Blog Posts
It’s not what you know. It’s what you learn.
-
Truth now: My connection to James River Church founders
John Lindell didn’t start James River Church. Tim Carpenter did. I attended James River Assembly (now James River Church) in 1998 when Tim Carpenter went missing. Tim was a co-founder of James River Assembly and John Lindell was in his youth group at Oak Grove Assembly in the 1980s. Here is a link to part…
-
James River Church family won $1 million settlement against Park Crest Assembly
The following article is reprinted from a 1996 Associated Press article. It happened to a friend of mine in Springfield, MO. Beth Rutherford never knew she had a tormented childhood until she went to a church therapist for counseling. Under the counselor’s guidance, she recalled how her minister father repeatedly raped her, got her pregnant,…
-
New learning method exposes truth about failing education system
SPRINGFIELD, MO — True story. I met this kid and his mom at pickleball at Schweitzer Church recently. He goes by the name “Bear”, and he attends “WOLF” school. Whaaa? Ok, I’ll bite. Is this a children’s fairytale story? Why haven’t I heard of this? Turns out it’s true. Bass Pro’s Wonders of Wildlife (WOW!!!)…
-
Rep. Gragg on brother’s attack
OZARK, MO — A Missouri State Representative who introduced a bill to put teachers and school counselors on the sex offender list for assisting students’ gender transitions without parental involvement responded to his brother’s public criticism. Jamie Ray Gragg’s big brother, Charles Gragg Jr., blasted him openly in the news media earlier this year. Click…
-
Truth now: Meet the ‘Jimmy Carter’ of Ozark, Missouri!
OZARK, MO — Former President Jimmy Carter is a super nice guy. He’s a polite, peaceful, passive personality. A Christian, Sunday school teacher type who thinks before he speaks. Nobody hears him raise his voice in anger. What a sweet man! What a weak leader. Carter was better at volunteering for “Habitat for Humanity” than…
-
Evangel University staffer questions CCT’s motives now
I got a call from an Evangel University staff member yesterday after my article came out about a former teacher there quitting. Read the article by clicking here. I had no idea who she was, but Grant Olson, an outspoken advocate of accountability at James River Church, contacted me bright and early Tuesday morning to…
-
Truth now: Why Evangel University teacher quit!
SPRINGFIELD, MO — An Evangel University teacher, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the CCT why he quit after years of teaching there. “Since Covid, we have lost our self-control in this culture,” he said. “People go to class when they feel like it. They work when they feel like it. It’s all based on…
-
Truth now: James River Church bans mom on Mother’s Day!
SPRINGFIELD, MO — It happened on Mother’s Day 2024, to a faithful, loyal church member mom. She was escorted out of James River Church’s north campus by uniformed officers and church security. Her crime? Not removing a Facebook post sharing her heartfelt opinion about a recent James River Church controversy. I wish I were making…
-
Truth now: I made friends around the world without traveling!
BRANSON, MO — The following is a true story of how I made friends from around the world without traveling. It’s a heartwarming story of how I discovered a treasure in my own backyard. June, 2004. I’m working as a photographer at Silver Dollar City. Employees have lunch served in the “host lounge.” A slender…
-
Truth now: My weird employment at A/G Headquarters (part 2)
SPRINGFIELD, MO — Working at the Assemblies of God world headquarters from the summer of 2000 until the end of 2001 was a culture adjustment. I was hired as a staff writer for the Pentecostal Evangel weekly news magazine, which promoted the trends affecting the A/G movement. Click here for part 1 of this story.…
-
Truth now: My weird career at the A/G Headquarters
SPRINGFIELD, MO — I worked at the Assemblies of God World Headquarters as a staff writer for a worldwide news magazine from the summer of 2000 until the end of 2001. You’ll be amazed to learn what it was like on the inside of a church-controlled workplace! Hiring process asked odd questions In the summer…
-
Unhinged: how to respond to the mental health crisis now
Our world is unhinged. How do we respond to the mental health crisis now visible everywhere? Never before have I witnessed such a pandemic of paranoia and anxiety. Screens are in everyone’s face. No one is talking to each other like they did. Even the business world is susceptible. Recently, a Springfield small business owner…
-
Truth hurts: fake miracle at James River Church now exposed
OZARK, MO — The truth hurts: a fake miracle at James River Church is now exposed. Grant Olson, a local dentist and 20-year former member of James River Church, is calling foul on the lead pastor, John Lindell. “John Lindell was a fraud in this,” Olson blasts away. “This is a fake miracle.” What was…
-
Truth now: Has Silver Dollar City lost its spirit?
BRANSON, MO — Has America’s number one family theme park, Silver Dollar City, lost its spirit in the wake of woke culture? Please, no! A family friendly theme park, visited by millions, still dominates the tourism scene in southwest Missouri. I loved growing up visiting the park. The first time was in 1976 at age…
-
New truth: Pole dancers, sex workers are now welcome in the church!
A friend of mine posted a video talking about something the recent controversy over entertainment at a Christian men’s conference overlooked: pole dancers and sex workers are now welcome in the church! Many of us have pasts we aren’t always proud of. Most of us want to look good to others. But God sees us…
-
Truth now told: Banned from James River Church (Part 4)
CHAPTER 3 I was booted off the James River Assembly media crew for the second time. The director was embarrassed about it. I could tell he didn’t understand why. This time, I was put into a series of classes for people with “Life Controlling Issues.” That was true. I was addicted to internet chat room…
-
Truth now told: Banned from James River Church (Pt. 3)
The truth is now being told about how I was banned from James River Church. My story is from 1997 until 2011. It has nothing to do with the recent James River Church controversy where Pastor Mark Driscoll was removed from the stage by JRC Pastor John Lindell for speaking out at the Stronger Men’s…
-
Truth now Told: Banned from James River Church Pt. 2
CHAPTER 2 I was active in ministry at James River Church in Ozark/Springfield from 1997 until 2011. Following is part two of my story. Click here for part one. I was a camera operator on the stage during the worship services. James River had a new building as of 2000 and grew rapidly. They had…
-
Truth Now Told: I was banned from James River Church!
CHAPTER ONE OZARK, MO — The following is a true story of how I was banned from James River Church. This is not a story I wish to tell, but recent, growing controversy surrounding a men’s conference last weekend surfaced and I decided now was the time to share my story. Click here for a…
-
New scary truth about going to church!
There is a new scary truth about going to church. Attendance overall is declining nationwide. As recently as the 1980s, 70 percent of Americans claimed a church affiliation. Nowadays, it’s a dismal 33 percent. Click here for an article about that. New scary truth about NOT going to church! With the trend of sleeping in,…