"Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the
Christ: and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them". Luke 21:8
False groups don't draw their strength from their errors. They draw strength from
their ability to counterfeit elements that are present in healthy religious groups
but are treated differently.
Family. Within a dangerous group there is often an intense sense of identity and
family. Family members are viewed as brothers and sisters, united against the
outside world.
In ETEC the family theme got many to join. In one sermon Virgil Meares
preached that you have to forsake friends and family. His purpose was to
have my husband and I ostracized. I publicly corrected him by sitting that
the Bible never said any such thing. We are to forsake their way of life,
that is their lifestyle, and choose the Christian way life. We are to always
love and witness to friends and family peradventure they too come to know
Jesus and live for him.
Biblical Emphasis. Many DRGs give much attention to Bible study with
their own interpretations. They are also warned about reading authors who
are outside of their own groups.
ETEC used many biblical concepts that were invented by them, for example,
lifeline, spiritual authority, transparency, shepherding, disciples, "taking
dominion", etc. The members were often cautioned about reading any books,
article or newspapers, like the Washington Post , that even hinted at any
corruption in their church.
Sacrifice. Members of DRGs are usually asked to make unreasonable
sacrifices. A former of a DRG, says, "It doesn't start out that you are
the only ones making sacrifices for the truth. I didn't want anything
cheap. I wanted something that cost me for my commitment".
Among other things members of ETEC were asked to double their tithes
and during tax refund times the Elders and Deacons attended fundraising
seminars taught by professionals on how to use certain techniques get
more money from the members. On a specific fundraising the Meares
held retreats in which the people were told that it is the Word of God for
them to pay $5000.00 per working person or they will be killed. In homes
where both spouses worked the pledge was to be $10,000.00. On another
occasion after the Deacons had already pledged $5000.00 per person, Bishop
Meares said that God told him to double his pledge and asked if they have.
He then instructed them to prophesy this message to the members. Later
in the court case against them the Bishop perjured himself by saying that
he never said any such thing. Fortunately he was taped.
Exclusivism. DRG members develop the belief that they alone have
been entrusted with the truth.
The members of Evangel Temple Church believed that they alone were
entrusted with the Bishop's vision which incidentally was a lie and
unscriptural. This vision was called "Reconciliation of Black and
White Christians". I informed the members and the Bishop that no
man can reconcile Christians. Jesus has already done this at the Cross.
There are no Black or White Christians, there are only Christians. The
only thing that the Bishop can do is provide fellowship so that both
Blacks and Whites can love each other. The ministry of reconciliation
is given to the church but this to reconcile the lost to Christ, not the
Christians who are already saved.
The Bishop had planned an elaborate celebration for the grand finale
to take place on the steps of the Washington Capitol. He had selected
a black minister, Luther Blackwell, and a White Minister, Jack Hayford,
who were supposed to kneel on the steps facing each other and ask
forgiveness. This milestone was to be called "MORE". It never came
to fruition but this was a typical example of doing things for show. There
was to be One Million people, because of the lawsuit, he gave the idea to
Farrakhan.
At the time the Bishop had approximately 483 Ministers under his
"covering". Covering, according to Roberts Matthews, an Elder
in the church, meant that they provided insurance for small churches.
Matthews incidentally was the Elder chosen to tell the members to
borrow money from the banks or any lending institutions regardless
of the interest rate even if it was 16% or 17%. One member had six
loans from six banks totaling twenty thousand dollars. His mother
had to deed her home in order to financially bail him out. His name was Robert Gaskill.
Indoctrination. An additional mark of many dangerous religious
groups is their use of sophisticated methods of recruitment and
coercive persuasion. Rather than allowing converts to make decisions
of faith based on their own sense of good judgement, some groups
break down individual thinking by one or more of the following
technique:
Isolation. Recruits are located from family, friends, and news media
in order to screen out opposing points of view. ETEC members were
told not to listen to news media or read newspapers such as Washington
Post.
Peer-group Pressure. Potential converts are subjected to intense
persuasion by group members. Evangel Temple created peer
groups called Kingdom Life groups (KLG) to better monitor the
members pledges and personal lives. The Deacons were instructed
to regularly hassle and cajole members into making their pledge
steadily and promptly and report to the Elders weekly.
Love Bombing. Group members give prospects an overwhelming
sense of acceptance, belonging, and significance by "bombing" them
with flattery, touching, and hugging. ETEC cloyingly loved its
members as long as you stayed under their control. The minute you
asked questions or stepped on their toes, they were ready to kill you.
Removal of Privacy. Recruits are hardly ever away to collect and
often common knowledge. In ETEC Deacon candidates were asked
very personal questions such as their sex lives. In my case my husband
refused to answer and I simply told Donald Meares that we have a
good thing going and we intended to keep it so. However I was
affronted because my oldest child was older than my inquisitor.
Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue. A person's resistance is broken
down by long meetings and extended work hours. Evangel Temple
required members to attend mandatory meetings and special services
almost nightly. They were constantly exhausted. They had marriages,
families, jobs and personal lives that literally fell apart because of the
time spent at the Church.
Games. Complex games are played for the purpose of creating a
sense of dependence. Deacons were called on their vacations and
sometimes asked to return because the Church supposedly could
not do without them or their services.
Mind Control. Members are conditioned to stop thinking and to
accept without question the revelations and doctrines of their
leader. The members of ETEC were told that they were not to
get information or revelation from anywhere except from the
pulpit. They were to look for key words which had hidden
meanings. These were given when new doctrine and ideas were
about to be introduced. Donald Meares stated that the Elders were
the head of the body of Christ, the Deacons were the shoulders
and the people were the feet. He explained that the Deacons were
not to serve the people but to serve the Elders and their people had
to obey. I remember one member saying to me that she felt so bad
that he placed them as the feet. I told her the body has only one
head which is Jesus Christ. We all belong in the Body and what-
ever part we are is not identified in the Bible. Whenever we talk
about two heads we are describing an abnormal creature. God's
true Church is not abnormal.
Members were not to ask questions. If they did, they were told
that they were "touching" God's anointing". This to was taken
from the Bible but it is out of context. Jesus is the Anointed One.
He was touched, beaten, spit upon, and killed. He said the servant
is not greater that his master, so all the "anointed ones" should
expect to be touched if they want to be like him.
Confession. The self-respect of the members is broken down
through persuading them to share their innermost secrets with
the group. In ETEC they called this routine transparency. Donald
Meares insisted that he should be able to ask the group anything
concerning their personal lives. Often he repeated and even joked
about private information shared with him in counseling.
Fear. Negative thoughts or doubts about the group or its leader
are said to be soul-threatening. The Deacons in the Church were
told to squash all murmuring and complaints which Evangel Temple
called "evil reports". Anyone leaving the group was warned about
harsh spiritual consequences. The Bishop and Elders told the
members that they are planted in the church and should not
uproot themselves because it is not God's will.
Chanting And Singing. Members are subjected to constant repetition,
which blocks their rational thought processes.
Childlike Dependence. The leader demands absolute submission to his
control. Bishop Meares and his family ruled the members wholly. They
even went as far as arranging marriages between homosexual men and
straight Christian women. Rodney Benson was pianist at church, they
arranged his wedding, I brought his ring, I didn't know he was a Homo. He
married a choir member, she had twins for him. Rodney left her and
was living on 16th st & florida with his poo partner, who killed him.
I knew about four marriages they arranged. Romans chpt (1).
No Questions. Members are taught to accept question the revelations and
interpretations of the leaders. One such revelation is a talk Bishop Meares
had with God who enlightened him that the church was going to
financially take care of him and our children will take care of his
grandchildren, etc. I decided not my children.
