shows either his total ignorance or his total disregard for the Word of God, or both.  He says that there is no such ministry as “apologetics” or as a “watchman” and he calls it a “ministry of criticism”.  If this is the case the apostle Paul should have resigned and we should throw our Bibles away! 

Instead of addressing the individual concerns of those who have pointed out the unbiblical happenings at Victory Church, Taylor goes into a long rant about how such people are attacking the “Lord's anointed” (namely himself) and damaging the church.  The only problem is that he forgot to inform us that biblically, spiritual discernment is a vital God given ministry within the church for its protection against the enemy.  Taylor’s followers ignore those who are warning them about these things at their peril.

Examples from the Old Testament:

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.”   (Ezekiel 3/17-19)

Notice there is a very high level of responsibility for people with this calling and personal repercussions if they fail to warn others.

Jeremiah came against the false prophet Hananiah for speaking words of “peace” when in fact the people of Judah were about to go into the Babylonian captivity:  And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the Lord.’”  (Jeremiah 28/15-16)

God’s warning to the rebellious people of Judah:  Who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions......”  (Isaiah 30/10)

The New Testament:

The very first words that Jesus spoke when the disciples asked him about the signs of the end of the age were:  “Take heed that no man lead you astray.”  The Greek word is blépō which means – take heed, to see, beware, watch. (Matthew 24/4-5; Mark 13/5; Luke 21/8).

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  (Romans 16.17)

…..the gift of distinguishing between spirits  (1Corinthians 12/10) 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4/1)

The onus is actually on every believer to be on their guard against false prophets/teachers. The Bible is packed with warnings about spiritual deception, and these deceptions gain momentum just prior to the return of Jesus Christ at the close of the age:  2 Corinthians 11/4; 2 Corinthians 11/13-15; 1 Thessalonians 5/21; 1 Timothy 6/3-5; Colossians 2/8; 2 Peter 3/17 etc. 

The Bereans were commended for testing the teaching of Paul against the scriptures: Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17/11)  Any teacher who is not open to being questioned and tested against scripture is a false teacher.

As far as attacking the “Lords anointed”  is concerned, let us be clear that there is a false anointing.  There are those who are self-appointed and those with a false anointing from the enemy.

These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever. (Jude 1/12-13)

I have no hesitation in saying that Richard Taylor and his bit part in the schemes of the enemy fits this description very well. In the Bible the culmination of this false anointing is manifested in the antichrist and the false prophet of Revelation. However there are many warnings about antichrists and false prophets plural – those who have a false anointing from the spirit of antichrist.  Richard Taylor’s false anointing will incur the wrath of God and he will take his followers with him into judgement unless they repent.

I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.    (Psalm 37/35)

Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.....  (Revelation 18/4)

FURTHER INFORMATION

http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk

UPDATE

Please read the comments on the link below following Rob's recent article about this.
http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/richard-taylor-andrew-parsons-self.html#comment-form 

REASONS TO REJECT THE WELSH OUTPOURING AT VICTORY CHURCH CWMBRAN

We already know that the “Welsh Outpouring” as it is called has very ambitious leaders who have stated their remit (they say vision) to plant 50 churches in ten years in Wales. Richard Taylor is also touting for churches to host the "outpouring" throughout Europe and the UK in 2014. Equip 2013 is a Church Planting Conference being held at Victory Church on the 8/9^th of November at a cost of £20. Peter Anderson, Senior Pastor of Destiny Church Edinburgh will be a guest speaker at this conference on the 9th of November. Victory Church in Cwmbran may be an entry point for Satan to further deceive many churches which are already compromising in the UK and Europe.

Taylor and his fellow apostates have already set up “campuses” at Merthyr Tydfil, The Forest of Dean, Caerphilly, Chepstow and The Rhonnda Valleys, with a further plant taking place in the near future at Blaenavon.

