A Warning About Church Of The Harvest

According to a new blogger there are some big problems at Church of the Harvest in Meridian Idaho.

You have no idea how cultish Mark and DiDi's church is. (Church of the Harvest, Meridian, Idaho).  They are so controlling and they try to rip families apart. This is a serious warning. They try to pull the loyalty away from parents (which is a God-given, legitimate relationship) to the church and the leadership. Things that were said to a friend: "My parents and I are the only thing that stands between you and the wrath of God", "Your parents don’t love God because they are not in church every time the doors are open – please process this on your own, without your parents", "You will never be blessed if you leave", "You can not take any of God’s promises with you that have been spoken over you at this church", "I’m not even sure you’re saved", "You’ll never find a church holier than ours".  Seriously, you have no idea what goes on in that Church. I weep for the destruction that they cause in their wake. The church is so deceptive, they mix so many unsound things with random Biblical truths and the people that are there live in fear. If you ever saw the inside of Mark and Diane Bryan’s church and how it really operates your heart would break. Church of the Harvest is not just a wacky MFI church. These people are dangerous and cruel beyond anything you have every experienced.

Sadly, they view any criticism of Church of the Harvest or the Bryan family as confirmation that they are doing everything right (because the Bible says all who are godly will suffer persecution).  See how twisted that is. They can’t even see what they are doing. They really think that what they are doing is right. They are deceived. Only God can open their eyes. They’ve even tried to control all the negative info on the web! There used to be several places that people could express their complaints about Church of the Harvest, but they bought them and only allow good stuff to be said now (they were public type forums). I never wrote on them, but I did read them and was glad that they were on the web. After reading this blog, I searched again and discovered that they hired someone to "clean up" the first few pages of the google search. Mark and DD Bryan think that if you have any constructive criticism that you are coming against the church and you are a heretic and rebellious. They are vicious.

Some of these people that "get out", well it’s hard to describe the psychological damage that’s been done to them. They are usually broken, broken, broken people. The emotional and spiritual abuse that happens at Church of the Harvest is shocking. People that come out of their literally have shell shock and what’s that other disorder that people get after fighting in wars? They ask you to violate your conscience over and over again. Many people buy into it hook, line and sinker because it appeals to our natural man. "You tell me what to do, I’ll do it, then I’ll go to heaven".

It is so sad to see the monster Dick Iverson has created with MFI … and many, many other "churches" that have come out of Bible Temple. The relational dysfunction, the unsound doctrine, etc.  DD Bryan literally feels like they have a new brand of Christianity.

Well here you go current and former COTH members (and anyone else who is familiar with their shenanigans).  Here is your chance to anonymously voice your frustrations and concerns about the church and no one is going to be able to silence you or take it down.

UPDATE: Wow it seems like there are a lot of people who have been hurt by this church.  We are getting a lot of new bloggers posting some pretty awful stories about that place.  I am sure there will be some backlash from COTH and it's members.  Please remember this is an open forum blog, and I personally only want truthful and first hand knowledge about your own personal expereinces.  Do not tell someone else's story, or make up something that never happened just to tear someone else down.  That being said, I am glad we have provided an outlet for people who otherwise felt they couldn't be heard.  Blog on!

Wendell Smith and The City Church leave MFI

Pasted below are two emails I received from someone close to MFI. In the first email, Frank Damazio explains to the members of MFI that Wendell Smith has resigned his leadership role and The City Church is no longer a member of MFI.  In the second email, Dick Iverson offers his thoughts on Wendell's decision to leave. 

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Dear MFI,

Greetings and blessings on you all! Summer is quickly coming to an end but the Fall is a great time for churches as we all begin to gear up for a new season. At MFI, we are also gearing up and seeing lots of momentum for the MFI October Annual Conference.

This letter is to communicate a change that has taken place with Pastor Wendell Smith’s involvement with MFI. Wendell has resigned his leadership role and withdrawn as a member of MFI, along with Judah Smith. He feels a different direction for himself and his local church leaders. Although I know this change will be a surprise to many, it does not affect our relationship with Wendell and Gini. We love them and will continue our friendships with them and their leaders. There is no problem between Wendell and myself or between Wendell and the Apostolic Leadership Team; this is a philosophy difference, not a relational one.

The Apostolic Leadership Team is working together with amazing unity. Bob MacGregor and Mike Servello, the Vice-Chairmen, are working together with the ALT and myself in a very fruitful manner. The fellowship is strong with great signs of momentum as we approach the Fall conference. We have a steady stream of new pastors and new support ministry seeking to join MFI. Bro. Dick is also involved as much as he wants to be at this season of life. We are working together and I am thrilled to have his strength and wisdom alongside all of us.

All in all, we are having a great time and I believe we will continue to impact the world for Christ. I love you all and pray for you all. I am truly pumped about our Fall conference. We have some great things to introduce, some great reports to give, and some awesome soaking time in God’s presence.

Blessings on you all,

Frank Damazio
Chairman, Ministers Fellowship International

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Dear MFI family,

Greetings in Jesus’ name.

Let me first thank you for all your prayers, cards and letters sent during my surgery and for my birthday as well.  I am doing great and have recovered very quickly from this major ordeal.

I am so saddened by Wendell’s decision to withdraw from membership in MFI, along with Judah, the new pastor of The City Church.   I know that Wendell & Gini love all of us but they have chosen to go a different direction but maintain a good relationship with all of us.  We need to continue to pray for Wendell & Gini as this is a major decision for them.  We love them and please don’t read into this that there is any problem between us as that is absolutely not true. We must also continue to contend for Wendell’s healing.

I believe that MFI, under the direction of our new Chairman and the Apostolic Leadership Team, has a bright future.  I am supporting Pastor Frank with all my heart and strength.  He is a great leader.  I am believing that the Lord is going to bless us with continued growth around the world.

I look forward to seeing all of you at the conference in October.

In His name,

Dick Iverson

Founder, Ministers Fellowship International

MFI Leadership (Dick Out; Frank In)

(Two posts in one day? I know. Crazy.)

I checked out the MFI leadership page, and it appears that Dick Iverson has stepped down as leader of the organization and Frank Damazio is now the Chairman of MFI.

A few years back there was a rumor that Dick was going to hand the reigns of MFI over to Bob MacGregor. However, it appears that hasn't happened. Frank Damzaio is now leading MFI.

I haver zero insight into how or why this happened. I can however speculate/gossip. (cause that's how I roll) My guess is that Dick Iverson's marriage to his long time secreatry forced him to take some unscheduled time off. It also likely reduced his influence on the board of MFI. And with this gap in leadership, Frank Damazio was able to convince the board that he should be the new Chairman. Again, pure speculation on my part, but a plausible guess I'd say.