Christian Week April 23/2010 Police in Finland are investigating allegations that Peter Youngren and his assistant, Taina Kuusiluoma, illegally used a Finnish evangelical organization’s mailing list to smear its board members.
A Finnish evangelical organization is taking Peter Youngren of Canadian Grace TV and World Impact Ministries to court after expelling him from their board. It has come on from reliable and several people who were part of Youngrens ministry that two of his 3 celebration churches are struggling . It was been suggested by more than one source from his assuming senior pastor ship at his Toronto church (his son stepped down in December and is running for City Council) was hostile. It is believed his daughter also stepped away from her fathers ministry.
A Canadian organization which give Youngren his licence to operate as a minister (Open Bible Fellowship) came to BDBO comments after the first post on Peter Youngren which raised questions about the Grace TV purchase his ministerial credentials, licencing and separation from his second wife and strained family relations. As for licencing, this is what the Canadian association had to say:
Peter Youngren was asked to leave the open bible faith fellowship 4 years ago by myself.
His credentials were pulled at that time and he will not be re-instated to the fellowship.
Open Bible Faith Fellowship put up a notice April 2010 on their website shortly commenting at BDBBO which is still up.
It was so good to see many of you at the gathering in Kitchener last week. The reports coming in have all been quite positive and we rejoice in the Lord’s goodness.
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.
Blessings,
Pastor Rick Ciaramitaro and the OBFF Board of Directors
What Canadian organization is Yougren licenced with? Is he legally ordained in Canada? By whom? As well the Ontario Registrar General Office was contacted as to why Mr. Youngren remains on the active list of provincial licenced and credentialed ministers, since questions have surfaced about his affiliations.
More than one reader who knew or knows Youngren has offered that he was ordained with the PAOC. His ordination was removed after his first divorce; questions to Grace TV and WIM about this remain unanswered. ChristianWeek:
In 1993 Finnish pastor David Sterling invited Youngren to join the board of fledgling evangelical organization Evankeliumi Kaikkiin Maihin (EKM). EKM and Youngren’s Canada-based World Impact Ministries subsequently worked together on a number of evangelistic campaigns in various parts of the world. Youngren also joined the board of EKM’s publishing company Helmi-Media.
But somewhere along the line the relationship between Youngren and the EKM board turned sour.
David Sterling, vice-chairman of EKM, says it started when the EKM board learned about Youngren’s marital difficulties and suggested he take a year off from active ministry to straighten things out.
Last August, Sterling says, Youngren wrote the EKM board to say his marriage had “broken down” and he and his wife RoxAnne were “separated.” Sterling says he confirmed this in a telephone conversation with RoxAnne in September.
“We presented him with a proposal that he would take time out for one year to try and rebuild his marriage and his personal life, but he was aggressively against this,” Sterling told ChristianWeek.
Relationships between Youngren and the board continued to deteriorate. In January 2010 Youngren, with Kuusiluoma’s help, allegedly sent a letter to about 6,000 people on EKM’s mailing list. In the letter, a copy of which has been obtained by ChristianWeek, Youngren accuses Sterling and board chair Tom Lipkin of misusing EKM funds, holding secret board meetings and attempting to hijack the organization.
Sterling says EKM’s reputation in Finland has been seriously harmed by the letter. He also says the list of addresses was confidential in accordance with EU privacy laws, and that Youngren had no right to use it.
EKM had shared the list with Youngren for the purpose of sending a postcard from an evangelistic festival in Pakistan. A written agreement signed by both parties stipulated that the list was to be used once and then destroyed.
But when the EKM board asked Youngren to relinquish the list in December 2009, he refused, saying it was his personal property.
ChristianWeek:
Youngren tells a different story. He says the conflict between him and the EKM board started three years ago over the use of finances. In an e-mail Youngren told ChristianWeek the mailing list belongs to him.
“I claim ownership because all names on the list have been added at my personal invitation through public meetings and TV,” Youngren wrote. “All the people on the database have received promises from me that they will receive reports and teaching articles. This is my database, which I have allowed EKM to use.”
Sterling says the addresses were obtained under EKM and that Finnish and EU privacy laws don’t permit an individual to use such a list to ask for funds.
Youngren has now set up an office for World Impact Ministries in Finland.
Readers familiar with Youngren have said many of World Impact Ministry Offices have closed around the world.
For more information see prior posts here at BDBO: Peter Youngren – Running out of Grace and Christian Week looks at the world of Peter Youngren.