BIBLICAL REASONS TO REJECT THE WELSH OUTPOURING

Listed below are several biblical reasons why Christians should reject the so called Welsh Outpouring:

• Victory Church in Cwmbran is part of ecumenical Churches Together which includes the apostate Roman Catholic Church and other churches belonging to the World Council of Churches.
• The doctrine of Victory Church is unbiblical e.g. Taylor says that unbelievers receive the Holy Spirit prior to hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10/14)
• Taylor says that he has direct words from the Lord, but these are very questionable.
• The two main leaders at Victory Church; Richard Taylor and Andrew Parsons have affluent lifestyles and are not honest or open about their finances.
• Victory Church have hosted false teachers Tommy Tenney, Roy Fields, John Glass, Lou Engle and Nathan Morris.
• Taylor's known influences are Reinhart Bonnke, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Ed Stetzer, Mark Driscoll, Tommy Tenney and John Glass.
• Victory Church does not have a good reputation with outsiders (1 Timothy 3/7). Taylor has upset local residents by holding nightly “outpouring” meetings without planning permission.
• Victory Church has been/still is operating illegally as they only have planning permission for one assembly meeting a week. (Romans 13/1-7)
• There are reports that the residents of Victory Outreach UK are coerced into attending all the “outpouring” meetings and are suffering from abusive treatment. http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/richard-taylor-andrew-parsons-self.html#comment-form
• None of the alleged healings at Victory Church can be medically verified; in fact the medical profession have voiced concerns. (http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2013-08-15/cwmbran-church-under-scrutiny-over-miracle-healings/)

• Taylor and the other leaders insist that they are addressed as “Pastor” . However the role always comes after the name biblically e.g. Paul referred to himself as: Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ. In the book of Revelation John refers to himself simply as: John your brother and partner (Revelation 1/9) etc. Insistence on a title is worldly and unbiblical. 

The list continues to grow............


RICHARD TAYLOR'S FLAWED "LEADERSHIP TIP"

http://www.equip121.com/news/leadership-tip

Here is Taylor's list of qualities required for Christian leadership: humility, curiosity, optimism, vulnerability, generosity and openness.

Going on to Taylor’s short video he says: “I just had this thought about a container – there is something about a container that relates to leadership”. The three things about a container according to the gospel of Taylor are: Size, durability, what it is designed to carry or hold.

A container relates to leadership?  Taylor's leadership list differs significantly from God's list!   If they must be oversimplified, the basic qualities required for leadership are commitment, conviction, competency and character as found in the relevant Bible passages:1 Timothy 3/1-13; 2 Timothy 2/1-13; Titus 1/5-9; Acts 6/1-6 and also Exodus 18/21-22. These passages give very practical guidelines concerning the way of life and the necessary qualities of men in leadership.

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3/1-13)

Paul actually uses the metaphor of a container to describe the weakness/lowliness of the human body:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4/7) The treasure is the gospel of Jesus Christ. “But we - Not only the apostles, but all true believers. Have this treasure - Of divine light, love, glory. In earthen vessels - In frail, feeble, perishing bodies.” (Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible by John Wesley [1754-65])

Taylor gives us a symbolic model of a container which actually focuses on examination of the container rather than on God. He gives us no biblical reference to substantiate this model or anything else that he says. Vessels are also used symbolically by Paul in Romans 9/21 and 2 Timothy 2/21 where he is talking about vessels for honourable and dishonourable use; in 2 Timothy the context is about holiness. Ironically the dishonourable vessels are false teachers such as Hymenaeus and Philetus (v 17). 

How ironic also that a container (boiling pot) is a prophetic sign in the Old Testament for God's impending judgement.  Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel prophesied about Jezebel's antitype, the end time apostate church (Revelation 2/20).  

Taylor's  “container”  is a cistern that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2/13).  I would actually go further and say that when the container itself is defiled beyond remedy, then how can it possibly hold the treasure? 

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose corrosion is in it, and whose corrosion has not gone out of it!  (Ezekiel 24/6 - see also Revelation 16/10-11)

And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holy to the LORD of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and boil the meat of the sacrifice in them. (Zecharaiah 14/21)

Despite taking up a significant amount of space, Taylor does not refer to one Bible verse and says nothing at all about preaching the gospel, making disciples, teaching the Word of God and the example of leaders.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.....(Matthew 28/19)

But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. (Mark 10/43/44)

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13/7)

…..and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2/2)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2/15)

Taylor uses the wisdom of this world/worldly tactics to give people a way of achieving their own ambitions rather than the wisdom of God for His purposes. Taylor focuses on how to become a leader and how to sustain leadership; his presentation could have been given at any secular management conference. He is an eisegate who makes throw away comments which are not biblical and not helpful. Some examples:

“Leadership is not about how good we are but how good we are in recognising and realising others.”

