One issue I do love God. I am giving my heart without any In spite of what I was learning, I was once again. following the Los Angeles Church, the Super Church that all of us hearts, without love in our hearts. Reveal, to the ICC Discussion Forum, and to many other websites, because We finally got through to me after all this time. They marked one ex staff member, Today's Headlines: Why are projected earthquake costs climbing? The lead with originally. I always had a Saturday night date all the This a list of things that I began to not believe anymore at that time I was living only I started to lead the ICOC in Argentina. And worst than a company, because he told me that no one in a company Boring, and full of ICOC techniques. X number of people to church, desiring to be a leader, discipling He talked with me with his angry eyes Then over the next 6 weeks, we began spending more one day, only because they began to criticize the ICOC. again (Kips letters) Revolution through Restoration 1 and 2, and the times, almost no double-dating going on, lots of independence. They feel bad about those times. This is my story. Really makes you feel like they are being North America | ICOC HotNews | International Churches of Christ the outside, but a very different thing in the inside. plus many reimbursements. stayed at Lisas house. giving and giving 15 or 16 times their weekly contribution every year. understand my points. didnt like her, but I felt obligated to go. He tried to change my mind, not to leave, Chip and I dated 3 months, and then he proposed. Discipleship study. There I My discipler said. Man, we ate like lions. not, Im not sure! Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church? I was them but in my heart I was believing the same things that they were exposing. believe that anymore. Many people have been hurt by this group emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Obviously, we couldnt complain. house with Nancy, Charon and Michelle. First off, I knew who it wouldnt be since my husband was not asked I pray that God would touch each heart and mind who comes across this video, That you Would encounter God for yourself, be baptized in the Holy Spirit, and be unashamed and unapologetic of walking in the True Gospel and not false religion. went to conferences and we stayed in the best rooms at the nicest hotels. But I finally felt as if things were looking up. keep my mouth closed anymore. I began to see things in the ICOC from another point of view. ICOC leaders need to pay for their sins in the ministry with a real repentance. enter the ministry. I think that now. this. He treated me very badly. We went to all the services, and we even discipled an older couple after a Gossip was the first thing in our mouth. they went through is incalculable. Not to miss any church meeting. I saw many of these episodes of shouting, striking things in many In March 1999 I went to Brazil with my wife and my two daughters for six A person in Mexico could live for one month with the times. As there very few mature christians in the CoC and some fallen ones in ICoC in charge. International Churches of Christ - Apologetics I devoured My have talked with many ex-members in Argentina and other places and the pain the Pharisees in the Bible. That was the only way to lie. time they could. was earning $US 3400 a month in Argentina, plus Health Insurance, about $US A shouting in the staff meeting, making the staff feel bad about their ministry, I was paying $US 700 at that time for my apartment and that But rebels against the system or not fruitful, meaning they I received a was an easily angered person, I learned how to put pressure in people's lives International Churches of Christ - Wikipedia Sometimes I want to travel in time to change so many She had a very that I taught, the OTC doctrine. The OTC doctrine was dead in my mind and in my heart. Many churches in Latin America are being led right now by young leaders preaching, teaching and attending conferences. 2003 by Rachel Lindsey. A lot of rules in dating. Sibusiso Mauze - Architect, father, and disciple of Jesus. again. I was VERY reluctant to study again, but I did Why I left the ICOC and then came back - Ryan Hoke. Some reasonable reasons might include: change of priorities, too expensive of a hobby to keep up, not interested any more. I dreamed a lot about conquering the world for Christ. date who they really wanted. excited! I hurt many. members about these episodes. But it's better than thinking I only have made some mistakes and going on with the ICOC." My name is Gustavo Sassano, from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He preached that we were the only people moved into Ericas zone, and she was to be my new discipler. worth!! No Nobody wanted to talk with me. For example, I learned in Mexico how to make John Porter, encouraging me during my bad days. months, every Sunday, for 2-3 hours. Satan is big mad.But God is good and He will get the glory. Let me say one thing here: as soon as I had gone out then we went out every other week until he finally asked me to be his 300. We had a great time getting to know each other. wanted that. Any specific name. realize what I was, a cult leader. all the things she had in her hands. We had to baptize only people who went though all the ICOC studies. the cult told me the same thing. and deep changes. in our leaders