Questions are also being asked about the Grace TV CRTC
licence, such lack of religious network challenges, this station has a Category 2 (specialty licence). The station was sold to Youngren for about 12 cents on the dollar. It appears as a 1.2 million dollar 3 year deficit for (S-Vox) Vision TV which recently finalized a sale of assets to ZoomerMedia,. The question was been raised if the sale of this bleeding red ink religious station was conditional of the larger sale of assets to ZoomerMedia. This would be an area BDBO readers could provide accurate information with documentation. The Grace TV is up for renewal August 2012. It was granted in May 2009.
World Impact Ministries is a registered Canadian Charity. (See the comments under BDBO Youngren posts). 
Other current organisations run by Youngren are an
uncredited bible college, Israeli Ministry and Heart of a Child and a for profit organization called Global Grace News, “a teaching resource for ministers and churches all over the world.” It is not know how much money he takes in from his various crusades, sales and enterprises yearly.
He sells extensive lines of his own products. I do not know if all these organizations are registered Canadian Charities, Way of Peace was registered with Charities Directorate Revenue Canada in 2007. It is rumoured Grace TV, 
World Impact Ministries and the unaccredited Celebration bible school are moving to Celebration Church Toronto this fall. Youngren is no longer associated his Hamilton and Niagara Celebration churches; and information coming from Youngren insiders say since Peter Youngrens son stepped away from the Toronto church in December 2009, and Peter Youngren Sr.assumed leadership, attendance is down about 40%.
Christian Week – April 12, 2010 Peter Youngren Making Waves
Christian Week – April 23, 2010 Finnish police investigate Peter Youngren
World Impact Ministries
Celebration Church
Grace TV
PS: I encourage readers who are involved or who have been involved with Youngren and his ministries to email or comment with pertinent information so any errors, rumours and speculation can be corrected. Thanks.
“We have to accept somewhat looser standards. In the legal profession, to convict the defendant of a crime, you need proof beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil cases, a preponderance of the evidence is sufficient. When dealing with the Bible or any ancient source, we have to loosen up a little; otherwise, we can’t really say anything.”
-David Noel Freedman (in Bible Review magazine, Dec. 1993, p.34)
Your foundation is crumbling Susan, and your cards are waiting to disintegrate.
Interesting you mentioned Shakespeare today, I was reading something about him today. Such as how the The King James version of the Bible was something endearing to him. Interesting because of Shakespeare how language of christian historical documents have evolved. That may put a crack in your foundation and forget about the cards.
Oh please Susan. You are like a car without an engine towed onto the middle of the freeway.
Hello Atheist, I read your “if there is a god, present my evidence.”
Well, I take it on faith, God is very real. I’m only 20, life hasn’t hardened me.
I’ve actually never seen gravity, but I have the faith that if I walk out of a plane,
I’ll hit the ground at terminal velocity.
I’ve never see electricity running through a wire, but I take on faith that one should never put their radio on the edge of a bathtub. And so it goes.
Always respectfully, do you have evidence that God does not exist?
Just curious.
Bye
PS Atheist, we sure got away from Mr. Youngren and all, haven’t we?
Kellie!
We have strayed off focus. Mr Youngren might have a far more complex time conducting his commerce when faced with the wrath of a blog full of knowledgeable, involved, Christians rather than we who bellow.
It is exposure and involvement that will precipitate change, not “just” bible reading, scripture quoting, and prayer. Soon after I joined a group who lobbied the CRTC for change, we saw progress and actual alteration.
You are one of the Christians on this blog I have deep respect for, and I hope you continue on this intelligent vein. You have entered the discussion gracefully and honestly and continue to make excellent points.
Atheist, Hi and thank you. But I did nothing special. I saw your discussions with Susan,
(Hi Susan), a bit heated.
We relayed our beliefs; I believe in God and you don’t believe in God.
And the sun will rise tomorrow and you and I will sleep well tonight.
I trust you may do well with the CRTC.
We did get off track here, so if I may have some fun……….
Now Ladies and Gentlemen, back to our regular programming…..Bad Ministers!
Kellie
Youngren is looking bloated lately and constantly wiping his brow. Its a tough job selling schlock, or, maybe the pressure is getting to him? Has there been any further news of the Finnish authorities investigation?
