Eddie Long is an egomaniac.
Besides being a false bishop, he is obsessed with anything that carries his name, advances his church club, and shines the light of worldy admiration on him. He loves to throw parties every spring, “give” publicly so that others can shout of his good works and he can break his arm patting himself on the back.
Eddie usually throws a few “conventions” every year to grease change from the pockets of those who chase “the anointing”, and to teach gullible pastors about how to be a degenerate pimp like he is. The advertisement that landed in my inbox today heralds the near arrival of one of Eddie’s “call for the pimps to gather”:
I apologize for the size of this photo (and I know how uncomfortable it is to have Pimp Eddie “mean mugging” at you), but I had to enlarge the flier in order to highlight the shear ignorance of this event. Allow me to draw your attention to the highlighted areas above:
- The purpose of the event is for Senior Pastors Pimps to “develop a kingdom strategy for changing times”. That’s just corporate Christianity talk for “let’s come up with more creative ways to steal/intimidate/beg/threaten/cajole cash from our ho..uh…followers during a recession.”
- Like any other effective multi-level marketing event, even the visiting pimps have to pay $500 to get in (but it’s worth it to learn how to fleece others out of at least 10 times as much, right?)
- Eddie is scowling at you while holding a sword (symbolizing his comittment to continually butchering the Word of God), and the reference to Matthew 11:12. Of course, Matthew 11 (in context) is NOT an appeal to loot for the sake of the Kingdom, but who cares, right? We know that Eddie seeks to advance the kingdom of this world (and unrighteous mammon), not the Kingdom of God.
And let’s not overlook the “prestigious mend of gawd” who are helping Pimp Eddie to facilitate this Pimp-A-Palooza:
- “Bishop” I.V. Hilliard – the Pimp of Houston
- “Bishop” Walter Scott Thomas – the man who founded a denomination, and “covers” (and consecrated) Claude Alexander
- Myles Munroe – the Pimp of the Bahamas
- Matthew Ashimolowoe – the Pimp of the UK
Just in case you thought these “mend of gawd” actually studied scripture in order to soberly preach salvation through Christ alone, this is proof-positive that they simply gather to compare notes – and devise new ways to separate you from your hard-earned money.
Here are some questions I have:
- why should ANYONE pay $500 (plus fees for “materials,” airfare, hotels and meals) for someone to tell them how to do “kingdom work” when all they need to do is go to a quiet part of their home, or church, and ask God for themselves, with a bible in front of them what they need to to prepare their congregations for the return of Christ,
- what benefit will it be for the attendees’ followers to do attend a thing,
- where the heck would the money go??????
Another aspect of this is that we have some very unlearned “pastors” in the pulpits of churches throughout this nation. It’s evidenced by these ridiculous “convocations” and conventions (which have become industries in the church) that the only reason these venues will be packed out is for the sake of being seen and having bragging rights about having gone to Club New Birth. Chances are, if you ask any of the attendees returning from this event precisely what they have learned, they will likely give non-articulate answers; those that will rely exclusively on emotionalism of the moment (disguised as a “spirit-falling” event) rather than any real doctrinal truths being taught.
It also shows a total disregard for the financial and spiritual state of many of these churches whose individuals and famiilies have suffered tremendously under the weight of this ever-faltering economy. As was said previously, Eddie Long is not in the benevolence business despite what was portrayed in a recent CNN interview.
These events clearly fly in the face of Titus 2, 11 – 15, where the focus of “kingdom business” should be on the grace of God bringing about salvation, not a bigger worldy following….sheesh!!
we got the world covered with pimps, I was not aware of the UK.
* “Bishop” I.V. Hilliard – the Pimp of Houston
* “Bishop” Walter Scott Thomas – the man who founded a denomination, and “covers” (and consecrated) Claude Alexander
* Myles Munroe – the Pimp of the Bahamas
* Matthew Ashimolowoe – the Pimp of the UK
Righteous anger about to break in 1…2…3…
I used to really get hyped about E. Long’s “taking authority” mantra. Then I realized it was just an advertising jingle.
E. Long conveniently failed to “take authority” when homosexual activist showed up at his church. Instead he took out gift baskets and met them with a tight muscle shirt on. Look here and here
His wussiness has the nerve to front on this picture as if he is actually doing the work of the Kingdom. This is just a low class spiritual event with a high price tag to keep CNB competitive with the other pimp clubs on the market today.
