I know very little about a Canadian named Peter Youngren. I do know he has been on the fringes of pentecostalism for several years, makes big claims, and bills himself as an evangelist and healer.
Youngren applied to the CRTC for a licence for what is now called Grace Television Network in 2009. The CRTC approval is Gazetted here. He is affiliated with Open Bible Faith Fellowship which has been a registered charity since 1982. I’m puzzled as to why this fellowship would have a front man with so many personal problems which preclude people in most denominations from holding leadership positions. If you head out on forums, people who follow him are well aware of his latest affair with a worship leader and divorce proceedings from wife #2. They are aware he has made a lot of money overseas. Who is Youngren accountable too?
He has an organization called World Impact Ministries and a show called Celebrating Life with Jesus airing on Vision TV.
ChristianWeek was not able to get an interview with Youngren, and word is out Charisma Magazine in the US is going to being doing an investigative piece on Youngren. Moncton Metro News:
Christian Minister Peter Youngren who rakes in millions on TV from gullible donors, is leaving his second wife to marry a third and recently got a young lady in his ministry pregnant who was not his wife this has all been confirmed. Charisma Magazine is presently looking into all of this for those of you who do not believe that Peter could have done these things… nonetheless, he did and has not stepped to the plate to repent and is still seeking millions in donations from gullible Christians.
While we believe in restoration, we also believe that the ones being taken in by these wolves in sheep’s clothing are much more important than anyone’s “reputation”… to rebuke myself or anyone else for asking Peter to step down fro a time of restoration is ungodly and cruel to those who have lost finances that Peter has taken.
Some would say that such a minister should not be brought into the open as is now being done…however, had Peter acknowledged his moral failures there would be no need to go public.
ChristianWeek hit the proverbial brick wall:
I’ve been assigned to interview Youngren for ChristianWeek, but tracking him down proves more difficult than expected.
When I contact WIM, Thurber explains that Youngren is not available for interview personally as he is currently ministering in the U.S. I try again the following week, when he is in the office briefly, but Youngren is too busy with other obligations to take my call or respond to emailed questions. I try again, but the following week Youngren is off to Africa, where hundreds of thousands have attended his speaking events.
I find myself writing an article about a man’s personal vision without having discussed it with him personally which is hard, considering Youngren’s vision is to impact Christians across the country and shape our spiritual message to the world.
So I call three others in the Canadian Christian media, explaining the breadth of Youngren’s vision and ask if they have interviewed him about it personally; none have. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada has heard of Youngren’s ministry, but have no comment to make.
Thurber points me to an exclusive article that ran in in Maranatha News in March. In it Youngren offers written replies to a list of questions.
I found a 2004 Marantha news interview with Youngren here and the March 2009 interview with Marantha is here.
Youngren runs World Impact Ministries. The ‘bible school’ which he runs does not appear to be accredited and the online fees are $170.00. This guy attended in person and spent 3500 dollars. Â Just about everything he offers is for sale, from books to tours to courses. He also runs a tour group to Israel called Way of Peace. I can’t figure out if the three churches he seems to be a part of in Southern Ontario called Celebration are run under the authority of Open Bible Fellowship or are independents. Two were registered in 1991 by Youngren, and one of his older sons resigned as a leader from the Toronto church the end of 2009. A daughter left World Impact Ministries.
He gets a mention in a 1993 article in the New York Times as founder of Moscow Christian Center, and appears to be your standard Word-Faith (prosperity) teacher. He still has a program on Vision TV.
His World Impact Ministries had assets of about 5 million in 2008 according to the tax return. It was registered in 1976.
Grace TV “Building your gospel voice to the world’ is a non-profit with grand plans. Most of the programming is prosperity gospel and New Apostolic Reformation. It is cross platformed into Facebook, Twitter, blog, mobile apps andÂsells merchandise, tours and conferences, as Youngren attempts to separate a new group of believers from their money.
It remains to be seen what Charisma magazine may say about him, it is not a magazine known for investigative articles. However if people inclined believe what they see as gospel are warned about another Canadian charlatan with personal problems, that’s a bonus.
hahahha – I just came across this video of jim bakker interviewing peter youngren. its about 2 years old and in it peter brags about how he has 4 kids and an ‘awesome’ wife. according to peter the reason he is leaving roxanne is due to 25 years of a terrible marriage. was he lying then or is he lying now? check it out, he makes his statement early on in the interview
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5863695924440129884#
Thank you for speaking up, I am so sorry for what your family has been through.
