church of the highlands exposed

Michael R. Jordan of New Era Baptist Church in Birmingham slammed the Church of the Highlands as racist and "hypocritical" in its bid to start a church plant in one of Birmingham's most violent neighborhoods. 401 McCullars Lane It makes you feel like your belief system is valid in the modern world, Hardy says, referring to Lentzs cutting-edge haircut, tattoos and clothing, which lured in millennial and Gen Z congregants. Despite Scandals, AL Megachurch Invests Millions to 'Restore' Pastors The church has been referred to as a cult by people who left the program. Recently, Grow Leader sponsored a Round Table in which 41 pastors participated, according to social media postings and comments Hodges made during a COTH service. They didnt worry about that. Tell me what I dont know, he said. But restoring a fallen pastor after a year at a new congregation that doesnt even know him is nuts. That said, the two lawsuits against ARC or Rizzo involve pastors sent by ARC, which has a nearly $12 million budget. Church of the Highlands Exposed Part 1 of 2 18,048 views Sep 10, 2018 87 Dislike Share Save Right Divider 2.56K subscribers CORRECTION: I called the pastor "Bill Hybels." That is incorrect. ixated on Religion, Politics, Media. Church of the Highlands cuts ties with minister accused of sex abuse - al in order to better support pastors and leaders in their desire to personally grow in leadership so their churches can reach more people and make a greater impact. This year, two lawsuits have been filed against ARC or its Executive Director Dino Rizzo for negligence or cover-up in sexual harassment or abuse cases involving ARC pastors. Return to homepage. NEWSLETTER: Digitaldownstream.substack.com. What was about three-a-year feels like its about three-a-month right now . White folk have proved they don't want to live next door to us, or be our neighbors, or worship with us," Jordan said in an earlier report. But I can look you in the eye and say I have been tested, stripped, disciplined, broken.. In his sermon on Sunday morning following two weeks of controversy over his social media activity, Pastor Chris Hodges vowed to make progress on race relations. 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On an FAQ page for pastors at ARCs website, it says, We ask you to make ARC a part of your regular missions giving. He co-founded ARC (Association of Related Churches), which has launched hundreds of churches across the United States and world. "Now they want to plant a white church in a black neighborhood under the umbrella of supposedly to fight crime? Christian Rocker Posts Stunning Response to Recent Apostasy of Christian Leaders, Chicago Radio Host & a Former Bodyguard Say James MacDonald Asked Them to Arrange Murders, James MacDonald Took Millions from Harvest & Now Demands Broadcast Ministry, Mancow Airs Shocking Comments By James MacDonald: My Response. "I know with each new incident, with this one, Ahmaud Arbery, I think of Atatiana Jefferson, its disgraceful that racism, injustice, bigotry, prejudice, still even exists at all. The real reason Church of the Highlands wants to put a white church in a black neighborhood is they have too many black folks at their main campus and they want them to leave and come to a church in their inner city. We used to go to these border walls. The Roys Report reached out to Rizzo and Vibrant for comment, but neither responded. Lentz told Hayes and her then-boyfriend to stop seeing each other, and they did, to their mutual heartbreak. Lets protect one another again., He added, Weve got to not let this moment pass us by and act like it didnt happen.. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The apology comes after Birmingham high school English teacher Jasmine Faith Clisby told AL.com that Hodges followed and liked several social media posts by Kirk in the wake of national protests over the killing of 46-year-old African American George Floyd by Minneapolis Police Department officers on Memorial Day. Whites carried their churches with them, they moved to the suburbs. Some have even brought our church or even me into question. THANK YOU GOD FOR CHOOSING ME. Pastor Michael Hodges and wife Katie on their wedding day June 18, 2016. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. We are protected by Trustees. Church of the Highlands did not disclose what Michael's "moral failing" was in the fall of 2017 when he was stripped of his leadership responsibilities, but after his father announced his removal, all his social media accounts as well as at least one belonging to his wife, Katie, were disabled. Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. We cant get there if were not willing to change. Chris is married to Tammy Hodges and they have five children. We all know what divides us, but what can bring us together? Hodges said. We dont have to look alike, we dont have to act alike, but we do have to have one heart, Hodges said. "Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed" premieres March 24 on Discovery+ and dives into the jaw-dropping history of the trendy church and its many scandals. Sharing life through community is part of our design, but meaningful relationships arent always easy to find. Chris Hodges is founder and leader of Church of the Highlands. All rights reserved (About Us). The lawsuit alleges that other victims reported similar misconduct by the same pastor to the church and Rizzo as early as 2016. So he made a quick $307,500-$410,000. Yesterday, I dug into the attic and pulled it out, he said. It strikes me that perhaps some churchesIm wondering if megachurches are a key demographicare more likely to attract those with overly exuberant sexual behavior or even narcissistic personality disorder. More or less, does the pastoral hiring process express the qualifications of 1 Timothy and Titus, or is it more heavily weighted towards personal attractiveness and magnetismand thus many churches find out the hard way that theyve selected pastors who are bad boys. I posted a picture of him wearing a Supreme-Louis Vuitton hoodie, he says in the doc. Church of the Highlands is a life-giving church meeting in multiple locations throughout Alabama and West Georgia. Chris Hodges - NAR Connections Chris states that Robert Morris and Phil Pringle are his mentors. continues to provide resources to over 16,500 churches globally at no cost. 24/7 was exact same thing in early days of highlands. 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Hodges said he met with the four black campus pastors for the Church of the Highlands this past week. I would love for you to not just look at a microscopic zoom-in but look at the totality of 37 years of ministry and 19 years as a church, Hodges said Sunday in his sermon to his diverse but mostly white Alabama congregation. Ranin Karim, 35, alleges she had a five-month-long affair with Lentz that eventually led to Hillsong ousting him in 2020, as she exclusively told The Post in November 2020. Grow, now called Highlands Resources,continues to provide resources to over 16,500 churches globally at no cost. To donate, click here. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? Messages; Current Message; First Wednesday. First Wednesday Messages. Some arent. Hillsong originated in Australia in 1983, founded by Houston, who grew up in dad Frank Houstons Sydney-based Pentecostal church. : http://thewartburgwatch.com/2013/11/13/dino-rizzo-stovall-weems-and-steven-furtick-banking-on-the-arc/, The Wartburg Watch: A Closer Look at Pastors in the ARC: http://thewartburgwatch.com/2014/11/07/a-closer-look-at-pastors-in-the-arc/, NAR Watch Israel Sickening, But Hardly Surprising: https://www.narwatchisrael.info/nwi-blog/sickening-but-hardly-suprising, Regional President & CEO Teen Challenge Pacific Northwest, https://bereanresearch.org/association-of-related-churches-time-to-get-off-the-arc/, http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2019/1/if-im-a-butterfly-why-am-i-still-crawling, http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2018/7/live-fearless, http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2019/5/worst-easter-sermon-do-you-love-me, http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2018/9/jen-hatmaker-preaches-about-inclusion, http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2018/7/dream-again, http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2017/11/the-babylon-mentality, http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2017/8/thumb-and-big-toe-prophecy, http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2017/4/look-it-in-the-eye-and-step-into-it, http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2017/1/your-moses-needs-to-die, http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2014/9/a-tale-of-two-mars-hills, http://www.piratechristian.com/fightingforthefaith/2012/03/19/perry-noble-offers-preaching-advice, https://aspreeman.com/2013/05/30/rick-warrens-top-100-pastors-to-follow-2/, https://evangelicaldarkweb.org/2020/03/30/is-chris-hodges-a-false-teacher/, https://churchofthehighlandsbloodlessgospel.com/, https://www.9marks.org/article/4-reflections-after-listening-to-18-hours-of-sermons-in-americas-biggest-churches/, http://thewartburgwatch.com/2014/11/19/where-have-all-the-flowers-gone-demons-tongues-and-healings-at-chris-hodges-church-of-the-highlands-arc/, http://thewartburgwatch.com/2014/11/17/pastorcentric-looking-at-the-arc-and-robert-morris-thru-chris-hodges-church-of-the-highlands/, http://thewartburgwatch.com/2016/10/31/the-arcs-church-of-the-highlands-prayer-force-leaders-guide-and-analysis/, http://thewartburgwatch.com/2017/01/16/did-you-hear-the-weird-story-about-pastor-david-pursifulls-resignation-from-the-arcs-building-church/, http://thewartburgwatch.com/2014/11/05/building-the-arc-an-overview-of-this-church-planting-network/, http://thewartburgwatch.com/2014/12/01/arcs-robert-morris-paul-preached-under-the-influence/, http://thewartburgwatch.com/2015/06/26/personal-experiences-with-arcs-lifeway-church-of-milwaukee-wisconsin/, http://thewartburgwatch.com/2013/11/13/dino-rizzo-stovall-weems-and-steven-furtick-banking-on-the-arc/, http://thewartburgwatch.com/2014/11/07/a-closer-look-at-pastors-in-the-arc/, https://www.narwatchisrael.info/nwi-blog/sickening-but-hardly-suprising. But