James MacDonald Suspends New Home Church Network Julie Roys September 29, 2020 Seven months after launching a Home Church Network (HcN) for those who "struggle to get to church or to stay in church," former celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, is suspending the program. Ryan Visconti, the Arizona pastor platforming discredited celebrity preacher James MacDonald is attracting attentionnot just for his new partnership, but also his provocative social media posts about women and marriage. So Rick was in the meeting, as were others, and they were defending saying the elders should not have the letters. Christian counselor and author, Leslie Vernick, took exception to Viscontis post. Opinion: What is Revivaland is it Happening at Asbury? Understandable. And she immediately said, Ill write a letter. That would be my word to Ron Duitsman. I was thrown out of the church we gave our lives to by a group of rogue leaders, MacDonald writes. I didnt know these things were going on, but Im so sorry. Hear the dramatic and sovereignly orchestrated story of how MacDonalds actions finally came to light at Harvest. Jesus died on the cross for to take the weight of our sin so that we could be released from it. Nearly 30 pages, innumerable charges between all those people, Julie, they served on the staff of Harvest Bible Chapel for somewhere between 40 and 50 years collectively. And I had already written back to Executive Committee Chairman at the time and said, we cannot say unconditional support. John MacArthur, for example, has preached, Scripture does not automatically permit divorce in the case of a physically abusive husband. Instead, MacArthur urges abused wives not to provoke any circumstances that will make your husband become violent. But if he continues to be abusive, The wife should remove herself from danger by fleeing the home if necessary.. Yeah. I agree that its loving to speak the truth, even when its unpopular, but the New Testament also has a lot to say about the way we conduct ourselves and how we should treat each other. And and Im still feeling it and Im still hearing from people. And I was just, it was entertaining, you know, on one level, but on the other level, just absolutely tragic. Dan currently is an executive and leadership coach and the founder of Front Seat Leadership. You can unconditionally love someone. I remember praying before the Harvest Elgin campus as a garage, and its a former corporate space. Pastor James will provide answers in upcoming featured video posts. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. And, and the drama begins. And I know its cost you personally. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. Tell Harvest Church board hows the fruit now? Despite being disqualified from public ministry by his former megachurch for a "pattern of sinful behavior," James MacDonald is preaching at Generation Churchan Association of Related Churches (ARC) megachurch in Mesa, Arizona. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. And I thought, Oh, my gosh! And I actually requested the letter from Sandy, because Sandy had shared some things with us about what she had seen. And everyone who stayed just drank the Kool-Aid. Do you expect ANYONE to say yes to your question. He knows! James McDonald recently did a video with Ron Duitsman, as you said, former chairman of the elder board, where he claims this was all part of a campaign by Dallas Jenkins, whos a former executive leadership team member at Harvest. I wrote back to her, and I apologized to her. It was demonic. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. Julie, are you saying that you support trans mutilation/murder of pre-born children/and are against conservatives? So I asked the other elders, I said, I need to repent. And they started reading scripture about the qualifications of the elders. And I remember reading through that scripture and reading through Hebrews 13:17, about elders overseeing and giving an account, and Galatians 1:10 about am I trying to please man, am I trying to please God? And this is when everything really started happening. But to also say, this was this was my fault, too. Guest Bios Show Transcript Many times, those who have experienced spiritual abuse are retraumatized when they try to speak about whats happened. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. But would he have been able to save face do you think? And I dont need to know. As youll hear in this podcast, there was a strong push to suppress those letters by those loyal to James McDonald. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. And he said, you know, James Macdonald had requested that I come out to a meeting and he had requested Mike Dunwoody and one other elder Mark Hopwood was a longtime elder from Elgin that we would all join them for a meeting at seven oclock on that Thursday night. They discuss the role of journalism as it relates to local churches and prominent leaders, and her her current work investigating Harvest Bible Chapel and Pastor James MacDonald. Id read through everything and all the letters. And when I read that, I just shook my head. And Im just grateful that finally, the board, open their eyes. Literally more than two dozen people. And we already know the answer: the men are in charge no matter what and despite their failings and abuses. Were talking about the difference of maybe a day. And I, the next day, I wrote and said, Well, okay, I respect your wishes. 