I am disgusted at the weak, impotent pied pipers who sully the Lord’s name and his authority to stuff their coffers. $500???? That’s mostlt to pay the high tribute fees of his fellow pimps. Woe to these greedy hirelings.
/taking a deep breath now/
Another UK pimp that can be included on the list is Ransom Mumba of El-Shaddai International Christian Centre based in London, with other locations throughout England and a location in Zambia. http://www.elshaddai.org.uk/
GCMWATCH,
I must admit I used to buy into the “Taking Authority” mantra as well. I bought the books, tapes, went to the conferences etc. It was not until I looked at the word myself to understand what Mt 11:1 REALLY meant.
To your point ST, MT 11:12 is completely being taken out of context without reading all of chapter 11. Eddie hypes folks up to take over a cash flow problem (Lack of revenue) the pimps have!
The word of God is not talking about surviving the economic crisis. Instead, the word of God is talking about the Salvation of the Lord that had been preached for centuries and now was coming into the world being announced by John The Baptist.
For you Club goers (Hustle & Flow and CLub New Birth) read Matthew Henry’s commentary to get a COMPLETE explanation of MT 11:12:
http://www.htmlbible.com/kjv30/henry/index2.htm
Holy Crap! (GOD forgive me). …Is that a sword?! Does this man think he’s in Camelot or something? What a mess.
What, no one wants to mention “Bishop” John Francis as one of the original pimps of the UK?
Just YouTube him (and add “Rod Parsley’sname to see a recent TBN event) to see how Johnny spins “the anointing” across the pond (and over here too!)
Wow! John Francis looks just like the rest of the pimps state side. He has all of the same deceptive ploys such as “Praise Reports”=Gives validity to soothsaying, “Mainstream music theatrics with smoke lights etc. He does not have a portal for taking your money. However does have a “Partners ONLY word for today”. Wow paying for a word from God! Thats pimping! You can get a Daily Bread Devotional sent to you for free!
ST, I know you recall during your time at CNB how Fast Eddie would often mention Matthew 11:12. I often got the feeling when at CNB, that he was trying to leave people with an impression that perhaps Christians should act in a Matthew 5:38 manner instead of a Matthew 5:39-42 manner.
He never seemed to reference it properly and I always wondered with his false DOMINIONISM doctrine of “taking authority”. How he likes to gain political influence and basically hopes to rule the world before Christ’s return. That his mangling of Matthew 11:12 might end with something worse than we’d want to imagine. He’s always telling how CNB will dominate that city, GA and the world. His abuse of Matthew 11:12 could end somewhere very troubling!
IC –
I do remember Eddie declaring from the pulpit:
Many Christians are seduced by the concept of having an influence in every facet of life, but they forget that we participate in the “world system” as representatives of God’s Kingdom – not as defacto insurgents who will “overthrow” the world system and take it over. Eddie has preached about “us” taking over businesses, land, government, etc. That is the danger of “Dominion Theology”. This flawed thinking is where many Christians misinterpret the ideal that the “wealth of the wicked will be mine!”.
If you remember, IC, Eddie used to have to calm down a few of the brothers to keep them from going out and actually “taking” authority – after he geeked them up in the first place. Yet more evidence of the false teachings of Long and his bretheren – and the need for Christians to stay away from contrary teaching.
Hello there!
Oh my, my, my….
Pay attention to who these men invite to conferences and who they invite on TBN also…
ST, not only do I remember Eddie Lee Long making claims such as:
The upcoming post I plan to make on my blog will provide irrefutable evidence of it.
I have to agree with IC ST. Eddie wrote a book called “Taking Over” :
http://www.smarter.com/spirituality-books/taking-over/pd–ch-1–pi-1650016.html
I bought and read this book and in it Eddie implores the sheeple to not only take authority but also to take their place in the world blah blah blah….
I bought the book too, escapeetoo. If you (and IC) remember, it was required reading for the congregation back then
Wow all the UK pimps under one roof! London is moving up with WoF world
N’catina – yup, Ramson Mumba is indeed a clone of Creflo, from his doctrine to his dress to his speech.
