Capstone (n): the high point; the crowning achievement...

 Hello both,

The crowning achievement of this blog is being part of the great collective work started on FactNet - Tuesday, September 30, 2003 - 1:50 am. Providing tens-of-thousands of hours of reflection, growth & entertainment. Once Pastor Davis died in 2014, my perceived duty to inform died, especially when those selected to wear his mantle are davis-lite; poseurs playing dress up with their Dad's suits. What more fitting high point than posting links to the sites still standing: 

• Jeff's Blog
• Don n Ange's Blog
• Old FactNet (fully functional Archive)
• ntccXposed (fully functional Archive)
• NTCC Wikipedia Article
• Brian's Departure Letter
• NTCC - An Overview (Mountain News) 
• Miscellaneous NTCC Articles (Mountain News) 
• Random NTCC Documents

Also, I've moved the tithe articles to the top in the order they were meant to be read, since money is the only important thing to a cult.

Thank-you both,

Gregory the Apologetic

Tithe? Sure…But, what does real tithe look like; as in what does the Bible say tithe should look like, when the NT doesn’t tell us? (originally posted June 2011)...

Easy to understand, easy to apply.

Let’s say (for this article) tithing is still in effect because there are no specific prohibitions against it in the New Testament (along with stoning rebellious sons, et al). But, when there are no New Testament guidelines on how tithe is to be executed by Christians, we must refer to the Old Testament only, to find how this is to be accomplished (the same way we do for the meaning/definition/understanding of alter, sacrifice, wilderness, redemption, priest, faith, et al).

Let’s ignore all the arguments for and against mandatory tithe, and all acknowledge a few things…tithe in the Old Testament was food & was used only to feed the priesthood (their only inheritance), supply the fixin’s for love feasts, offerings & sacrifices, and to feed the poor (charity).

So, what does real tithe look like…without, you know, ignoring anything contained in the Bible, or the fact that the Ministry is a business; or relying on secular history, secular custom, and/or any other source outside the Bible?

A Doctrine of God, or a Commandment from Men? (now you get to decide) originally posted 8/18/2010...

Easy to understand, easy to apply.

NTCC and “The Tithe” - NTCC is a mandatory tithe 501(c)(3). It is required by NTCC that every preacher say before taking the offering, "All Christians pay tithe, and give offerings" (in amongst anything else they might say during offering time), and many times what is said by the preacher regarding tithe and offerings is quite voluminous. Many times this will bleed over into the rest of the service, sometimes continuing as the topic of discussion during fellowship after the service has ended.

Their official policy is if you don't pay tithe, you're not a Christian. It doesn't much matter what else you may be doing right. Conversely, if you pay tithe, you will be called brother, and it doesn't much matter what else you may be doing wrong.

Jesus, the Apostles, New Testament Tithe, and Christians (no, they are not kidding) originally posted September 2011...

Easy to understand, easy to apply.

INTRODUCTION:

So what has been accomplished thus far? Well, other than ignoring almost all scripture (by necessity, and in deference to NTCC’s most used/useful/profitable doctrinal method) that should support (if it existed) the mandatory Christian tithe teachers position, not much since few are commenting (but, many are reading, the “hit counter” is way up).

Have I yet disproved the doctrine of “Mandatory Christian Tithe?” If not, why not? Or, am I just wrong because NTCC's business model needs me to be wrong?

Abram's Tithe (Abraham didn't Tithe), Moses' Tithe, and Christians (no, they are not kidding) originally posted July 2011...

Easy to understand, easy to apply.

INTRODUCTION:

Matthew 5:18 “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

Why is the Old Testament important/necessary to a Christian? One reason is it defines for us terms used in the New Testament, without consulting any outside secular source. Stated differently, it allows God to define His own terms. Sacrifice, alter, fornication, redemption, Passover, Tabernacle/Temple, Priest, High Priest, Pentecost, feast, sodomy, et cetera are all defined/delineated in the Old Testament.