Dress. Conformity of dress is encouraged to suppress individuality. The
Deacons had to wear white gowns. According to the Elders there were
too many colors around.
The result of DRG indoctrination tends to follow a pattern. While all
of us need to look for dangerous thinking in ourselves, there are
certain patterns that keep showing up in DRGs.
Dependence on gifted teachers who claimed to always have messages
from God.
Self-justification based on the belief that outsiders are under the control
of Satan. ETEC claimed that outsiders had lying spirits or spirits of
division or Absalom spirits. They alleged that these outsiders want
to takeover the Church or that they were insane. They said this about
me.
Loss of freedom as individual thoughts, feelings, and choices are
increasingly replaced by group thoughts, feelings and decisions.
Bishop Meares accomplished this through so called prophesy.
When a Prophecy from God does not come true, the Man is a
False Prophet.
Loss of conscience as the group and its leaders draw the individual
into behaviors that destroy moral courage. The members of ETEC
not only lost their conscience but their wisdom and common sense.
They were encouraged by Don Meares to Swindle and financial
lending institutions.
Adjustment of expectations from what was originally promised to
what was received. Evangel Temple promised of prophesied
many things but rarely produced results. Money was collected for
projects that never came to fruition. One such project was "Garden
in the Ghetto". The Bishop had prophesied that God had given them
the thirteen acres behind the church. However, in retrospect, we
discovered that the government intended to build a shopping center
on this land. This fact we known long before the money was
pledged by the members and accepted by the Meares. The Bishop's
excuse or rationalization was that the Apostle Paul had made
a mistake and so could he. The mistake that he referred to was
the incident in which Paul had received a vision of a man from
Macedonia asking him to come over and help them.
When Paul went to Macedonia he found a woman instead of a
man. This was just an excuse to steal the people's money. Not
surprisingly, In the District Court the Bishop testified that he was
not aware that any money was collected for the project. He said
that it was just a concept. What a liar!
Fear of leaving the group under the threat of loss of eternal life
and reward. ETEC indoctrinated the people into thinking that
it is not God's will for them to leave or even visit another church.
Subtle treats were interjection into most of the services given
from the pulpit.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
How To Identify The Leader(s) Of A DRG
"Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away
disciples after them." Acts 20:30
It would be helpful if dangerous leaders understood and declared their own motives
from the beginning, It would be helpful if they made it clear that, unlike Christ, their
intent was not to serve but served, not to give but to receive, not to love but to be loved.
It would be helpful if they would always come from the "outside" rather that from
"within". But the Bible tells us to watch ourselves and those who arise from among
us to draw off followers after themselves (Acts 20:30).
Dangerous religious leaders do not let their groups know that they are slowly
giving old words new meaning, or that they are showing a love that at some point
will turn into rigid, authoritarian control. They may not even realize the extent to
which they are flattering followers, exaggerating stories of God's miracles, and
claiming conversations with the Spirit that are rooted in their own imagination.
Evangel Temple - Evangel Church (ETEC) propagated many exaggerated stories
of God's miracles. Following are a couple such examples:
EXAMPLE 1:
At a church retreat, Bishop Meares announced that since he and his wife Mary lee
were so financially strapped they were going to borrow money by faith, to give
to the building fund. He stated that his mother-in-law had died and left his
wife a small insurance policy from which they will give. The audience was in
awe at this commendable act. I was shocked!
You see, approximately four years earlier he had told the same story, only that time
he suggested that Mary Lee keep the money for herself, while she insisted that she
will use the money to start a book store. Did Mary Lee Meares have two mothers
who died and left her insurance policies?
EXAMPLE 2;
When ETEC was in the process of buying the land on Central Avenue, in a Church
meeting the Bishop announced that with the help of a business friend known as
"Libby" they had found the land which to build. He reported that they searched
thoroughly via helicopter. The church was in an uproar at such an astounding
announcement. Libby Dorris of Pennsylvania.
Approximately nine months later at the church's altar, the Bishop solemnly professed
that as he was randomly driving his car and talking to the Lord, the Holy Spirit fell
on him causing him to pull his car aside. He then stated that the Lord told him the
land on which he was parked was the land to buy. He looked up and behold, the
street was called :Church Road". He knew then that this was a sign from the Lord.
The congregation was again in an uproar. Had everyone conveniently forgotten a
few months earlier he had found the land with the help of "Libby" the business
friend?
It usually takes time before it becomes undeniable that the one they have invested
so much trust in is not the servant of God they thought he was. What a painful
realization! What an embarrassment to admit that this leader has been leading
them in the path of "another Jesus" offering "a different spirit" and teaching "a
different gospel" (2Cor.11:4).
At ETEC they were offering a different spirit another Jesus and a different gospel.
And as in all dangerous religious groups the people believed and accepted. On
most Sundays or whenever the Bishop preached many of the congregation,
including Ministers and deacons, could be observed sleeping strongly, even
snoring! This to me indicated another spirit besides the Holy Spirit at work.
Time will also unveil the fruit of a leader's life. First impressions and words by
themselves will not display motives. Life has a way of writing its journal about
the purposes of our hearts. Inasmuch as Apostle Paul described the "four of the
Spirit" in Galations 5:22-23, we are wise to ask the following questions about
those we are relying on for leadership.
These questions address issues rooted not merely in a leader's words but in his
or her attitudes and actions. They help us to see that the issue is not just
doctrine, but the spirit and fruit of the leader.
Are they marked by reverence and humility, or by brashness and arrogance?
Yes
Are they gentle of (demanding?) (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
Do they show respect for authorities (both friends and enemies), including
the Lord, parents, government? (2 Peter 2:10-12, Jude 8:10) No
Do they show love for other leaders? (1 Corinthians 3:1-9) No they
laugh at them
Do they promote personal discernment, growth, and maturity in their
followers, or do (they foster dependence) and submission? (Acts 17:11),
Ephesians 4:11-16) Yes
Do they exploit their members financially? (1 Peter 5:2,2 Peter 2:3) Yes
Is there evidence of sexual faithfulness, of have they left themselves open
to questions and rumors? (2 Peter 2:14) Yes
Do they lovingly and courageously tell the truth about sin no, or do they
only tell their group what they want to hear? Yes (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Do they sacrifice their own interest for the well-being of their group no,
or are they carried like kings on the shoulders of their followers? Yes
(Philippians 2:3-4)
Do they draw the attention and allegiance of their followers to Jesus Christ
or do they focus attention on themselves? Yes (Act 20:28-31, 3 John 9:10)
Do they lead by "throwing their weight around", Yes, or by "information,
encouragement and example"? No (1 Peter 5:1-4)
The clergy of Evangel Church is surely marked by arrogance Donnie Meares
once declared that he does not want any "pie in the sky". He shouted, "Give
me my pie now!" while inciting the congregation to chant "pie now!". So
Now" doctrine in operation. It is not our will but God's will be done on
earth as it is heaven. In every Pastor's class he taught he usually made
comments such as "People are problems and we have thousands of them
so we do not want anymore, you are here because God wants to plant you
here". Did Jesus not die for all people? People have problems, they are
not problems! How could Donnie Meares say the he does not want those
for whom Jesus has shred his blood? That is arrogance in its fullness.
And incidentally, Jesus does not plant people in the Body of Christ,
he sets as it pleases him (Corinthians 12:18).