Phatityahu!
Haha, I bear witness that “Phatityahu” is telling 100% truth. I also know for fact that he can’t be lying because we were there at WIBI together!
Phatty, I am SOOOOOO glad you spoke up. Thank Yah! Halleluyah!
This really has put a smile on my face today!
– Adam
*due to doctrinal issues*
Can’t have proper diction when my chips fall into my pop it seems…
peter popoff, baker, youngren, ….to be remembered by….what a line up….
I can tell you that i also attended wibi in the year of 98, and i knew about the affair with the girl from Sweden.There are many things that i know to be true but what i feel very saddened about is that Nathan Thurber was such a nice fellow back then.How could you allow yourself to be tangled up with the likes of P.Y. I have spoken to this girl and met p.y.son that she had by him. He is such a nice kid and looks just like his father. Peter, you have to know that what you are doing is wrong. Grace is not a license to sin and don`t fool yourself. This is a very serious matter.Just read the word of God and see what He says about liars, cheater etc.I`am very saddened by this turn of events and the Lord has given me dreams about P.Y. and it`s not good. Just come clean before the Lord and be honest with yourself. You have hurt many people including myself, but i`am strong in Christ and it`s` him that i keep my eyes on. I was never impressed with p.y, i just looked at him as a man who taught bible school.
Those who accuse people who are bringing darkness to light of being judgmental or judging need to shake their holier than thou heads. PY needs to be exposed and if what is coming to light is bad, well it surely is not the fault of the one bringing it out. A friend of mine, a missionary, who volunteered to help out at PY crusade was horribly mistreated and yelled at by PY himself when the results did not measure up to PY’s expectations. Although the gracewalk people keep insisting grace is not a license to sin, then what is it in this case? On another note, what is it with tv evangelists? Are there any out there who did not disgrace the body of Christ? No wonder the world lists least likeable people like used car salesmen, lawyers with tv evangelists.
First off I would like to a “Sorry” for all my wrong doings! all the ladies I have had and monies I have taken…One thing is forsure….I am rich and most of you are not! I will continue to be rich and people will continue to follow me and give of their substance! To all of those who feel “hurt & betraded” by me…well….move along! this thing I began many years ago will long out live me! my books will continue to make money for my family…my ministry will go on! any press is good press….I have always told my followers this!
God Bless You!
Peter Youngren
Hopesome:
In response to your curiosity how the Holy Spirit can reside in a vessel while it sins, remember that all of us sin occasionally. Some of us lie, sometimes we are proud, some of us are obese (gluttony), some of us smoke (bondage), some of us gossip (slander) etc. etc. Yet the Holy Spirit still resides in us! Christ indeed lives in us!
Sure its not the ‘hollier than thou spirit’that he resides with.
The HOLY SPIRIT is very selective ‘when it comes to whom he chooses to walk with!
Ha Ha Ha, after reading the post by Peter Youngren #157 I really think it might be him. That is the problem with this type of person. PY does not care a bit about who is hurt, how many families destroyed, how much money bilked from innocent trusting hands, his wifes loyalty, his legacy, his reputation for you see this is a business for PY and business is good.
In respect of post #157:…
PY is an intelligent man and would not, to my way of thinking at least, articulate himself or otherwise potentially incriminate himself by writing such a submission in a blog thread. I do not believe the author of thread # 157 was PY.
For those of us who profess to have ”Faith” it is incumbent on each and every one of us to seek to function at a higher standard than the worlds and to guard ourselves with this in mind at all times.
There is always the opportunity for a full, frank and open letter and PY is free to submit such at any time in all kinds of media to the people.
im not sure if that was really Peter or not , but it certainly sounds like something he would say .
i was accused of loving peter youngren in a previous thread … and for some days i have been trying to determine if A) that is true and B) if that should offend me .
Do i love peter youngren ……… well . i only know the guy according to the evangelistic efforts he puts forth and has put forth for years upon years . I personally attended World Impact Bible Institute in 2001 to 2003 and though the school itself did not perfect me (not like any man should look to any school to perfect them ) it changed my life . It gave me the opportunity to spend two full years pursueing the presence of God and his plan for my life. Through Peter having this school in existence i was able to meet literaaly hundreds of young evangelism oriented people who have gone on to do better things than i.