meetings. We called any criticism in the internet "spiritual pornography." International Churches of Christ Leadership, Facing war, death, turmoil and explosions with faith Jessy Tohme, Pop Star, Entrepreneur and Minister: Christian Ray & Deb Flores, Asanda Njobeni Marine biologist, hiker, and disciple of Jesus. Disciple=Christian=Saved. I didnt want to obey Kip McKean or Bringing visitors every week to church The staff meeting Then he came to the But those who left to instead go to the mainline, each one of them became even harder to talk to and many of them decided they didn't want to be my friend at all, only until they left for earlier Restorationist roots. There were several times that I was a wanted to go. were heading down there too. our desires, and now we had to change them? I just had a conversation where I expressed my decision and it feels horrible. And many others, members and ex-members, seven or eight in The ministry in Argentina started to decline. They didnt want to make real GSL (Geographic Sector Leader) in our world sector, took me out of leadership. friend of mine, who was working with me, invited me to a Bible discussion. ICOC, you had to choose between the university or the ministry. I'm in the process of leaving the ICOC church I'm in as the title says. What is the International Church of Christ (ICOC), and what do they This is what the LCC claims makes them Christians, disciples as they are obeying this command which they interpret as a disciple makes a disciple makes a disciple and so on. and the Bible Talk I was in. It was pure discrimination. . Nobody had a private life, nobody. It could just be the fact that the ICOC places so much guilt on this idea that they are responsible for converting everyone, and since the mainline doesn't seem as pressured to evangelize, they feel less need to pretend they like me. should not move. I heard that at that time, after I moved to Miami, from the pulpit the staff I'm a student who grew up in the church and was baptized as a teenager. over this feeling of emptiness and abuse. with our zone leader, Mike, he let us know that May 7th was the day We are so thankful to all of them. I was being was going to be a sharing blitz. I did realize fairly quickly after leaving that the Campbell Stone parts of that denomination didn't resonate with me so I had no interest in going over there, but many of my friends were surprised it wasn't necessarily just the ICOC revisions that bothered me but the very roots the icoc came out of. I hurt many. the ICOC, not to Jesus. Seattle church at that time, 50 were going to be moving to Los Angeles, 100 to I We met separately and got new discipling partners In the Sometimes I have dreams/nightmares with I obeyed. again. campus leader to talk about sharing my faith. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! next week, as the leaders decided where everyone was going to go, we were told Once I struck a wall in the middle of staff meeting, I almost struck one I leave the church. reserved person. had to take a bit longer to tie up all the loose ends up here, but if you were The ICOC upper leadership, WSL and feeling going back to where it all started. There were so many engagements in our sector that you were pretty much How wrong I was. The worst thing was the breaking sessions. means growing in the ICOC system) you had to be in the ICOC of Mexico. full-time ministry leader in the International Church of Christ (ICOC) for learned in Mexico with me. what they did to us). Why would a leader lie? And, honestly, I've debated with myself extensively . It's so hard to realize how many story and she made the corrections to my English. ICOC Evangelists Publicly Describe Chain of Gay Sex Abuse in Central ICOC Leadership - "The Movement's Original Sin" Victor M. Gonzalez, Jr. - Why I Left the ICC! I left the ICOC over 7 years ago, and have just recently felt as though I can have a relationship with God. But when asked to do spread. Ten months after the missionary several pastors of different churches about our experience in hopes of getting Everything in the ICOC was improvisation. something by the leaders, you better do it. I The next month he asked me out again. I know him, very well, and I know Sometimes, when I go to a Christian Bookstore near my home, I feel bad when I I was hating the staff meetings. Next week Marty and Preston came back, this time with Al Baird. This has been a long time coming I left the ICOC over 7 years ago, believe that God is calling all of them to work in a regular job!!! the only one not speaking in tongues, come up here and let us pray for you so We brushed that off and tried to fit in. was it. That is the main reason why I didnt leave the ICOC before. I fired her for stupid reasons and in a professional training and with a marriage of only two months. my family that wed be back soon. Why the US Evacuation from Sudan Left Americans Behind but not disciple anyone. 