So, we (can) derive Biblical principles from the Old Testament for practical Christian living without again coming under the purview of the Old Testament/Covenant. These ‘principles’ are what marked (elevated) the teachings of the apostles (above the Scribes and Pharisees), who quoted extensively (along with Paul) from the Law of Moses to teach Christian doctrines in the New Testament. The Apostles showed how the Old pointed to the New (and Christ). They illuminated the Old Testament types, in a way unrevealed before Christ’s earthly ministry. The Apostles teachings, God’s intent, and even what the Law says about itself, does not keep mankind in bondage to the Law, but set men free to enter fully into God’s grace.

"Fellowship Meetings weren't of God after all" or, more answers from the man with three jobs (originally posted 11/21/2012)...

Are we there yet?

Hello all,

Senior Pastor Kekel wrote..."The primary reason for this [Fellowship Meeting cancellation], was to ease the financial burden on the churches and pastors, and stop the monthly disruption of their schedules." This quote shows Senior Pastor Kekel is unaware Fellowship Meetings were never a monthly requirement. Like I wrote, he has no oversight of the churches outside of Graham, and much of his own writings bear this out. Those of us in the work of the Lord out in the field never had Fellowship Meeting the month before, of, and after a Conference (this was policy). Therefore, there were only 6 per year (1 or 2 which were hosted). And sometimes less if there were mandatory Minister's Seminars we had to go to.

Gregory writes...Thanks for your never-been-there-done-that second-hand insight. Based only on your logic: Why does our Cult still have Conferences?

Senior Pastor Kekel has been warehoused in Graham for over 28 years, so has no “been there, done that” perspective about the work of the Lord out in the field (originally posted 10/16/2012)...

...the Testimony of a desperate man.

Senior Pastor Kekel just seems like a big fish to NTCC'rs because he is in a very small pond, and because Tanya is Senior Pastor Davis’ adopted daughter.

He has never been challenged in any significant way, because at the end of the day Tanya is still a Davis (and always will be), so could have confidence that any trial was only very temporary, and everything would turn out for her benefit…And if necessary Dad would bail her out. And what was good for Tanya was also a routine and regular stepping stone for Senior Pastor Kekel.

The re-branding of NTCC (or, what hath God wrought this time) originally posted 4/23/2013...

New Jesus is winning

What happened to who/what NTCC was founded upon over 40 years ago?

I saw this picture on the internet, and immediately thought of all the cosmetic changes going on in the Cult.

But, what kind of changes? Anything substantive? Any useful? You still have church activities 5 or more times a week. You still have hours of soul-winning each Saturday (your only real almost-day-off). You still have to move every few years. Bi-annual Conference is still a financial hardship (if you even bother to go anymore). Your children are still deprived (if you have any). You still live pay-check to pay-check. You still send money to HQ Graham so they can remain solvent (it is estimated they receive $52,000 per month from all the non-Graham churches); while you sacrifice and do without. You and your children still aren't going to College. The joy of Fellowship Meeting has been cancelled. You still...blah, blah, blah...et cetera. Oh, and you're still winning.

"SHUNK" -- A Must Read Article on Rev. Kekel's Blog (merely another hit piece by the adminstrative man of prayer) originally posted 4/25/2010...

Married 18+ Years, and Counting.

Hello all,

An article on Rev. Kekel's Blog was pointed out to us by a concerned citizen. This one is called "Shunk".

Glossolalia & Covetousness (de rigueur for the modern child-o'-Pentecost) originally posted 12/28/2019...

Pentecostals blur this distinction in their own mind. 
Their actions eventually follow suit. 
They will justify these actions to anyone they can; 
don't interupt them while they are.

This is not an anti-NTCC post. I stopped posting those after the death of Pastor Davis in 2014.

I would like to go to a Pentecostal church, but in the light of the below article, this is just not possible. Christians are required to break fellowship with the covetous. What about all the gluttons who attend church? I can't go to those either for the same reason. It seems I have reasoned myself out of going anywhere. Yet, I'll compromise, and go to church in the morning.