Virgil Meares was arrogant above them all. He actually told members that
if they did not g along with the "Kingdom First Project' God will kill them
A song, "Follow the Cloud" was written for the specific purpose of
intimidating and threatening the members. But again, as in many dangerous
religious groups the members never caught on to the real message. In the
Bible, if the children of Israel did not follow the cloud they were left behind
in the wilderness to literally die (2 Corinthians 10:18). This was clearly a
case of offering another Jesus, another God! Jesus does not force anyone
to serve him, we are free to choose him and eternal life. Or, we are free to
choose not to serve him and stand the consequences of eternal damnation.
He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, does not kick or break down
the door. The Holy Spirit convicts men, if they resists and pursue their own
way, he leaves (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
ETEC also fostered the submission of the members to themselves. They
created the doctrine of "Lifeline" to suit their purposes. Lifeline implied
that the Bishop was the only one who heard from God. He would then
pass the Word to the Elders who in turn would pass it on the Deacons
and so on, until it finally reached the individual member. This method
is often used in DRGs to maintain control and spread disinformation.
Did Jesus not say "I am the vine, ye are the branches ... for without
me ye can do nothing". (John 15:5)? Jesus is our only Lifeline! When
he died the Veil of the Temple was rent in two. We can now go freely
and boldly into the Holy of Holies for ourselves. Lifeline is a false
doctrine (Ephesians 4:11-16).
At Evangel Church the members were exploited financially on a regular
basis. They people were forced to contribute money for many ghosts
projects. In one such instance, money was collected to purchase a van
for the youths to use for summer trips. The van was used twice and
then sold so that Donnie Meares could buy a car for himself and family.
Another time, approximately six thousand dollars were collected to
repair a Motor Home that was donated solely for the purpose of
feeding the Homeless. The vehicle was never repaired, the Homeless
were not fed and the money was never seen! The Singles Group had
once collected over three thousand dollars in petty cash. Donnie Meares
offered to bank the money for the group. Of course the money was
never given back or accounted for. Thousands of dollars were allegedly
donated for scholarships at Oral Roberts University. No account was
ever given for this money. Like Oral Roberts, ETEC practices Seed
Faith with this type of practice, it seems, they should never need
money. If they do, then they should simply plant a big seed in
someone else's Ministry and God will return the seed. However
it never seemed to work that way, so instead they took money from
the people.
The teaching in ETEC is not to tell the truth about sin but to cover
sin for your brother, for example, after they lied to me and about
me, the Bishop commanded me to cover for him. When I replied
"No compromise", I was promptly ostracized.
It is not the policy of ETEC to sacrifice their own interest for anyone.
Donald Meares once said that if anyone came to him in need, the most
he would lend is twenty dollars. Yet the deacons were told that they
were ordained not to serve the people but to serve the Bishop and the
Elders which included the Bishop's direct family (sons and daughter-
in-laws). For example, they had core Deacons rushing to serve them
by mowing the Bishop's lawn. They took turns in chauffeuring him
in a limousine which, incidentally, he lied about its origin. He (Bishop)
told the members of the church that the Deacons bought the limousine
for him and then turned around and told the Deacons that the Elders
bought. Obviously that was where some of the project funds went.
The members and Deacons were so indoctrinated that whenever it
rained the driver (usually a Deacon) spread a carpet on the ground,
from the limousine to the church's door , so that the Bishop's shoes
did not get wet.
ETEC loved to focus on themselves. They often claimed that they were
a pioneer church, that God raised up ETEC to show other churches the
way. My philosophy on that is how could one be a pioneer church in
Washington, DC, a city with hundreds of churches, one on every corner.
This was no remote city in the wilderness. Were they so superior that
they believed they were the only who knew the way! This is the
Manifested Sons of God Shepherd/Discipling doctrine.
The Bishop and Elders of ETEC led not by "information, encouragement
and example" but by throwing their weight around especially in money
matters. They coerced some members to leave their jobs in the secular
world and work for the church at lower salaries, however, the moment
they did not obey the Meares family they were fired without compensation.
This was done to at least twenty members. One such member was given
$1.63 in severance pay. They often organized functions, put a member
in charge but do not give him/her any money to pay for expenses. The
financial burden was then left on the shoulders of that member. For
example, one summer they organized a youth rally in JFK stadium and
invited some nationally known speakers, offering to host the visitors.
They put a young married couple in charge and promptly left them with
all the bills.
In some cases the Elders would force the senior members to sign over
their properties or forge their signatures in order to confiscate their
money. In one such incident, they visited a woman who was recently
widowed. They began in intimidating and hounding her to sign over
her property. They were not aware that her son was in the bedroom
asleep. He awoke in time to toss them out of the house. In another
incident Don Meares walked into the office of one of the choir
members and informed him that he was there to take over his
window installation business. Through the mercies of God
and some good old common sense the member categorically
denied his request. He still owns this business today!
disciples after them." Acts 20:30
It would be helpful if dangerous leaders understood and declared their own motives
from the beginning, It would be helpful if they made it clear that, unlike Christ, their
intent was not to serve but served, not to give but to receive, not to love but to be loved.
It would be helpful if they would always come from the "outside" rather that from
"within". But the Bible tells us to watch ourselves and those who arise from among
us to draw off followers after themselves (Acts 20:30).
Dangerous religious leaders do not let their groups know that they are slowly
giving old words new meaning, or that they are showing a love that at some point
will turn into rigid, authoritarian control. They may not even realize the extent to
which they are flattering followers, exaggerating stories of God's miracles, and
claiming conversations with the Spirit that are rooted in their own imagination.
Evangel Temple - Evangel Church (ETEC) propagated many exaggerated stories
of God's miracles. Following are a couple such examples:
EXAMPLE 1:
At a church retreat, Bishop Meares announced that since he and his wife Mary lee
were so financially strapped they were going to borrow money by faith, to give
to the building fund. He stated that his mother-in-law had died and left his
wife a small insurance policy from which they will give. The audience was in
awe at this commendable act. I was shocked!
You see, approximately four years earlier he had told the same story, only that time
he suggested that Mary Lee keep the money for herself, while she insisted that she
will use the money to start a book store. Did Mary Lee Meares have two mothers
who died and left her insurance policies?
EXAMPLE 2;
When ETEC was in the process of buying the land on Central Avenue, in a Church
meeting the Bishop announced that with the help of a business friend known as
"Libby" they had found the land which to build. He reported that they searched
thoroughly via helicopter. The church was in an uproar at such an astounding
announcement. Libby Dorris of Pennsylvania.
Approximately nine months later at the church's altar, the Bishop solemnly professed
that as he was randomly driving his car and talking to the Lord, the Holy Spirit fell
on him causing him to pull his car aside. He then stated that the Lord told him the
land on which he was parked was the land to buy. He looked up and behold, the
street was called :Church Road". He knew then that this was a sign from the Lord.
The congregation was again in an uproar. Had everyone conveniently forgotten a
few months earlier he had found the land with the help of "Libby" the business
friend?
It usually takes time before it becomes undeniable that the one they have invested
so much trust in is not the servant of God they thought he was. What a painful
realization! What an embarrassment to admit that this leader has been leading
them in the path of "another Jesus" offering "a different spirit" and teaching "a
different gospel" (2Cor.11:4).
At ETEC they were offering a different spirit another Jesus and a different gospel.
And as in all dangerous religious groups the people believed and accepted. On
most Sundays or whenever the Bishop preached many of the congregation,
including Ministers and deacons, could be observed sleeping strongly, even
snoring! This to me indicated another spirit besides the Holy Spirit at work.
Time will also unveil the fruit of a leader's life. First impressions and words by
themselves will not display motives. Life has a way of writing its journal about
the purposes of our hearts. Inasmuch as Apostle Paul described the "four of the
Spirit" in Galations 5:22-23, we are wise to ask the following questions about
those we are relying on for leadership.