(Taylor's definition of leadership)

…..humility can actually increase one’s influence. (is that why we should be humble?)

“Genuinely caring for and recognising the talents of others makes real leaders.” 

“Be willing to receive intelligence and wisdom from all sources in an effort to further your view of the world.” (wisdom from all sources?)

There are many forms of apostasy taking place in the majority of UK churches claiming to be Evangelical, Pentecostal and Charismatic. This is what is referred to in the Bible as the end time “falling away” (apostasia) (2 Thessalonians 2/3). If past form is anything to go by, even if these churches do not embrace the so called “Welsh Outpouring”, they will continue to open their doors to unbiblical ideas and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4/1). Many churches have gone too far and are unlikely to repent, but true believers are being called to turn their backs on the false teachers and hirelings who are propagating insidious unbiblical ideas in their so called churches.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4/3-4)

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement. (John 7/24; 8/15)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5/8)

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; (Revelation 18/4)

FURTHER INFORMATION:

http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk/

http://eliora.hubpages.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVGAbYIgN78 Divine Tattoo Removal!

http://s4c.co.uk/clic/e_level2.shtml?series_id=510265514

Dear Reader – Do you have questions about Jesus Christ and how to be truly saved? If so, then please read my post: GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html

VICTORY CHURCH CWMBRAN THE WELSH OUTPOURING DECEPTION: SUSPECT QUALIFICATIONS AND INFLATED TITLES

CALL NO MAN YOUR FATHER  - MATTHEW 23/9

“Rabbi” was a title given to eminent teachers within Judaism; the Scribes and Pharisees loved to be called by titles, but Jesus Christ condemned their hypocrisy and pride.  It is also a Roman Catholic practice to call their priests “Father”.  However the followers of Jesus Christ are not to imitate these wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Jesus Christ instructed his disciples not to seek reward or reverence for their teaching, but to seek instead to be humble servants.  In fact Christ’s apostles were simply known by their first names; any additional information about them or their function followed their name e.g Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ;  Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1/1); James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1/1). In the book of Revelation John refers to himself simply as: John your brother and partner..... (Revelation 1/9). The point is that they did not seek any glory for themselves, they always pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Many false ministers do the exact opposite of the clear teaching of Jesus Christ and the example of the apostles; they go beyond what is written (1 Corinthains 4/6-7).

Believers have One Teacher, One Father who is in heaven, and One instructor, the Christ.

We see many questionable ministers who like to be addressed by titles of religious authority such as Pastor, Rabbi, Teacher, Father, Evangelist, Apostle, Prophet, Bishop, Reverend etc. Jesus Christ condemned and prohibited the practice of bestowing titles of religious authority amongst His followers: 

They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23/5-12) 

Very often usurpers bestow titles upon themselves because it gives them a sense of superiority and an opportunity to Lord it over others.  The problem about being “important” is that it is based in pride and self, it is a form of self-aggrandisement and it leads to the oppression of those mere mortals underneath them.   A title presumes entitlement - a belief that one should have special honour and usually a salary to go with it.  However all believers are equal under the blood of Jesus Christ. 

Taylor, Parsons and others promote themselves under the title of “Pastor” on the Victory Church website, and they insist that their congregation address them as “Pastor” as a prefix to their names.  This is of course a way to elicit a sign of respect and set themselves apart from others as superior.  Furthermore Taylor and Parsons insist that they are addressed as “Pastor” by the residents of the Victory Outreach homes.  I notice that on the Victory Outreach Website that they do not use this title however (http://www.vouk.org.uk). Victory Outreach UK are a charitable organisation that support vulnerable adults - the homeless, ex drug addicts and those released from prison.  VO UK says nothing on their webpage about their residents being obliged to conform to religious practices and yet the residents are obliged to attend the so called Welsh Outpouring at Cwmbran five evenings a week and to address these wolves by the reverential title of “Pastor”. 