28 Feb 2023 13:40:27 Dominican Republic, a resort there and invited their wives to come with them. And all of the elders should resign and repent for what they did. So what happened? Am I characterizing what happened there accurately? And they are even beloved by God. Can you share what was in it? when men make the final decision in the marriage, even if they consult with their wife first, chances of divorce increases 7.4 times . You disseminated down to the elders, and then that became really the sticking point for James, wasnt it? And that reminded me of something that Dan Marquardt told me. And I, I look back at those meetings that I was just describing, Julie, I dont I dont say this lightly. I asked Sandy Song to potentially write a letter. Judson University is shaping lives that shape the world. Its impossible to take evangelicals seriously. On that Haiti trip. And I was muted on my phone. However, MacDonald texted me an invitation to appear with him in a public forum to answer for the many many lies Ive reportedly written about him. The man does not make the ministry., God [emailprotected]. And to hear that, its still got to be pretty tough to stand up to that, or at that point where you like, now I know the truth, Im moving forward. I had been investigating Harvest for months. Whats wrong with Visconti supporting Kari Lake or speaking out against abortion or transgenderism? Because they stood up to James or they just tried to walk away quietly because they couldnt they couldnt stomach what was going on any any longer. So for Jim McDonald to say that he didnt remember like, Im not buying it, right? The Roys Report is a Christian media outlet, reporting the unvarnished truth about what's happening in the Christian community so the church can be reformed and restored. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? But again, you push that issue, you got those letters. And scripture is really clear that its got to be, you know, two or three witnesses. it's time for the cult of personality of James MacDonald at Harvest chapter to close and the actual Bible to be opened . Well she finally called Julie Jezebel Roys I invited Julie to appear in a public forum before and interested audience and answer for the many many lies she has told about me and my family as well as her bullying of anyone who opposes her or stands with us. There were six people who were brave enough, vulnerable enough to write letters. He scared me in bible college I wanted nothing to do with him. He teaches that wives should endure abuse like a missionary endures persecution. Then the board announced its executive committee would be resigning over the next few months. Whats the point of arguing the point, you know, like, okay, youre gonna say you dont remember that part. Makes me sad and understand why his life went out of control. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. However as I grew in age and hopefully in wisdom, I consulted other versions of the Bible. It was a battle in the natural but more than that, there was a spiritual battle going on then, and I think its still going on now. Harvest Insider Tells What Really Happened with James MacDonald. Thank you Jesus, Amen. Yeah Cynthia. Ed Stetzer was given a car by James MacDonald, along with a bunch of cash and other things that Roys documents in her reporting. If you hear that from the pulpit, or you hear that up front, I think, if Im sitting, if Im sitting in the seat, I think well, how fast can I get to my car and confess everything that just the Holy Spirit just brought to mind? Its come to this. It was one of the big red flags to me, or I guess it was a yellow flag could have been a red flag, I wouldnt have done it. This was a many time thing. Ive already told you there was consensus from board. The elder board is still in the dark. And there is one thing we know about Satan. This is James said what he said. 1) Julie Roys. And youre going to hear all about what happened in those meetings and the strong arm tactics that McDonald used to try and get his way. Chicago-area Republic Bank has stopped foreclosure proceedings against disgraced celebrity preacher, James MacDonald, and reinstated MacDonald's mortgage on his $1.5 million Elgin estate. But, I dont believe I have ever heard anyone say in any of these posts, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. As I saw it, this letter of unconditional support was a huge and somewhat desperate PR move on James MacDonalds part, to say, hey, look, all our leaders stand with us, I must be okay. And we got to a Saturday meeting then on the ninth. And he was the elder who insisted that scathing letters written by former and current staff at Harvest actually reached the members of the board. She keeps demanding I tithe to her and she will ask god to bless me. The whole crooked machine needs to be brought down. We can put it up