Dead Men Tell No Tales

I share this out of concern for the hundreds of thousands following popular teacher Dr. David Jeremiah, who has reportedly has joined other prominent leaders (Max Lucado, Mark Batterson, Lysa TerKeurst, Jennie Allen, Lee Strobel, Ann Voskamp, Sheila Walsh, Christine Caine, Roma Downey, Dr. Jack Graham, etc.), in promoting and endorsing the “Jesus Calling” franchise, written by Sarah Young.

“Just start making sounds and you will begin to speak through the Holy Ghost.” So I did. At first it seemed I was just making nonsense, but I definitely felt something take over and I started loudly speaking with whatever was going through me. Looking back now, I realize that something more sinister had an effect on me at that moment, and I had opened myself up to spiritual things that didn’t line up with scripture." - Max

Like many NAR victims, Max experienced something demonic. Unfortunately, his story gets worse.

Max's story is among several additional "Leaving the NAR" testimonies I've received since I wrapped up the series earlier this summer. Each is as painful to read and share as the next. 

“When I arrived in October 2008, the Meridian Vineyard was a nice and fun place to be. Very loving, lots of contemporary worship. This was also when I first heard about Bethel Church out of Redding, California. I started getting a gut check in my spirit almost immediately.” – Ben

Ben wrote to me recently to share how he had escaped the NAR movement. Here is his story in his own words:

I have received several additional “Leaving the NAR” testimonies since I wrapped up the series earlier this summer. These stories are precious to me, and serve as a painful reminder that there is hope for the dear deceived ones caught up in this insidious movement. In this series, I’ve been taking readers beyond the textbook What is the New Apostolic Reformation Movement explanation, into the personal experiences from those who have been there, and what happened when God opened their eyes to the truth.

Not all continuists are embracing this movement. (See, What is Continuationism?) Anthony is one of a few Pentecostal Christians who experienced NAR teachings and has been warning others about the NAR. And while I am not in that camp myself, I am encouraged that he is speaking out.

"The pastor travels internationally and has connections with several NAR leaders in several nations. He would name drop famous leaders in the NAR as if he were good friends with them, when the truth was he had only met a few or had done a conference or meeting with them. is a member of the ICAL (International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders) and has been in meetings with some well know NAR leadership."  - Grant

I have received several additional "Leaving the NAR" testimonies since I wrapped up the series earlier this summer. These stories are precious to me, and serve as a painful reminder that there is hope for the dear deceived ones caught up in this insidious movement.

Have you heard the new name NAR proponents have come up with for their movement? Yes, the new New Apostolic Reformation (a term coined by the late C. Peter Wagner), is now hoping to go by "INC."

Have you ever fallen for a feel-good gospel that ministers to your ache for feeling special, or longing for admiration from a god who dances over you and thinks you're the apple of his eye? What about sermon messages or books that help you look deeply into your past pains, or prayers that ask God for visions of His dream for your future?

Unfortunately, many churches, conferences and Christian program materials are designed to meet the felt needs of the sheep, ultimately focusing on themselves rather than a risen Savior, or using Him as a means to an end...

Do you consider yourself a Progressive Christian?  If so, you probably will bristle to hear this, but you are part of an incredibly dangerous movement: Postmodernity. Quite frankly, Postmodernity is the yeast that has taken the Church away from the truth and toward a more tolerant, sin-affirming direction that is muddied with mushy theology.

Progressive Christianity is based on three wicked practices: Scoffing (to debase those who believe the Bible is true), Subversion (to undo traditional doctrine), and Rebellion (against God's Word as truth).

Pastor David Jeremiah recently worked with JesusCalling.com to produce a podcast titled, Keeping Hope In A Darkened World. In addition to promoting his new book, the pastor also promoted Sarah Young, the author of the Jesus Calling books, studies, devotionals, calendars, and coloring book.  The transcript of the interview regarding his admiration for the multi-million dollar Jesus Calling empire is as follows:

A wide swath of pastoral and church leadership will soon hear how to lead their churches not through following Christ and biblical principles, but from worldly, non-Christian leadership authors, social justice organizations, and corporate gurus from Facebook and Google. When we call these leaders non-Christian, let's be honest and call them "enemies of the Gospel," which God's Word says they are. (Luke 11:23 and James 4:4)

Has your church "turned Orange?" If your children's ministry leaders have suddenly put your children's discipleship in the hands of Andy Stanley's Orange Strategy, you're going to want to investigate what this program is - and more importantly what it is NOT.

