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"Take
Heed" Ministries
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Cecil Andrews, 29 Edengrove Park, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AZ, Northern Ireland Telephone/Fax 028 9756 5511. E-MAIL - takeheed@aol.com WEBSITE - http://www.takeheed.net Quick Links - Home - Assorted Articles - Audio/Video - Ministry Newsletters - Words of Wisdom |
Vaccinate
now [via DVD] against the TB [
The church website of St Andrews
Church, Chorleywood, Hertfordshire in England is currently a living testimony
to just how far “seducing spirits and doctrines of demons” [1st
Timothy 4:1] have infiltrated and infected professing Christendom.
Their forthcoming events include
the following –
Conferences
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Firestorm Speaker(s): Mark Stibbe[pastor of Date: |
The promotional write-up for this
event included the following –
‘FIRESTORM!
The
On April 2nd, a move of God began in
Since the move began, one of the most noteworthy features has been the number
and the quality of the healing miracles…Right from the beginning there have
been prophetic words about the importance of this move of God for the
This will be a day of anointed worship, testimony, teaching, healing ministry
and empowering. It is not to be missed!
A similar-type conference is also scheduled for
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Courses
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Courses
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International
Leader's Speaker(s): John and Carol Arnott and Jeremy and Connie Sinnot Date: 10th November
to |
The promotional write-up for this event included the
following –
Do you feel
like you need to be refreshed, renewed, restored, revived?
Or do you simply want some time and space to pursue your relationship with the
Lord?
We have great news for you! Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship have packaged their
training school and have been taking it to various parts of the world for the
last few years now… We are honoured to be hosting an ILSOM in November
this year at
It is a great
privalege to be welcoming John and Carol Arnott from
On other articles on our website concerning Todd Bentley and the so-called ‘outpouring’ being claimed for Lakeland I have identified the close connection between it and the so-called ‘Toronto Blessing’ of the 1990s and I have pointed out how many of the promoters of that heresy have ‘emerged in recent months from the woodwork’ to try and rekindle interest in their waned ministries.
Amongst those that I identified were John & Carol Arnott who
head up the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship from
whence the so-called ‘Blessing’ emerged. I also identified Ken Gott who brought the so-called ‘Toronto
Blessing’ back to
As you will have read from the adverts/promotional
materials quoted above all 3 of these misguided ‘leaders’ will be ‘ministering’
shortly at
The DVD of a talk I gave
called “
Also mentioned above was the ALPHA
course being run by St Andrews and of course according to Nicky Gumbel [promoter
of ALPHA] the so-called ‘Toronto Blessing’ was providentially circling
the globe just as ALPHA courses ‘took off’ and he felt they complimented each
other and in that he is right for they certainly do misrepresent grossly the
ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The DVD of a talk I gave called “ALPHA - ATTEND or AVOID?” is also still available and
can be purchased from us – PRICE £6.00 [includes p&p]
If you wish to purchase
both DVDs there will be a special combined PRICE of £10.00 [this will
include p&p]. The DVD(s) can be ordered either by post with cheques
payable to ‘TAKE HEED’ PUBLICATIONS and sent to PO BOX 13, BALLYNAHINCH, CO
DOWN, BT24 8AL OR by credit card using the
DONATE facility located on the Homepage of www.takeheed.net - please
be sure to specify which DVD(s) you require.
Cecil
Andrews – ‘Take Heed’ Ministries
APPENDIX
During a ministry visit to Canada
during the first 3 weeks of August 2008 I had to regularly update my talk on ‘Todd
Bentley and Lakeland’ that was being given in several Canadian locations [including
one just a few miles from Todd Bentley’s Fresh Fire Ministries home base in
Abbottsford BC] as a series of dramatic events unfolded during that time.
Without at this stage going into all the details I want to begin by including
here a ‘Stop Press’ enclosure that will be included with the September
2008 ‘News From The Front’ ministry newsletter that will be issued in the
next few days [DV].
‘STOP PRESS’ enclosure
with
September 2008 News From The Front
Since leaving this newsletter with my printer there have
been a series of dramatic developments and revelations concerning Todd Bentley
and events at
1. The Board
of Bentley’s ministry announced 12th August that because of
‘significant friction’ he and his wife Shonnah had split but that no immorality
by either party was involved.
2. The Board
of his ministry announced 15th August that they were now aware that
Todd had ‘entered into an unhealthy emotional-level relationship’ with a female
member of staff.
3. A USA TV
report showed a young boy with spina bifida walking without leg braces in front
of Bentley but then later stumbling and falling outside the church.
4. John
Arnott, pastor of the ‘Toronto Blessing’ church who appeared on stage with
Bentley has written publicly of reports of heavy drinking by Bentley in
5. Bentley
admitted that a supposed ‘word from the Lord’ he delivered at a meeting in June
that 1000 people were each to donate $1000 was simply a money-raising ruse on
his part.