These questions address issues rooted not merely in a leader's words but in his
or her attitudes and actions. They help us to see that the issue is not just
doctrine, but the spirit and fruit of the leader.
Are they marked by reverence and humility, or by brashness and arrogance?
Yes
Are they gentle of (demanding?) (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
Do they show respect for authorities (both friends and enemies), including
the Lord, parents, government? (2 Peter 2:10-12, Jude 8:10) No
Do they show love for other leaders? (1 Corinthians 3:1-9) No they
laugh at them
Do they promote personal discernment, growth, and maturity in their
followers, or do (they foster dependence) and submission? (Acts 17:11),
Ephesians 4:11-16) Yes
Do they exploit their members financially? (1 Peter 5:2,2 Peter 2:3) Yes
Is there evidence of sexual faithfulness, of have they left themselves open
to questions and rumors? (2 Peter 2:14) Yes
Do they lovingly and courageously tell the truth about sin no, or do they
only tell their group what they want to hear? Yes (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Do they sacrifice their own interest for the well-being of their group no,
or are they carried like kings on the shoulders of their followers? Yes
(Philippians 2:3-4)
Do they draw the attention and allegiance of their followers to Jesus Christ
or do they focus attention on themselves? Yes (Act 20:28-31, 3 John 9:10)
Do they lead by "throwing their weight around", Yes, or by "information,
encouragement and example"? No (1 Peter 5:1-4)
The clergy of Evangel Church is surely marked by arrogance Donnie Meares
once declared that he does not want any "pie in the sky". He shouted, "Give
me my pie now!" while inciting the congregation to chant "pie now!". So
Now" doctrine in operation. It is not our will but God's will be done on
earth as it is heaven. In every Pastor's class he taught he usually made
comments such as "People are problems and we have thousands of them
so we do not want anymore, you are here because God wants to plant you
here". Did Jesus not die for all people? People have problems, they are
not problems! How could Donnie Meares say the he does not want those
for whom Jesus has shred his blood? That is arrogance in its fullness.
And incidentally, Jesus does not plant people in the Body of Christ,
he sets as it pleases him (Corinthians 12:18).
Virgil Meares was arrogant above them all. He actually told members that
if they did not g along with the "Kingdom First Project' God will kill them
A song, "Follow the Cloud" was written for the specific purpose of
intimidating and threatening the members. But again, as in many dangerous
religious groups the members never caught on to the real message. In the
Bible, if the children of Israel did not follow the cloud they were left behind
in the wilderness to literally die (2 Corinthians 10:18). This was clearly a
case of offering another Jesus, another God! Jesus does not force anyone
to serve him, we are free to choose him and eternal life. Or, we are free to
choose not to serve him and stand the consequences of eternal damnation.
He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, does not kick or break down
the door. The Holy Spirit convicts men, if they resists and pursue their own
way, he leaves (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
ETEC also fostered the submission of the members to themselves. They
created the doctrine of "Lifeline" to suit their purposes. Lifeline implied
that the Bishop was the only one who heard from God. He would then
pass the Word to the Elders who in turn would pass it on the Deacons
and so on, until it finally reached the individual member. This method
is often used in DRGs to maintain control and spread disinformation.
Did Jesus not say "I am the vine, ye are the branches ... for without
me ye can do nothing". (John 15:5)? Jesus is our only Lifeline! When
he died the Veil of the Temple was rent in two. We can now go freely
and boldly into the Holy of Holies for ourselves. Lifeline is a false
doctrine (Ephesians 4:11-16).
At Evangel Church the members were exploited financially on a regular
basis. They people were forced to contribute money for many ghosts
projects. In one such instance, money was collected to purchase a van
for the youths to use for summer trips. The van was used twice and
then sold so that Donnie Meares could buy a car for himself and family.
Another time, approximately six thousand dollars were collected to
repair a Motor Home that was donated solely for the purpose of
feeding the Homeless. The vehicle was never repaired, the Homeless
were not fed and the money was never seen! The Singles Group had
once collected over three thousand dollars in petty cash. Donnie Meares
offered to bank the money for the group. Of course the money was
never given back or accounted for. Thousands of dollars were allegedly
donated for scholarships at Oral Roberts University. No account was
ever given for this money. Like Oral Roberts, ETEC practices Seed
Faith with this type of practice, it seems, they should never need
money. If they do, then they should simply plant a big seed in
someone else's Ministry and God will return the seed. However
it never seemed to work that way, so instead they took money from
the people.
The teaching in ETEC is not to tell the truth about sin but to cover
sin for your brother, for example, after they lied to me and about
me, the Bishop commanded me to cover for him. When I replied
"No compromise", I was promptly ostracized.
It is not the policy of ETEC to sacrifice their own interest for anyone.
Donald Meares once said that if anyone came to him in need, the most
he would lend is twenty dollars. Yet the deacons were told that they
were ordained not to serve the people but to serve the Bishop and the
Elders which included the Bishop's direct family (sons and daughter-
in-laws). For example, they had core Deacons rushing to serve them
by mowing the Bishop's lawn. They took turns in chauffeuring him
in a limousine which, incidentally, he lied about its origin. He (Bishop)
told the members of the church that the Deacons bought the limousine
for him and then turned around and told the Deacons that the Elders
bought. Obviously that was where some of the project funds went.
The members and Deacons were so indoctrinated that whenever it
rained the driver (usually a Deacon) spread a carpet on the ground,
from the limousine to the church's door , so that the Bishop's shoes
did not get wet.
ETEC loved to focus on themselves. They often claimed that they were
a pioneer church, that God raised up ETEC to show other churches the
way. My philosophy on that is how could one be a pioneer church in
Washington, DC, a city with hundreds of churches, one on every corner.
This was no remote city in the wilderness. Were they so superior that
they believed they were the only who knew the way! This is the
Manifested Sons of God Shepherd/Discipling doctrine.
The Bishop and Elders of ETEC led not by "information, encouragement
and example" but by throwing their weight around especially in money
matters. They coerced some members to leave their jobs in the secular
world and work for the church at lower salaries, however, the moment
they did not obey the Meares family they were fired without compensation.
This was done to at least twenty members. One such member was given
$1.63 in severance pay. They often organized functions, put a member
in charge but do not give him/her any money to pay for expenses. The
financial burden was then left on the shoulders of that member. For
example, one summer they organized a youth rally in JFK stadium and
invited some nationally known speakers, offering to host the visitors.
They put a young married couple in charge and promptly left them with
all the bills.
In some cases the Elders would force the senior members to sign over
their properties or forge their signatures in order to confiscate their
money. In one such incident, they visited a woman who was recently
widowed. They began in intimidating and hounding her to sign over
her property. They were not aware that her son was in the bedroom
asleep. He awoke in time to toss them out of the house. In another
incident Don Meares walked into the office of one of the choir
members and informed him that he was there to take over his
window installation business. Through the mercies of God
and some good old common sense the member categorically
denied his request. He still owns this business today!
The Bait And Switch Method Of A DRG
"Savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock" Acts 20"29
Unethical businesses often advertise low-priced products to get consumers in
the door, once in, customers are subjected to manipulative sales tactics designed
to get them to leave with something other that what they came in for. This bait-
and-switch tactic is also characteristic of dangerous religious groups. For this
reason we cite some examples of what DRGs often promise and what the
members eventually get. ETEC used all of the following examples on their
members.
Members of dangerous religious groups often disguise themselves as representative
of Christ.
Switch 1:
From Christ to another.
Bait (true) Christ
Switch (counterfeit) Another
Dangerous religious groups often disguise themselves as representatives of Christ.