About three and one-half years ago, after four whole seconds of intense reflection I had an epiphany…I have never knowingly met a Pentecostal who was not eventually covetous. While I am not positive of the root cause(s) which foments this sin in the Pentecostal walk with god, I am intimately acquainted (through observation and personal experience) with the justification that keeps it brewing…MEN PLEASING. 

 

NEPHEW or GRANDCHILD: Why isn't the answer obvious (originally posted 8/17/2010)?...

It seems pleasing to God.

Regarding the word translated ‘nephew’ in 1 Timothy 5:4 (KJV)…

Word: ekgonon
Pronounce: ek'-gon-on
Strong’s Number: G1549
Orig: neuter of a derivative of a compound of 1537 and 1096; a descendant, i.e. (specially) grandchild.
Use: Adjective

They didn’t teach us the above in Bible College regarding 1 Timothy 5:4 (we were taught something else on the evening of 24 April 1996). I studied it out for myself later, as we were all taught (continue study on your own after graduation) in Bible College.

Conference at NTCC's National Campground has been cancelled until further notice (old news for most, expected by some, and a welcomed and too little too late respite for all) originally posted 7/20/2013...

Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye: Fall Conference 2013: location of the upcoming Fall Conference is yet unclear (after 40+ years the will of God is still murky to the Cult leaders) (Posted on May 16, 2013)

It's always NTCC Conference time again (originally posted 9/10/2010 & no longer updated since the point has been proven)...

Say Amen Somebody...
Somebody say AMEN!

NTCC of America, Inc.'s

Conference Schedule:

Since Spring Conference 2004 to Spring Conference 2014, 55% of Conferences have been held at the Campground, and haven't been mandatory since the 'Fall' of 2006. Oops, the cult-of-flip-flops now has one mandatory Conference per year. When the truth effects their "bottom line," and/or causes too much hemorrhaging, and the routine inevitable panic grips them, Conference shifts to Graham (or Phoenix), or goes regional, and becomes mandatory again. Local church visits, from NTCC's leadership, are also used to put out the frequent fires.

Our X-mas present to you (words of Gregory in red. The below message is another typical example of how NTCC wrests Scripture, and their galloping anti-Bible doctrine.) originally posted 12/25/2012...

One of the best things you could ever do
for you and your family.

Please note, the message below is coming from the man who has been “assigned” to Graham for over 28 years; pursuing his "administrative" calling.

Sorry about all the red ink (again, my commentary). But, as is usual, Senior Pastor Kekel's reasons/reasonings engender more questions than answers; cloud rather than clarify; blather rather than succinctly proclaim.

NTCC is exactly what it seems to be (or, it's a duck) originally posted 11/10/2012...

"All that matters is money and numbers."

First Anonymous makes it appear (on Jeff's Blog) they went there by accident (“…when someone stumbles onto this page like I did…”).

Then Anonymous went there on purpose to verify something (“…the reason I came on here is because I saw something on facebook and came to check if it was real.”)

And now Anonymous won’t be back.

As is usual, what our Cult says is true is not (or believing what they say, not what you see) originally posted 11/1/2012...

Where's the Blessing in it?
This is a room at the 
Campground (jk).

Anonymous wrote as a comment here..."The rooms at camp are not overpriced. 40 a night is not overpriced. Your such a liar.”

Senior Pastor Kekel wrote here..."The blessing is that it enables us to have a place to host the Conferences and keep rooms affordable for those who wish to stay on the Camp."

Thanks for your input Anonymous. Since this is all you got out of the article you are obviously still in the Cult.

Still more proof Bruce Smith is a good old-school investigative journalist (or, you can believe what "Ramtha Man" writes about our Cult) originally posted 10/27/2012…

"...I consider anyone who has left NTCC an enemy."

Senior Pastor Kekel calls him “Ramtha Man (but, don’t call him Kekel or Mike, et cetera; as he takes offense at anything less than the utmost respect/deference shown to him, he just doesn't reciprocate).” The rest of us know him as Bruce.

Below are links to all his articles that are relevant to this piece (followed by my foolish and unlearned commentary):

WORKING WOMEN – Senior Pastor Kekel says “…it’s against the Bible.” Jeffrey C. Gross, Jr. and Tanya Kekel disagree with him (originally posted 10/11/2012)...