Sad to say that London pimps are gettin’ large…
Oh yeah, Mumba – the dude who has the same type of Bible, same type of pulpit, even similar suit styles. Scary – very scary…
Doug – and all Mumba’s satellite church pastors dress similarly – I tell ya it’s a clone war.
I can’t believe that pastors would pay FIVE HUNNERT dollars for this…maybe Eddie Long needs to try and get more “seeds” sown in the credit crunch?
Is that a sword? I thought at first glance it was a cane. Where’s his brim at? Do you see him in a leather Pork Pie or a Godfather, crushable Fedora?
Speaking of pimps, the Lakeland Revival was never of God because it included the Straders’s and anybody who had wisdom, brains or discernment would have seen this!
Stephen Strader is as much as a liar, thief and deceiver as Todd Bentley! Stephen and Karl Strader who are real thieves have proclaimed for years that Dan Strader is innocent and he was framed. See Not Innocent” http://www.a2zbookdepot.com/xxcrxxoxxoks.pdf. And this is an obvious lie and if the Straders are provenly deceived about Dan, they are deceived about everything else.
If Pastor Stephen Strader or John Arnott or Che Ahe or Bill Johnson were true men of God operating in the gifts of the Spirit they would have seen that Todd Bentley was a false prophet from day one. Before the Lakeland revival I saw and heard Todd Bentley make many false prophecies which showed me he was a deceiver and a false prophet! So obviously none of the leaders who crowned Todd Bentley in June are or were true men of God but deceived duped ones who were deceiving others.
And John Arnott lied on his web site that Todd Bentley was being counseled and was submitting to counsel etc. when the truth was that Todd told them to get lost! http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/?s=john+arnott
So the bottom line is everybody at the revival was and is a charlatan! All those who supported Todd Bentley in anyway need to repent for many things including that they have no wisdom or discernment and are the blind leading the blind!
I-Team investigates the Inspiration Network
09:33 AM EST on Thursday, November 27, 2008
By DAVE WAGNER / NewsChannel 36
E-mail Dave: DWagner@WCNC.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A warning for donors to stop giving to a Christian television network headquartered here in Charlotte.
It’s a network that preaches if you sow your financial seed, God can make you debt free, even a millionaire.
The I-Team explores the Inspiration Network and its so-called “gospel of prosperity.”
“Tonight is the poorest you’ll ever be,” evangelist Mike Murdock said on Inspiration Network.
It is a pitch for prosperity…
“Tomorrow, somebody’s gonna drive a Mercedes,” said evangelist Larry Huch on Inspiration Network.
That some call the gospel…
“If you can’t trust God for $58 you’ll never be debt free,” Murdock said on Inspiration Network.
And others call greed.
“They’re preying on the emotionalism, the tough times of the moment,” said Warren Smith with Wall Watchers.
From their studios in Charlotte, North Carolina…
“You got to act tonight. Now! In Jesus name,” said evangelist Morris Cerullo on Inspiration Network.
To a self-proclaimed audience of 18 million homes…
“Jesus was not poor,” said Huch on Inspiration Network.
The Inspiration Network is attracting millions in donations…
“According to this book, I can give my way into the future,” Murdock said on Inspiration Network.
And the scrutiny of a ministry watchdog group.
“We would warn donors about the Inspiration Network,” Smith said.
Critics call them “televangelist gunslingers.”
“If you’ve ever decided to obey the Holy Spirit, go to the phone right now,” Murdock said on Inspiration Network.
Pastors flown in to raise money for the Inspiration Network.
“I’m asking for 1,179 people,” Cerullo said on Inspiration Network.
Each promising a gift from God for a limited number of callers.
“There are 300 people I want to pray for that will set aside a $58 seed for the next 12 months,” Murdock said on Inspiration Network.
Mike Murdock is part pastor, part P.T. Barnum… theology and theatrics.
“You have a Jehovah gyro in your life,” he said on Inspiration Network
His “prosperity” pitch filled with drama and the promise of divine miracles.
“They did a geological report and when it came back they found gold on her 27 acres of ground. This happened after a $58 seed,” Murdock said on Inspiration Network.
In 2006, the Inspiration Network paid Murdock $100,000.