In time, however, they show themselves to be serving "another Jesus". A former
member of a DRG says "I think the deception of the group is that they want to be known
as just another Christian denomination. They're using the same terminology, so when
they're talking about God of Jesus we assume that they're talking about the God and
Jesus of the Bible. And that, I think, is the number one deception, because we don't
understand that their Jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible".
Switch 2:
From the Word of God to the Word of Men.
Bait (true) Word of God
Switch (counterfeit) Word of Men
Author and DRG expert Ron Enroth says, "Virtually all of these religious groups quote
the Bible and make reference to Jesus. They will emphasize that their particular group
thinks very highly of the Bible. What they usually do (however) is downplay the
significance of Scripture, distort Scripture, and sometimes, but not often, completely
dismiss Scripture.
They will take verses out of context. They will use proof-text, and they will very often
substitute of provide additional truth, additional Revelation from another source'.
Switch 3:
From leadership to tyranny.
Bait (true) Leadership
Switch (counterfeit) Tyranny
Dangerous religious groups emphasize separation not so much to protect the group
from error as to make sure they don't see the light.
In the beginning, in a DRG, the leader offers true leadership. But somewhere the switch is
made to tyranny. Instead of leading by example he leads by intimidation. Instead of being
careful not to go beyond the Bible, he mixes his own opinion with Scriptures. Instead of
helping members grow in maturity and discernment, he leader encourages them to regress
into childlike dependence on him. Instead of recognizing that God provides many leaders,
for His Church, he claims to have the sole authority to speak on behalf of God. Instead
of sacrificing his own interest for the group, the leader uses them to feed his insatiable
appetite for money, admiration and approval.
One former member of a DRG says, "I was very impressed when I first joined the group
because they kept emphasizing that we could do any kind of research or ask any kind
of question we wanted to have to have answered. Everything was open and above-
aboard. But after I was in for a few years, I discovered that wasn't the case. People
who questioned their leadership or their authority were thrown out. They were treated
like evil people. They were slandered. There was no freedom to ask questions once
you were a member, once you were in. They demanded absolute loyalty to the
leadership".
Switch 4:
From separation to isolation.
Bait (true) Separation
Switch (counterfeit) Isolation
Dangerous religious groups emphasize separation not so much to protect the group
from error as to make sure they don't see the light. One former DRG member
relates this kind of mind control and "information management" when he says, "One
of the ways that they control you is through isolation of information. You're not
supposed to read certain things. Especially things from ex-members of the group.
That is 'apostate a literature' That (they tell us) is hate literature. So (through)
information control...they isolate you from certain types of involvements
in groups and friendships. They isolate you in their own little world with
their five meetings a week. They tell you that if you leave, your life is going
to fall apart and you're going to lose God in your life"
Again, in the beginning such separation sounds logical, and necessary to protect the
group from being pressed into mold of the existing social order. Yet in time a subtle
often occurs. In time the isolation is used not to protect the group from error but from
the truth.
Right separation involves a separation from the sins of society, not from society itself.
Amen.
Unethical businesses often advertise low-priced products to get consumers in
the door, once in, customers are subjected to manipulative sales tactics designed
to get them to leave with something other that what they came in for. This bait-
and-switch tactic is also characteristic of dangerous religious groups. For this
reason we cite some examples of what DRGs often promise and what the
members eventually get. ETEC used all of the following examples on their
members.
Members of dangerous religious groups often disguise themselves as representative
of Christ.
Switch 1:
From Christ to another.
Bait (true) Christ
Switch (counterfeit) Another
Dangerous religious groups often disguise themselves as representatives of Christ.
In time, however, they show themselves to be serving "another Jesus". A former
member of a DRG says "I think the deception of the group is that they want to be known
as just another Christian denomination. They're using the same terminology, so when
they're talking about God of Jesus we assume that they're talking about the God and
Jesus of the Bible. And that, I think, is the number one deception, because we don't
understand that their Jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible".
Switch 2:
From the Word of God to the Word of Men.
Bait (true) Word of God
Switch (counterfeit) Word of Men
Author and DRG expert Ron Enroth says, "Virtually all of these religious groups quote
the Bible and make reference to Jesus. They will emphasize that their particular group
thinks very highly of the Bible. What they usually do (however) is downplay the
significance of Scripture, distort Scripture, and sometimes, but not often, completely
dismiss Scripture.
They will take verses out of context. They will use proof-text, and they will very often
substitute of provide additional truth, additional Revelation from another source'.
Switch 3:
From leadership to tyranny.
Bait (true) Leadership
Switch (counterfeit) Tyranny
Dangerous religious groups emphasize separation not so much to protect the group
from error as to make sure they don't see the light.
In the beginning, in a DRG, the leader offers true leadership. But somewhere the switch is
made to tyranny. Instead of leading by example he leads by intimidation. Instead of being
careful not to go beyond the Bible, he mixes his own opinion with Scriptures. Instead of
helping members grow in maturity and discernment, he leader encourages them to regress
into childlike dependence on him. Instead of recognizing that God provides many leaders,
for His Church, he claims to have the sole authority to speak on behalf of God. Instead
of sacrificing his own interest for the group, the leader uses them to feed his insatiable
appetite for money, admiration and approval.
One former member of a DRG says, "I was very impressed when I first joined the group
because they kept emphasizing that we could do any kind of research or ask any kind
of question we wanted to have to have answered. Everything was open and above-
aboard. But after I was in for a few years, I discovered that wasn't the case. People
who questioned their leadership or their authority were thrown out. They were treated
like evil people. They were slandered. There was no freedom to ask questions once
you were a member, once you were in. They demanded absolute loyalty to the
leadership".
Switch 4:
From separation to isolation.
Bait (true) Separation
Switch (counterfeit) Isolation
Dangerous religious groups emphasize separation not so much to protect the group
from error as to make sure they don't see the light. One former DRG member
relates this kind of mind control and "information management" when he says, "One
of the ways that they control you is through isolation of information. You're not
supposed to read certain things. Especially things from ex-members of the group.
That is 'apostate a literature' That (they tell us) is hate literature. So (through)
information control...they isolate you from certain types of involvements
in groups and friendships. They isolate you in their own little world with
their five meetings a week. They tell you that if you leave, your life is going
to fall apart and you're going to lose God in your life"
Again, in the beginning such separation sounds logical, and necessary to protect the
group from being pressed into mold of the existing social order. Yet in time a subtle
often occurs. In time the isolation is used not to protect the group from error but from
the truth.
Right separation involves a separation from the sins of society, not from society itself.
Amen.
Coming Out Of A DRG
"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you: and ye need not that
man should teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth,
and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." 1 John 2:27
Evangel Temple - Evangel Church has all the markings of a cult, Bishop Meares and
his son Bishop Don Meares are egotistical manipulative liars, and so are many of
their Ministers. I pray continuously that God would open the eyes of the each
member and help them to get out.
One mark of a DRG is the power it holds over members whose better judgement tells
them they need to get out. One former member of a DRG says, "It took me months
to get up enough courage to say, I'm leaving. This is wrong. It's going against my
conscience. I've got to get out of here--regardless of the consequences.' And I had
to do some serious praying because I was afraid. I was afraid of losing everything.
There's no other place to go. They quote john 6:68 (where Jesus asked His disciples
if they were going to leave Him), and Peter said, "There,s no one else to go to but
to You, because You have the words of life.' But when they say that, they're saying
that we can't leave the group. There 's no place else to go. There's no life outside
the organization".
