He also, with the written consent of his biological father, Mr Christopher Yaw Amankwah, signed the Missionary Consent form on 13th October 2007. According to court filings presented by government investigators, Lighthouse was not keeping proper records and was not co-operating with their investigation - which meant it was impossible to determine the "true nature" of the business. Influenced by Theosophy and I AM, the Church originated as The Summit Lighthouse, WebLighthouse, a Pontiac-based nonprofit dedicated to building equitable communities that alleviate poverty, is pursuing plans to redevelop its headquarters at 46156 Woodward Ave. in Pontiac. It would also be home to Africas first Bible Museum and Documentation Centre. Felecia,WiiN Worldwide Founder and President Earlene Buggs, and The BossLady Network CEO and Founder Christina Murray cohosted the series featuring unfiltered talks about all-things womanhood. 4. The church, run by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, also failed to consistently pay their Social Security (SNNIT) contributions throughout the years they laboured for the church, leaving them facing financial ruin as they edge closer to retirement. II. When a doctor agreed to cut down his dosage, Anthony started complaining of withdrawal symptoms. The Church in its defence argued that it had paid in full all SSNIT contributions owed Bishop Oko Mensah for his 16 years as an employee of the church, contrary to his claim that the church owed him over 14 years of unpaid SSNIT contributions. I was inspired.". "These women have served and have great needs. LCI has counterclaimed against the former pastors as follows: 1. One of the most mind-boggling averments in Bishop Okos statement of claim is in WebKeion Henderson is Founder, CEO and Senior Pastor of The Lighthouse Church & Ministries, a church community headquartered in Houston, Texas. Today I celebrate you because as our friendship has blossomed, youve become my safe place where I can authentically grow without judgement. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. In January, two others members of the board Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and the Reverend Eastwood Anaba wrote to the cathedral secretariat to call for an immediate suspension of construction pending an audit of the project. It accused the BBC of being part of a smear campaign, and went on to target online people who it suspected we had interviewed, including Jeff and Dawn. According to their report, the six [pastors] have resigned from the church for various reasons and dragged the Lighthouse Chapel International, which used to be the epicentre of their spiritual and social lives, to court. Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Thank you for being my friend first, yet being intentional with my time and heart. Read More . WebIn January of 1941, the church was completed, and an article appeared in The Dallas Morning News soon after with the grabber of a headline, Lighthouse Church Warns Oak Cliff of He was not an employee according to the churchs records. Read about our approach to external linking. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Bishop Larry is to report to the CID headquarters for interrogations on Friday 20th August 2021. Logic is gone.". Your email address will not be published. When Anthony began querying whether Lighthouse was helping him, Jai said he was being paranoid as a result of withdrawal symptoms from his medication. The $400m state-funded church has become hugely controversial in Ghana even as the country pursues an IMF loan due to huge debt and economic woes. Erin, meanwhile, was berated as a "cynical old witch" when she asked where her money had gone. This further means that a pastor who leaves the country to a different country is considered not to be in employment of LCI Ghana. Over 86% of LCI pastors are volunteer pastors. Paul Waugh - borrowing ideas of a famous American psychiatrist called M Scott Peck - says everyone falls into one of four levels of spiritual development. Things start off well - and happy mentees invest more money. Against all 6 Plaintiffs for damages for defamation for publishing 3 Articles against the LCI each titled Darkness In A Lighthouse. Today, the Ivorian cathedral has become a white elephant, Ablakwa said. The interdenominational national cathedral will help unify the Christian community and thereby help promote national unity and social cohesion, he said. In addition, the cathedral would have a music school, an art gallery, shops and a national crypt for state burials. Two preferred a different terminology - although both said they were concerned about Lighthouse. But he knew Lighthouse could be ruthless with dissenters. Gradually conversation drifted into Jeff's personal life. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Together, they say they worked for years for the church, most at times as pastors heading different branches accross Ghana and other parts of Africa without having been formally employed by the church. Again, the church argued that it provided free accommodation for the Bishop Mensah throughout the 16 years of employment contrary to his claim that he was most often deprived of the basic logistics required for their work such as a car and accommodation to facilitate his work. Paul Opoku-Mensah, executive director of the national cathedral secretariat, said the location of the cathedral is strategic. It is home to the only basilica in Africa and the largest church in the world. But "you can only ever go so far". Another ex-landlord told us he had received about 150 letters from debt collection agencies addressed to people involved in Lighthouse. Rents, fuel and transport prices have risen, and about a quarter of the population live below the poverty line, according to the United Nations Development Programme and the Ghana Statistical Service. LCI-Burkina Faso claims that while he was heading the LCI-Burkina Faso between 2018 and 2019, he misappropriated to himself the sum of $57,403.21 and that LCI Burkina Faso has given LCI-Ghana a power of attorney to recover the sum from him. On 3rd August 2021, which was the last adjourned date of the trial, the presiding Judge Justice Frank Aboagye Rockson repeated an earlier suggestion he had made to the parties to settle the matter amicably. WebPugh recently announced that he was leaving his position as worship pastor at Houston's Lighthouse Church. The government argues the cathedral will bring enormous long-term economic benefits while transforming Ghana into a religious hub, creating jobs and accruing more revenue for the state. Counterclaims Against Faith Makafui Fiakojo: I. LCI claims he illegally took over the LCI church building in Fumbisi after he resigned and the church has sued for recovery of possession. But last year, when Karina wrote about her concerns about Lighthouse online, Kris reported her to the police for being an internet troll. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. I made a pledge to almighty God that He was gracious enough to grant my party, the NPP, and I victory in the 2016 elections after two unsuccessful attempts, so I will help build a cathedral to his glory and honour, President Nana Akufo-Addo said at the sod-cutting ceremony in 2020. Lighthouse told him to wait two years for any return on his money and warned him that creating controversy could jeopardise his investment. It is therefore a palpable lie for Oko Mensah to say his wife followed him to Burkina Faso and Benin and therefore lost her job; unless Oko Mensah is talking about another wife he had that went with him on the mission. When we put our allegations to Paul Waugh and Lighthouse, the group claimed data protection rules prevented them from responding properly. Erin says she got a credit card at Jai's suggestion. Jeff became something called a "Lighthouse Associate Elect". Karina Deichler, whose brother Kris has been part of Lighthouse for more than a decade, says when they were younger the pair were more like best friends than siblings. Pastor Keion Henderson and I mutually agreed that Fire from generator caused inferno at 3-storey building at Makola - Report, Gomoa: Two separate road crashes leave one dead; others injured, Nhyiraba Kojo still in prison due to inability to satisfy purging condition Lawyer, Dafeamekpor goes to Supreme Court over appointment of NPP EC board members. Pastor Edem Kofi Amankwah was a volunteer pastor from October 2007 to 2018, when he resigned as a volunteer pastor without due notice to the church. He said most of the costs would be covered by donations and the government was providing only the land and an unspecified amount of seed money for the preparatory phase. The church was nurtured from 16 members looking for a temp, to the largest multi-cultural church on the South Side of Look at the compensations we need to pay and the rebuilding of some of these structures. We have pressing issues, such as lack of funding for the national school feeding programme involving schoolchildren, and our priority as a country is to build a cathedral for God. An order to compute and pay balance of salary due them. "He said it would be the best opportunity for me to succeed," says Jeff. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. After several months, Jai offered Jeff the chance to get more involved with Lighthouse. However, that has not been the case. The honesty seemed to help Jeff focus. Catrin Nye investigates a life coaching company that takes over your life. She accepts it can be extremely challenging. After investigating it since June 2022, the business secretary argued the company was working against the public interest. Open Harvest Ministries Sign-ups 8 am till 11 am. The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has launched investigations into complaints against the Lighthouse Chapel International (LCI) following the churchs failure to pay the pension contributions of six pastors who have resigned from the church. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. www.Lighthouseormond.com The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. WebBefore he joined Lighthouse, 30-year-old Anthony Church had struggled with anxiety and depression, suffered a breakdown and attempted suicide. And yet, Keion has made the proverbial lemonade out of lemons. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. WebFounded in 2009, The Lighthouse Church encompasses five campuses and 30 ministries, as one of the fastest growing churches in the nation with over 15,000 members and climbing, Recordings of calls handed to the BBC reveal Jai telling Anthony that medication "is not a long-term solution because it doesn't encourage the person to consciously make decisions to command and reprogramme the subconscious mind". WebLighthouse Christian Church - Meet our Staff Joe Castillo LEAD PASTOR Joe was born in the Philippines and grew up in Los Angeles and Chicago. I am determined, come what may, Akufo-Addo said. And Lighthouse is a growing concern to the people who monitor cults too. We had to find another church to sponsor our loan. Another pastor in the Reddit group complained that he wanted to leave ARC because of recent scandals involving pastors who fail morally but couldnt because his church still owes ARC money. This vehicle is the subject matter of a counterclaim and criminal action by LCI. WebPast Lighthouse Baptist Church member James Earl Lovett was charged, pled guilty, and was convicted in 2004 of sexual battery and aggravated sexual battery, a Class E Felony against LCI says that Bishop Larry Odonkor was a volunteer pastor from 2001to 2005 and he signed the missionary acceptance form with the written consent of his mother Cecilia Mensah on 21st August 2001. "It was a master stroke" replied one of his followers. Edward Laryea, Pastor Seth Duncan, Pastor Edem Amankwah and Pastor Faith Makafui Fiakojo. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? February 10, 2023. I am ready to put my hands to the plow and make a global impact. I think it is important that we do it.. Pugh is also embarking on a 50-city tour as part of his journey to 50 years of life and over 20 years in the gospel music industry. Despite ONeals Instagram announcement, it is unclear how long the pair has been an item. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. When Jeff got frustrated on one call, Jai told him to up his efforts and stop being emotionally "lazy". The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. He was once married to Felecia A. Henderson (not to be confused with the popular television producer), until their marriage ended a couple of years ago. The six former employees I will accept the many congratulatory messages. Gospel Singer Earnest Pugh Exits Megachurch Ministry to Pursue New Veteran Non-Profit. FACT CHECK: Dave Ramsey Made a Statement About America Online, FACT CHECK: CIA Director Gina Haspel Found Dead, FACT CHECK: Kwik Trip Launches Kwik Strip Gentlemens Clubs, Meet Lukas Van Ness Girlfriend and Cole Kmets Sister, Frankie Kmet, Meet Seattle Kraken LW Tye Kartyes Girlfriend, Monik Pigeau, Meet Commanders DE Chase Youngs Girlfriend, Sophie Piteo, Meet Sacramento Kings SF Harrison Barnes Wife, Brittany Barnes, Meet St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher Ryan Helsleys Wife, Alex Helsley, Meet Boston Celtics Guard Marcus Smarts Fiance, Maisa Hallum, Tynisha Marcel (born 20th Jul 1995), Candis Clements (23rd Dec 2005), Katelyn (18th July 2012). Veteran Anchor John Stofflet to Retire from NBC15 Madison, Meteorologist Bri Eggers Is Leaving KTVB-TV in Boise, Idaho, News4Jax Anchor Mary Baer Is Leaving WJXT-TV, By: Caroline John - Published: July 7, 2021 at 7:13 am, Keion Henderson at the 34th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards at the Orleans Arena on March 29, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Details are emerging as to how the six former pastors of Lighthouse Chapel International (LCI) allegedly demanded a whopping $12 Million as a settlement from the church. Some point next door to neighbouring Ivory Coast for a cautionary tale. Every morning at five, Jeff would prepare for a daily call where Lighthouse business would be discussed. But these calls weren't what Jeff had signed up for. Yet there are still dozens of people who remain part of Lighthouse today. They recorded something quite different. Shaunie ONealintroduced her new boyfriend,Pastor Keion Henderson, in a big way on Tuesday, July 6, by penning him a special message in honor of his 40th birthday. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! Read about our approach to external linking. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". This includes a Hyundai Elantra with registration number: GN8591-12 and that Bishop Oko Mensah refused to return the Hyundai Elantra when he resigned. It meant he could tap into Lighthouse's network of brilliant entrepreneurs - sitting in on their daily meetings and even training to be a mentor himself. That LCI upon discovering this after he resigned paid the SSNIT contribution and taxes with penalties thereon. But construction of the presidents pet project, due to cover 3.5 hectares (9 acres) of prime Accra real estate, has stalled since June due to lack of funds. He will turn 45, but the fear of growing old in itself is not his Besides being active in the church community, Felecia was part of the online talk show seriesCloset Chats in 2019. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. Sitting on day-long mentoring phone calls seems a far cry from the popular image of a cult - where depictions tend to be about mysticism and new religions. It was now going global. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. So when you add these together, our conservative estimate is that we will be spending in excess of $1bn because that $400m, which is being bandied around, is just an empty shell, and it does not address all the exclusions.. Bishop Oko was, on Monday 16th August 2021 charged with stealing the car and will soon be arraigned before the court to be prosecuted. The objective is to be a rock and stone of help to veterans who have served their country and now need to be served themselves.". Contribute to Atlanta Black Star today and help us share our narratives. It was a lot of money, but Jai had warned the price would soon go up further if he delayed this decision. Felecia and Earlenes husbands, Pastor Henderson and millionaire coach Holton Buggs, appeared in a special relationship-themed episode. The BBC searched public records and found 17 county court judgements against nine current members of Lighthouse. says Jeff. These are not the tools of success, and many times become an arsenal of anger. Felecia has not spoken much about their separation and has had limited activity on social media. He added that most of our allegations "were absolute nonsense". The pastor himself announced it in an interview with BlessedBeatz Media. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. All his salaries and allowances were paid by LCI-South Africa and LCI-Madagascar during this period. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. But within six months the calls sprawled to five or six hours long with up to 30 people online. LCI is claiming a sum of GHC 36,820.00 from him. But coaching in the wrong hands can be dangerous. Another disturbing aspect of the report is that most of these men left their education, some with degrees which could have landed them highly lucrative jobs, to follow their papa. In this channel, you'll find exclusive content, But critics and the opposition accuse the government of using the project to milk state coffers in the name of religion, and some see the state-backed construction as a misplaced priority. O Neal was previously married to former NBA player Shaquille ONeal from 2002 to 2009 and shares and co-parents five children: Myles ONeal, 24, Shareef ONeal, 21, Amirah ONeal, 19, Shaqir ONeal, 18 and 16-year-old Mearah ONeal. A vlogger by the name of Larry Reid reportedly secured copies of the court documents and released them on Patreon. LCI churches worldwide share a common vision of propagating the gospel worldwide and training leaders and pastors to take the gospel to the four corners of the world. Six former pastors of the Lighthouse Chapel International, now known as United Denominations, have taken the church to court for being exploited for years whilst working for the church. One woman who rented a six-bedroom house to Paul Waugh, said she ended up with eight Lighthouse team members living there. Are you affected by issues covered in this story? They even staged a coup against him. There is nothing wrong with building a national cathedral, but the timing is not right. WebThey have resigned from Lighthouse and have sued the church for violating their rights Kofi Bentil, who is the lawyer for the six former employees of the church, told The Fourth Estate "I was motivated. #thisis40 .. LCI-Ghana denies this and says the church employed him from July 2005 to June 2010 . WebEvangelist Dag Heward-Mills, founder of Lighthouse Chapel International has broken his silence days after six former pastors of his church accused him of violating their rights. It does not store any personal data. d. General damages for: breach of contract and the pain, unfair termination of contract, suffering caused as a result of bad treatment of plaintiffs during the period of their employment and loss of income by their spouses during transfers. Lighthouse argues it has helped lots of people overcome obstacles to their potential through mentoring, life-coaching, counselling and community support. Felecias middledaughter, Candis Clements, was born on December 23, 2005. Cult expert and social psychologist Dr Alexandra Stein says: "There's a such a strong stereotype that the only cults are in California where people wear long orange robes. Felecia Marcel married Keion Henderson on August 7, 2010. Lighthouse Trails has issued challenges and appeals to Erwin Lutzer on a number of occasions over the past ten years because of our concerns that as a major Christian leader (Pastor Emeritus (as of spring 2016) of Moody Church the same church Dr. Harry Ironside and D.L. A similar pattern has emerged. "Find them in your journal or find them in your personal mentoring.". We, therefore, resolve: that in the spirit and cause of transparency and accountability to the Ghanaian people, the current board of trustees of the national cathedral shall appoint an independent, nationally recognised accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to and spent by the national cathedral..
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