I'm scared Lol. Two closed Facebook groups the 960-member Investigating Bethel Redding and the 1,800-member Bethel Affiliated Businesses monitor and critique the church. But he lacks endorsements, and his social media pages look like neglected, empty warehouses decorated with some 60s-era posters that fit perfectly with his slogan, Chill with Hill. But humor me for a moment, and set aside knowledge of candidates who attend The Stirring and Bethel Church. Incumbent Michael Dacquisto posted on Facebook a photo of his completed ballot marked with just two Redding City Council selections. the three fall flat when it comes to suggesting tangible, realistic solutions for those problems. But after watching many hours of multiple candidate forums, and after spending entire days transcribing audio, trawling websites and doing deep dives into social media pages, Ive reached a conclusion: Of the 10 Redding City Council candidates, Audette, Johnson and Shea appear the most qualified to serve as Redding City Council members. Patrick "Hacker" Jones He knows a thing or two about hackin', lemme tell ya. As a nonprofit religious institution, Bethel is not permitted to endorse or fund political candidates. Methinks this explains wee Patrick's attempt to change the oath for county employees. Bethel wields immense local influence: of Redding's 90,000 residents, 11,233 are Bethel members, according to a report from northern California magazine A News Cafe. Do you have a correction to this story? Do you support free online news in Shasta County? View Calendar. He was an instructor at Fuller and Denver seminaries and the U.S. Air Force Academy. Put all three of those concerns together, Jake, and Redding starts looking a lot like Clearwater, Florida, global headquarters for Scientology. Having written thousands of articles over the course of my career, I know when my palms are perspiring on the keyboard as I type, something is drastically wrong and its time to take a step back and ask myself some serious questions. CT Firewood - Seasoned Firewood delivery to Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Wilton.. But Bethel Senior Associate Leader Kris Vallotton has made multiple political statements from the pulpit, including his prophecy that Donald Trump would win the 2020 presidential election. Shes participated in all the candidate forums. Buck Fethel shirt by Nathan the Creator. Once was the churchs vocal response to a 2018 California bill which would have made it illegal for Bethel to sell resources with the intent to reduce or eliminate same-sex attraction, according to a tweet from Vallotton. When the Redding Civic Auditorium faced closure, Bethel created the nonprofit Advance Redding to lease the facility. Church News. Several of the candidates running for the Redding City Council this fall are connected to Bethel Church. The wording in the article could lead some to believe that it is still in that fellowship. First, many members view Bethels strange brew of Christianity and New Age as a straight-up cult, a holy rolling, faith-healing pyramid scheme sucking the lifeblood out of the town and preaching a false gospel. I can confidently say that (the issue of homosexuality will have) no influence on my role as a council member, Audette wrote by email. Ministry Watch reports: Redding is a city of 93,462 in Trump-red Shasta County, which has a popula Will City of Redding City Council continue to let them take shelter from the cold and rain there? Since the late 90s, under senior leader Bill Johnson, the church has been devoted to the pursuit of the presence of God, manifested in supposed signs and wonders, including messages from heaven, miraculous healings, gold glitter, feathers, and special stones. This story is part of Shasta Scout's citizen-powered election coverage. Classificados de Traduo nos Estados Unidos. Within the last two tumultuous years, Jeremy Edwardson partnered with a seemingly unlikely docu-series collaborator: militia-member, former-strip-club-owner Carlos Zapata, known for blood in the streets violent rhetoric that briefly thrust Zapata into fleeting, international alt-right celebrity status. Would your relationship with that neighbor be positive or negative?. People post mean things sometimes. We could have heaven and hell on earth, twin beacons demarking our strategic position on the I-5 corridor. But Shea said that voter concerns about his attendance at Bethel are part of what running for office entails. One area of government that could see significant turnover: the Redding city council. My heartburn worsened after watching Audettes guest appearance on Bethel top-gun pastor Kris Vallottons podcast, where Audette discusses, among other things, Gods role in government and if politicians should Christianize a nation. Some say the church has helped the city in many ways: Members volunteer and serve throughout the city. Like Munns, Hill seems a good guy who truly wants to make a difference. They have creative ideas. by Religion . Toll free: (866) 364-9980, Christian Musician Sean Feucht Held Defiant Seattle Worship Protest After Concert was Banned, Sean Feucht Protest Worries Los Angeles Homeless Advocates, Sean Feuchts Finale Worship Protest on the National Mall Included More Politics Than Usual, Andrew Wommack Urges Followers to Take Over Colorado City. Ive been in churches my whole life, she said, and Bethel is the least religious church Ive ever been in. 