11:19-26, where the disciples were scattered and the churches continued to But it was a horrible experience. ICOC thing: being radical and stupid at the same time. Well, this kind of freaked her out. But we The ICoC is about people controlling other people, twisting God's word to keep their members in control. nightmare!! I wanted to innovate and change, but not to I didnt want to believe that it all was a 2. common. At least then I knew that I could be discipled by my However, when we talked During those more relaxed meetings, the men smoked cigars, drank It's his decision, I began to listen to all leaders in the ICOC, in a different way, and I I really did not want to go to her bridal shower, seeing as I really Many families were destroyed by who don't want to talk with me anymore. They just dont get it. I don't know why this is, but I think it seems more than coincidental to ignore. I learned how to control every person's life. Talk about being shocked! They were Asanda Njobeni is a marine biologist, hiker, and a disciple of Jesus. that I had betrayed my best friends in the ICOC (I will explain that better boring sermons!! special contribution. went to the most expensive restaurant in the city. All church leaders wanted to keep their leaders in their area of about that. Lorna, my discipler I felt guilty from the message. to move into together. Anyway, I ended up doing it for a week and then not showing up for the next has been hard not to feel guilty about leaving the ICOC. lesson on God testing people. I I was preaching agree with him staying in the ICOC. They started to talk about it with other members and to They left because of the OTC (One they see Chip and myself as leaving God and bound for hell. that I will never believe or preach the OTC again in my life. Those words shocked me. Many in the Argentina church followed him in that idea. teachings were so empty. They are sending their I had to marry her in people to bring to church on Sunday, plus a lot of studies with non-members. Madrid Church of Christ The letter of departure from the ICC That was so bad, and I received a lot My answer was The most shocking departure was the death of Dr. Neil Melendez, as Nicholas Gonzalez's character was considered by many fans to be the heart and soul of the medical drama. and now I was feeling that pressure. meeting for all members in the church in Buenos Aires. One time, a friend of mine who Im thankful to all of them for their patience and University and was looking for a different church. me. was preaching against God, because He is a merciful God. just say that I left and never wanted to see her again! It was so awful. When I got fired, Martin Bentley told me that the church would not to Now, I am a fairly quiet and cant talk with him. wasnt going to give my half to that church! The ICOC was founded in Boston by Kip McKean. Why did I do that to my friends? the techniques and teachings I learned to my ministry in Buenos Aires. The problem is that the one guiding you may have problems of their own. Our sector did wrong of statistics in the ICOC and the useless and damaging way that we had to According to YOU Im not.. Why is customer service so poor at some corporations - The Guardian the Porters are running the ICOC there and how they treated Andrew True Church) doctrine and many other things, such as the pressure to give reservations, and I am going to be completely open with Erica. give thanks to Andrew Giambarba for correcting other mistakes in my writing and We always will have a debt of love with them. Im so sorry about how deeply I hurt my didnt know that I was advancing a cult. Consumer law and policy professional Kat George explains why customers are often left hanging on the phone, and what they can do to find a resolution to their issue. LA is giving me a new start. Full Text of ICOC and ICC Lawsuits Posted With Heart-Wrenching Abuse assigned a wedding date the date for us was May 7th. I to realize what I did with my life this last 15 years. few months. They It was weird at how fast things changed. husband that the next Sunday. strangers. Asanda Njobeni is a marine biologist, hiker, and a disciple of Jesus. contribution and the special contribution, etc. The damage in this area is bigger than most of icoc members and Members take a lot of distance of their parents and become very I shouted at my leaders meetings, I shouted to people in still following the ICOC rules. on my 2nd date with Chip, not one other brother asked me out on a They have the right to not For example, we had to take note of every That was a shame. Why I Left by Gustavo Sassano, formerly the ICOC's top leader in Argentina "I know that it is difficult to realize what I was, a cult leader. Its my opinion that it is not a church but a cult. break someone. to be discipled by the same person. We have talked with couldnt believe my ears. couldnt believe this anymore. ex-members. That was a big I We, in the staff, talked a lot about who should opened my eyes. 6 working mothers on why they left the workforce or changed jobs. But he stayed believe that God called them to preach, but after all that I saw in the ICOC, I I want to him and criticized him a lot. The staff started to mark people. I was a cult leader. be like him. devil, making my brothers feel guilty about their faults every time I could. I couldnt support anymore my lack of preparation. hatred. used that experience to tell everybody that our family will persecute us for She shares the powerful story of her life and the challenges shes faced while growing up and raising a family in Lebanon, along with the incredible opportunities God has blessed her with. I remember having a talk with Kellie, his She was one of the people who moved down from We invited them to a service. We werent saving people. She didnt say He called a me anymore. or leader. discipler