Please Contact Your Senator
Posted on November 8th, 2007 by catalyst into the City Boobie Church, Things Dougie wouldn't do categoryPasted below is a letter that I believe should be sent to NW Senator's Gordon Smith, Ron Wyden and Maria Cantwell.
Dear Senator:
I recently noticed in the news that the Senate Finance Committee, of which you are a member, is holding an investigation into the financial practices of mega-churches throughout the country. As an Evangelical Christian and former member of a mega-church, I applaud this investigation and commend the committee for taking this initiative.
As a concerned citizen, I would also like to call attention to a mega-church in Portland, Oregon that I believe may also be violating non-profit tax codes. The church is City Bible Church (9200 NE Fremont Portland, OR 97220) and is pastored by Frank Damazio. This church preaches the Prosperity Doctrine and promises their members great wealth if they only continue to give the church money. In addition, there is a significant lack of transparency with the finances of this church, as it is very difficult to determine how the pastoral staff spends their "tax exempt" income.
I strongly encourage the Finance Committee to include City Bible Church in any future investigations.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Instructions on sending this letter:
Click on the Senate links below and fill out the Email Form.
Choose the subject "Taxes" and then cut and paste the letter into the message field.
Washington residents can substitute "The City Church" in place of "City Bible Church" in the letter.
Here are the links:
Oregon Senator Gordon Smith:
http://gsmith.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden
http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/
Washington Senator Maria Cantwell:
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November 8th, 2007 at 10:35 am
If anyone has any questions on sending this letter, please leave a comment, and I will respond as soon as possible.
Thanks so much to everyone for your help.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Done and done! Thanks catalyst.
November 8th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Even though I have zero faith in our elected officials I will give this a shot. But can I do the Oregon Sentor since they are their or do I have to do California (where I am living now)?
November 8th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Wow…… Just wow. you all have GOT to move on! You’ve gone way too far now. This is slander. But Jesus still loves you. Rember That!
November 8th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
It’s probably best if you contact your California Senators:
Diane Feinstein:
http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.EmailMe
Barbara Boxer:
https://boxer.senate.gov/contact/email/policy.cfm
Say you commend the Finance Committee for its actions. And that you grew up in a megachurch in Oregon and you’re concerned that it is abusing its tax exempt status.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
YIKES…. have the CBC lawyers knocked on your door yet??
November 8th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Please! This type of stuff goes on everday in DC.
November 8th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I sent both my letters…and I loved every minute of it. I wonder if our friends Davis, Wright, & Tremaine still know how to contact us.
At The City Church?
November 8th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Let’s hope they sue because then we can subpoena CBC’s financial records and take their depositions under oath.
November 8th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Y’all are kidding, right? There’s not a thing wrong with expressing your beliefs and suspicions to your congressman. What surprises me about Cat’s letter, is that he didn’t mention the ‘retire the debt’ issue - wherein people’s earmarked offerings were allegedly used for something else - like more acquisitions, etc.
November 8th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Either way its going to be a good time.
Quite honestly, I would expect CBC to try to take legal action rather than just do the easy thing and open up their books. There are a number of reputable services that will come in and put out an honest report…you should read the review of John Piper’s church, it’s quite a bit more transparent.
November 9th, 2007 at 4:43 am
That’s actually a really good idea. I’m just not sure of the specifics. But if someone wanted to mention it in a letter it would go a long way to supporting the claim misconduct.
November 9th, 2007 at 7:19 am
That’s the best thing that could happen. If I thought that would work, I’d be first in line to start the “slandering”.
November 9th, 2007 at 10:09 am
I think what we need is fundamental reform to the administrative constraints placed on all nonprofits, including more rigorous reporting, independent audits with published results, spending disclosure requirements, and the like.
In the age of the internet, would it be unduly onerous to requre by law that nonprofits (and/or idependent auditors) publish such information persistently on the web? Those organizations wishing to avoid such scrutiny would of course be free to do so, bereft of their tax exempt status.
People being selfish, deceiving and self-deceiving, prone to self-approval in doing public acts of good, while at the same time rationalizing private greed and compromise, it is hardly surprising that abuse of the lax standards pertaining to nonprofit organizations is rampant.