And with a $696 donation to the Inspiration Network, Mike Murdock claims it can happen to you.
“My goal is for 300 people to hear the wisdom that God gives my heart for them to become millionaires for the sake of the Kingdom of God,” Murdock said on Inspiration Network.
“I think there are some donors who are very vulnerable to that message,” Smith said. “Especially in tough economic times, you’ll find that there are a couple of growth industries. One is the lottery and the other is prosperity preachers.”
“Tomorrow, somebody is miraculously gonna have their debts cancelled,” Huch said on Inspiration Network.
“It instead treats Jesus or God as a ‘cosmic bellhop,’” Smith said.
Smith is with Wall Watchers, a Christian ministry watchdog group based in Matthews, N.C.
These are files on 500 of the largest ministries in America. Their financial statements are reviewed by staff, including a certified fraud examiner.
“Our primary concern is that even if you agree with their theology, they have a moral and legal responsibility to be open and transparent,” Smith said.
Wall Watcher’s website, http://www.ministrywatch.com, analyzes and grades the ministries according to financial transparency or openness.
“I believe that financial integrity and accountability is extremely important,” said Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Ministry Watch gives the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association an “A” for financial transparency.
“My father for years, long before it was ever suggested, he told his board, ‘I want to be audited by an outside auditing firm. I want to make that audit public and we’ll let the world know how we’ve used the money,’” Franklin Graham said.
There’s a lot of money coming in to the Inspiration Network — $56 million in 2006. In a four-year period, $39 million in profit.
“Our concern is their donors don’t know where their money is going,” Smith said.
The gospel of prosperity has been a goldmine for Inspiration CEO David Cerullo. His salary in 2006 was $1.6 million.
“It’s certainly out of bounds of what we see as best practice within the ministry world,” Smith said.
Cerullo and his wife, Barbara, live in a gated neighborhood in south Charlotte. Their 8,200-square-foot home, with a pool and elevator, can be seen from the air, valued at more than $1.6 million.
In some of the network pitches, viewers are told to send their donations directly to Cerullo himself.
“Send your check or money order to David Cerullo…”
While there’s no evidence donations are being misappropriated, it’s another red flag for Wall Watchers.
“If checks are literally made out to him personally, as opposed to the network itself, there’s no way to know for sure where that money ends up,” Smith said.
Three years ago, the Inspiration Network’s articles of incorporation were rewritten to require just three board members, two of whom are David and Barbara Cerullo.
“So it’s hard to understand how the board of the Inspiration Network could be truly independent and fulfill their legal fiduciary responsibilities of independence,” Smith said. “We would counsel that donors not give money to the organization.”
Despite being on TV every day of the week, David Cerullo declined our request for an on-camera interview. Instead, a spokesman released this statement:
“Our policy is not to engage in public discourse regarding accusations against our ministry. We are audited annually by an independent accounting firm. Every year we file Form 990 with the IRS which provides complete transparency about our income and expenses. Inspiration Ministries is in good standing with both the IRS and the North Carolina Secretary of State. Never in our 18 year history have we had a formal complaint from any regulatory agency.”
Even if you’ve never phoned in a dime, you could be helping to pay for the Inspiration Network’s new headquarters.
The so-called “City of Light” is just across the border in Indian Land, S.C.
And the I-Team discovered the state of South Carolina handed the tax-exempt Inspiration Network a $1.2 million economic development grant to pay for road, water and sewer construction.
“In effect, whether we choose to be a donor to that organization or not, we are, in fact, a donor to that organization if we pay taxes,” Smith said.
“How many would like to have some prosperity in your life. I’m not against prosperity. I’m for it,” Huch said on Inspiration Network.
As the prayers and pitches for prosperity continue on the airwaves, some critics question who’s really getting rich.
“Money is a weapon. Money is a bridge. Money’s a tool,” Murdock said on Inspiration Network.
“Any donor ought to look really before they gave money to the Inspiration Networks,” Smith said.
“Money’s an instrument. The Bible says money answereth all things,” Murdock said on Inspiration Network.
Again, we want to emphasize there’s no evidence donations are being misappropriated. The I-Team asked the Inspiration Network for more details on where those donations are going and we were denied.
MinistryWatch.com was founded by a devout Christian and their website acknowledges ministries who are good stewards of your donations.
