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Ex-Destiny Church men afraid what Tamaki will do next

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Tue, 03 Nov 2009 5:54p.m.
The "mighty men of God" is how Brian Tamaki refers to the men in Destiny Church. They have a covenant agreement between Tamaki, the "spiritual father", and the men, the "sons".

The Taranaki branch of the church is run by pastors Lee and Robyn Edmonds. Three months ago it produced a directive in the lead up to destiny's Labour Weekend covenant oath to prepare the men for their testimonies to Bishop Tamaki.
 
Three Taranaki Destiny men refused to sign that covenant, and say the church is ripping their families apart.

Glen Lovegrove is a former drug addict and alcoholic. For 18 years he has been a born again Christian and drug-free. He was part of Destiny Church for six and a half years.

Bruce Harkness makes no secret of his violent past - he was a debt enforcer with a string of convictions. He has had no criminal convictions for 23 years, been a Christian for nine, and in Destiny for eight.

Ben Evans is an electrical engineer with a masters with distinction from Staffordshire University, and emigrated to New Zealand four years ago. He has attended Destiny on-and-off for two years.
 
They spoke to Campbell Live about the problems Destiny has caused them, and their fears for what the church will do next.
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Comments [62]

Anne
16 Jun 2011 8:10a.m.

LOL..!! Old news is boring news.
Just looked at the dates on all of the above bloggs. Its old..

On this day 16th of June 2011, the church has grown,..yes they have had their fair share of trials and failures like any other organisation, but what comes through is the power of positivity in pushing through all of the challenges and making it through and still growing...If that was my organisation, I would have died long ago. LOL..!!

So kia kaha Destiny..!!Don't ever stop doing good and changing lives. Block out all the negativity and run the race. There is no perfect church or church leader and The man upstairs did not make ROBOTS, he made everyone different.So we come to the table just as we are..evolving as we move forward.

Ted
08 Apr 2010 12:38p.m.

Simple - Step out of Destiny, Step into blessing.

eddie
29 Mar 2010 10:44p.m.

I'll take a buullet 4 these men b4 I take 1 4 Brin. I'll stand with men! Kia kaha

dylan
05 Mar 2010 10:07p.m.

Brian Tamaki is not god,he is a servant like us all..destingy church sucks

All go
05 Mar 2010 1:08p.m.

More fabricated lies from the TV3 team, cant you guys come up with anything better? Great to see Bishop on TV3 ay John?

gail
05 Mar 2010 9:24a.m.

Regarding Destiny Church walk out in Brisbane. I take my hat of to that Pastor for respecting and honouring his own sense of 'knowing' and values...a very bold and honouring move by leaving with his family, and no doubt he will be persecuted. Kia Kaha to this family. Spiritual abuse is insideous and undermines the core of self, and pretty soon after sucuumbing, you doubt your sense of right and wrong, placing your worth in people like Brian, Hannah Tamaki, Richard Lewis. Charismatic, charming,'beautiful' and manipulative, power hungry people who have learnt the skilful art of snaring people by the way they mis interpret and deliver Gods words from a beautiful book...I feel sick to the stomach today. This I know....Destiny Church and its man made kingdom will fall. Pride comes before fall.

awhi
05 Mar 2010 9:22a.m.

Regarding Destiny Church walk out in Brisbane. I take my hat of to that Pastor for respecting and honouring his own sense of 'knowing' and values...a very bold and honouring move by leaving with his family, and no doubt he will be persecuted. Kia Kaha to this family. Spiritual abuse is insideous and undermines the core of self, and pretty soon after sucuumbing, you doubt your sense of right and wrong, placing your worth in people like Brian, Hannah Tamaki, Richard Lewis. Charismatic, charming,'beautiful' and manipulative, power hungry people who have learnt the skilful art of snaring people by the way they mis interpret and deliver Gods words from a beautiful book...I feel sick to the stomach today. This I know....Destiny Church and its man made kingdom will fall. Pride comes before fall.

Glen Lovegrove
22 Jan 2010 10:43p.m.

Both my wife and I will tell you there are issues in our marriage, what marriage doesnt have some? However, when you are told "dont let anyone speak against your bishop, dont let anyone speak against your pastor, and dont let anyone speak against your church." so, there seems to be an inability to disasociate between 'the church' and individuals in the church. When I speak about destiny church, my wife takes it onboard as if Im speaking disrespectively about her. That is the power this church has over those within its walls. The power of mind control is prevalent, check out http://www.cultwatch.com/ & http://www.howcultswork.com/ for more details. In saying this, not all of the points in these sites are present in destiny church...but a hell of a lot are. In the six years Ive spent there in destiny Taranaki, Ive seen a lot...
ask God for discernment if you go look, and guard your heart lest you fall into the same trap!

Interested reader
19 Jan 2010 9:14p.m.

I wish their wives had said something. We all have decided they are right but what would their wives say. Just cos the english one has a degree says nothing. Look at the recent professor in Dunedin???? Maybe instead of commenting on what you think you should ask what wasn't said and what you don't know- The other side of the story ???????

Agape love
07 Jan 2010 5:48p.m.

After reading this article I thought here we have three wise men! We all have a past, but more importantly we have the present. Judging these men will only bring judgment back on oneself in time - karma. Jesus had no concept of social rankings, bank balances, or job titles - he was known for who he was, not for what he owned. Galatians 5 talks about the fruits of the spirit - we touch lives simply by reflecting these fruits in everyday encounters. Sir Edmund Hilary was a lovely modern day example of this -humble, yet charismatic and accepting of all people. Modern day icons like this are food for thought - the gospel in action, not in buildings.

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