But according to DRG expert Ron Enroth, "The good news is that people can leave
these groups successfully. There is life outside of the cult. And the best news is
that it is possible for them to have a genuine relationship with God through Jesus
Christ. I have seen so many lives transformed by the good news of the gospel.
For many of these people, the good news of the cult has been bad news. They
need to experience the grace and forgiveness of God. They need to experience
freedom, not bondage. I have seen people leave groups and in a period of days,
overnight sometimes, have a life change that is very dramatic, very evident, and
very exciting.
There is hope. But first the DRG member must acknowledge the sin of giving to
a man, woman, or organization the honor that belongs to God alone. How
thankful we can be that for such sins Christ died! How thankful we can be that
Christ then rose from the dead to give new life to all who will trust Him--the
only One who deserves to be called Teacher--to lead us to the only One who
deserves to be called Father (Matthew 23:8-10).
This is all true but it goes further in this case we are dealing with the
unanointed cherub that covereth. Ezekiel 31
man should teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth,
and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." 1 John 2:27
Evangel Temple - Evangel Church has all the markings of a cult, Bishop Meares and
his son Bishop Don Meares are egotistical manipulative liars, and so are many of
their Ministers. I pray continuously that God would open the eyes of the each
member and help them to get out.
One mark of a DRG is the power it holds over members whose better judgement tells
them they need to get out. One former member of a DRG says, "It took me months
to get up enough courage to say, I'm leaving. This is wrong. It's going against my
conscience. I've got to get out of here--regardless of the consequences.' And I had
to do some serious praying because I was afraid. I was afraid of losing everything.
There's no other place to go. They quote john 6:68 (where Jesus asked His disciples
if they were going to leave Him), and Peter said, "There,s no one else to go to but
to You, because You have the words of life.' But when they say that, they're saying
that we can't leave the group. There 's no place else to go. There's no life outside
the organization".
But according to DRG expert Ron Enroth, "The good news is that people can leave
these groups successfully. There is life outside of the cult. And the best news is
that it is possible for them to have a genuine relationship with God through Jesus
Christ. I have seen so many lives transformed by the good news of the gospel.
For many of these people, the good news of the cult has been bad news. They
need to experience the grace and forgiveness of God. They need to experience
freedom, not bondage. I have seen people leave groups and in a period of days,
overnight sometimes, have a life change that is very dramatic, very evident, and
very exciting.
There is hope. But first the DRG member must acknowledge the sin of giving to
a man, woman, or organization the honor that belongs to God alone. How
thankful we can be that for such sins Christ died! How thankful we can be that
Christ then rose from the dead to give new life to all who will trust Him--the
only One who deserves to be called Teacher--to lead us to the only One who
deserves to be called Father (Matthew 23:8-10).
This is all true but it goes further in this case we are dealing with the
unanointed cherub that covereth. Ezekiel 31
Was Christ Dangerous?
"But he was wounded for transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities,..he was
brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, to be
openeth not his mouth." Isaiah 53:5,7
A concerned parent of one of Christ's first followers could have viewed Him as
dangerous. He claimed to speak in behalf of God, was critical of honored religious
leaders, and asked for the obedience and trust of His followers (Matt, 10:35-37).
Yet Jesus wasn't predictable. He didn't ask His disciples to sacrifice their wages to
build a bigger house for himself , nor did He merely talk a good line. He healed
blind eyes and withered limbs, and raised the dead. He walked on water and
calmed stormy seas. Over and over, in so many ways, He showed Himself worthy
of a following--not just by talking about faith and self-sacrifice and end-times,
but by the mercies He did. He proved He was God's sacrifice for our sins when,
after voluntarily allowing Himself to be nailed to an executioner's cross. He rose
bodily from the dead to show that He was King and Lord of Lords.
Evangel Church (EC) formerly known as Evangel Temple (ET) demanded,
coerced, threatened, and intimidated their members to sacrifice their wages
so that they can construct bigger buildings and buy more properties for them-
selves. They had over five major building fund drives, namely "Garden in
the Ghetto", the Parking Lot, the Family Room, "Building for God's Family"
and " The kingdom First". The Kingdom first project was to begin in April
1986 and to be completed in 1987, totaling over forty millions dollars. The
first phase alone was projected to be eighteen million. Over ten million
dollars were collected but never accounted for. Most of the projects were
never completed! Where did all the money go? As mentioned earlier,
we do know that the Meares family had numerous private properties and
six figure bank accounts while pressuring members to mortgage, refinance
and sell their homes, cars, jewelry and all their worldly possessions. Some
members felt pressured to quit their jobs and give their pensions to the
building funds. The Bishop also tricked members into doubling their
pledges by saying that God told him to double his pledge, so they should
follow him and double theirs. The truth is that God said, "every man
according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give..." 2 Corinthians 9:7
Wedding rings were given.
brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, to be
openeth not his mouth." Isaiah 53:5,7
A concerned parent of one of Christ's first followers could have viewed Him as
dangerous. He claimed to speak in behalf of God, was critical of honored religious
leaders, and asked for the obedience and trust of His followers (Matt, 10:35-37).
Yet Jesus wasn't predictable. He didn't ask His disciples to sacrifice their wages to
build a bigger house for himself , nor did He merely talk a good line. He healed
blind eyes and withered limbs, and raised the dead. He walked on water and
calmed stormy seas. Over and over, in so many ways, He showed Himself worthy
of a following--not just by talking about faith and self-sacrifice and end-times,
but by the mercies He did. He proved He was God's sacrifice for our sins when,
after voluntarily allowing Himself to be nailed to an executioner's cross. He rose
bodily from the dead to show that He was King and Lord of Lords.
Evangel Church (EC) formerly known as Evangel Temple (ET) demanded,
coerced, threatened, and intimidated their members to sacrifice their wages
so that they can construct bigger buildings and buy more properties for them-
selves. They had over five major building fund drives, namely "Garden in
the Ghetto", the Parking Lot, the Family Room, "Building for God's Family"
and " The kingdom First". The Kingdom first project was to begin in April
1986 and to be completed in 1987, totaling over forty millions dollars. The
first phase alone was projected to be eighteen million. Over ten million
dollars were collected but never accounted for. Most of the projects were
never completed! Where did all the money go? As mentioned earlier,
we do know that the Meares family had numerous private properties and
six figure bank accounts while pressuring members to mortgage, refinance
and sell their homes, cars, jewelry and all their worldly possessions. Some
members felt pressured to quit their jobs and give their pensions to the
building funds. The Bishop also tricked members into doubling their
pledges by saying that God told him to double his pledge, so they should
follow him and double theirs. The truth is that God said, "every man
according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give..." 2 Corinthians 9:7
Wedding rings were given.
How To Identify A Dangerous Religious Group
"And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free".
John 8:32
This article is about recognizing dangerous religious groups (DRG), siting as an example
a local church of which I have personally identified as a DRG--Evangel Church, formerly
known as Evangel Temple, located at 13901 Central Avenue, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
The church is run by the Meares family.
Honest preachers who are walking in truth and integrity and preaching the Gospel of Jesus
Christ are to be loved and esteemed highly for the Work's sake (2 Thessalonians 5:13).
They are to be prayed for and have their hands held up as Aaron and Hur did for Moses in
the Old Testament (Exodus 17:12). They are to be followed as long as they follow Jesus
Christ.
Any pastor who sins and confesses and forsakes that sin, is to be restored by those who
are spiritual. True Christians are to live holy lives because Jesus is holy, and we are to be
like him. Without holiness no man will see the Lord. We are to look up for our
"redemption draweth nigh". Criticism and gossip should not be tolerated or encouraged.