My life was made better having been among the works of Peters ministry ,
and in the midst of all of the troubles that came up through the years , the accusations, the exposing of familial problems . rather than becoming tremendously offended by those things i was greatly encouraged. because i realised that if God could use the likes of Peter Youngren to impact so many nations , to share the gospel with so many hundreds of thousands of people , and peter was enduring the bad choices and problems he was enduring at that time ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
then god could also use a mess like me. and most of you.
it s funny the mention of the least likeable people in the thread above by justin
i have considered being all of those …….. and finally God directed me to set up a home tv recording studio to embark on a journey of teaching the word of God and sharing testimonies of healing and divine intervention via the internet and where ever else they may end up.
To say the least I am inspired by anyone who can get up in muslim countries and spit in the face of threats from Hamas and continue on schedule when threatened , even in light of bombs and bullets .
so for these things. for being an inspiration and a platform of faith , and for being an example of one who never gives up … yep , i love peter youngren ……..
and there is no command against that.
B)as for am i offended by being accused of loving anyone …
not really . its never bad to see the best in people , if Yeshua wants to condemn Peter for his shortcomings and off beat decisions …let him ……….. or maybe all of you can do it for him.
but as for me ……… im going to move forward with Holy Spirit . I am going to love people despite the fact that at times my flesh would rather see them dead . I am going to pursue the Spirit of mercy , and i hope it offends people.
I will continue to pray for all of you , Peter included . that daily we would come closer to the will of God for our lives. That we would know him more and more , and that we would know one another according to the spirit of life in christ which as a free gift is given to dwell in us
“by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
col 1
ive seen his hand in ways lately that have me encouraged beyond encouragement. and i pray that all would walk in the forgiveness toward one another that was commanded in the gospel ……..
seek mercy
D Hansen
re: 157
The comment is from the UK, is satire,
and is not Mr. Youngren.
“Love†and “Grace†as definded by Mr. PY includes
at least the following issues:
-deserting his second wife, because of possible relationship
with his new secretary brought in from outside the country
-long term adultery with a church worker resulting
in the birth of a child (no secret in Niagara area)
-highjacking his sons church TICC after
loosing his own church NCC
-spreading slannder and lies about
a previous church / WIM worker
by mail to thousands of people around the country
-loosing his relationship with his children
because of his bad attitudes and evil actions
-loosing his credentials in 2007 with OBFF – which is
a Canadian Ordaining body called Open Bible Faith Fellowship.
-intimidating and manipulating ministryworkers
-refusing specific and real accountability
-and the list goes on and on and on………
Time to stop this evil, wickedness!
post 157, while satirical, is precisely how mr youngren approaches the issue of his persistant moral failures. he has studied failed ministries and feels he can survive anything based on his analysis of where said failed ministries went wrong in dealing with their mishaps. mr youngren is going to try to wait this storm out too, he is undoubtedly hoping that people will forget about his hypocrisy. the only hope to hold mr youngren accountable is for a major christian or worldly media outlet to make things known to the public.
Insider: Yes, it took OBFF a long time to yank Mr. Youngren’s credentials, but they did, and they have said so publicly here.
I commend them, better late than never. It’s a shame it took so long, and I am under no illusions this post would avoid hurt, anger and sorrow.
My concern remains that Mr. Youngren is using public airwaves and vulnerable people are targets.
The only way I can see to get Mr. Youngren off air is to contact regulatory bodies such as Revenue Canada and the CRTC.
I see no reason he be given the privilege of charitable status, or a religious broadcast licence – with those rights comes responsibility.
While people find the courage to speak up, I hope we listen with careful respect.
Good summary, thanks.
Re:157
Of course it’s not PY. He wouldn’t bother with any of this. Sadly PY couldn’t care less about any of this. He has no concern for others, doesn’t give a rip if you like him or not, will never admit any wrong doing (this would indicate weakness), laughs at his accusers and really is more like like John Gotti than Jesus. The only way to hurt him is to take away the money he has stolen out of the pockets of faithful followers and this can only be accomplished by getting him off of the air, out of the newspaper, off of the stage and definitley out of the pulpit. Hit him where it hurts…his pocketbook! Is someone writing an article or using any of this information to bring this situation to the publics attention?