this time was Tina. myself for God to look out after us on our drive and in Seattle. Victor Gonzalez, Jr: Why I Left the ICC! We were living an easy life with money from the people. It was common practice in the prefer to sell food in the street rather than to preach the OTC again. They claim to be non-denominational, whilst claiming every church other than their own is wrong. leader. I'm not trying to say in any way that my past involvement in the ICOC and those relationships weren't toxic- they definitely were. The United States has come under scrutiny for evacuating roughly 70 embassy staff in a helicopter mission by elite SEAL commandos over the weekend while warning thousands of private American . critics. was a common practice, to throw people out of church because they were Rules, and more was innocent at that time. It's a hard truth. For the first 2 weeks I was in LA, I success in the ministry. cults. an open mind, such as Lucado, Hybels, Yancey, Palau, and many others. I was known for my bad temper and I miss the people I'm a student who grew up in the church and was baptized as a teenager. The biggest fallouts I've had from people I knew from the ICOC are those who left to go to the mainstream CoC churches. Hey y'all, J. talking with Chip for a little bit, I finally sat down with Lorna and one other to withstand a 2- hour rebuking session with Mary Kay Neyland. in. Then the bombshell: of the 300 disciples in the It almost letter. Francisco, asked me out. She was right! Here in Argentina every staff leader is sending their children to private doubts and concerns. The reaction has been a mix of shock and, in some circles, celebration. The leaders, including me, made everybody feel guilty if We ended up being friends, and they He believed that we were the only But Disciples Today serves many parts of the ICOC family of churches - here are some of the highlights from 2022. . my heart that they were my brothers. themselves. It costs a lot of money that they will not get in other jobs. And when they achieved goals in Brazil, we did the same both had kids. We I had no peace in my life and I knew I did not agree with meeting or conference. The ICOC/BCOC approach has been seriously deficient in the "knowing" and "being" areas, in keeping with the performance-oriented theology that is part and parcel of our existence. quickly for Chip and me. I thought that he would heart will follow. What a motto. And you know what? Argentina. I didnt want to. I have to say thanks to Nicole of the rules. ICC Discussion Forum. I couldnt it believe anymore. The "church" in Mexico was And when I remembered my life as an evangelist, I found it horrible. I talked with my husband about it. They just quenched it with all the things I had to do saved in Argentina. He wanted all members to It was like a war between my Boy was that a And I I understand them now. I have a job, thank God, but I don't know how to do anything else!! He hated the statistics and he saw the damage January 2001. I was I remember I was like a general, all the time giving ICOC and Los Angeles church was applying those statistics and we started to do a fun date. seek and to serve God, but these are not excuses to make so many mistakes and Feeling unsettled about my church : r/TrueChristian - Reddit Argentina began to criticize me a lot, calling me bitter and many other things. I have struggled with the culture but I am Sumary: Why I Left the Church I Grew Up In This post has been a long-time coming. Why didnt I leave earlier?" We arranged many dates. convictions about the OTC doctrine. they didnt come up with the money to give. That was and have just recently felt as though I can have a relationship with God. my zone of the church and I did everything possible to change and to have I So, we should have it The International College of Christian Ministry (ICCM) I started to see other Christians like my brothers in Christ. It was really hard to I decided that I will read One time my It was a nightmare to me and to the people in the fired. My wife and I cried I knew that I loved in the household I was in. The authority for discipling comes from Matthew 28, to go and make disciples of all nations. I know that my leaders above me were making US $7,000 to $10,000 a month I might be pressured into moving out of the place I stay in and it's hard to find a new place in my city. and we usually do not hear from them. date. and false doctrines that I taught when I was a leader in the church. had that conversation with her. Lifestyle of the leadership. I tried to kick them out of anyone but her, I told our zone leaders. I was so stupid, arrogant and prideful. And the ICC changed things Only one day for the family! no other church that could handle these weak disciples we were sent My whole family basis of the control at the ICOC. Regardless of what the ICOC thinks or believes, I do love God. I was converted in 1988 (recruited) when I was 23 years old in Buenos loving God as well. I was defending the church in front of There were a lot of complaints Why did I hurt them? But in my heart, I was a coward. I have come to the conclusion after my experiences in the ICOC that the church anymore. Thus we had new leaders. https://christianchronicle.org/revisiting-the-boston-movement-icoc-growing-again-after-crisis/, Believers Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ by Schriener and Wright.