From Audettes perspective, the impact from Bethel has been overwhelmingly good. Redding City Council - Special Meeting - Budget Workshop. But you know what else has pretty lights? It's designed to attract shoppers downtown . And then there is the $500,000 donation to the city police department: "They did that with one thing in mind, to curry favor," Brady says. Johnson, who publicly endorsed Trump in 2016 and 2020, teaches that part of that revival will come through ballot boxes. I confess to suffering significant election heartburn with the knowledge that Audette was Winters former campaign manager, and that Audette received more than $15,000 in campaign consulting fees from Sean Feuchts failed congressional campaign in 2019 and early 2020, along with $2,800 in reimbursements. Candidate Alex Sheaalso confirmed that he attends Bethel Church. Bethel frightens the hell out of a considerable number of people, many of whom shop at businesses represented by the chamber. For others, its an indication of the dangerous power and influence on local politics that the church already wields. While his two hours weekly at the church are important to him, he said, they have less weight in his life than the forty-plus hours he spends working and interacting in the city. Redding residents are divided on the churchs impact on their city. For the November 8, 2022 general election . My focus in my run for City Council is on minimizing homelessness, fighting crime, and strengthening our economy. The large number of travelers who visit the megachurch and its five schools Bethel Christian School, Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, Bethel Conservatory of the Arts, Bethel School of Technology and Bethel Music College helped attract nonstop United Airlines flights to Los Angeles. One Bethel Church elder, Julie Winter, is already on the Redding City Council, with two years left in her term. And while she believes the Bible calls homosexuality a sin, Audette added, the Bible also says no sin, including lying or greed, is greater than any other. But right now, after all the North States been through, Redding could benefit from some youthful zeal. Bethel also operates multiple schools, including the three-year Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM). Tenessa Audette, age 45, Representative for Senator Brian Dahle, James Crockett, age 41, Social science teacher, Michael Dacquisto, age 68, Redding City Council incumbent, Ian Hill, age 30, Shasta County deputy clerk, Joshua Johnson, age 39, Business owner/developer, Jack Munns,age 64, Retired police officer, Alex Shea, age 36, Housing finance executive, Jordan Valenzuela, age 30, Business owner, book, Invading Babylon, The Seven Mountain Mandate, Connecting yet more Bethel/Stirring dots, Nathan Edwardson, Feucht kicked off his first unauthorized Let Us Worship, I voted for Michael Dacquisto 4 years ago. Put all three of those concerns together, Jake, and Redding starts looking a lot like Clearwater, Florida, global headquarters for Scientology. Whats it all mean, Jake? The sobering reality is that Redding voters are backed against a Bethel wall with some tough questions: Do I wish, for the sake of a more balanced election playing field, that the Redding City Council race wasnt flooded with candidates who attend The Stirring or Bethel Church? Hates a strong word. I'm scared Lol. Disclosure:Annelise Pierce is a former member of Bethel Church and a graduate of the first year of BSSM. Bethel members Tenessa Audette, 45, a first-time candidate, and Jack Munns, 64, who first ran two years ago, will now join Bethel elder Julie Winter on the 5-member council. Interestingly enough, Ive yet to hear Partin ask voters to cast their votes for Dacquisto. Listen to Audettes desire to make Redding a safe, thriving city. Redding Municipal Library Board - Regular Meeting. Add to the information pile the fact that Valenzuela, one of the youngest candidates at age 30, is one of three Redding City Council candidates recommended by Kathy Stainbrook, a notorious ultra-right Red, White and Blueprint supporter, and Leonard Moty recaller. The 11,000-member Bethel Church in Redding, California, led by Bill Johnson, now hold the majority on the Redding City Council after a successful electoral run in November by Bethel members saw them emerge victorious and now hold the swing vote. They maintain an extensive . Hes one of two 30-year-old Redding City Council candidates; a gentle spirit who jumped navely into the deep end of an election pool in which he is in waaaay over his head. Others have been threatened by Bethel supporters. Its not clear whether he continues to attend there. Ten candidates are running for three seats on the Redding council this fall. In reply to R.V. Get involved and join us as we pursue the personal, regional, and global expansion of God's kingdom through His manifest presence. In fact, aside from the times she recused herself to avoid even the perception of a conflict, as far as I know, Winter never uttered the the word Bethel. She's been featured and quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, L.A. Times, Slate. Jesus instituted it as an army that brought transformation to society, starting with salvation and continuing with seven spheres of influence: Church, family, education, government, media, arts, and commerce, they wrote. I was born in the mid 80's in Yuba City, California but moved as an infant to Redding, California where I was raised and ultimately started my family. To donate, click here. Two closed Facebook groupsthe 960-member Investigating Bethel Redding and the 1.8 million member Bethel Affiliated Businesses monitor and critique the church. However, as much as some members of The Stirring church might like to distance themselves from Bethel Churchs dramatic spiritual feats, its indisputable that The Stirring and Bethel Church are Christian kissin cousins. Pamme has served as Executive Director of Ridgefield Theater Barn since 2017 and was appointed to the Ridgefield Arts Council in. Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? I just hope they dont stop there. Kind of like Dacquisto. Now Im not, Listen to Sheas story, and then tell me youd reject this former Wall Street finance expert, Northern Pygmy Owl Whiskeytown Nat. Local critics oppose Bethels promotion of gay conversion therapy and its fight against COVID masks, vaccinations, and closures. Crockett says while hes sure some in the church would endorse Christian Nationalism he doesnt believe most in the churchs rank-and-file are even sure what that term means and he has not heard it taught from the pulpit. But both Audette and Shea say the 7 Mountains Mandate is really about reminding Christians to get involved in the community and find ways to use their skills and resources to make the community better for everyone, although, Shea added, he understands thats not always how the theology is seen. It doesnt apply to the voters, who, not being state actors are free to manifest their religious bigotry against the members of Bethel Church as much as they can refuse to elect Jews. They say that judging by his frequent absences, it appears he no longer prioritizes his city council position. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? widely believed to include the idea that believers should take dominion over society to bring more of heaven to earth. With 10 city council candidates competing for three seats in the Nov. 8 general election, its a contentious game of political musical chairs. Bethel wields immense local influence: of Redding's 90,000 residents, 11,233 are Bethel members, according to a report from northern California magazine A News Cafe. And Redding City Council member Resner decided to run for the Shasta County Board of Supervisors District 1 seat being vacated by Supervisor Joe Chimenti, who opted against running for re-election. As a nonprofit religious institution, Bethel is not permitted to endorse or fund political candidates. In interviews with local candidates Shasta Scout avoided asking directly about Bethel Church involvement to avoid discriminating against individuals on the basis of their faith. Toll free: (866) 364-9980, Christian Musician Sean Feucht Held Defiant Seattle Worship Protest After Concert was Banned, Sean Feucht Protest Worries Los Angeles Homeless Advocates, Sean Feuchts Finale Worship Protest on the National Mall Included More Politics Than Usual, Andrew Wommack Urges Followers to Take Over Colorado City. Bethel is a congregation of worshippers of Jesus Christ in Redding, California, who long to see hearts ignited until heaven meets earth. With that kind of success, it would be waste of talent and experience to not tap him as a resource to create a similar Redding program. Were you afraid to write black people? (Click on names for more information about each candidate.). At every forum Ive attended, Dacquisto has made a shameless plug for his pal Partin. Shea said he would represent all citizens in office, irrespective of their sexual identity, race, color, creed, religion, social status, housing status, or national origin. Redding residents are divided on the churchs impact on their city. If the voters dont like the way the city is run under the new city council, they can boot them out at the next election. CT Firewood - Seasoned Firewood delivery to Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Wilton.. I believe elected officials should serve the people they represent, not control them, and that the government should empower its constituents, not restrict them., Audette said Bethel leaders wouldnt influence her vote because they dont tell her what to believe about anything. While the Seven Mountain Mandate is controversial even among many Christian denominations for Bethel devotees, its considered gospel. Email:[emailprotected] Bethels theology and practices have long been controversial. Michael Dacquisto is the only incumbent candidate, and hes struggling to keep his footing upon a slippery slope studded with loopholes, gray areas and alleged white lies. Tenessa is a graduate of Leadership Redding, and serves on the Steering Committee, organizing the Government program. Audette, a district representative for state Sen. Brian Dahle, has received $37,670 in contributions since the beginning of the year, according to electronic financial disclosure statements. Feucht kicked off his first unauthorized Let Us Worship event beneath the Sundial Bridge in Redding. Tenessa Audette leads the way in fundraising in the crowded Redding City Council race. With three more Bethel-affiliated candidates running for three open council seats this fall, a win by any two would leave the council with what might be described as a Bethel majority., Thats exactly what persuaded candidate James Crockett to run for the council this election. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. (And yes, it's free!). Im not entirely clear on what the agenda was, Crocket responded to Shasta Scout on Friday, but when you raise questions (at the church) they are not heard.. A non-Bethel incumbent up for reelection was the top vote-getter. Im not down with cancel culture. Some locally higher amounts are possible . (He probably knows it.). But most of all, at what point will citizens who feel distraught by what they classify as lousy election options stop complaining and run for office themselves? Thousands of people attended, the majority of whom were members of Bethel Church and The Stirring. Bethels slogan, On earth, as it is in heaven, directs its believers to infiltrate every aspect of their communities. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. Do I feel fantastic about my conclusion? Shes participated in all the candidate forums. There are three seats open for this November's election for Redding City Council. To make a donation,click here. In English, that means its critics believe Bethel is taking over the town and re-creating it in its own image, as its theology commands. First, many members view Bethels strange brew of Christianity and New Age as a straight-up cult, a holy rolling, faith-healing pyramid scheme sucking the lifeblood out of the town and preaching a false gospel. Frankly, theres an unfortunate campaign trait shared by Vollmers, Hill and Valenzuela: Although they can accurately identify Reddings problems homelessness, crime, water issues, mental illness, housing shortages, etc. Crockett says he attended Bethel for nine years and continues to maintain friendships with individuals at the church. Dacquisto was recently quoted in a newspaper story with words that may eventually come back to haunt him: If people dont think I participate enough and want someone to do more, then they should vote for that candidate., Bingo! Is it religiously intolerant to reject the most obviously qualified candidates solely because of the churches they attend, and their religious practices inside those churches? Feb 20, 2023 5:15 PM . Youre on your own., Like many evangelical American churches, Bethel teaches that homosexuality is sin. Help increase access to important information. What about Schreder, Sullivan, and Dacquisto? Both the Redding City Council and the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, egged on by mysteriously funded opposition groups, unanimously opposed the Redding Rancherias casino expansion project. As evidence, she points to the Civic; to Winter's place on the city council; to the hordes of Bethel students who volunteer across Redding, saving the city money. At Shasta Scout, we believe a democratic community requires access to just and equitable news. Pity Partin, whos a respected professional in his own right. Copyright 2023 Shasta Scout | Powered by. But Bethel Senior Associate Leader Kris Vallotton has made multiple political statements from the pulpit, including his prophecy that Donald Trump would win the 2020 presidential election. Votes NO without offering any solutions, vision, or alternative direction. Bloomberg News and on CNN, KQED and KPFA. Two closed Facebook groups the 960-member Investigating Bethel Redding and the 1,800-member Bethel Affiliated Businesses monitor and critique the church. Bethel Church can push ahead with its plans to build a new campus on 39 acres on the northeast of Redding despite ongoing concerns from neighbors about . . A casino is more honest about stealing its customers money, pays its taxes and rakes the cash in 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Bill and Beni Johnson, senior pastors Bethel Redding. In fact, I agree with you on at least one thing you wrote: Were on a slippery slope here. Bethel fought for the right to perform it on adultsand won. Local critics oppose Bethels promotion of gay conversion therapy, and its fight against COVID masks, vaccinations, and closures. Contact usor review ourprivacy policyfor more information. Julie Winter, a Bethel elder, already sits on the five-seat Redding City Council. Christian nationalist Doug Mastriano of Pennsylvania lost his Senate race to his Jewish opponent, while Kari Lake lost Arizonas governors race to the incumbent. She also served on the board of Advance Redding that manages the Redding Civic Auditorium, as well as Bethel Tech. Let Us Worship participants, many from Bethel Church and The Stirring church, crowd around Sean Feucht and musicians. We are on the edge of the greatest revival of all time. Members volunteer and serve throughout the city. But no. Looking to find the non-Bethelites running for city council. Hes back for more, and once again, he hasnt asked for anyone to endorse him, or to donate money to his campaign, because he doesnt want to be beholden to any person or organization. 