again, I dont know. I truly believe were going to see lasting change.. The focus isnt on exalting Christ from that statement, ex. We used to wave at the guards in the towers, the East German guards. Ensure justice for those who are being crushed.. For every person that has been marginalized, rejected or belittled, abused or even afraid because of how God made you, Tammy and I, the Church of the Highlands family, stand with you.. The Trustees are members of the congregation who oversee the finances and direct the provision of the facilities needed by the church. Michael reportedly spoke at the Lake Norman campus of the church while his father spoke at the main campus. If the leader wants to keep what he did private, thats fine. What he failed to tell everyone is his RoundTable cost $7500 for the Pastor or $10,000 if they bring their spouse. They got little pick-axes. It was his birthday. I want to hear.. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. ARC President Greg Surratt denies the charges. Also, 1 Timothy 5:20 says that an elder who is sinning should be publicly exposed. We do it for COVID-19, why cant we do it for racial reconciliation, he said. I truly believe the devil is going to be defeated and were going to see not only a healing from a disease, but I dont think our land is ever going to be the same again. We just needed you to feel it. (For $10,000, pastors can bring their spouses.). On June 9, the Birmingham Board of Education voted to terminate its leases with the Church of the Highlands, which had been paying Birmingham City Schools $6,000 a week to rent the facilities. Church of the Highlands - Huntsville Worship Team (Here I - YouTube We come together with one purpose, to change the world together., Cancel Chris Hodges? Sengstock claims that when he reported this to church leadership, they tried to pay him off with hush money. While I may not be able to tear the whole thing down, I plan on doing my section of it, Hodges said. The Church of the Highlands Senior Pastor Leadership Team are: 2. Similarly, Hodges son, Michael Hodges, also experienced an undisclosed moral failing and was removed as a pastor at COTHs Greystone campus in 2017. We just have to love alike.. The sign also caught my attention. Why do they call Church of The Highlands a cult? : r/Birmingham - reddit I had to. The organization then asks pastors to re-invest those dollars through their missions giving.. Information. I think Gods doing it to America.. Since Pastor Chris Hodges founded Church of the Highlands in 2001, meeting in a rented auditorium at Mountain Brook High School, it has spiraled outward in popularity from Birminghams suburbs to become Alabamas largest church, with at least 22 branches spread out from Huntsville to Mobile, Tuscaloosa to Auburn. So why are a few likes on social media becoming such a defining moment for this, Freelance Journalist. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! Interview with Church of the Highlands Pastor Chris Hodges 51,474 views Jun 15, 2016 509 Dislike Share ABC 33/40 11.9K subscribers Church of the Highlands Senior Pastor Chris Hodges talks. The Roys Report reached out to Chris Hodges and COTH for comment about these pastors and the churchs restoration process, but no one responded. "I cant see into Pastor Chris Hodges heart. We just needed you to be there., Hodges asked the church to join him in the process of learn, lament and love., We learn, we lament and then, only then, can we love, Hodges said. Jaclyn Hayes, a former Wave Church volunteer, describes in the series how Lentz talked about sexual purity, the importance of fathers controlling their daughters, and his rules for dating such as a mandate that a couple should not even kiss for their first year together, and never have sex before marriage. Were here to help because we believe in you! : http://thewartburgwatch.com/2017/01/16/did-you-hear-the-weird-story-about-pastor-david-pursifulls-resignation-from-the-arcs-building-church/, The Wartburg Watch: Building the ARC An Overview of this Church Planting Network: http://thewartburgwatch.com/2014/11/05/building-the-arc-an-overview-of-this-church-planting-network/, The Wartburg Watch: ARCs Robert Morris: Paul Preached Under the Influence: http://thewartburgwatch.com/2014/12/01/arcs-robert-morris-paul-preached-under-the-influence/, The Wartburg Watch: Personal Experiences with ARCs LifeWay Church of Milwaukee, Wisconsin: http://thewartburgwatch.com/2015/06/26/personal-experiences-with-arcs-lifeway-church-of-milwaukee-wisconsin/, The Wartburg Watch: Dino Rizzo, Stovall Weems, and Steven Furtick: Banking on the ARC? And that number is..dont know. I am not the same Chris Hodges I was two weeks ago, Hodges said. I dont take it personally. From the beginning, Church of the Highlands has been controversial, with accusations by some more established churches that it was stealing sheep from their congregations with its rock. Church of the Highlands Pastor: 'Not the same Chris Hodges I was two The church has been video-streaming services only and not holding public in-person worship since March 10. I can relate, Vicki! I mean it. Whether that holds or not, the timelines here suggest that the pastors are being declared restored long before one could actually get a good handle on how they are repentant of their sins, and long before one could see if the steps theyve taken are adequate to prevent remission. ARC is one of the largest church planting organizations in the U.S., with about 1,000 member churches. Former Hillsong College student Yolandi Bosch says, If you were a church that was open and trusting, why would you get your members to sign an NDA? , a ministry training school that has trained and launched hundreds of students into full-time ministry careers all over the world. I want to learn. The Rev. I believe it to be a sign that someone is not qualified for a prominent leadership role if that person cannot or will not do anything else. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Lee has authored several books: Stay In Your Lane, Pearls of the King, KB Gameplan, and The Family Meeting Guide. Rizzo used to be a pastor of The Healing Placean ARC member megachurch in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As for wanting transparency regarding what happened with Dino . Restoration of the morally fallen is another entirely, and it must begin with godly sorrow as described in 2 Corinthians 7:10. Highlands College is a biblical higher education institution that exists to supply the Church with leaders of competence, character, and spiritual maturity, holistically trained to lead lives of eternal impact by fulfilling the Great Commission. In a Legacy report to donors in September, COTH announced it is working on a design for The Lodge, a Pastoral Retreat Center . Church of the Highlands - Apps on Google Play Dipper Pines IRL. His wife and daughters left and then he ordered an alcoholic dessert. What does a guy have to do to be unqualified for ministry these days? Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. the Birmingham Housing Authority and Birmingham Board of Education taking action against him, the church and the health clinic the church started. But, Later on, I realized it was bullst, Karim says. . To think we can is just another example of the evangelical worlds sickness. I started to pull back and say, I dont want this anymore, leave me alone. But, the more you say no to him, the more he keeps coming back., Karim describes her relationship with Lentz as the most toxic thing Ive ever had to deal with. Highlands College is a biblical higher education institution that exists to supply the Church with leaders of competence, character, and spiritual maturity, holistically trained to lead lives of eternal impact by fulfilling the Great Commission. And, Ill own it, by the way, but that is not what I believe., The church spent much of their time over the weekend addressing the issue of racism and Hodges said dealing with the coronavirus and the explosion of racial tensions at the same time has made it an incredibly tough season for our nation. Not only a whole lot needs to be said, a whole lot needs to be done, Hodges said, to applause from a limited audience that was on hand to prepare for the possible reopening of in-person public worship services on June 21. The fact that it doesnt meet the demands for disclosure from The Roys Report or its readers doesnt mean it wasnt biblical or effective. I remember being in a greenroom at a Church where this clown (Hodges) was bragging about how little he pays lower staff members because people are lined up wanting jobs at COTH. The reason he isnt building a retreat center for victims is because he sees upper level ministers/pastors as more important than your average lowly church attender. Highlands Auburn East Campus is located a short distance from Interstate 85 in a facility on Samford Avenue in Auburn. Bethany Church, Pastor Chris Hodges' former church, exposed for When Houston was looking to expand into America, charismatic young pastor Lentz, now 43, came to his attention in 2010. *All services are in Central Time Zone unless