“We were about to encounter the greatest exposure to what we know now as the New Apostolic Reformation. This church had a female as the Senior Pastor , and she quoted Bill Johnson more than ScriptureI had observed how many of the husbands in the congregation were either non-believers or spiritually "weak" men; it seemed like their wives carried the baton in this church.

There was no discipleship, and no expository preaching whatsoever. They did have “discipleship classes” that were focused on fitness and health, the prophetic, and spiritual warfare.”

After many years and hopping from church to church, Lizzy and her husband were slowly opening their eyes to the shocking heresies of the New Apostolic Reformation’s teachings and practices. (If you missed Part 1 of Lizzy’s story, you’ll want to read it here.)

What and whom did it finally take for her to finally see the truth about this hideous movement that had nearly shipwrecked her family’s faith? Lizzy’s story is the final testimony in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short.

“One time I was flat out on my back at the altar and a female prophetess stretched herself on top of me like Elijah had done in the book of Kings to the dead boy. We also headed over to Lakeland to meet and be a part of the Rodney Howard Brown meetings and would all experience visions and laughter and all the uncontrollable nonsense. It was called a Holy Ghost revival.”

Lizzy sat under some of the most famous NAR pastors and pastorixes in the nation, and by the end of this story you will see how twisted and demonic these teachers were and still are.

She has allowed me to include her story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short. Her story has so many twists and turns that we are presenting this testimony in two parts.

“Tithing was required to serve in any ministry. If you don´t regularly tithe you would not be entered into the yearly church anniversary raffle for a TV, Beats headphones or Visa gift cards. I couldn’t believe my ears, this was cause for the tables to be flipped over in disgust for the obvious disregard for God´s holy place of worship.”  

Alicia has allowed me to include her story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short. In this series, I want to take readers beyond the textbook What is the New Apostolic Reformation Movement explanation, into the personal experiences from those who have been there, and what happened when God opened their eyes to the truth.

“At our ladies group the leader would say, “let us just open our minds to Jesus and let Him love on us,” and then everyone would just sit there praying, swaying, and sighing that Jesus was “holding them.” Everyone had smiles on their faces as I just sat there not feeling a thing. Of course I was told it was me that was the problem…”  

Pam was a young, trusting seeker who now has many regrets about her long spiritual journey in the NAR-influenced churches she attended.

"I would hear something bizarre about some “apostle” who had just been to heaven or someone else who had visited hell and I believed it all. I was hungry for spiritual experiences and there was a kind of competition in these meetings where everybody would be hoping that they would be the person picked out for a prophetic word."

Val was a Charismatic Catholic, who was deceived by the heretical NAR teachings, blended in with the New Age and Word of Faith.

"It was our Christmas Service that year, and they opened worship with Hell’s Bells by AC/DC.  Yeah, the full song with lyrics posted, and an R-rated video to go with it.   We had five guests, and four of them walked out before the song was over.  About a fourth of the audience walked out with them."

And then the pastor lied and told Robert that he was the only one who ever expressed concern. Robert has allowed me to include his story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short.

"I can tell you from my experience in the occult that contemplative/soaking prayer IS transcendental meditation.  People being "taken to the heavenlies/different places on earth" are experiencing astral projection.  The teachings and practices of the NAR is occultic in nature and is damaging the people who adhere to these teachings and practices." 

Kelsey has been on quite journey. She was raised charismatic, became a witch, and eventually attended a NAR-influenced Messianic church run by a manipulative Rabbi and his wife.

“There was so much supernatural stuff happening, people claiming to be healed, gemstones appearing on the floor, feathers floating from the ceiling, pink clouds, mist and smells such as lemon floating through the air.  I wasn’t sure what was making this all happen, but it was mesmerizing.”

Signs, wonders, wild experiences, all of these things are part and parcel of one of the biggest counterfeit movements in Christendom. Melanie has allowed me to include her story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short.