While it is tempting to yield to the emotions of a witch hunt targeting notorious malefactors, the remedy for these abuses is profound reform of the law governing the administration of nonprofit organizations.
November 9th, 2007 at 11:40 am
True. But politicans won’t act unless they have the public behind them. And the way you build public support for a change in law is by highlighting specific examples of wrong doing. The more heinous the example, the more public support you gain.
In order to raise awareness of this issue, you need to make examples of people. And example of this is going on right now, in the subprime housing market, which is prompting Congress to enact laws that protect consumers and increase oversight of the mortgage industry.
November 9th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I just did my part and sent off both emails. I really appreciate what everyone on this site has been doing. Keep up the good work.
PS…I stongly encourage others to follow through with these emails…it may not change much but it is a start.
November 9th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
“J” as in Judah?!?
November 9th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
noooo. . he is in kirkland??
November 9th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Bellevue. Kirkland is for Baptists.
November 9th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
I thought you guys said Judah bought all his thongs at the Portland Nordies?!?
November 13th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Maybe the investigation should include conferences disguised as Church services which have become a big business! Are the registration fees for conferences paid to a Church or ministry tax deductible as charitable giving? I don’t think they are. The registrants do not receive a giving statement at the end of the year for the registration money collected.
As far as I know it is not legal for the Church to issue a giving statement for the money collected for a conference because it is not an offering but a fee for services. Should the Church have to pay taxes on the amounts collected for conferences because the money was not given as a gift or offering but as a fee for services? With the millions of dollas being generated by church conferences are churches reporting this money as giving. Just wondering.
December 8th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Hello, best thing you can do to get promp attention on this matter is to contact Pete Evens with the Trinity Foundation in Dallas. There is a abuse report you fill out, it doesn’t take long to get a responce back.
December 8th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland,
Before knowledge of, KCM, BVOV, GLORIA’S HEALING SCHOOL, and EMIC, our lives were simple, and complete. Before BVOV, faith had no mathematical values, you was never told you had to little, or to much. Before BVOV, sickness was not blamed on lack of faith, nor finances. Before BVOV, rewording, or falsifying bible verses, well, before our knowledge of prosperity gospel (materialistic Christian belief: the doctrine taught in some Christian groups that God will grant wishes to the faithful, especially those wishes involving material wealth .Encarta ® World English Dictionary), this act was unheard of, tithes received during collection were used for the upkeep of our church, parsonage, cemetery, and exedra, the exedra was legit. Before BVOV, I had a mother, faith, finances, piece, and a belief in God I never questioned for there was no reason to. My personal thanks goes out to both you and Gloria, prosperity gospel truly is a life changing experience!
The first time I tried to contact (BVOV) was back in 2004, a few months after the death of my mother (Bonnie Parker) who was a long time partner of your ministry, since 1995 to be exact. That’s a lot of faithful years is it not. And now what began as a simple request for answers over two years ago, is now national news. Though I made many efforts to contact you, none of which were successful. (Mail, Email, , Phone, and even visiting Eagle Mountain Church personally) We were in Dallas for the filming of a documentary (Suffer the Children sufferthechildren.com)which was being funded, and produced by director Trever Glass. The film was to show, from the victims point of view, the tragic abuse, suffering , and fraudulent behaviors preformed by certain mega church ministers, mainly focusing on the prosperity gospel ministers. I was asked if I would like to visit EMIC, and take a tour of the massive facilities. Nervously I said yes. Was I finally going to be given the chance of speaking with either of you? With a copy of the original letter, and pictures of mom before, and after BVOV, tucked safely in our backpack we began the tour that would leave me with even more questions than answers. The tour guide was very nice, and very informative. She had not a clue that with every gloating word she spoke, I was fighting back the tears they were bringing. Were the trophies you have proudly displayed at EMIC, acquired on these trips? Did you pay to have them stuffed, or did the church catch that bill for you? There I was standing in the maculate office, (by the way, how much did that high dollar office furniture set you or the ministry back), of the very people I felt were most responsible for my mothers death. No you didn’t put a gun to her head, but your guidance did prove to seal her fate. I do highly recommend this tour to all your partners that contribute to this lifestyle you both so take advantage of. Nor you or Gloria were present the day we dropped by, but I left the letter, and photos with an employee of EMIC. John Copeland called me a few day’s after we toured EMIC, saying how sad I appeared in the video tapes that were recording our every move during our tour.. I was not sure what to say, a Copeland was on the other end, not the one I was hopping for but a Copeland. There was no way to explain to him the hurt I felt inside that not he but his parents created. The call was short, I basically said no comment, for their were no words to express the feelings I had at that moment! Perhaps the Copelands, Kenneth and Gloria, believed my accusations are unprecedented.. By giving me the chance of showing you in moms written proof I will be happy to reveal you the source of my accusations. Never less, no response lead me to believe neither of you have any remorse for their actions, and that you both must believe they had done no wrong. Personally, I could not live with myself after it was brought to my attention that the mere words coming from my mouth, could indeed cause someone to loose their life. Maybe, hopefully, someday sooner than latter, the dangers related to prosperity gospel will become clear to you both, until then God help us all.