otherwise specified. It seems to imply that we (in ourselves) are good enough to do Gods work for Him. It seems like Pastors have created a similar good old boys club where once you are in the club you are taken care of regardless of your failures. Larry Stockstill is also on the board of Overseers at Church of the Highlands and Bethany Church is currently a member of ARC Churches, overseen by Church of the Highlands. But factspartial, circumstantial, second-handarent synonymous with truth. That hoodie at the time was on the resale market for $10[,000] to $15,000. This [womanizing] was a very known thing about Carl.. Surratt confirmed to The Roys Report that ARC churches often give a portion of their annual income to ARC. Oh wait sorry, these are all independent churches doing their own thing and where transparency typically does not exist. It is headquartered next to COTHs Greystone Campus in Birmingham, Alabama. The brothers grandfather founded the megachurch in the familys living room in 1963, and it has since grown to over 8,000 members across five Louisiana campuses, making it among the largest megachurches in the US. Chris remains the senior pastor and Chancellor of Highlands College, a ministry training school that has trained and launched hundreds of students into full-time ministry careers all over the world. In 2001 Chris Hodges founded Church of the Highlands, now known as one of the largest churches in the U.S. with over 60,000 members and 23 campuses. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed, a new three-part docuseries premiering March 24 on Discovery+, dives into the jaw-dropping history of the religious institution and its founder Brian Houston, who has been accused of everything from embezzling church funds to covering up child sex abuse. Our Oxford location meets at the Oxford Civic Center. What he failed to tell everyone is his RoundTable cost $7500 for the Pastor or $10,000 if they bring their spouse. This sub advocates for transparency and accountability at Church of the Highlands, and provides support for former and current members. About a year later, when Rizzo was restored to ministry at ARC and COTH, Greg Surratt admitted that Rizzo had been in an inappropriate friendship with another woman. Surratt added that Rizzo had submitted to a restoration process led by Chris Hodges and others and now was qualified to serve. Unless youre hiding something.. But all was not holy. BTW, I left COTH, because when I opened my Bible, I could not always confirm what Pastor Chris was saying. Church of the Highlands, founded in 2001 in a rented space at Mountain Brook High School, has spiraled out of Birminghams suburbs to become the largest church in Alabama. : https://evangelicaldarkweb.org/2020/03/30/is-chris-hodges-a-false-teacher/, Russell Hinson Church of the Highlands bloodless gospel: https://churchofthehighlandsbloodlessgospel.com/, 9Marks 4 Reflections after Listening to 18 Hours of Sermons in Americas Biggest Churches: https://www.9marks.org/article/4-reflections-after-listening-to-18-hours-of-sermons-in-americas-biggest-churches/, Disrupting Giants Chris Hodges: http://disruptinggiants.blogspot.com/, The Wartburg Watch Where Have All the Flowers Gone? When corporate CEOs fail they are fired and given a golden parachute and then hired by another company to be their CEO. "Whites left the inner city. If you want to love somebody, the best way to love somebody is to love the people they love, Chris Hodges added. In introducing Chris Hodges to speak at the main campus on Feb. 17, Freedom House Pastor Troy Maxwell called him a longtime friend. After Lentzs allegedaffair with Karim made headlines, Hayes watched the news and remembered how Lentz split her from her boyfriend, simply because they had had premarital sex. Youre only embedding their narcissistic crowns with more jewels. Chris has a deep passion for developing leaders and planting life-giving churches. After founding AppOne, a national financial tech company acquired by a multi-billion dollar company 10 years later, Lee served as CEO until retiring in 2011. Attempting to restore fallen pastors appears to be a passion for COTH Senior Pastor Chris Hodges and Outreach and Missions Pastor Dino Rizzosomeone whose past includes an inappropriate extramarital relationship. Clericalism only Clergy (Priests, Monks, Nuns, Ministers, Pastors, Worship Leaders, Full-Time Professional Christians) matter before God; Laity (everyone else) can all go to hell. Theyre wondering, where do you really stand? Im asking you to do your section of it, he said. He added that ARCs key executive salaries are set by an independent compensation committee and are based on independent compensation data. So he made a quick $307,500-$410,000., Chris said he invited a guest speaker to speak this past Sunday because he had been busy with training 41 pastors this past week.