Apart from their obvious deviation from the Bible and their false humility in exalting themselves with the title of “Pastor”, Taylor's non existent theological qualifications and Parsons suspect theological qualifications make it unlikely that they have any grounds to call themselves by any kind of “clerical”  title anyway. In the UK there is nothing to stop anyone from adding fake post-nominal letters to their name, whereas in other countries it is illegal. Taylor and Parsons have taken full advantage of this loophole in UK law and awarded themselves an impressive list of qualifications:  

Rev. Richard Taylor Dip Th, HNC bus management

It is known that Taylor did not complete his course of study at the Birmingham Bible Institute.  I could find no such qualification as Dip Th on a Google search.  Whether he has a HNC in Business Management is also questionable. 

http://victory-academy.co.uk/academic-leaders/

Pastor Andrew Parsons  BA(Hon)Th, Dip AdCM, DipPCB, DipPCEd, CG Cert Ed

Parsons attended the Birmingham Bible Institute and it is reported that he did not complete his course of study. The Birmingham Bible Institute do not go up to degree level, they go up to Diploma level only. Parsons cannot even get this right - the correct way to put this is BA (Hons) in Theology, not BA(Hon)Th! The other qualifications he claims to have cannot be found on a Google search. 

https://sites.google.com/a/victory-academy.co.uk/home/lecturers

Both Taylor, Founding Pastor VC and Executive Director VOUK, and Parsons, Executive Pastor VC and Executive Officer VOUK (he must be even more important than Taylor!)  Taylor exalts himself to the lofty position of "Rev. Richard Taylor"  on his Victory Academy website and also on the home webpage of the Gateway Foundation, the charity he founded in 2007. http://gatewayfoundation.org.uk  The title “Reverend” appears only once in the Bible: He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. (Psalm 111/9 KJV) This title is related to the Name of God Himself and it means to be reverenced. Another translation is “awesome” which is related to the fear of the Lord: “to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten.” http://biblehub.com  God is the only one who is worthy to be reverenced.  Anyone using this title is usurping a title reserved for God alone and is committing an abomination.

The Teaching of The Nicolaitans

 

So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2/15-17 also v 2)

The term "Nicolaitans" is derived from two Greek words..."Nikos" and "Laos".

Nikos is defined as: conquest; victory; triumph; to conquer; and by implication, dominancy over the defeated.

The word "nicao" literally means: to dominate-intimidate-manipulate.

The term "laos" means "the people" or the "laity".

The meaning of Nicolaitans is therefore to conquer (dominate-intimidate-manipulate-subdue) the people (laity).

The teaching of the Nicolaitans represents the hierarchy of a ruling class over the rest of the congregation, in other words a pecking order of fleshly leadership. This teaching is “hated” by Jesus Christ (v2). They are Hamans in the church, interlopers and usurpers masquerading as leaders but in reality they are enemies of God and lethal to the body of Christ, dominating through ungodly leadership.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20/25-28)

.....whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.  (1 Peter 4/11)

http://birminghambibleinstitute.org/courses

THE WELSH OUTPOURING VICTORY CHURCH CWMBRAN - CULTISH PRACTICES AND CONCERNS FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS

VICTORY OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL

Victory Outreach International was founded in 1967 by Sonny and Julie Arguinzoni in Los Angeles. VOI is involved in church planting and development, rehabilitation homes and training centres in what they describe as “strategic cities around the world”. They claim to be one of the largest inner-city ministries in the world having expanded into a network of over 600 inner-city churches and ministries in over thirty countries. The “vision” of VOI is to evangelize and disciple “the hurting people of the world with the message of hope and plan of Jesus Christ.”

Victory Outreach International in the US has a mixed reputation and a significant number of former pastors and ex-members describe VOI in very negative terms. VOI has been described as a “spiritual pyramid scheme” with founder Sonny Arguinzoni and his leadership benefiting at the expense of the slave like labour of the lower members. The leadership of VOI have been accused of being grossly exploitative towards their vulnerable adult residents with little accountability. Ex members and former pastors describe VOI as cultish having authoritarian and manipulative regimes based on greed rather than the benefit of the residents. Ex-members have reported that they were forced to work long hours without pay and that they were deprived of basic needs like food, sleep, recreation time and were forced to live in overcrowded unsanitary conditions. There are testimonies about forced “approved” Bible studies and brainwashing techniques in order to keep residents in submission to the leadership. It has also been reported that residents are encouraged to defraud the welfare system for the financial benefit of VOI and are told to fill in DSS forms fraudulently.