You know i find it hard to believe that Jessie Dixon would associate himself with P.Y. on this grace tour.I have been a long time lover of The Gathers Gospel Hour and i find that Jessie should acquire more info. on the people he associates with.For me it puts things in a different perspective. I know that the lord is long suffering and merciful and willing to forgive , but to wear a mask, and Peter i know that you are , is just not right . I thought that you really loved Jesus, but how can you please Him with your sinful life. You are truly deceiving yourself. No wonder you never allowed the gifts of the spirit to flow in you church. You controlled it all and now you are going to reap the fruit of your labors.Were you afraid that someone would see you for what you were, well guess what? I did. There was a lot going on in your church but The Holy Spirit didn`t show up much. I remember you telling me once that the discerning of spirits was not a gift of God, are you kidding? Without it people like you are able to fool innocent people that put there trust in you. I never took your word on everything because the Holy Spirit is my teacher. My only prayer in all of this is that you repent and ask forgiveness for what your doing.
As PY is no longer credentialed with Open Bible Faith Fellowship one might wonder with whom he is now credentialed? Or is he now entirely independent without any recognized credentialing? If that is the case then unless his own church community are vested with the power to ordain then he will not be licensed to perform the marriage ceremony.
Some of the even more obscure credentialing bodies are not recognized by the Government of Ontario.
A check of the list of Religious Officials licensed to solemnize marriage (perform the Marriage Ceremony) at the Office of the Registrar General of Ontario lists Peter Jonas Youngren of St Catharine’s as current.
http://tiny.cc/cn68w
Might it just be that the Registrar General’s Office have not been updated of the changes in PY’s status with OBFF and the St Catharine’s church?
ed -(I shortened the URL for the RG list. BD:^)
Commenters:
https://www.ontario.ca/en/contacts/feedback/index.htm
1) Contact Service Ontario.
2) Point out Peter Youngren is on the provincial list of religious leaders authorized to solomnize marriages and he is no longer credentialed by a governing religious body. (OBFF)
3) Ask what religious organization has authorized him to be on the list.
4) Be polite and brief, the government will respond if they are made aware.
5) Let us know what response you get.
As this topic snowballs over the upcoming months with people trolling to watch the wreck, and others trying to “get the word out”, can you please be mindful about what details you post about the people surrounding Peter’s past (and present)?
His family is made up of some of the best people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. His wife is a gem like few others on the planet, and his kids and their families are great people as well. The same goes for his siblings, and many of his past staff.
Others very close to his negative media are also genuinely good people… Mothers, husbands, and children that have no control over their situation, or have long since tried to move on from what happened. It’s not fair to them that clueless internet posters drag them back into this mess, in their attempt to “shed some light” on one man’s life.
I’m not preaching that you should be more forgiving, or more condemning…unfortunately I don’t really care. I also realize that PY’s initiated all this. The internet by nature is a place that every idiot (myself included:) gets a chance to openly speak their mind, so…
…MY ONLY POINT is that there are people close to and surrounding this man that could be damaged badly if some dolt posts names and details in a weak attempt to “prove” something. Oddly enough, I’m far enough removed from all this that it doesn’t affect me at all… but I guess like you I googled when I should have checked the weather.
To re-iterate – I appreciate that it’s not going away, it never does. I also appreciate that I can’t rationalize with those of you who are bent on judging, exposing, forgiving, whatever. Just use some degree of discretion. Some of you are focusing so much on Peter that you seem to forget (or are ignorant of the fact) that there are others who’ll feel the impact of you posting their info much more than Peter will. Most of the vulnerable have separated themselves from this situation the best they can and are trying to move on. There’s plenty to focus on in the area of finances and the TV station…
Thanks,
Some Guy
More information is available at this site:
http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/gordon-robertson-of-the-700-club-joins-with-nar-false-prophets/
Does anybody know other sites that are spreading
similar information?
It would be helpfull to know – thanks!
There isn’t much. Metro Moncton, people chatting in forums or on blogs who were part of Youngren’s operation – this is a peculiar sub-culture outsiders pay little mind too.
Now that Youngren has bought himself a television station and is expanding on Shaw Cable – his decisions go beyond hurting his family and people who chose to embrace the prosperity gospel.
The fact his credentials were yanked four years ago is not going to matter to his devotees or overseas at his ‘crusades.’ His followers couldn’t care less how outrageous his claims are, when you believe word of faith doctrine, the more outrageous the better.
It took years to get Peter Popoff’s Canadian charity status yanked. He can still buy as much Canadian air time as he wants.