10ft shipping container craigslist sunsetter awning parts diagram mon bazou cheat menu She attended Bethels School of Supernatural Ministry and says she now teaches a God and Government class there to help ensure that Christians know the importance of maintaining the appropriate separation between church and state. On the plus side, Vollmers has fairly lively, updated social media pages. But Shea said that voter concerns about his attendance at Bethel are part of what running for office entails. Now Im not.. Did you mean the Blue Man Group? Thats the lens through which the people in the groups youre maligning see the world unfolding in front of them, Jake. And even though I attended Bethel Church in my youth, way back in its early Assemblies of God days, there remain many, many things I will never understand about Bethel Church. The City of Redding, incorporated on October 4, 1887, is a general law city formed under state legislative statutes and governed by a body of laws in the State Constitution. Houses and apartments are being snapped up and rented out for outrageous prices to BSSM students, often at the expense of longtime tenants. Thats where it says, [N]o religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. However, Munns does have one interesting detail that sets him apart from the rest of the candidates: He spearheaded in Reno an award-winning homeless-assistance program that he believes could work in Redding. Bethel Affiliated Businesses currently lists 67 businesses, including restaurants, bakeries, cafes and salons as having a Bethel affiliation. If youre suggesting the chamber supports LGBTQ rights, you should know Bethel Church actively opposes LGBTQ rights at the local, state and national level, and spends a lot of money doing it. Their social media pages are meaty, informative and substantive. At worst, based on your weak analogies, a person belonging to one of these Facebook groups could be in danger of being fired, if chamber HR members whove read your blog post now feel justified in handing out pink slips to those who belong to Facebook groups youve characterized as Bethel-haters. Riddle me this: Pretend you are a retired lawyer, and you have a beautiful Siskiyou County home, and a vacation get-away in Mexico. Recreation Area, Shasta County Supervisor Kevin Crye (252), Win-River Casino Expansion: One Step(4,632), Gateway School District Update: Clif(3,529), Comment on Against Ad Hoc Committee Advice, New State California Secessionist Chriss Street May Be Countys CEO by Jolly, Comment on Against Ad Hoc Committee Advice, New State California Secessionist Chriss Street May Be Countys CEO by George Winship. These three appear the most polished, most prepared, most experienced, most articulate and most accomplished. Some Christian Nationalists advocate keeping prayer in schools, outlawing abortion access and gay marriage and enshrining a Christian Nationalist version of American history in public school curriculums. Instead, I make my selections based upon candidates backgrounds, experience, endorsements, creativity, tenacity, enthusiasm, ideas, energy, and the amount of work theyve invested in their campaigns. Such a deal! This story is part of Shasta Scout's citizen-powered election coverage. Cover photo for Bethel Affiliated Businesses Facebook group. But many in the community, including Crockett, feel that a harder look at Bethel-affiliated candidates is valid given the size, funding and theology of Bethel Church. Candidate Jack Munns has also attended Bethel Church. Patrick "Hacker" Jones He knows a thing or two about hackin', lemme tell ya. Great! Yes, Audette and Shea are Bethel Church members. Anyway, your post begins with some rather inauspicious analogies, which might explain the perspiring palms: What if you stumbled upon a post on social media that read FingBlue People! or That ethnic groupis going to hell!? Things got especially slick when you introduced HR departments to this conversation and mention of potential lawsuits. Christianity Today defines Christian Nationalism, Supervisor Jones Wants More Power To Set The Board, And The Peoples, Agenda. By the Redding City Council and its Shasta County Supervisors simply turning their collective backs to an obvious safety issue as its sole reaction to the tragedy that occurred there is simply unacceptable, and surly the blood of the next man, woman, or child brutally and horrifically squashed out of them will spiritually be on your hands. The last go-round she was running for the Shasta County District 1 race, but she dropped out mid-race, citing a lack of financial resources that would enable her to compete with the other well-funded candidates. Why are my palms sweating? Am I too angry about the subject material? They can be a nuisance. I've searched the names on the ballot and I found James Crockett and Erin Resner are both associated with Bethel. Bethel businesses do indeed have a trendy, over-designed-yet-spartan feel to them. Incumbent Michael Dacquisto posted on Facebook a photo of his completed ballot marked with just two Redding City Council selections. The device costs $2,000 and will make AED available to the general public 24/7. Bethel helped raise money to assist the completion of Redding's free water park, Fantasy Fountain, and design-savvy Bethel members voluntarily created a style guide for signage in city parks. Subscribe to Signals from Shasta Scout our stories and news updates, right to you. The following is an open letter to Redding Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jake Mangas in response to his blog post last week on the chambers website, Hate Speech and Bethel Church.. A lack of effort put into the job of being an elected official. R.V. Members of Bethel the 11,000-member northern California megachurch famous for elaborate healing services, Bethel Music and musician Sean Feucht's nationwide worship protests against COVID restrictions now hold the majority on the Redding City Council after November's elections, according to nearly complete vote counts.. Bethel members Tenessa Audette, 45, a first-time candidate . Bethel Redding has also become associated with certain phenomena that are interpreted by the leadership and the congregation as manifesting the presence and glory of God. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. Ministry Watch reports: Redding is a city of 93,462 in Trump-red Shasta County, which has a popula Members of Bethel the 11,000-member northern California megachurch famous for elaborate healing services, Bethel Music and musician Sean Feuchts nationwide worship protests against COVID restrictions now hold the majority on the Redding City Council after Novembers elections, according to nearly complete vote counts. . Have I done the research? Pastor Bill Johnson, who became leader of the Assemblies of God congregation in 1996, described his view of the churchs role in society in Invading Babylon: The 7 Mountain Mandate, a book he wrote with self-proclaimed Trump prophet Lance Wallnau: Jesus instituted it as an army that brought transformation to society, starting with salvation and continuing with seven spheres of influence: Church, family, education, government, media, arts, and commerce, they wrote. Although Im a Democrat, for me, a shared party is not reason enough to vote for someone as politically out of touch and woefully inexperienced as Hill. One of the most frequent election questions posed recently on North State social media sites pertains to whether candidates do or do not attend Bethel Church or The Stirring. The City of Redding has allowed them to sleep and stay there For months. That meant that some people threw their votes away on Vollmers, who endorsed Erin Resner, someone currently embroiled in an extremely heated run-off against opponent Kevin Crye in next months election. She lives in Redding, California. The Redding City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved renewing Advance Reding's contract to run the Redding . compared the COVID vaccine to the mark of the beast. May 11th 2022, 6:13 PM PDT. 1. Christian nationalist Doug Mastriano of Pennsylvania lost his Senate race to his Jewish opponent, while Kari Lake lost Arizonas governors race to the incumbent. The church was established in 1952, and is currently led by Bill Johnson.Bethel has its own music labels, Bethel Music and Jesus Culture ministries, which have gained popularity for contemporary worship music.The church runs the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry with . Some say the church has helped the city in many ways: Members volunteer and serve throughout the city. We could have heaven and hell on earth, twin beacons demarking our strategic position on the I-5 corridor. Now pretend you also own a tiny apartment over a garage behind your old legal office in downtown Redding between the railroad tracks and Court Street. Redding Area Bus Authority - Regular Meeting. Hand Counting, Supervisor Jones Says. This article, which originally appeared at MinistryWatch, has been corrected to accurately state details of a Facebook group. They are predominantly well-coifed young hipster men dressed in skinny jeans and designer t-shirts with that preternatural glow that comes from a ramen starvation diet, abstinence from sex, cigarettes and alcohol and countless late-night sessions getting drunk in the spirit.. Redding is a city of 93,462 in Trump-red Shasta County, which has a population of 182,000. Classificados de Traduo nos Estados Unidos. Or will we now see what the true intentions of Bethel Church, School, And Ministry really are. Yikes!! Earnest deputy county clerk Ian Hill falls into a bless his pea-pickin heart category. Bethel attendees represent approximately 10 percent of the City of Redding and Bethel is listed by the Shasta Economic Development Corporation as the 8th largest employer in Shasta County. You know the difference between Bethel Church and a casino, Jake? Feucht also worship-campaigned for Doug Lamborn, U.S. House member from Colorado Springs, who coasted to reelection. Within the last two tumultuous years, Jeremy Edwardson partnered with a seemingly unlikely docu-series collaborator: militia-member, former-strip-club-owner Carlos Zapata, known for blood in the streets violent rhetoric that briefly thrust Zapata into fleeting, international alt-right celebrity status. Scheide. Were talking about vision, Jake. I know what he means, because Audette and Shea in particular do come across a bit on the Up-With-People uber-perky side. While Crockett says its clear that Bethel is passionate about making a positive impact in the city, he worries that the ways they attempt to do so may not take into account the perspectives and needs of all. Dacquisto may have once been an active member in the community, but it is widely known locally that is no longer the case. Several of the candidates running for the Redding City Council this fall are connected to Bethel Church.