“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit neither can
a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit” [Matthew 7:18 ]
These dramatic events have led to
a response being posted on the St Andrews, Chorleywood, website by the
minister, Mark Stibbe and this is how major portions of it read – I have highlighted some sections in red and have added a response in blue -
RESPONDING TO THE NEWS ABOUT TODD BENTLY
By now you will
have heard the very sad news that Todd and Shonnah Bentley are in the process
of divorce proceedings in
It is vital to begin by reminding
ourselves that Todd's marital difficulties do not undermine the fact that God
has poured out his Spirit in Lakeland, nor does it take away from the
salvations and countless healing miracles that have happened there and in many
other places since April of this year. This
is sheer nonsense – only time will tell if anyone was genuinely saved in spite
of and in the midst of the ungodly scenes witnessed in
‘The following was written by the
leader of a "pro-Lakeland" church - and forwarded to me this week. (I
have removed the identity of both the leader and the church). This really is an
amazing admission for such a "pro-Lakeland" leader to make… Many
claims have been made that simply are not true. The Charisma crew has
researched it. I want to weep. My heart is breaking. For now, to be safe and
for the sake of integrity, we need to stop
speaking about the claimed resurrections. Three of them have been checked out
with the doctors and EMTs involved and found never to have happened at all.
Todd has been confronted with this and has not adjusted the numbers in his
claims. Not a single one of the other claimed resurrections can be
substantiated despite diligent effort to do so. Even after Stephen Strader
brought it down to 13 (and even those couldn't be substantiated) Todd ran it
back up to 27 and more’.
God uses
imperfect vessels. Simon Peter made this point in Acts chapter 3 when he told
the crowds that the man healed at the Gate Beautiful in Jerusalem had not been
healed as a result of his piety but rather God's power. And Peter knew what he
was talking about, because right from the start of his encounter with Jesus
Peter realised he himself was a very imperfect person!
Peter was certainly aware of his sinful shortcomings but he
gave clear evidence by what he said and by what he did that he was a regenerate
son of the true and living God and the man healed at the gate beautiful was
truly, immediately and completely healed for all to see unlike the sham
‘healings’ claimed during events at Lakeland.
It is supremely
important that we hold on to this biblical truth at this time. Divorce is
horrible and God does indeed hate it. But it is not the unforgivable sin. Nor
is it an indication that the people involved belong to the devil!
As I understand it, there has been no adultery involved, nor
has there been any question of a relationship with another woman influencing
the separation. In a statement by the
Board of Todd Bentley’s Fresh Fire Ministries issued
‘Since our last statement [issued 12th
August 2008] from the Fresh Fire Board of Directors, we have discovered new
information revealing that Todd Bentley has entered into an unhealthy
relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff. In light
of this new information and in consultation with his leaders and advisors, Todd
Bentley has agreed to step down from his position on the Board of Directors and
to refrain from all public ministry for a season to receive counsel in his
personal life’.
Todd
has been weak both before and since the news broke,
and he no doubt has some major questions to ask himself
about his lifestyle, but all that is his business and the business of those to
whom he is directly accountable. It is not for us to throw stones from a
distance. Oh really! So we’re just to overlook something
like the following attempted fraud/con/scam - call it what you like – here is part
of a report located on http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2052694/posts
‘In early June, I
think on the 6th Todd gave an offering message that was manipulation and
borderline witchcraft. He said the Lord told Him that there were 1000 people
who were going to give $1000 and if they were obedient, the Lord said they
would receive 1000 fold return. I am in almost daily conversation with Stephen
Strader, and challenged him that it was not from God. He agreed and talked to
Todd. Todd admitted that he worded it wrong, but that it was an idea he had to
raise money for the 30,000 seat revival center they want to build’.
Compassionate
and godly Christian people recognize that God has always been in the business
of using cracked pots rather than faultless vases! The Bible is full of stories
of ordinary and weak leaders used in powerful and extraordinary ways - even,
nation changing ways. While this in no way condones sin or moral failure, it
does serve to cast matters in a proper light. All
too often in recent months I have read and heard harsh, judgmental comments
about Todd Bentley from critics who speak as if they somehow occupy a moral
high ground, with perfect theology and sinless lives.
Todd has never hidden his weaknesses, both past and present. He has given
hope to literally thousands of believers all over the world who don't feel
perfect but who want to be used by their Heavenly Father. That in my opinion is
why the Father raised him up for such a time as this.