Anthony Grecko (has a show on Grace TV) sat on the set of The Miracle Channel fund raiser last week and bragged he was a blab it and grab it preacher.
Hagin, Tilton, Copeland, Roberts; most Canadians never heard of them or the prosperity garbage we see so much of south of the border. How much of Canadian religious programming is this garbage now?
You can’t save people from themselves, you can only warn them this is a heretical branch of Christianity and why it is and encourage people who care to watch for regulatory breeches and report them.
A correction to the article, that Peter Youngren has not been affiliated with OBFF (Open Bible Faith Fellowship) since 2007 and the fellowship does not support him in any way, or condone the unbiblical grounds for divorcing his wife. Just some clarity.
OBFF Member:
Thanks. See Comment 18.
Appreciate acknowledgement Mr. Youngren was removed from your agency.
Do you know who he applied with after losing his accrediation with OBFF? Or if he applied with any Cdn agency after removal?
Peter Youngren may have credentials with PAOC.
oh brother:
No harm in asking.
No harm in writing Peter Youngren and asking his organization directly either.
I don’t think Faith Christian Fellowship Canada Inc. is permitted to give official legal status to it’s exhorters, ministers and ordinates. http://www.wibi.com/niagara/about/faculty/
It’s out of Moncton, but I certainly can’t state it’s legal standing for a fact. It still has Inc. in it’s title so I don’t know how New Brunswick recognizes it’s membership.
They are connected with Youngren, or rather Youngren is connected to them. The leader, Bill Innis, is listed as one of the ‘faculty’ of Youngren’s ‘bible college.’
http://www.wibi.com/niagara/about/faculty/
At least there is no pretense of academic accreditation, but some who pay a fellowship fee seem to call themselves Doctor, pastor, or whatever title they deem fit. Most head to the US Word of Faith schools like Rhema.
It’s a sub-culture which seems to economically sustain itself by selling everything they can, and this faith sub-culture has it’s roots with Hagin, Copeland etc.
I wonder if many of these Word of Faith and Faith fellowships are members of the EC – Evangelical Council which Charles McVety’s father started. To me it’s a parallel universe to the EFC – Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
If you look at Youngren’s bible college (which is moving to Toronto) the majority of people listed aren’t anywhere near the ‘bible college.’
One faculty member is supposedly in the Catskill Mountains and is a member of the International Coalition of Apostles; Peter Wagner’s NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) group, another faculty; member; has a website you have to translate from Swedish or Finnish, who is connected with Toronto Airport Fellowship. OBFF gave the Toronto Airport Fellowship it’s blessing.
Most of Youngren’s faculty are just members of one of Youngren’s churches.
(sorry the intertubes are down or I’d link)
According to research posted by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada,(February 2010) fellowships like the one mentioned above are US born Word of Faith. Church and Faith Trends:
http://files.efc-canada.net/min/rc/cft/V03I01/Canadian_Faith_Movement.pdf
Comments 18 and 174 are from one of those fellowships, which apparently can help it’s members hatch, match and dispatch, and which has kicked Youngren out.
Many gained a sense of public legitimacy by television (100 Huntley, Miracle Channel, Vision TV) and Hagin, Tilton, Copeland, Roberts et al getting themselves on the boob tube and going for charitable status in Canada.
As well Word of Faith TV ‘celebrities’ travelled north and held crusades.
I don’t doubt there are thousands of sincere Canadians going to Word of Faith independent churches, who don’t give a hoot if their leadership has legal, academic and theological legitimacy.
The Word of Faith movement is not a world I’ve explored much to date, so take what I have researched with a a raised eyebrow.
Someone, soon needs to ensure this false prophet and teacher who is an adulterer is taken out of ministry. How he has the nerve to continue tells me he is not even a Christian but a liar who is milking people. If no one takes him out then god will. Hell is awaiting him.
Like I said in an earlier post, the only way to hurt this type of man is in his poketbook. He doesn’t care about anything else. Make a documentery, write articles and have them published in mags and newspapers (maybe The St. Catharines Standard, where PY contniues to write a column). No one is going to remove him from ministry…you can ask him yourself and he will tell you that he is untouchable. The only way to dethrone the self proclaimed king is to discredit, humiliate, publicize his sin (like he has made so many others do, only to control them) and remember to hit him where it hurts…his pocketbook.