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Who made us Peter’s or anyone else’s judge? God is the judge of all that we do and say so instead of gossiping about other people’s life you need to look at the sin of gossiping. We’re so quick to point out everyone else’s faults but seem to not see the sin in our own lives. I don’t care what scripture verse you can give me to justify all this gossiping about the body of Christ. We all can find scripture verses to justify things we judge and condemn others for. Look at your own lives and quit putting the body of Christ down. God requires unity within the body. He doesn’t say in order to have unity we must never sin. If apostle Paul were alive in body today he would be quick to come to us with a rod for gossiping about others in the body of Christ. I’m sure you have better things to do than sit around and point out everyone’s else’s sins and don’t give me the crap that the position of authority we’re in has anything to do with sin for we all have our faults to deal with. Move on and let God be the judge. If you can’t handle things in private within the body of Christ than don’t handle them anywhere else either.
Hi Kim:
There is a great deal of difference between gossip and acknowledged fact, isn’t there?
Gossip is spreading rumour, the facts are not disputed by the main parties, and speak to qualifications and character.
There is a difference between justifying and educating.
Unity to you seems to infer silence. Unity means integrity -totality with nothing wanting.
Are you able to give a reference for ” If apostle Paul were alive in body today he would be quick to come to us with a rod? If Paul did this today, he’d be arrested for assault.
Peter Youngren asks others for money, he purchased a tv station and has a charity licence. That makes transparency an issue. I don’t understand ‘give the the crap that the position of authority we’re in has anything to do with sin.”
I don’t see laying out Youngren’s behavior and attitude as lessening our faults, we each have faults and burdens of our own. (Gal 6:2)
The hope is donors will make responsible decisions, because you are correct, there are many groups and ministries worthy of our time, attention and gifts.
Hopefully people will make informed decisions and move on.
I don’t think you should take my word for anything, check things out for yourself.
A good a place as any to start is this article in Dagen in 2004.
http://www.dagen.se/dagen/article.aspx?id=55946
Hi Kim, I don’t have the Scriptures with me, but remember when Paul admired the Bereans? He spoke, and they open the Scriptures daily to see if the things he said were true. They were judging him by his word and actions. That’s the way it’s supposed to be,and Paul welcomed it! I don’t think Paul would come at me with a rod, but he might say, “Kellie, prove all things and hold fast to what is true”. Actually, he did say that!
So, we are to judge our teachers and their actions. It’s that simple. But Peter’s not the only one out there. There’s a bunch who say give me money first, then the Lord will give you! Where did it all go wrong?
PS, the term is so loosely used now, but what does “Body of Christ” mean?
Kim, I don’t care who the minister is, but when he/she speaks, please open your Bible and prove them to be right or wrong! Don’t take their word for it!
Be well Kim!
Kellie
May 30, 2011
Mr. Peter Youngren,
Christian Minister,
Canadian Grace TV,
World Impact Ministries,
Post Office: Box 490,
Niagara Falls, NewYork, New York,
AMERICA 14304.
Phone: +1 877 974 7223
Email: info@peteryoungren.org
Mr. Alexander Simon,
Sir William Place,
Suite 305C,
8820 – 85 Street,
Edmonton, Alberta,
CANADA T6C 3C2.
Dear Mr. Yongren: Regarding the Telus Sposored , “Encounter (Channel-View 158);
(Mr, Peter Youngren.”
The Ontario Conservative is ‘pointing;’ out; by their assuring and non-evangelical ‘pea-souper;’ nil; a, P.C. Candidate-Running for-Oval win; in; sunny Quebec; as, an National Democrat Party leading, the way to Global prosperity, Mr. George Lepp; sponsored; in, fame; as, per Writer magnet and ladies “choice;” for Prime Minister; (with my formal, vote-of-Confidence); Mr.Bene Diction!
“New Edition of CounterPunch: Ebb-Tide for the Occupation: a Journey to Najaf with the Medhi Army by Patrick Cockburn; State Terror, Oregon Division: Killer Cops by Kristian Williams; Torture in America by Alexander Cockburn and Jeffrey St. Clair.” Here, is an ‘interesting;’ quote from this fine;Man-In-Running; to freedom of religious persecution!!
The Sunday Liturgy has meaning! A, Father, affable and highly ‘decorated;’ in, my ‘know;’ as; an; “U.S.” First-Stations; Army Pro’: in my detective mind; is, an; “premuim;” male of Ordaintion.