All this of course is in the name of Christianity!

There is some substance behind these accusations:

“State officials in the early 1990s found many church rehabilitation homes to be unsafe and unsanitary. After only four of the 70 or so Victory Outreach facilities in California got a state license, the church withdrew all its license applications.”http://www.rickross.com/reference/victory_outreach/victory_outreach4.html

“On March 22, 2010, Victory Outreach Pastor Max Garza will begin serving a five month prison sentence for Aiding the Preparation of a False Tax Return.”

http://www.examiner.com/article/victory-outreach-pastor-sentenced-to-five-months-tax-fraud-case

There is negative testimony after negative testimony about VOI on the following web pages:

http://www.rickross.com/groups/victory_outreach.html

http://forum.rickross.com/read.php?8,77975

A testimony from former Pastor of Victory Outreach Peter Belaustegui:http://www.apologeticsindex.org/v01.html

http://www.killermovies.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-491695-victory-outreach-a-cult-exploiting-the-inner-city.html

http://hausercenter.org/npnews/?cat=22&paged=2

Victory Outreach International in Ireland fares no better with similar horror stories . It has been said that Victory Outreach in Ireland are “shepherding churches”where every detail of members lives are subject to the leadership whose total authority cannot be questioned. Much has been written about illegal fund raising of VOI in Ireland.

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/bakersfield-ca/T0TLAHTL9B5HU4G92

"Bible verses drilled into memorization, long periods of study and activity without rest, long repetitive prayer meetings, further teachings and so on. Leadership is unquestionable (using the same old verse used by all Bible based cults and false prophets out of context "Touch not the Lord's Anointed and do His prophets no harm" 1Chronicles 16:22 / Psalms 105:15)http://www.oocities.org/athens/parthenon/6528/cult.htm

http://dialogueireland.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/8899/

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/bakersfield-ca/T0TLAHTL9B5HU4G92

http://www.oocities.org/athens/parthenon/6528/cult.htm

http://dialogueireland.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/8899/

POINTS OF CONCERN ABOUT VICTORY OUTREACH UK

Victory Outreach UK is independent from Victory Outreach International, though it is run along very similar lines. The history of VO UK goes back to the 1960s when it was founded by David and Dinah Sansome MBE. Victory Outreach UK offers housing and rehabilitation to vulnerable adults, many of whom have suffered abuse; specifically those with drug and/or alcohol addictions, those on release from prison and homeless between the ages of 18 and 40 years. As well as housing, they claim to offer counselling, care and on-going support to help people integrate back into society. According to their own website, Victory Outreach UK have four properties in South Wales and accommodate young people from all over the UK. In 2009 the Sansomes handed the directorship of VO UK over to Richard Taylor, a former drug addict and convicted criminal, and in January 2010 Victory Church in Cwmbran was founded by Richard Taylor with former addicts and ex-offenders. Dinah Sansome was present at the launch of Victory Church and I understand that she continued to support the work for a period of time, though this is no longer the case.

We have a period of about three years only from 2010 in which to assess the situation at VO UK. This is a relatively short period of time compared with VO International. However even in that short period of time there are very serious points of concern.

On the home page of Victory Church Taylor is very defensive and directs criticism to those local churches who do not go along with the “Welsh Outpouring” due to theological issues and ecumenism. Victory Church is part of Elim and is ecumenical. It is partners with the Roman Catholic Church and the other major denominations which form “Churches Together”. However, the Roman Catholic Church preaches a different Jesus (2 Corinthians 11/4) and the other denominations are members of the World Council of Churches which are all compromising on important aspects of the Gospel. One must ask the question: Would a true man of God associate with those who promote doctrines of demons and a different Gospel? (1 Timothy 4/1) Taylor has modelled the “Welsh Outpouring” on Reinhard Bonnke's model for “blood washed Africa” which is based on inflated statistics, unverified healings and false teaching. In fact sixteen (? some reports say 14) people were crushed to death at one of Bonnke's Nigerian Crusades, so it seems that attendees found death rather than life on that occasion! Taylor has the same agenda for Wales as Bonnke, namely “taking Wales for Christ”. However Taylor's “blood washed Wales” does throw up many of the same anomalies as Bonnke's “blood washed Africa”.