Joining Peter Griffin and LOL
I heard back from the Registrar General Office, Province of Ontario regarding my query about Rev. Peter Youngren.
I also wrote Grace TV and haven’t had a response.
I have written the Open Bible Fellowship privately.
The 60 thousand dollar question is – who has authorized Peter Youngren to remain on the provincial list of licensed ministers?
His wife is also on the official list.
Here is what the Ontario Verification Service Branch has to say:
“If there has been a change in Rev. Youngren’s status within the religious body to which he is authorized to perform marriage’s, our office must be notified by the governing official of that religious body. The governing official has our contact information and should notify our office immediately of any changes to their religious officials.”
Question
Isn’t Peter Youngren the Founder of OBFF any way?
Who originally found it?
Hagare:
I don’t know.
The fellowship are like little businesses scattered around different provinces greasing each others palms and they don’t seem to answer to anyone. Texas and Tulsa seem to be their Vatican.
From The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
(Rick C. left comment #18)
“Rick Ciaramitaro’s ministry offered an auspicious example. In 1982, when the Michigan native founded a church in Windsor, Ontario, he preached a message that was born and bred in Oklahoma’s Rhema Bible Training Center. When he attended a conference, sought ministerial credentials, or picked up a Faith magazine, he relied on teachers, ministries, and publications funded by American dollars. As his ministry, and the Faith Movement itself, progressed, Ciaramitaro belonged to an increasingly independent network of Canadian churches. His own association, the Open Bible Faith Fellowship, would soon provide credentials for more than five hundred pastors and one hundred and fifty churches, including the famous Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship”.
Now The Open Bible Faith Fellowship has posted a notice on their website regarding Peter Youngren:
“Lately, it has come to our attention once again that some people are not clear on OBFF’s relationship with Peter Youngren. I hope this short statement will clarify this for you.
Peter has not been in fellowship with OBFF since November of 2007. We do not support him as an organization in any way, and are not in agreement with his current action to divorce his wife on unbiblical grounds.”
Okay.
Posted after they were told the Ontario Registrar Generals Office was contacted as far as I can tell. Better late than never.
If this fellowship contacted the Ontario Registrar General’s Office in 2007 then it is reasonable at this time to assume they fulfilled their legal obligation.
Youngren is kissing up to the Moncton fellowship group, and features the director and his son prominently on Grace TV.
From Church and Faith trends:
“As Canada’s laws (stricter than the American) prohibited new charitable organizations from granting ministerial licences for twenty-five years – a means to ensure ministerial respectability and institutional longevity – Faith pastors leaned on these fellowship associations to grant them the right to perform marriages and operate as licenced ministers.
The expanding ranks of Canada’s homegrown Faith teachers gave the movement new reach. In the mid- to late 1990s, hundreds of Faith congregations sprung up in rural and urban Canada. 8 These new congregations began to forge strong connections among themselves, supporting a cadre of leaders that garnered increasing recognition in Faith circles. Those who rose to the top commanded the pulpits of Canada’s largest congregations.”
For all we know Youngren has, or has had his fingers in all the Cdn WoF fellowship pies.
Bene, you’re getting warmer!
As I’ve said in the past – I am aware of the majority of his endeavors, but I choose to only opine on things I can factually back up.
Keep at it Bene, eventually the whole thing will unravel for you – if you want it to.
Take care,
– Adam Josh Danyluck
(still not hiding)
By their fruit you will know them.“
The problem with the teaching of PY and many like them is they only praech a partial gospel of grace without repentance (ongoing) or santification. Is salvation just a mental belief that produces no holliness or is it a lifechanging enconter with a Messiah. The Word of God is clear in the new Testament
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience“ (Eph. 5:5-6).
I make no judgements on any man but is time we again preach the whole Word of God not just some verses taken out of context that justify worldly lifesyles. God is not mocked it is time that we the church learn what it means to fear the Lord for in this is the begining of true wisdom. You cannot claim to be a folower of Jesus and disobey His commandments.
The BIBLE tells us that” he who is without sin to cast the first stone” John 8:7
This is not a defence of the situation, but “we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” Rom 3:23.
The awesome God that we serve knows about every deed, even before it is done, and will also fix it. After, all that’s HIS speciality.
No sin will go unpunsihed either, it doesn’t matter who the offender is and likewise there is no sin that is greater than the other. In God’s eyes we are all sinners. God is the ultimate judge.