Tell, me; why sir, Pastor of an (un-be-spoken, and; with; due; respect; a, Military male of gender, cool and assuring; must a fully Registered (Certified and Confirmed) here in Austin State to me by (Roman Catholic win through the Civil Ear of Celebration and proven in the Smithsonian Museum; every-where;), is; my, “rare-and-Sacred;” Holy Birth Certified and Holy Confirmed family blood ((Purple)); like the Heart-of-TEXAS; WIN!?; am, I subject to years … of persecution; to; ‘from, men, and, women; selling me the to be sacrilegious and against Roman Catholic Faith!
According the Book of the Biblia: Gideon Edition One; British England first London printing; “The extreme bitterness of the national sufferings under the Midianite occupation breaks out in Gideon’s language. The Angel’s words, suitable to times of prosperity, seemed to be a mockery, when it was evident the Lord was not with them. (Compare Deuteronomy 31:17.; here; in, clear evidence; we find the meaning as stated: Hebrews and Jews of monastery must never mingle with one another; nor “marry in between the Sabbath; in; respect The Gideon is a state-hood of; a; ‘sacred;’ Union on non marry!
My point is I am not Jewish nor Hebrew. Nor with respect to every enrolled; and trust my mother all patriot Roman Holy Baptized and Holy Confirmed Catholic as is my family blood; and according to the First and truly respected King James Bible of England, London; written by my family Heredity in 12:01 Anum Dommi; in February 18, at the time of 4:01 A.M.; (I; was born exactly at this time;); “Angels: The introduction of angels as the bearers of the revelationary is a standing feature. At least four types or ranks of angels are mentioned in biblical scripture: the Archangels, Angels, Cherubim[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] and the Seraphim.[10] God may give instructions through the medium of these heavenly messengers, and who act as the seer’s guide. God may also personally give a revelation, as is shown in the Book of Revelation;” is a, Man made Catholic Revelation and is Written and axed in Scottish Literature of the Mason all and still today free.! “Freemasonry uses the metaphors of operative stonemasons’ tools and implements, against the allegorical backdrop of the building of King Solomon’s Temple,;” here; the very ‘exacting;’ and boat and early shipping Lutheran of Stuttgart landed with the new Saxon committee on removing epidemic!
Within the patriotic Volume Two of the German pure Write: “The National Socialist Movement
Chapter III, Subjects and Citizens: The institution that is now erroneously called the State generally classifies people only into two groups: citizens and aliens. Citizens are all those who possess full civic rights, either by reason of their birth or by an act of naturalization. Aliens are those who enjoy the same rights in some other State. Between these two categories there are certain beings who resemble a sort of meteoric phenomena.” And; here;it’s Reported by the best ‘engaged;’ Lutheran and Mason alike; a; “Grand Man of Imperial Design will rule the World to Fame!
Within the patriotic Volume Two of the German pure Write: “The National Socialist Movement
Chapter III, Subjects and Citizens: The institution that is now erroneously called the State generally classifies people only into two groups: citizens and aliens. Citizens are all those who possess full civic rights, either by reason of their birth or by an act of naturalization. Aliens are those who enjoy the same rights in some other State. Between these two categories there are certain beings who resemble a sort of meteoric phenomena.” And; here; its Reported by the best ‘engaged;’ Lutheran and Mason alike; a; “Grand Man of Imperial Design will rule the World to Fame!
Please in all the Archives o f love and hate only the true Man or Woman loves Nation 1st;
AND THIS IS THEIR FAMILY!
As a true Patriot,
Mr. Alexander Simon
Hello Alexander. I like to visit this site from time to time and read other opinions.
And sometimes I’ll voice mine. But Mr. Simon, I can’t reply to this. I’ve got no idea what your trying to tell us. And as always,
Be well
Kellie
Hi, So anything current on Peter?
Hi Wanda:
Not much is happening with his enterprises – commenters have looked at the hidden costs of the bible college etc. in this thread: http://tinyurl.com/3pflmzl
I quite agree with what Kim said above about God not making anyone of us judge over others. Jesus said, he that is without sin should cast the first stone. I am sure that all that have decided to talk about Pastor Peter also have things in their lives that could be a subject of gossip. Sin is sin, so let us pray for one another and try to help our brothers and sisters who we think are out of the will of God instead of trying to destroy them. Are we building with Christ by defaming Peter? Let God be judge but please let the people listen to what Peter has to say about Christ. Do not draw people away from hearing Christ being preached if you have no problem with his message of salvation through Christ. Pray for him and let God be the judge.
Bridget:
I agree the Youngrens need prayer. However, the judging part won’t fall to us, that is in the hands of a Finnish prosecutor.
“Are we building with Christ by defaming Peter?”