The right and Biblical response in this situation is not to sit in judgment
over Todd and Shonnah but to pray fervently
for them and their three children, for a miracle of restoration and for God to
be glorified in that miracle. Compassion not condemnation is called for. This
is an attempted smokescreen by Mark Stibbe – faithful Christians certainly feel
for and have compassion for in particular Shonnah Bentley and the 3 children –
these ‘innocents’ are not being ‘judged’ but the false prophecies, false claims
for healings, the false claims of resurrections and the attempted money-raising
scam by invoking a supposed ‘word from the Lord’ coupled with details of
excessive drinking in Lakeland by Todd Bentley certainly are biblically
legitimate ‘targets for judgement’ in the light of 1st John 4:1 “
Beloved, believe not every spirit but test the spirits whether they are of God:
because many false prophets are gone out into the world”. In relation to the
‘excessive drinking’ this is even reported by John Arnott who wrote on
http://www.tacf.org/tacforghome/Visitors/LakelandToddBentleyUpdate/tabid/761/Default.aspx
‘Todd has chosen to do something that is wrong according to Scripture, and his timing to announce it was equally
inappropriate. Everyone is asking, "What happened?" "Why didn't
anyone see this coming?" We are making the answers to those
questions a matter of prayer, and are as shocked and saddened by what has just
happened as you are. Furthermore, it has now come out that there has been some
inappropriate behavior, both with excessive drinking and also with a female
member of his staff.’
…The other day
I met a man out walking. He and his wife have
just entered into a saving faith in Jesus during the fullest and most fruitful
Alpha Course we have ever had here at
… So
where does this leave us? First of all, it leaves us wanting more of the fire
of the Father’s love [How can you want ‘more of’ something
that is only a figment of ‘vain imaginations’ (Romans 1:21) – there was NO
‘fire of the Father’s love’ because of the ‘ministry’ of Todd Bentley at
Lakeland], pursuing more of the saving, healing,
delivering power of Jesus in our churches – more of the king and more of the
Kingdom. Just because Todd’s marriage is in trouble, that doesn’t mean we give
up our desperate pursuit for revival fire to fall where we live and work! We
have always been about pursuing God not Todd! The
place for Christians to ‘find’ God is in His Word, the Scriptures, for they
‘testify of Him’ [John
Secondly, it
leaves us crying out to God for Todd and Shonnah. As Christians we need to
stand as one to pray for them to be visited by the love of all loves - a love
that can make even the most broken marriage whole. Speaking for myself, I will
not join the revival police and condemn them. Rather, I will stand with them,
praying that what the enemy has intended for harm, the Lord will turn to good,
and for his glory.
Thirdly, I
think the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements need to work very hard from now
on in the area of prevention. All too often we have seen spectacular falls from
grace in our constituencies. All
this for me highlights the desperate need for those on platforms (and those
not) to get their hearts healed up. One
of those involved in the fiasco of the ‘apostolic commissioning service’ for
Todd Bentley was John Arnott. This is what John Arnott said on that occasion
“We bless you today, Todd Bentley.
You're a friend. You're a man of God. You're a man of prayer. You're a man of
the spirit. You love the anointing. And I would say that it's not just the
Anyone guilty of making such a wildly inaccurate statement about
Todd Bentley and having the blasphemous audacity to ‘thank’ the Holy spirit for
raising him up ‘to lead such a mighty charge around the
world, and to partner with God TV in all that has happened here’ needs to take
a long, long break from public ministry so that ‘his heart may be healed up’
BUT Mark Stibbe is having John Arnott and his wife and others to his church in
November for a course titled ‘International Leader’s School of Ministry’ and
part of the promotion reads –
“It is a great privilege to be welcoming
John and Carol Arnott from
In the light of
John Arnott’s role in the deception that was ‘Lakeland’ I would certainly
encourage people to give this ‘a miss’ and not put the course cost of £175.00
into the coffers of St Andrews, Chorleywood.
…So a challenge
lies before each and everyone of us right now in terms
of responding to the news about Todd Bentley. We need to guard our hearts and
at the same time learn every lesson the Holy Spirit wants us to, so that the
name of Jesus may be protected and honoured in the nations.
In the Father’s
love,
Dr Mark Stibbe
Also
included in the
Jacob Prasch of Moriel Ministries, has penned another response to the ministry of
Mark Stibbe. Jacob is perhaps somewhat more ‘flamboyant’ in his use of language
when addressing this issue and of course he holds views on a number of issues
that would differ from my own understanding of Scripture but his article can be
viewed on this link and should help to shed more light on ‘the world’ of Mark
Stibbe.
http://www.moriel.org/articles/discernment/church_issues/delusional_world_of_mark_stibbe.htm
Another article that
contains useful information and assessment of Todd Bentley and
http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain54.htm
It is to be hoped that
the Lakeland ‘Revival’ will now ‘fade into oblivion’ as did its predecessors in
Toronto and Pensacola but sadly, rather like the latest hurricane [Gustav] that
is about to hit the gulf coast of America, it may not be too long before
another ‘Revival Storm’ brews up somewhere in the world and proceeds to leave a
swathe of spiritual destruction and heartache in its wake.
Cecil
Andrews – ‘Take Heed’ Ministries