Victory Outreach UK and Victory Church are inextricably linked; they share the same postal address in Cwmbran and have the same people in positions of authority. Richard Taylor and his wife Jill Taylor are Joint Directors of Victory Outreach UK. The Executive Officer of Victory Outreach UK is Andrew Parsons who is also Executive Pastor at Victory Church, and his wife Susan Parsons is the Finance Officer. Parsons is a bankrupt whose previous company in Auckland New Zealand, Contrast Designs Ltd (2008-2011), was struck off by the New Zealand Companies Office.  Neither Taylor or Parsons completed their theological studies at The Birminham Bible Institute.  Kenneth Brandie, elder Victory Church and Lead Pastor at Cwmbran is also a Trustee of Victory Outreach. Other Trustees are Campus Pastor and Facilities Manager of VO Robert Hart, Darril Dowden (? no information could be found about him) and Chairman, 74 year old retired solicitor Dr Anthony Weston who lives in Hereford.

I would suggest that this situation fails to adequately protect the vulnerable residents of VO. Victims of abuse do not easily come forward, usually because of intimidation and fear of reprisals etc. Apart from rules and regulations, residents are subject to a daily work programme at the manager’s discretion. TV viewing, music and literature is monitored by the management. Though it is stated by VO that residents can leave at any time, this is not actually the case since many are isolated and have nowhere else to go. The residents of VO UK are actually sitting targets for abusive treatment with no apparent checks in place for their protection.

http://www.vouk.org.uk/vouk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/UPDATED-GENERAL-Application-Form.pdf

Richard Taylor: “I have to be honest here and tell you I take no salary from our church and serve with no financial burden to our congregation.”   http://www.victorychurch.co.uk/the-challenge-of-large-church”

Taylor uses the word honest very loosely considering he claims to be a minister of the Lord! The fact is that Victory Church contributes financially to Victory Outreach UK. Taylor's salary therefore does come indirectly from Victory Church as does his house, his Jaguar and other benefits which contribute to his excessive lifestyle. Taylor and his wife, Parsons and his wife along with others employed by Victory Outreach UK do therefore benefit financially from Victory Church.

Another financial anomaly is that in 2008 Victory Outreach UK were ineligible for funding. Apparently this decision was taken by the SPRG Inspectors because the Sansomes would not compromise their faith and comply with the condition to remove scripture passages from the funded rehabilitation centres. VO's 2011/12 financial statement shows a figure of £413,649 for grants and donations – clearly VO are getting funding now. This funding is subsidising the extravagant lifestyles of Taylor and Parsons and the taxpayer is footing the bill! Perversely Taylor continually pleads poverty for Victory Church on his "outpouring" podcasts.

The number of houses available for vulnerable adults was reported as six by Radio Wales in 2009. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/allthingsconsidered/updates/20091220.shtml

According to the VO UK website, there are now only four houses available. Both Taylor and Parsons live in large houses owned by Victory Outreach. All the residents have been moved out of the Tredegar home and it is currently occupied by two managers. In VO UK's financial statement of 2011/12, the cost of vehicles was £81,187 and yet no ministry vehicle was purchased during that time. VO also picks up the tab for services to their private vehicles. The lifestyles of the leaders is clearly a very far cry from the vulnerable Victory “volunteer army” who live on benefits and probably far exceeds most of their local congregation. Whatever happened to the principle of …..being an example to the flock (1 Peter 5/3)?

It has been argued that the “Welsh Outpouring” must be genuine because so many ex-prisoners and drug addicts attend the nightly “outpouring” events. However the reason for this is that the residents of the Victory Outreach homes are coerced into attending all the events and are bussed to VC in Cwmbran and other "outpouring" locations. I have been informed that refusal to attend these events results in eviction. Someone commented on my previous article: “Essentially the same congregation travel to all the different churches and they boast great numbers whereas they are the same people.”  Like Bonnke's African Crusades, the “Welsh Outpouring” gives a false impression of numbers and success which no doubt attracts the attention of other deluded people who hope for “a touch from the Lord”, or those simply curious about what is going on. Another concern is that the vulnerable adults who attend every single “outpouring” event are subjected to hours of so called “worship” and false doctrine. Some have called the worship Kundalini Yoga because of the similarity to mantras which induces mass hypnotism, falling down backwards and other non-biblical phenomena.