Let us continue to pray one for the other that we do not succumb to the wiles of the devil.
“No sin will go unpunished”, but the full penalty for our sins has already been paid for on the cross. God has taken the penalty each of us deserves and has put it on Jesus. That is true grace. It is not a license to sin. Once we understand God’s grace, how can we live in sin any longer? When we truly comprehend the sacrifice of Christ in our behalf, how can we possibly choose to return to sin? The gospel of grace is very misunderstood. Preachers of grace have often been mischaracterized as not preaching repentence or using grace to cover a lifestyle of sin. That is false, and that is what Satan wants to us to believe, because Satan resists truth and he resists the gospel of grace. Satan will do anything to muddy the waters around a true understanding of grace. Grace and a lifestyle of repentence are fully compatible.
We have to stop with the “he that is without sin be the first to cast the stone” nonsense. PY doesnt need judgment, he was CAUGHT with his pants down (literally), the facts are there, the witnessess are there…he was CAUGHT…there is no need for judgement…he is GUILTY…I will throw a whole bag of stones without any guilt whatsoever. Of course we all sin and screw up, we are human. The problem is that PY is in a leadership position and is held to a higher accountability. I dont care what he does personally but as a leader his actions affect others. He has to be removed from any leadership role. We the jury find the defendant…..GUILTY as charged.
“Repentance”
This is one of the most miss-understood words in the Bible.
For years it was translated to mean penance, when the original Greek word, metanoai, means to come to your senses through a radical change of mind! Repetance IS NOT CONFESSION IS SIN
Confession
Again, a miss-interpreted word that brought about much defeat and confusion.The Greek word, homologeo, means to speak the same thing, which means, to agree with God about you! To walk in the light as God is in the light!
proper interpretation of of 1 John 1:9 is…..
When the unbeliever confesses before God that he is a sinner and in need of the Saviour, his sins are all forgiven and he is cleansed from ALL unrighteousness, thereby making him fully righteous.
God has forgiven ALL (past, present and future) of our sins. Christ wiped the slate clean once and for ALL and what Christ has cleaned will remain clean for ALL time.
I think there is a marked difference between being BORN AGAIN and Saved. One can be SAVED but, not BORN AGAIN. In my opinion those Christians who indulge themselves in gossip and slander they are not born again.
Why one fill his/her life with Gossip and slander if he/she is satisfied with Christ or IF CHRIST is his/her LIFE. Some of the top practices of people of religion are …….gossip and slander.
Why would he/she fill his/her life with rubbish if /she believes that Christ is the fountain of THE living water? We all talk about people from time to time but, when gossip, slander and back stubbing becomes their life style, I would question if these people are really belivers or Just religious morons. I am not saying these people go to hell and burn in hell fire forever and ever. I’m only stating that they have not seen the Kingdom of God yet. Which is righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. Not Gossip and slander.
Pingback: Christian Week looks at the world of Peter Youngren at Bene Diction Blogs On
Here you go people, at last.
All questions are not answered of course, no one expects they would be, BDBO kudos to Christian Week.
I have empathy for his family and for those who have been harmed by Mr. Youngrens choices as do so many of you who have helped bring concerns to the light of day.
http://christianweek.org/stories.php?id=911
http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2010/04/13/christian-week-looks-at-the-world-of-peter-youngren/
Rev, regarding post 189: I’m getting memories of 1987, when Jimmy Swaggert (pre-scandal) was on Larry King Live lambasting Jim Bakker for his sexual sin, and calling for him to step down. Then a couple months later, Swaggert was also caught with his pants down. He was in sexual sin the whole time he was ripping into Bakker. Then does Jimmy follow his own advise and step down from ministry? No! He refuses to withdraw, and his AOG denimination kicks him out. What hypocricy and pride. Pride comes before a fall. Swaggert found that out in 1987. Your post #189 seems to delight in the downfall of PY. I sense the same pride I saw in Swaggert 23 years ago. Humility and sorrow would be more in order here. If you fall into sin, I’m sure we can create a blog to expose it to the world as well … complete with the same errors, falsehoods, and contortions of the facts that run like wildfire through the internet.