on the Harvest site, and Ill read it to the congregation on Saturday night. May 19, 2021 10:53 am To some former Harvest Bible Chapel insiders, Rick Donald was not just James MacDonald's right-hand man; he was also his "hatchet man" or "smiling assassin." Load more Tell me about that meeting and what he did. And Dan said it was just so unnerving. And you know, told her that I would get it to the motherboard. Both are true. Sin has real consequences and sometimes those consequences are permanent. . You do that, and hope that the person will repent, and that they will turn and that therell be restoration. And I hope I hope that a lot of people have read that and they dont owe me anything, but I hope its been healing to them. That was positioned as an attack from the start. I encourage you to talk to Christian doctors who are fearful of extreme under no circumstances legislation that now forces molested preteens to give birth, and makes it difficult to treat a septic It just seems that the church of the USA is a joke. And so she sent me a letter before it went to the elder board. And Dean Butters letter came in that way as well. I thought the weight was dealing with everything else in there was a weight, but that was the weight. Yeah. And if I can give you a context, where I was in my thought process, in that. How do spot a safe pastorand can. And I turned to Scripture, and I went to Psalm 32, where you know, the companion to Psalm 51, where Davids writing. You dont know how I got ahold of them. Okay thats what Gods word says. He should sell cars or computers. Pastor James MacDonald. Hes not qualified. That this was all a plot by him that he was vengeful, towards James McDonald. I did hear from one after I reached out to him because we had another connection with another organization that hes a head of. . The Asbury Revival Is Over. All my legal fees got paid. And in case you dont know, Dan Marquardt was one of three former elders at Harvest, who stood up to James McDonald in 2013, and was excommunicated as a result. James McDonald recently did a video with Ron Duitsman, as you said, former chairman of the elder board, where he claims this was all part of a campaign by Dallas Jenkins, who's a former executive leadership team member at Harvest. Well, again, joining me today is Dan George, a former elder at Harvest, and one of only two former elders whos apologized to me personally, for some of the nasty things that were said about me when I was reporting on the church and James McDonald. Im sorry, before a so called board.removes a man of God they must first consider the fruit of his ministry. . But the one letter that isnt published came from Sandy Song. I remember saying to the larger board, Guys, it is the grace of God that we have these letters. Im Julie Roys. There would be no Roys Report without Judson University. (Proverbs 27:12). Dan also was in numerous meetings with James McDonald prior to his firing. According to anindependent auditof Harvest Bible Chapel, disgraced celebrity pastor, James MacDonald, siphoned off millions in church funds to support his lavish lifestyle. But somewhere around 2008-10 his preaching changed a bit. Gary Weigel, if you total all the expenses including vet bills, it might be more than a tithe. This is this is one of the biggest things elders could do. I remember that too. We dont know what it would look like tomorrow. And what happened and all the backroom meetings, private conversations and phone calls leading up to that fateful event? When I entered my UCC church-sponsored college, I figured out why. In this episode of The Roys Report, former Harvest elder, Dan George, joins Julie to tell the real story of MacDonalds firing. The Asbury Revival Is Over. For more information just go to Judsonu.edu/visit. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! And there were meetings on Wednesday, where James McDonald was informed of the decision of the elder board. He surrounded himself with yes men and used intimidation tactics to keep people in line. On February 13, the elders announced James MacDonald had been fired . Then, referencing his arbitration with Harvest, in which he won about $2.5 million, along with all digital and physical assets of Walk in the Word, MacDonald writes: When we won the arbitration and regained access to our teaching ministry, it was in shambleslike a model plane that had flown so beautifully, being returned with report of a crash, when in reality an envious child had dashed it against the rocks just out of sight.. Like Tullian Tchvidjian, he would be a great salesman. There was a push for him to be able to resign, and to negotiate on several points that we now know what have you know, let him walk away with millions of dollars. Thats a Tuesday night. My spouse and I and many others went to college with James in the eighties in Canada. What really caused Harvest Bible Chapel to fire James McDonald? It looks like these contemporary churches are just fundamentalists in different garb. If hes fired, and its in the church is very clear on him being fired and disqualified for ministry. I payed for you and James. Also, if youre in the market for a car, I encourage