Just as in VOI, the residents of VO UK attend compulsory Bible studies:

“They (the boys from the rehab homes) meet regularly for bible study but every day scripture teaching and study is essential in the homes.”

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=49165&forum=35&start=30&viewmode=flat

Rehabilitation homes and programmes for vulnerable adults combined with obligatory participation in a religious agenda is illegal.  By law those vulnerable adults who need this kind of support should not be forced to submit to a religious regime as a condition of receiving help (The Human Rights Act 1998). The question might reasonably be asked: What exactly are these vulnerable adults being exposed to and could their obligatory participation in the “Welsh Outpouring” be harmful to them?

Jeff VanVonderen: "Spiritual abuse occurs when someone in a position of spiritual authority, the purpose of which is to 'come underneath' and serve, build, equip and make a deity's or a god's people MORE free, misuses that authority placing themselves over a god's people to control, coerce or manipulate them for seemingly godly purposes which are really their own. "http://daviswiki.org/Recovering_From_Spiritual_Abuse

Reports continue to emerge about very serious abuse taking place against the VO residents. The comments on the link below are extremely concerning:

http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/richard-taylor-andrew-parsons-self.html#comment-form

Taylor issued "A WARNING FROM THE LORD" !!!!  “I have been warned by the Lord; the Lord spoke to me very clearly...........this is a warning from the Lord. You need to be in every outpouring meeting because there could be just one meeting, one moment which could change your life forever and you could miss it..............” This “warning” was reiterated three times! God would be very cruel indeed if it were possible to miss His touch upon our lives by missing “just one meeting – one moment”.  This is the way that the local members of Victory Church are spiritually blackmailed into attending every “outpouring” event, on top of which they also have regular church activities “cluster groups, church planting, academy on a Saturday morning and the preaching on a Sunday.”

In a false teaching entitled “The Favour of the King” based on Esther 5-7, Taylor encourages people: “Bring your enemy into the house of God – into the presence of the King.” According to Taylor, if you come to Victory Church and worship God enough times then your problems (which Taylor defines as your “enemy”) will be turned around by God.  However this is dependent upon “coming into the house”  i.e. Taylors meetings. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMfGGSFBUQw&list=PLhx3cjU7yKbWOrDrAd7r5hjRwnwHDS83T

The ridiculous notion that the favour of God depends upon attending Taylor's meetings is unconscionable, in fact in my opinion the opposite is probably true, but this is exactly what cult leaders do.  Biblically: …..where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. (Matthew 18/20) But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6/6) The problem is that we cannot make a formula out of Queen Esther's example with King Xerxes and Haman to apply to our own situations. The Apostle Paul: I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. (Philippians 4/12) What would the martyrs and the persecuted church say about this teaching?

Special entrance cards have been issued to “regular supporters “ so that they can use the “academy door” and avoid the queues. Should believers make distinctions amongst themselves and give favour to those who regular givers as against those who are needy and vulnerable? The apostle James tells us that if the better off people are given advantages this is the sin of partiality (James 2/1-12). Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonoured the poor man. (James 2/5-6) The two class system at Victory Church is totally against the teaching of the apostles which says that we should have equal concern for one another. This is something that is reiterated again and again in the Bible because God himself shows no partiality (Romans 2/11).

Please feel free to write your own comments, even if anonymous, if you or anyone you know has had a negative experience with VO UK.

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. (Psalm 82/3)

http://www.gilstraplaw.com/articles_detail.sstg?id=40 sexual abuse Esudero ex pastor

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/25/victory-christian-center-abuse-scandal-chris-denman-_n_1914175.html

http://inthehat.blogspot.co.uk/2005/07/kilroy-accident-confirmed-rumor-of.html

http://www.reocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/6528/cult.htm

http://www.rickross.com/groups/victory_outreach.html

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/rbonnke.html

http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/2115308?backurl=/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/search?mode%3Dstandard%26type%3Dentities%26q%3D2115308

http://eliora.hubpages.com/hub/WELSH-OUTPOURING-DECEPTION-AT-CWMBRAN-RICHARD-TAYLOR