Join Kris Vallotton as we seek the Lord for heavenly strategies to release our city into breakthrough, prosperity, and abundance. Whats it all mean, Jake? In reply to R.V. A Bethel majority on the council concerns him, he explained, because its been his experience that people at the church often think similarly and have an agenda that might not serve the city as a whole. They say that judging by his frequent absences, it appears he no longer prioritizes his city council position. Like Munns, Hill seems a good guy who truly wants to make a difference. Theyre not telling you what to do, or how to do it or keeping track of what you do. The additional negative news is that Vollmers social media pages suggest her comfort with election-fraud conspiracy theories, such as those promoted in the film [S]election Code, produced by My Pillow Guy Mike Lindell. Their roadmap, the Seven Mountain Mandate, influences how believers approach politics and culture. To think that people wouldnt call out my attendance at one of the biggest organizations in town, Shea said, is unreasonable. Instead, I make my selections based upon candidates backgrounds, experience, endorsements, creativity, tenacity, enthusiasm, ideas, energy, and the amount of work theyve invested in their campaigns. Hes one of two 30-year-old Redding City Council candidates; a gentle spirit who jumped navely into the deep end of an election pool in which he is in waaaay over his head. Ive never made such an inquiry, but it really is starting to look a lot like Clearwater around here. Some of them have been doxing you. Incumbent Michael Dacquisto posted on Facebook a photo of his completed ballot marked with just two Redding City Council selections. Redding residents are divided on the churchs impact on their city. A lack of effort put into the job of being an elected official. . In English, that means its critics believe Bethel is taking over the town and re-creating it in its own image, as its theology commands. We could have heaven and hell on earth, twin beacons demarking our strategic position on the I-5 corridor. Like the $500,000 Garden of Lights project dreamed up by Redding City Council member and Bethel Elder Julie Winter and recently passed by the council. A casino! Redding Council picks a new mayor, OKs Civic Auditorium lease, ups REU rates. Ten candidates are running for three seats on the Redding council this fall. Hmm! I've searched the names on the ballot and I found James Crockett and Erin Resner are both associated with Bethel. Both Bethel Church and The Stirring are noteworthy because The Stirring is often described as Bethel lite or Bethels little-sister church. The City of Redding, incorporated on October 4, 1887, is a general law city formed under state legislative statutes and governed by a body of laws in the State Constitution. Michael Dacquisto is the only incumbent candidate, and hes struggling to keep his footing upon a slippery slope studded with loopholes, gray areas and alleged white lies. Members volunteer and serve throughout the city. If he does have campaign signs, they must be hidden in secret locations. Lake has claimed the vote was rigged and B.S. and is challenging the outcome. This view is shared by numerous Christian discernment websites around the world that consider Bethel pastors Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton frauds and heretics. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. I can confidently say that (the issue of homosexuality will have) no influence on my role as a council member, Audette wrote by email. Its notable that Partin, like Valenzuela, has also been identified and selected as a true conservative candidate by some of the same ultra-conservative folks whove embraced Dacquisto. The next time you talk to your neighbor, you say hey, I am thankful you mowed my lawn but this is my property, before you do that again can you please ask me? Then imagine if you will that your neighbor launches into this diatribe about how you are this poor struggling person but that they are rich and powerful! We are a non-profit, independent, civic news organization focused on Shasta Countys diverse and investigative stories. Connections between some of those candidates and Bethel Church have become a flashpoint in the race. However, Munns does have one interesting detail that sets him apart from the rest of the candidates: He spearheaded in Reno an award-winning homeless-assistance program that he believes could work in Redding. The trio of Redding City Council candidates who attend The Stirring church are Joshua Johnson, Kymberly Vollmersand former Bethel member James Crockett. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? compared women who seek out abortions to school shooters. This has become a great concern for many people who believe the separation of Church and State imagined by the Founders is a solid wall, not a picket fence. Bethel withdrew from the Assemblies of God in 2006. Ive been in churches my whole life, she said, and Bethel is the least religious church Ive ever been in. The Legislature banned performing this known harmful practice on people 18 years old and younger several years ago. However, as much as some members of The Stirring church might like to distance themselves from Bethel Churchs dramatic spiritual feats, its indisputable that The Stirring and Bethel Church are Christian kissin cousins. Listen to Audettes desire to make Redding a safe, thriving city. Bethels pull on the local housing market, both short-term and long-term, is tremendous, and Bethel-connected dollars spent by attendees in the city are significant. Youre on your own., Like many evangelical American churches, Bethel teaches that homosexuality is sin. Both Bethels size and its commitment to Seven Mountain dominionism have gained it increasing local influence over the last decade as it seeks to