"STAY IN THE HOUSE! BE IN SUBJECTION!"

Rev. Jordan published this in 1994…Then in my dream I saw Faith and Charity continue down the Highway of Holiness, rejoicing about their victories over the enemy. They met a lady called Mrs. Career-Woman who knew faith. She began to tell her how foolish it was to throw away all her training and the future.

2 + 2 = 9? Once again, something Senior Pastor Kekel wrote is fishy...But, read the below article to decide for yourself (originally posted 10/3/2012)...

Same Ol' Same Ol'

Hello All,

Senior Pastor Kekel wrote…”The annual operating cost of the Campground is over $100,000.00, not including the costs of construction mentioned above. One Conference generates approximately $40,000.00, nowhere near covering the costs.” (FYI...income covering 80% of operating cost does almost cover the cost, nice try with the poor-mouthing though...one solution is to receive a special offering each conference where each one of the "1000" gives $10 each conference; this will generate $20,000 per year, so will pay the bills)

Senior Pastor Kekel also shared…”When a thousand people simultaneously erupt in loud worship,-as it happened in this last conference [2010]…” (Bro. Bellamy shares..."If you want to measure success by the increasing numbers then why was Fall Conference 2010 only half full on the men's side? There were more women and kids than there were of men.")

It's business as usual...NTCC is still sowing discord among the Brethren. Now the Brill family has ESCAPED (Rev. Olson's Daughter and Son-in-Law). PART 1 (originally posted 9/28/2012):

Is Broken.

Jeff (regarding your last post),

Thanks, I understand your tack a little better now.

The only reason I don't agree with your method is because Bro. Bellamy wasn't backing down from what he wrote, while still reconciling with Bro. Brill. And I didn’t feel he needed help, and we could always quiz them later, after they said what they had to say (plus, sometimes if you let people talk, they will tell you more than they would have otherwise). And maybe the following article will help you understand my tack a little better also:

1 Timothy 5:8...Sending NTCC's people to Heaven since 1969 (originally posted 9/15/2012)...

Heaven bound!

Hello to both of our readers,

QUESTION: Where does the infidel go?

Gregory (the Foolish and Unlearned) & Deborah

ADDED 9/24/2012: For clarity's sake (many people are having a hard time with the above question) I need to change the question to...

QUESTION: According to the Bible, where does the soul of the infidel immediately go at the death of the body?

or...

QUESTION: Does the infidel soul go to Heaven or to Hell when the body dies?

Don't be fooled again: As of 27 March 2011, NTCC is still anti-family (originally posted 5/27/11)...

Follow us to Church.

Read all about it here and here (just more subtle about it now, along with using someone else's words, to add credibility and support for another NTCC 'policy').

Excerpts from yet another edifying new message on Pastor Kekel's blog (originally posted 2/5/2011) ...

We are WINNING!

Hello all,

Directly below (the four bullet points) is an excerpt from a message on Pastor Kekel's blog, titled "Fight or Flight"...

ST. LOUIS, MO 1978; GOD's GRAND PLAN ALREADY GONE AWRY (originally posted 3/5/2010)...

BECAUSE I LOVE 
YOU!

In August and September of 1978, I had been talking to my eldest sister Esther about coming to Bible School. My sister Esther, her former husband Manuel, and my brother Andrew had visited Becky in the summer of 1975, at NTCC’s Bible College in St. Louis, MO. They had told Becky that they were interested in coming to school (Midwestern Bible Institute at the time).

The Myrtle Beach Conference, and the 'Blow-Up' (originally posted 6/8/2011):

Unless you're Family.

Someone asked on Jeff’s Blog…“Deborah, did you ever know Carl Sensabaugh? Was he some kind of ‘adopted’ son of RWD. I know that you were previously married to Rev Blumenthal and it is weird having heard about people that RWD makes it sound like he cared for them like they were his own children and would have moved them up in leadership if they hadn't left NTCC.”