In the case of the Meares family, I found that they have used the truths of Word as an
opportunity to further their evil work and live wicked lifestyles. They have twisted
the words of the Bible to suit their purposes and for monetary gain. The Church is God's
family, it is His court, He rules and dwells there. He (Jesus) is the head,---not Donald
Meares, as he publicly claimed. God clearly shows us in the Bible how things are
to be done in order. If there is an offense we are to:
- Go privately to try and rectify the matter
- Take two or three witnesses
- Take it to the Church
- Warn the Christians and take it to court
offense, I followed the first three steps and was promptly ostracize. I then followed the
fourth step and took it to court.
In the court there were so many lies and perjury it was unbelievable. I later found out
that the lying Bishop Meares was and probably still is a Mason, so was the Judge.
There were Masonic signs passed regularly between the Judge and his Mason brother
(Details Available). If there was choice, in which court to win, my choice would have
been in the Higher Court and that is what I got. Would you believe Virgil Meares told
the court that he and his wife Janie's income was $27,000.00 in 1984 and $28,000.00 in
1985? They have three children, lived in a $400,000.00 home on Crestwood Drive,
in upper NW area of Washington DC, travelled extensively and had new cars, servants
and a six figure bank account. While the average members of the congregation were
poor black inner city dwellers. He obviously is in the wrong profession. He should
be touring the country giving seminars on "How to live on stolen money". For our
courts to accepts such blatant lies shows that the system definitely needs repairing!
My conclusion is that all things work together for good if one is a Christian. Now God
is going to get all the Glory for He is doing his work His way. He can use anything and
anybody. My prayer is--"Use me as light to dispel darkness anytime and anyplace, and
like Queen Esther of old, if I perish, I perish, so be it". What I want most is for
Meares family to make me a liar. I dare them! (2Timothy 2:19). This article is a
small fraction of what went on. It probably will take a couple of books to tell it all.
Yours In His Service,
Shirley O. Roberts-Douglas
This article is backing up my Website
Expose' Of Evangel Temple
This article is 14 years old, I should have had it on my Website. I am extremely
grateful to the Lord for choosing, calling, sending and anointing me for this cause.
Truly he has been faithful in helping me pursue my only goal in life, which is
to be his "obedient servant".
Believers like to use the expressions "God Is Love" and "He is a loving God". But he is
Holy! Holy! Holy! And when men insist in living in sin and flaunting their iniquities, there
is another side of God they will see. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God", Hebrews 10:31.
They also know Jesus as "gentle Jesus, meek and mild" and he is, thank God! Yet he
is the same Jesus who told the false teachers and leaders of his day that, ---
---- they were snakes, Matt, 12:34
-----they were deceitful and wicked, Matt 16:3,4
-----they were murderers, John 8:44
-----they were liars and hypocrites, just like their father, the devil, and like whited
sepulchers clean on the outside but full of dead men's bones on the inside Matt 23:27
What a facade they had!
This description fits Evangel Temple- Evangel Church perfectly. Ask me. I was there!
I know it is the biggest cult in the world. Founded and flourished in Washington, DC,
the capital of the free world.
Christians are always to stand up for righteousness sake in this evil world. There will be
no need to do so in Heaven. We are to be lights to dispel the darkness. Sin is never to be
covered, we are to get rid of it at any cost. Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of
devil, John 3:8, 4:17, and as he is in this world so are we.
So let's look up, for our redemption no longer draweth nigh, it is nigh! Let's keep our eyes
on God's time clock (the land of Israel) and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, "for truly she
has become a burdensome stone". May God's will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven.
S.O.R.D
Reprinted by permission
(c) RBC, RADIO BIBLE CLASS
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49555
grateful to the Lord for choosing, calling, sending and anointing me for this cause.
Truly he has been faithful in helping me pursue my only goal in life, which is
to be his "obedient servant".
Believers like to use the expressions "God Is Love" and "He is a loving God". But he is
Holy! Holy! Holy! And when men insist in living in sin and flaunting their iniquities, there
is another side of God they will see. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God", Hebrews 10:31.
They also know Jesus as "gentle Jesus, meek and mild" and he is, thank God! Yet he
is the same Jesus who told the false teachers and leaders of his day that, ---
---- they were snakes, Matt, 12:34
-----they were deceitful and wicked, Matt 16:3,4
-----they were murderers, John 8:44
-----they were liars and hypocrites, just like their father, the devil, and like whited
sepulchers clean on the outside but full of dead men's bones on the inside Matt 23:27
What a facade they had!
This description fits Evangel Temple- Evangel Church perfectly. Ask me. I was there!
I know it is the biggest cult in the world. Founded and flourished in Washington, DC,
the capital of the free world.
Christians are always to stand up for righteousness sake in this evil world. There will be
no need to do so in Heaven. We are to be lights to dispel the darkness. Sin is never to be
covered, we are to get rid of it at any cost. Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of
devil, John 3:8, 4:17, and as he is in this world so are we.
So let's look up, for our redemption no longer draweth nigh, it is nigh! Let's keep our eyes
on God's time clock (the land of Israel) and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, "for truly she
has become a burdensome stone". May God's will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven.
S.O.R.D
Reprinted by permission
(c) RBC, RADIO BIBLE CLASS
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49555
Properties Previous Held By Meares Family/Evangel Temple
SQUARE LOT PREV. OWNER NOTES
2632 4,5,6,804,805,803 EVANGEL TEMPLE Transferred to
prev. owned by Evangel 4/12/87
John Meares Sold 2/12/87
3031 233 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 1/31/78
2025 22 Virgil Meares, Et al Sold 3/03/79
5875 34,35 John Meares, Et al Sold 12/24/79
3031 263 Herald Of Deliverance Transferred to
prev.owned by H.O.D 7/18/63
John Meares Sold 6/13/74
3031 176 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 3/20/74
3031 177 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 1/24/74
2343 809 John Meares,Et al Sold 9/20/73
5865 939 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 9/19/73
3031 200 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 6/28/73
829 58 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 6/15/73
[Cont]
2632 4,5,6,804,805,803 EVANGEL TEMPLE Transferred to
prev. owned by Evangel 4/12/87
John Meares Sold 2/12/87
3031 233 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 1/31/78
2025 22 Virgil Meares, Et al Sold 3/03/79
5875 34,35 John Meares, Et al Sold 12/24/79
3031 263 Herald Of Deliverance Transferred to
prev.owned by H.O.D 7/18/63
John Meares Sold 6/13/74
3031 176 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 3/20/74
3031 177 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 1/24/74
2343 809 John Meares,Et al Sold 9/20/73
5865 939 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 9/19/73
3031 200 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 6/28/73
829 58 Herald Of Deliverance Sold 6/15/73
[Cont]
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Chris Holcomb Letter
After the lawsuit in1987, my attorney gave me all the paper work and books. I kept them in boxes and never read them, until two weeks ago, I was shocked. I didn't know there was a model of Garden In The Ghetto. They went to court and perjured themselves,Virgil Meares said that he and his wife worked for $19,000.00 a year. Then Don Meares said he worked for approximately $31,000.00 a year. This is a letter from Chris Holcomb...
Bill,
I hope this booklet is helpful, Marylee is his wife [she wrote the article]. Stanley Holcomb my husband saw the scale model of the Garden In The Ghetto. He was the boys scout leader, when he went to their home for a meeting .It was then Meares showed him the model, I believe in 1981 or early 1982. It was before we were married.Don Roberts did the drawing for the project, including standing on the pulpit with Meares telling the congregation of his progress. They fired him Don was on salary, he was too vocal. Thanks for listening and giving me advice.