At this point, Ministry Watch has not yet given the Inspiration Network a grade for financial transparency.
http://www.wcnc.com/news/topstories/stories/wcnc-112608-mw-inspiration_network.63a23b6.html
People: These are exciting times in which we must use Biblical discernment to expose these frauds and charlatans for what they are…wolves in sheep’s clothing.
The number of wolves running amok in the Body of Christ is amazing.
Paul the Apostle knew that after his leaving, that such false teachers and preachers would try to ravage the flock but we have the weapons of spiritual warfare to wage war against these flim flam artists.
My sadness comes from the millions of people who are still duped into believing this hype. Many have larceny in their own hearts and like attracts like so they are fodder and easy prey for the Joyce
Meyers and K. Copelands and M. Hickeys of this hour. Until they repent of a covetous spirit, they will fall prey to these profane
babblers.
Sadly, during this economic crunch, I am now hearing again the siren call of the psychic. The psychics are back on airwaves telling people to send them money and they will tell them their financial fortune. There is nothing new under the sun!
People of God…be encouraged. Read your Word. Pray daily and resist the enemy and he will flee from you. Remember, we have read the back of the Book (The Bible) and we win!
Maranatha!
Well said, Lafe. Very well said.
Indeed Ramson Mumba is 100% a clone of Creflo.
what’s your issue with Ramson Mumba?
Having been around Mumba since his ministry started in Bingley, he has never hidden his love and devotion to Dr Dollar.
Dollar by name and Dollar by nature seem to be Mumba’s philosophy. He is obsessed with prosperity and anyone could be forgiven for thinking that he sees The Bible as a quick means to lining his own pockets, especially as he boasted at the London Hippodrome in 2009, that he has £180K of cars on his driveway. He says he aspires to own many houses and aircraft too.
What isn’t revealed is that he asks his congregations for loans. These are rarely if ever repaid, those which have had their money returned have sadly had to resort to legal means, or threats of legal action to have it returned.
Their are churches and there are businesses. Mumba’s obsession with money and the scant disregard he pays to the families of his employees ( morespecifically quality time for parent – child interaction) illustrates where his priorities lie.
So beware, there’s a lot more to Mr Mumba, than meets the eye.
Ooops miss-spelt ‘There’!
Also reference to families needs clarification. It refers to his employees – some of which are expected to work ridiculous hours, to the detriment of family.
Are these really the actions of a pastor, or a single-minded sweet-talking businessman??
You decide.
WOW…very interesting responses. I thought the Bible preached not to judge others…and ESPECIALLY don’t judge the Pastors of churches..whether you feel they are right or wrong. I remember my Pastor saying something in church one time..”The reason why Christanity is taking so long to move forward is because we are so busy fighting amongst ourselves. There will be a time and place we can discuss our differences or opinions..but while we are arguing and fighting..the world is going down. Can we put our personal differences and beliefs aside for a while and heal what needs to be healed?
Sorry, Julian, but I don’t care if the world see’s the false teachers for who they really are. Dirty laundry or not, these wolves need to be avoided at all cost.
So what should we do – schedule polite meetings to discuss this issue quietly while legions of people are being marched to hell with false doctrine and lies?
Yes, we are supposed to judge.
I love religious Christians. PIMPS? LOL. This is truly church when all that exists on this forum is gossip, gossip, gossip. We are the light of the world. Do you not have anything else to do besides talk about what everyone else is doing? How about you go spread the word of JESUS CHRIST. instead of all this PIMP noise and judgment.
Tell me, Esteban – where exactely are you reading about gossip? This article clearly expresses my thoughts on the hypocrisy of a meeting hosted by a pimp featuring other pimps who will learn how to better perfect their religious pimp game.
Are you offended by the word “pimp”? Surely if you knew what it meant, you’d see how appropriate it is for this conversation.
Have you read any of the other 250+ articles on this blog (the many explaining salvation, faith, the Gospel, and much more) – or did you just get to this article through a Google search and you are ready to denounce the entirety of my writings?
Aren’t you judging me, Esteban?
The bottom line is this: I will continue to defend the faith against imposters. I will continue to use the Word of God to draw a line in the sand between the righteous and the liars. You can’t be the light without exposing the works of darkness.