you to check out my friends at Marquardt of Barrington. So its critically important that the truth be told. Instead of focusing on who is stronger and who is weaker, why dont we focus on how both of us can be strong for the kingdom and live out the calling that God has given to each of us individually and as a couple?, Visconti also posted recently on his Instagram story that abuse is not a biblical justification for divorce. I didnt, I didnt argue with him. And it became so obvious to be like that that was what it was. Well, you know, we laugh about it. I also knew that I needed to talk enough so that it wasnt like, well, this whats whats going on with him? Because if he resigns, he gets up in front of the church, gets to spin things, and, you know, can probably relaunch somewhere else. There is a solution for our sin in Scripture. If youd like to find me online, just go to Julieroys.com. . Youre better off reading the Bible at home with your cat. But over there, you know, I, you know, six, seven people who had read the letters, probably more than that by the time, and we talked about what was in the letters. Well, maybe it had approval by the executive elders, maybe it had approval by Fred Adams, who was the CFO at the time. @Cynthia Wright Love your comment. Its not being nice, polite, or inoffensive. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. How can a husband love his wife as Christ loved the church when he is emotionally, mentally, physically, and sexually abusive? What is the point of bringing this pastors political views into the story? ChurchLeaders has reported extensively on MacDonald and Harvest, which began experiencing unrest back in 2013. I knew letters were coming to the elder board per First Timothy 5. I am so sorry to report that he has not changed. It wasnt an easy thing to do. Ryan Visconti, the Arizona pastor platforming discredited celebrity preacher James MacDonald is attracting attention . Is that an accurate representation? What do you give, he would have been removed from Harvest, theres no doubt. But according. Im gonna put it up on my Facebook page, on my blog. She wanted me to look at it. And I checked my voicemail. I also dont believe girls (or boys) have to like certain colors or behave and dress in certain ways to be real girls/boys. "Mancow Airs Shocking Comments By James MacDonald": Julie Roys' Response February 12, 2019 Cherie Vandermillen [Julie Roys] I never thought I would hear an evangelical, mega-church pastor talk about planting child pornography on the computer of an executive at a Christian publication. Dan, thank you for being a humble man of God. Prominent evangelical scholar, author, and missiologist, Ed Stetzer, is leaving his position as executive director of Wheaton Colleges The Billy Graham Center, Despite being disqualified from public ministry by his former megachurch for a pattern of sinful behavior, James MacDonald is preaching at Generation, An Arizona megachurch has hired Landon MacDonald as a lead pastor, despite allegations MacDonald bullied and abused those in his care while. But its a story that needs to be toldand rememberedgiven that MacDonald is trying to relaunch his ministry in Chicago. So who is he talking about? And again, youre one of the people who actually apologized for that. We had a group of Pastors who interviewed him and he gave us free tickets to his Straight Up conference. And marital and sexual satisfaction plummet.. There were voices raised. Ugh. We knew I needed to do it. I remember sitting on my couch waiting to press the button to publish it. Then pray for all of us. Because Julie, I knew that, even if Id gotten the chance to read it in front of Harvest, which would have been really hard, but would have been healing to people. We turned out to have six witnesses who wrote 28 pages with innumerable charges. Pastor James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel filed a lawsuit this month against two ex-members and former Moody Radio host Julie Roys, accusing them of spreading false information about the . . He is not a pastor. Now, now James is saying, oh, Mancow edited this to say something that it really didnt say. And most of them, a number of them, Ill say, have not read any of these letters. So that we could live in freedom. (We're a church of around 4,000 members & regular attenders.) Prominent evangelical scholar, author, and missiologist, Ed Stetzer, is leaving his position as executive director of Wheaton Colleges The Billy Graham Center to become dean, Despite being disqualified from public ministry by his former megachurch for a pattern of sinful behavior, James MacDonald is preaching at Generation Churchan Association of, An Arizona megachurch has hired Landon MacDonald as a lead pastor, despite allegations MacDonald bullied and abused those in his care while pastoring at Harvest, It has been said, Show me a persons checkbook and I can tell you what he cares about. Social Action, 1964 James MacDonald, the, Christian actor Kirk Cameron on Monday featured disgraced pastor James MacDonald as a guest on Camerons TBN Takeaways program on biblical illiteracy. 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