create heaven on earth.. While Crockett says its clear that Bethel is passionate about making a positive impact in the city, he worries that the ways they attempt to do so may not take into account the perspectives and needs of all. James Crockett, who says hes a former Bethel Church member, is now a member of The Stirring. Kind of like Dacquisto. As a reader-funded outlet, we rely on donations to fund our work and keep our content paywall free. Christian nationalist Doug Mastriano of Pennsylvania lost his Senate race to his Jewish opponent, while Kari Lake lost Arizonas governors race to the incumbent. I don't know about Dacquisto. Thursday, August 17, 2023 Aug 17, 2023 - Register Now. They come from all walks of life and all religious stripes, including Christians, pagans, agnostics and atheists. Online streaming now reaches over 412,800 users internationally. (Stay tuned for that story soon.). I waited and watched Winter carefully for signs that shed wear Bethel on her sleeve. Feb 20, 2023 5:15 PM . Shea said he would represent all citizens in office, irrespective of their sexual identity, race, color, creed, religion, social status, housing status, or national origin. Which of those three domains would you assume is Dacquistos true residence? People post mean things sometimes. Anyway, your post begins with some rather inauspicious analogies, which might explain the perspiring palms: What if you stumbled upon a post on social media that read FingBlue People! or That ethnic groupis going to hell!? In 2018, the last year for which data is available, the church had annual revenue of more than $60 million. It says so right in the Bible. Some say the church has helped the city in many ways: But some residents have grown frustrated with Bethels combination of other-worldly theology and increasing this-worldly clout, as the appearance of Buck Fethel T-shirts show. Redding is a city of 93,462 in Trump-red Shasta County, which has a population of 182,000. Hes back for more, and once again, he hasnt asked for anyone to endorse him, or to donate money to his campaign, because he doesnt want to be beholden to any person or organization. But most of all, at what point will citizens who feel distraught by what they classify as lousy election options stop complaining and run for office themselves? She left the church eight years ago. Yes, Audette and Shea are Bethel Church members. Even if Valenzuela hadnt liked [S]election Code on her Facebook page, the fact remains that Valenzuela like Hill and Vollmers lacks even a modicum of experience necessary to be an effectively qualified council member. Cancelled . But many in the community, including Crockett, feel that a harder look at Bethel-affiliated candidates is valid given the size, funding and theology of Bethel Church. Will City of Redding City Council continue to let them take shelter from the cold and rain there? If youre suggesting the chamber supports LGBTQ rights, you should know Bethel Church actively opposes LGBTQ rights at the local, state and national level, and spends a lot of money doing it. Interestingly enough, Ive yet to hear Partin ask voters to cast their votes for Dacquisto. Aside from not attending either Bethel Church or The Stirring, another noteworthy distinction is that Hill is the only Democrat in the race, which tells you everything you need to know about Shasta County politics. This couldnt be further from my goals and ideas about how the government should work. And with that slippery slope, youve hit rock bottom. Redding is teetering upon the unprecedented brink of being governed by a city-council majority comprised of followers of Bethel Church, The Stirring church or a combination of both. Is it fair to criticize any candidate who has the courage, confidence, vision and chutzpah to run for city council, board of supervisors, or any number of school boards or water districts? Audette called the idea that she has access to Bethel funding one of the biggest myths she has heard. A casino is more honest about stealing its customers money, pays its taxes and rakes the cash in 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. About. Our news will always be free to read, but its not free to create. The seven mountains are education, religion, family, business, government/military, arts/entertainment and media. We will never charge for the news but would so deeply appreciate your voluntary support. At Shasta Scout, we believe a democratic community requires access to just and equitable news. Its not clear whether he continues to attend there. Recreation Area, Shasta County Supervisor Kevin Crye (252), Win-River Casino Expansion: One Step(4,632), Gateway School District Update: Clif(3,529), Comment on Against Ad Hoc Committee Advice, New State California Secessionist Chriss Street May Be Countys CEO by Jolly, Comment on Against Ad Hoc Committee Advice, New State California Secessionist Chriss Street May Be Countys CEO by George Winship. They feel like their vision for Redding is being supplanted by someone elses, that theyre being replaced by Bethelbots, that the system is rigged. I read your blog post last week, in which you wrongly accused thousands of local citizens of religious discrimination, with concern from the very beginning. encourage attendees to vote for Trump or risk facing Gods displeasure. He said in his speech to delegates 'They are pressing and saying, 'no peace without the Jewish state The two churches sometimes share resources, facilities, musicians, staff and speakers. Bethel businesses do indeed have a trendy, over-designed-yet-spartan feel to them. Bethels slogan, On earth, as it is in heaven, directs its believers to infiltrate every aspect of their communities. Slight segue, but Vollmers and Valenzuelas distrust in the election system begs the question: If the women win, will they accept the election results as valid?