An accusation of defamation is a very serious thing, and I am deeply concerned by your question. Would you be kind enough to elaborate on where you see defamation in this post?
Some one have given the right to choose for better or for worse. Like human early life in the history of the forefather of mankind; they have the privilege to follow the creator and live in obedience to God’s commandment or they may become rebellious person whom God Has made some righteous judgment according to God’s sovereignty. All things on earth and in heaven are created by God while all living things are in the hands of God ,above everythingelse: God is the creator of all things according to His own will. Praise and worship God whom we may trust in His sovereignty. Bless are the people whom God’s love is poured out in their generations.
Youngren gets away with his immoral life because of “friends” like Charles Nieman who invites him to preach in El Paso and pays him with money from God’s people, but then what do you expect, his other friends are Ray McCauley, Tim Storey, Benny Hinn and Paula White, shame
It’s time for Youngren to take another job and get out of the ministry we don’t want to be ripped off by him any longer, we feel sorry for him but he is a very immoral man.
The story about Peter Youngren was completing and shamful, I can not judge because I am not the Almighty God, only God knows the truth behind all, but I can say let us leave the judgement to God and let people listen to what Peter Youngren has to say about Christ, please do not draw people away from hearing christ being preached if you have no problem with his message of salvation through christ, them say, them say no one see, only those who have problem with Peter said what we red and contributes our opinions, becareful, this is God´s judgement. I am now praying for Peter Youngren and others that have problem him, let God be the judge. please join me to pray for them and finally the almighty God will recouncil Peter and his wife Amen.
Hi Peters:
I agree Youngren needs prayer – as for reconciliation with his wife – which wife? There are 3.
I am absolutely mesmerized by the “lets not judge” attitude of Christians as it pertains to their “spiritual idols”. Apparently tolerance of sin, repeated sin and even blatant disregard for God’s WORD among spiritual leaders has become the sign of spiritual maturity/growth among christians, perhaps”CHURCH ATTENDERS” would be a more appropriate description???
I am absolutely mesmerized by the “lets not judge” attitude of Christians as it pertains to their “spiritual idols”. Apparently tolerance of sin, repeated sin and even blatant disregard for God’s WORD among spiritual leaders has become the sign of spiritual maturity/growth among christians, perhaps”CHURCH ATTENDERS” would be a more appropriate description???
The are specific commands to “judge” the fruit (life, public ministry, personal behaviour) of those on the indside – meaning fellow christians. No need to judge the actual person as such – but a great need to honestly, impartially judge the fruit.
If the “fruit” is bitter, poisonous, corrupted and harmful – then it shows the tree needs dealing with.
“Therefore, by their fruits you shall know them.” Math. 7:20
“For what have I to do with judging those who are outside? Are you not to judge those who are within? Those who are outside God judges.” 1Cor. 5:12-13
Hi, there seems to be a misunderstanding about judging someone.
We all remember that when Paul met the Bereans, he called them more fair because they open the Sriptures daily to check him out. Paul himself liked that!
They were “judging ” him. They were discerning truths from lies. If he was lying to them concerning the Scriptures, he was gone!
Judging anybody, especially a pastor, is what we’re supposed to do. Certainly, we do not want to follow any pastor, minister, etc, who veers away from God’s written word.
How do we this? Just like the Bereans, OPEN YOUR BIBLES!. Prove his/her word right or wrong. If wrong according to the Scriptures, turn and run, don’t walk away!
BUT, in judging, we are not to condemn anyone. That’s not for us, but for the Lord only! And sadly, most will take their pastors word over the Lord’s Bible in a heartbeat!
Trust me on this, Never will you hear any TV preacher, including Mr. Youngren, say “Open your Bibles and prove me right or wrong”! To do so, would spell their doom!
And like sheep, the people follow.
If I have misspoken, open your Bibles and prove me wrong!
Be well
Kellie
Spot On!
Hi Kellie:
Got the email, can’t send a response, it was returned.
To answer your question, sure, but I’ll need a working email addy.:^)
Hi, I know this blog is about Peter Youngren. But on Oct 21, 11, I stated that no preacher would say “Open your Bibles and prove me wrong…”.
I stand corrected, hard for a young person to do. Some young guy from “Tomorrow’s World” TV. said just that and put up $10k, if I could prove him wrong.
Peter should meet this guy!
As always, Be well.
Kellie
Kellie, I could use the $10k. Would the offer be open for me to participate?
Hi Tim, I don’t see why not. He didn’t say we couldn’t. Good Luck!
Kellie