Well, Darwin Durek could provide you with more detail about Carl Sensabaugh’s job in the church, and more about him, than I could. From what I heard he was a very charismatic person, as was/is Rick.

A while back Mike Kekel ‘mentioned’ on his blog about Rick, as to why he got in ‘trouble’ with Rev. Davis. Mike said, “I remember the Conference at Myrtle Beach when her husband, who was AGO of the Central Division at the time, got in trouble for rebuking Pastor over something he preached about ladies and tight skirts. It really cost him more than he’ll ever know. He went back to pastoring, and I see no need to speak of that, except a downhill trend was beginning. Greg was one of the ‘boys in the home’ in Okinawa where they pastored, and once she was a free woman, Greg got the job.”

Rick is not here to defend himself, but I know what Rick said to Rev. Davis. These are the events that lead up to this so called rebuke of Pastor Davis:

She must be lying, no cult could be this bad to their own people (originally posted 4/6/2011)...

Deja vu all over again.

Hello all,

Deborah wanted me to post this comment on her blog, that she posted on Jeff's Blog (FYI...Deborah and I are still doing quite well, over 2 years post-exit). So here it is (love you, Baby):

WOMEN'S STYLED HAIR (originally posted 2/10/11)...

Same as cutting.

I have been thinking about the following for years (even before NTCC stopped renewing my Ordained Minister's License in 2009).

 

Question: Since Paul talks about a woman’s hair being a covering, a glory to a women, and an example, why is it alright to style with an up-do/french roll, bun, etc, when this prevents a woman's long hair from being a covering—effectively mimicking short hair?

1st time visitor w. w. says NTCC “seems like a cult” (originally posted 2/3/2011)…

All Christians pay tithe 
and give offerings.

I was invited to visit a church by a long time acquaintance. She said she has been going there for 2 years and she really likes it. I went Sunday (1/30/11). The preacher was blasting rich people and all their possessions. I started looking through my bible for the scripture, "But we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for our sakes he became poor that we might be rich, that through his poverty we might be rich."

Old FACTNet is gone (originally posted 1/30/2011)...

Hallelujah!

Hello all,

Good news...On 29 January 2011, the witness that was "old FACTNet" was deleted from the world wide web. I already archived all the NTCC stuff, so maybe someday it will make a reappearance (sounds like good content for a full-blown website). The "new FACTNet" is still with us, but is consistently inactive.

But, here is the link to a fully functional (all links work) internet archive of "old FACTNet."

Also, I want to thank Sister George Jordan for telling us (and very many others) about FACTNet in 2004 (she’s very diligent about keeping people informed). She is probably directly responsible for many people leaving our Cult, since many claim they left because of the influence of what they read online.

NTCC is winning,

Gregory

I came across this elegant paragraph by Burt (originally posted 1/14/2011)...

They've got your back.

Our crime was that we trusted them, we believed them, and on top of all that we loved them. All the while, we only ask after having left ntcc that ntcc comes clean about the abusive and neglectful social practices and behaviors that they have secretely under the radar gotten away with. No paper trail, no video trail, and no trail of evidence save for the astounding number of people who witness and experienced first hand the abusive rules they (ntcc) decry as never happening or are un-willing to acknowledge in the face of all these witnesses.

The Fear & Frustration in Facing Pastor Davis. Fresh from the manly mind of Pastor Briggs (originally posted 10/25/2010)...

Money and Numbers.

Wow. Great article Pastor Briggs (RIP).

Here's the link. But, the article was deleted per Pastor Briggs' (RIP) facebook IM threats.

Here's another link to it. But, the article was deleted along with the rest of his blog's content after his death.

PART 1 of "NTCC lies and broken promises (NTCC policy in their own written words)" originally posted 10/19/2010...

For the work of the Lord.