Chris Holcomb 882-8796, Stanley can be found at Holcomb Family Plumbing 3625 GA Ave, NW 291-8097 office, I don't have his home number. His brother whose now an elder, James W. Holcomb was also aware of these plans. He to was a plumber, and was to work on the project.
Thank You,
Chris, God Bless You
Bill,
I hope this booklet is helpful, Marylee is his wife [she wrote the article]. Stanley Holcomb my husband saw the scale model of the Garden In The Ghetto. He was the boys scout leader, when he went to their home for a meeting .It was then Meares showed him the model, I believe in 1981 or early 1982. It was before we were married.Don Roberts did the drawing for the project, including standing on the pulpit with Meares telling the congregation of his progress. They fired him Don was on salary, he was too vocal. Thanks for listening and giving me advice.
Chris Holcomb 882-8796, Stanley can be found at Holcomb Family Plumbing 3625 GA Ave, NW 291-8097 office, I don't have his home number. His brother whose now an elder, James W. Holcomb was also aware of these plans. He to was a plumber, and was to work on the project.
Thank You,
Chris, God Bless You
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
John Meares Et al - Page [2]
PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT 25
Acct#/ElecDist: 3090727/07 - Queen Ann
Acct#/ElecDist: 3090727/07 - Queen Ann
Owner's Name : Evangel Temple,Inc
Mailing Addr: 610 Rhode Island Ave, NE Wash. DC 20002
Premise Addr: 12305 Prospect Landing Road -[ John Meares House]
Land Area: 31,702 Sq
Last Sale : 08/25/86
Price: $245,000
Prior Sale: 10/21/82
Re Taxes : $3,810.00
Total Bill : 370 [exempt]
Tax: 8
Lender : John Hanson - Sil Assn*
Lender : John Hanson - Sil Assn*
Land Fcv :$74,770
Imp Fcv :$195,350
Total Fcv: $270,120
Assessment Val: $117,430
Last Re-Assessed: 1980
This means John Meares had all of these properties, before he collected millions for the Building Fund.
Meares was always telling the Church they lived from paycheck to paycheck and never had a Bank Acct.
John Meares Et al Page [1]
PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT 25
Acct #/Elec Dist: 0305301/07-Queen Ann
Owner's Name: Evangel Temple, Inc.
Mailing Addr: 610 Rhode Island, Ave NE Wash, Dc 20002
Premise Addr: Central Ave
Land Area: 1,000 Acres?
Last Sale: 06/02/80
Re Taxes: $351.75
Total Bill:$351.75
Tax Class: 8
Land Fcv: $13,470
Imp Fcv: $11,450
Total Fcv: $24,950
Assessment Val: $10,540
Last Re-Assessed : 1980
Why did John Meares and his wife need 1,000 acres in 1980?
Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the
heart of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Ecclesiastes 7:13 Consider the work of God : who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked.
All this is before the 461.070 acres, there are still more properties to be posted. This is worldwide fraud!
We need a researcher.
Acct #/Elec Dist: 0305301/07-Queen Ann
Owner's Name: Evangel Temple, Inc.
Mailing Addr: 610 Rhode Island, Ave NE Wash, Dc 20002
Premise Addr: Central Ave
Land Area: 1,000 Acres?
Last Sale: 06/02/80
Re Taxes: $351.75
Total Bill:$351.75
Tax Class: 8
Land Fcv: $13,470
Imp Fcv: $11,450
Total Fcv: $24,950
Assessment Val: $10,540
Last Re-Assessed : 1980
Why did John Meares and his wife need 1,000 acres in 1980?
Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the
heart of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Ecclesiastes 7:13 Consider the work of God : who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked.
All this is before the 461.070 acres, there are still more properties to be posted. This is worldwide fraud!
We need a researcher.
John Meares Et al - Page [3]
Plaintiff's Exhibit 25
Acct#/Elec Dist: 0305301/07 - Queen Ann
Owner's Name : Evangel Temple Inc.
Mailing Addr: 610 Rhode Island Ave, NE Wash Dc 20002
Premise Addr: Central Ave
Land Area: 461.070 Acres
Last Sale 06/02/86
Re Taxes : 1,594.27
Total Bill : 1,594.27
Tax Class 8
Land Fcv :$89,440
Imp Fcv: $10,150
Total Fcv: $99,590
Assessment Val: $49,130
Last Re-Assessed 1986
This is the Building in which Millions were collected , where did the money go?
Sunday, September 11, 2011
John Meares Properties - Pt 4
INST# DATE LOT SQ GRANTEE GRANTOR
6542 11/26/74 803,805 2632 John &M.Meares Frank Snowden,Jr
et al
16275 7/24/75 22 2025 Virgil&J.Meares Soriuener Jr&Crowell
et al
18534 8/19/75 10 2636 Donald&M.Meares Despy Lascaris
et al
598 1/26/77 805 2633 Virgil&J.Meares Riggs Nat'l Bank
et al
16622 6/01/77 22 2025 Virgil&J.Meares Nat'l Bank of Wash
et al
21573 7/0781 3 3629 Evangel Temple Inc Robert Harris
6729/17 2/12/87 0004 2632 Charles Schmitz Evangel Temple Inc
0005 Tazuko Schmitz
0006
0803
0804
0805
6542 11/26/74 803,805 2632 John &M.Meares Frank Snowden,Jr
et al
16275 7/24/75 22 2025 Virgil&J.Meares Soriuener Jr&Crowell
et al
18534 8/19/75 10 2636 Donald&M.Meares Despy Lascaris
et al
598 1/26/77 805 2633 Virgil&J.Meares Riggs Nat'l Bank
et al
16622 6/01/77 22 2025 Virgil&J.Meares Nat'l Bank of Wash
et al
21573 7/0781 3 3629 Evangel Temple Inc Robert Harris
6729/17 2/12/87 0004 2632 Charles Schmitz Evangel Temple Inc
0005 Tazuko Schmitz
0006
0803
0804
0805
HERALD OF DELIVERANCE
5 3629 610 Rhode Island Ave 2,225,700
John Meares Properties - Pt 3
INST# DATE LOT SQ GRANTEE GRANTOR
3492 1/31/88 233 303 John Meares Fishermen of Men,Church of
Lord, Apostle Faith,Inc
14436 5/02/78 10 2636 Donald&M.Meares Gilman & Block
31058 9/07/78 10 2636 Donald&M.Meares West&Haller
7202 10/24/78 803,805 2632 John&Mary Meares Nat.Perm.Fed.Sou&Loan
38069 10/31 78 804 2631 John&Mary Meares American Sec&Trust Co
38821 11/06/78 804 2632 John&Mary Meares American Sec&Trust Co
3671 2/23/81 805 2633 Virgil&J.Meares Wash,Gas&Light Co
1673 5/20/83 853 1448 MaryLee Meares Carrol J.Cavanough
1704 7/18/83 804 2632 John&M.Meares Sears Roebuck
3492 1/31/88 233 303 John Meares Fishermen of Men,Church of
Lord, Apostle Faith,Inc
14436 5/02/78 10 2636 Donald&M.Meares Gilman & Block
31058 9/07/78 10 2636 Donald&M.Meares West&Haller
7202 10/24/78 803,805 2632 John&Mary Meares Nat.Perm.Fed.Sou&Loan
38069 10/31 78 804 2631 John&Mary Meares American Sec&Trust Co
38821 11/06/78 804 2632 John&Mary Meares American Sec&Trust Co
3671 2/23/81 805 2633 Virgil&J.Meares Wash,Gas&Light Co
1673 5/20/83 853 1448 MaryLee Meares Carrol J.Cavanough
1704 7/18/83 804 2632 John&M.Meares Sears Roebuck
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