Your problem now is, no longer am I the only one publicly asking for answers, you now have the whole United States of America awaiting to see how this Senate investigation unfolds. In February of this year WFAA News in Dallas broadcasted the findings of an investigation (by Brett Shipp) regarding the misuse of the ministry’s jet. I’m sorry but it is really hard to comprehend you and your wife going on vacation in a jet my mother paid for with her life. Just incase you missed the news broadcast, that was one comment I voiced loud and clear. After that news broadcast aired, I began relying on www.WFAA.COM for any new developments, or some kind of comment from anyone at BVOV, EMIC, or either of you personally. The broadcast received the same response that I had come to know all to well over the years, no response, from either of you. Being in the public eye I’m sure has it’s advantages and also disadvantages. You are looked up to by millions of people. It never crossed your minds that a tragedy such as my mom’s was a possibility? You take on a huge responsibility when you get in front of a camera, step onto a stage, and in the recordings of your tapes and cd’s, to each and every one who are watching and listening. Your words can, will , and have, become fatal, the question now is not will it happen again, but when, if your words go unchanged someone’s else’s death is inevitable. As for my family the damage is irreversible. The probe into your finances is long overdue. As for the ones already passed on, the bankrupt, the homeless, and the devastated lives your ministry has destroyed over the years, but it’s better late than never!! I’ve been told by some that my mothers story, and my persistence for the truth, played a part in the investigations into your finances. If so my objective is done. Showing the public the possible consequences in becoming involved with the prosperity gospel was my main objective!!!! As well as taking the tour of your ministries assets, your partners need to read for themselves, (anyone sending money to your ministry) the requests from the Senate related to your finances. I believe they also will have a few questions for you. Oh and the comment you made when caught off guard by the media, WFAA news, (you may view this on there web site), and are questioned about the misuse of the ministry’s jet, your comment was ”None of Your Business”, do either of you have the courage to look me in the eyes and say that to me? The cost we paid for that jet can never be repaid. Expenses that accrued during and after moms illness, left us with no choice but to take out a loan on our house, which was paid in full at the beginning of 2004. This was all to much for us to handle, we have struggled to make the note the last few years, but we can’t last much longer. So we are basically still paying for that jet, and the joyrides both of you take on it. When mom gave her life for your ministry, and now possibly our home will be lost also, I believe that gave us a right to know where the money goes. We did request a accounting of all mom’s contributions, several times, which I have enclosed in this letter, but yet again no response was given. Are either of you, seeing the pattern here? God knows we all, even both of you, make mistakes in life. The difference between both of you and us is plane as day, we know wrong from right! The good hearted, and the sincere, try to make amends for their mistakes, and are most likely forgiven, on earth and in heaven. It’s never to late to start this process. I on the other hand, will never be able to forgive, nor forget. We never asked to become involved with either of you, or your false, and dangerous ministry! Unwillingly, and unfortunately our lives crossed paths with the death of my mother, I can’t change that, but I wish I could!
Kristy Beach
sis359@gmail.com