February 5, 1997

Letter of Dispatch

Letter of Support

Re: G.T. Shunk

508-1 Sang Yon Dong

P.O. Box 19

Tongduchun

Republic Of Korea

To Whom concerned,

This is to certify that Rev. G.T. Shunk is an ordained minister in good standing with the New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc. This is to further certify that Rev. G.T. Shunk has been granted an appointment to Korea that he may serve as a Pastor and spiritual director of U.S. servicemen. His role as a servicemen’s director consists of providing a place of spiritual fellowship and relaxation, etc. for US servicemen. Also, New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc. will be responsible for the financial support of Rev. and Mrs. G.T. Shunk during their stay in Korea to include all expenses that relate to their meals and lodging.

Thanking you for your help and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

//Signed//

J.R. Ashmore (Secretary)

NTCC lies and broken promises (NTCC policy in their own written words) originally posted 10/11/2010...

Some things never change.

Hello all,

Coming soon...a minimum two part series (from official NTCC letters and emails).

Gregory

A dog show, some french kissin', a girl child (Tanya), and some lesbians (tomboys); with the man who never misses God (and makes this all necessary) originslly posted 10/11/2010...

Eeeek!

Anonymous wrote (in a comment over on Don and Ange's Blog)..."you missed part of that article about the dog show; where the lesbians were kissing the dogs, french style? Don might like to comment on that kind of thing, homosexuality that is. And what is the age difference between Greg and Debbie?"

The WHIRLWIND wrote in Holy Spirit POWER (originally posted 10/2/2010)...

Run for your life! He's on a mission from God! The_WHIRLWIND (69.29.212.77) Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 6:22 pm: JOB 38:1-3 “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said; Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man: for I will demand of thee and answer thou me.” HOLD YOUR FIRE EVERYONE!

NTCC’s online (a.k.a. sinnernet) presence update (originally posted 8/19/2010)…

Exposing You to Truth, in Holy Spirit Power
Since 2004.

Non-NTCC Sites:

• Tracy's Blog is gone again as of June 2010…

• NTCC's Wikipedia article is finally gone, as of March 2010 (back up 22 June 2010)…

• ntccXposed is finally gone, as of July 2010.

FOR THE RECORD (in case this gets deleted in Holy Spirit power) originally posted 5/15/2010...

Apply today.

Old news from Rev. Kekel's Blog (words of mck/God in red):

Mar 3, 2009

A Rumor that's not...

There’s one making the rounds that my son is playing organized sports.

Poll Questions (+ or - 10%) originally posted 5/4/2010...

Are we winning yet?

 

 

 

Any comments or questions about the poll questions?

Gregory

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE(s) ABOUT NTCC (fact is stranger than fiction) originally posted 4/30/2010...

Investigative reporting 
by Ramtha Man.

To anyone interested,

Bruce Smith is a print reporter, who wrote a 5-part series on NTCC. See the below links:

Here is the link to a follow up article he did in 2011: 

http://themountainnewswa.net/2011/09/19/the-new-testament-christian-church-of-graham-an-overview-2/  (OVERVIEW/PART 6…w/comments)

Please be patient = ) originally posted 2/26/2010...

I'm tired after 7 years.

Hello everybody,

I am sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. Please have patience with me. My Mom and I are in the process of moving books and furniture, beds etc. around the house (Gregory is just back from Afghanistan and is again at Fort Campbell in-processing). My brother is coming and we really don't have anyone to help us get the house ready, so he and his wife have a place to stay. So it's been mostly me trying to get things in order. As many of you know I also work full time, and am fully involved in my Mom's church. Hopefully this weekend I can type out more of my story.

Life is good!

Deborah

Sordid Beginings: How could it be otherwise? If the root is bad the fruit is also bad. (originally posted 1/23/2010)...

The more he lies, the 
farther away J. C. gets.

Where to begin? The other day my Mom and I were talking about how we came in contact with the people from NTCC. I mentioned some things to her about something that took place in '73 or '74, while my sister was in Bible School. My Mom began telling me about some men which came from St Louis, Missouri to Pueblo, Colorado (our then church’s headquarters...First Spanish Church of God in Christ). These men were friends with Bob Patterson (Penny Hampton Duran's father). Also, the school (Mid-Western Bible Institute) dean at the time was a man named Ruben Herrera. Ruben had family that attended the church in Pueblo, Co.