Reverend, in your comment number 189, you say “I dont care what he does personally but as a leader his actions affect others”. Yes. 100% correct. Peter has gone all over the world, to Indonesia, Africa, Pakistan, and many other places to preach Jesus to thousands who had never heard the Gospel. Regardless of what he has done personally, that Gospel proclamation has affected the lives of countless people who would never otherwise have heard of Jesus Christ. They will be in heaven because of it. Your comment is very true. Regardless of what sins Peter may have committed, his actions in bringing the Gospel to far corners of the world have certainly affected others.
Ellie, I certainly do not delight in the downfall of PY. I feel sorry for him. He has destroyed many families including his own and still will admit nothing and refuses to be reprimanded. I could start my own blog to air my dirty laundry, that doesn’t bother me at all. I admit it, I am a screw up, I am not perfect and I often do the things I don’t want to do or know I shouldn’t do. I am just tired of people defending a man who will not admit he has some serious problems.
and EC: I am not sure what you’re talking about. I understand that many hear the gospel through PY’s crusades and thank God they do. I understand many come to Christ through these meetings but this is not what we are talking about. For goodness sake God spoke out of the mouth of an ass to help people so I am sure people are led to Christ through PY’s meetings. We are talking about the person PY is. EC read Matthew 7:21-23.
In the above post we read: “He has destroyed many families including his own and still will admit nothing”. Yet in post number 191 we have a link to an article quoting Peter as fully admitting to a moral failure eight years ago. So stating that he will “admit nothing” is actually incorrect. Truth is the often first casuality on the internet. Above we read “I understand that many hear the gospel through PY’s crusades and thank God they do”, but in post 189 the same individual pummels him. Peter may have brought the gospel to thousands, and based on post 189 you may regard him as the very “least” of Christ’s servants, but remember, “even though you have done it to the least of these My servants, you have done it unto Me”. Tread carefully as you cast your whole bag of stones.
Hi emennon:
You might want to get up to speed, head over to Christian Week, they have an article up.
http://christianweek.org/stories.php?id=911
Peter Youngren was willing to answer Christian Week’s questions and I commend him for that. Mine went unanswered, and that’s fair and World Impact Ministries and Grace TV’s choice.
This is Mr. Youngren’s response to Christian Week at CW.
ChristianWeek reporter Josiah Neufeld was fair in his questions, and quoted me accurately in the recent article “Peter Youngren making waves.†While I may disagree with some of the other people quoted, that is not my purpose for writing.
I am deeply sorry for my own failures, and for disappointment that I have caused others. I have not hidden or displayed my moral failure eight years ago, but I have sought to lean on Jesus for His grace, correction and guidance. I am grateful for counsel that I have received from respected ministers. As far as my marriage, described by ChristianWeek as “rockyâ€, I believe it best, at this time, to not publicly discuss matters that pertain to my family.
One important matter, my attitude towards ministry, was not reflected in the article. It is a privilege to preach the gospel, and I am well aware that there will be those who consider me disqualified from ministry. Based on my denominational background, I would agree with those sentiments. My failure will cause well-intentioned and sincere Christians to write me off. I do not wish to defend myself against those who hold such views, or to question their motives.
The reason I continue to preach the Good News is because I believe God has called me. Eight years ago, I was willing to step down, and I remain willing. It is not difficult to see how the Lord could use the current negative information to cause people to turn against me, should this be His will. I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, not for any ministry, but because of the love and grace I have received from the Lord.
In the current “Grace Canada 2010 tour†mentioned in the ChristianWeek article, which still has four cities to go [at the time of this letter], we are close to seeing 1,000 Canadians respond to the invitation to receive Christ. God is blessing Grace TV, which now reaches 50 per cent of Canadian households. Our Gospel Festivals, especially in Muslim nations, have been significant.
Do these “results†justify my failures, or my continuation in ministry? Absolutely not! Spiritual results are not due to anything great in any person, but only because of the goodness of Jesus Christ. Neither do these “results†disqualify me, as I am encouraged from Scripture and church history that God has used flawed individuals, at times people, who no one expected. The past eight years have been a spiritual journey to discover more of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It seems when non-believers or believers hear this message their hearts are attracted towards Christ, just as my heart has been drawn closer to Him.
Peter Youngren
St. Catharines, ON
I’m closing off this comment thread, not because the discussion and input isn’t important, but because over 190 comments becomes unmanagable.
If you’d like to comment, go here.
http://tiny.cc/247iy
There are some more issues regarding Grace TV and Peter Youngren I’d like to get to in another post soon…
Comments are closed. – BD
The discussion can be continued here.