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. Council candidate Tenessa Audette lays out her goals to KRCR's Sam Chimenti (KRCR) REDDING, Calif. Another candidate has thrown her hat into Redding's crowded city . Redding council candidate Tenessa Audette is open about her involvement at Bethel Church. Dacquistos now-predictable Partin endorsements usually include Dacquistos mention that one of the reasons he endorses Partin is because Dacquisto is sick of being on the losing end of so many 3-2 or 4-1 votes. Prayer Meeting for Redding. The Awakening Australia eventand its main speaker, Bill Johnsonare increasing the awareness of the controversial church throughout the continent. Im not down with cancel culture. Hes also the brother of Jeremy Edwardson, the director/producer of the Red, White and Blueprint movement/docuseries that helped splinter the already heavily conservative Shasta County into ultra conservative take back Shasta County factions. I'm scared Lol. Scheide. Hmm! His work has appeared in the Tenderloin Times, Sacramento News & Review, Reno News & Review, Chico News & Review, North Bay Bohemian, San Jose Metro, SF Bay Guardian, SF Weekly, Alternet, Boston Phoenix, Creative Loafing and Counterpunch, among many other publications. Between both departments, they set a goal of selling 500 signs (250 for each department), with all profits (about $4 per sign) going to a fund to buy an AED all-weather enclosure, along with AED for installation. 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? Some of them have been doxing you. Each year, thousands of believers come from every corner of the globe to worship at Bethel, or spend thousands of dollars to enroll in its three-year-long Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. Hates a strong word. You then assert the same sort of hateful things are being posted, with Bethel taking the place of Blue People, in Bethel Affiliated Business, Investigating Bethel and numerous other Facebook groups you say are devoted to hating Bethel Church and its members., You write, Any of these posts would create a huge issue in the human resources department of your business and perhaps land the author in court for libel, defamation of character, or perhaps even a hate crime.. In 2018, the last year for which data is available, the church had annual revenue of more than $60 million. At every forum Ive attended, Dacquisto has made a shameless plug for his pal Partin. Literally. ods role in government and if politicians should Christianize a nation. Thats the lens through which the people in the groups youre maligning see the world unfolding in front of them, Jake. AFAIK, Schreder and Sullivan are not. At stake is whose vision of downtown Clearwater will prevail: the city councils or Scientologys? Audette called the idea that she has access to Bethel funding one of the biggest myths she has heard. May 11th 2022, 6:13 PM PDT. One Bethel Church elder, Julie Winter, is already on the Redding City Council, with two years left in her term. Of those 10 candidates, three are current Bethel Church members, and three are members of The Stirring Church, including one whos a former Bethel Church member. Together, the trio has amassed hundreds of endorsements from the proverbial Whos Who of Shasta Countys movers, shakers, makers, workers, creators, business people, educators, elected leaders, law enforcement and influencers. As evidence, she points to the Civic; to Winter's place on the city council; to the hordes of Bethel students who volunteer across Redding, saving the city money. The four have disagreed over everything from land issues and staff raises to homeless solutions and even holiday lights at Turtle Bay Museum. Local critics oppose Bethels promotion of gay conversion therapy, and its fight against COVID masks, vaccinations, and closures. 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. Crockett says he attended Bethel for nine years and continues to maintain friendships with individuals at the church. Bethel Church is an American non-denominational neo-charismatic megachurch in Redding, California with over 11,000 members. Atlanta Megachurch Files Suit Charging Lenders with Predatory Behavior, Alleges Widespread Fraud Against African-American Churches, MinistryWatchs 2022 Shining Light Awards. Brad Everett, Bethels Director of Communications, declined to answer any of Shasta Scouts questions for this story. James Crockett, who says hes a former Bethel Church member, is now a member of The Stirring. The large number of travelers who visit Bethel and its five schools (Bethel Christian School, Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, BethelConservatory of the Arts, Bethel School of Technology, Bethel Music College) helped attract nonstop United Airlines flights to Los Angeles. Feucht also worship-campaigned for Doug Lamborn, U.S. House member from Colorado Springs, who coasted to reelection. A dear Democrat friend of mine, whos voting only for Hill out of solidarity with his fellow progressive, said he finds Audette, Johnson and Shea just a bit too zealous for his liking. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. I confess to suffering significant election heartburn with the knowledge that Audette was Winters former campaign manager, and that Audette received more than $15,000 in campaign consulting fees from Sean Feuchts failed congressional campaign in 2019 and early 2020, along with $2,800 in reimbursements. We are a non-profit, independent, civic news organization focused on Shasta Countys diverse and investigative stories. encourage attendees to vote for Trump or risk facing Gods displeasure. 2008. Bethel members Tenessa Audette, 45, a first-time candidate, and Jack Munns, 64, who first ran two years ago, will now join Bethel elder Julie Winter on the 5-member council. By the Redding City Council and its Shasta County Supervisors simply turning their collective backs to an obvious safety issue as its sole reaction to the tragedy that occurred there is simply unacceptable, and surly the blood of the next man, woman, or child brutally and horrifically squashed out of them will spiritually be on your hands. Kathy Vallotton, Bethel Church senior pastor, $1,000. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. compared the COVID vaccine to the mark of the beast. The last go-round she was running for the Shasta County District 1 race, but she dropped out mid-race, citing a lack of financial resources that would enable her to compete with the other well-funded candidates. This couldnt be further from my goals and ideas about how the government should work. The second time they got involved, Audette continued, was when the city, county, and law enforcement asked for their help to pass Measure A (a 2020 proposed 1% county sales tax). Audette said the city ran a voter registration campaign at that time to encourage members to become more involved. . Work ethic and family values were built and fostered in me beginning in the . 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. Julie Winter, Redding City Council member/Bethel Church elder, The 10 following candidates are competing for three available Redding City Council seats. 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. Lake has claimed the vote was rigged and B.S. and is challenging the outcome. 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. Christianity Today defines Christian Nationalism as the idea that America is defined by Christianity and should take active steps to keep it that way. As Snow Falls In A Redding Camp, Unhoused Community Members Keep Warm With Propane Heaters And Campfires, Shasta County Supervisors, Sheriff, Face Off Over Constitutionality Of Proposed 2nd Amendment Resolution, Reddings Proposed Short Term Rental Ordinance Update Doesnt Take Into Account City Housing Data: Heres Why That Matters, Proposed 2nd Amendment Resolution Is An Overreach of Boards Authority, Shasta County Legal Counsel Warns, Heres What We Spent To Produce The News In 2022, Heres How Weve Funded Free And Independent Shasta County News This Year, Editorial: We Build Democracy By Telling The Truth About Power, Our Diverse Community and Ourselves, Building Democracy: Were Opening Our Reporters Notebooks. Scheide. The way Dacquisto drags Partin behind him reminds me how my mom insisted I bring my little sister along to birthday parties when we were kids; invited or not. Bethel helped raise money to assist the completion of Redding's free water park, Fantasy Fountain, and design-savvy Bethel members voluntarily created a style guide for signage in city parks. Although Im a Democrat, for me, a shared party is not reason enough to vote for someone as politically out of touch and woefully inexperienced as Hill. When Crockett quips that hes attended more city council meetings in these last few years than incumbent Dacquisto, that line always gets a laugh, but its no joke. They are predominantly well-coifed young hipster men dressed in skinny jeans and designer t-shirts with that preternatural glow that comes from a ramen starvation diet, abstinence from sex, cigarettes and alcohol and countless late-night sessions getting drunk in the spirit.. There are three primary reasons members are concerned about Bethel, not all of them shared by all members. Shes engaged with the public. Have I done the research? Not by a Shasta County country mile. widely believed to include the idea that believers should take dominion over society to bring more of heaven to earth. Jack W. Hayford, an author, radio teacher, and pastor once called The Pentecostal Gold Standard, died Sunday morning at his home in, Vandals defaced a California church hosting a New Years Eve event by controversial worship leader Sean Feucht with messages like F*** Sean, A charismatic minister is apparently widening his revival and healing ministry despite having been disqualified because of a steady pattern of ungodly. Johnson, who publicly endorsed Trump in 2016 and 2020, teaches that part of that revival will come through ballot boxes. Our news will always be free to read, but its not free to create. Feb 21, 2023 5:15 PM Agenda Agenda Packet Action Agenda Redding Municipal Library Board - Regular Meeting. Three spots are up for grabs this November, and . It's designed to attract shoppers downtown . I cannot vouch for that number, but its probably close. Redding City Council approved Bethel to apply for development of a new church and school campus facilities. In the meantime, pass the Alka Seltzer. is listed by the Shasta Economic Development Corporation as the 8th largest employer. His fellow senior leader Bill Johnson has also compared the COVID vaccine to the mark of the beast. Submit ithere. All rights reserved. In fact, in most places it would be considered impolite and inappropriate to ask about candidates religious lives. Bethel's first global campaign, Arise & Build . Crockett has impressively watched/endured every city council meeting since 2017. 2023 anewscafe.com. The device costs $2,000 and will make AED available to the general public 24/7. This became apparent after I wrote the story about it and was scolded by Bethels then-communications person for not mentioning that many of those in attendance were from The Stirring, too. In reply to Jeff Gorder. 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. These three appear the most polished, most prepared, most experienced, most articulate and most accomplished. Candidate Johnson agrees wholeheartedly. But both Audette and Shea say the 7 Mountains Mandate is really about reminding Christians to get involved in the community and find ways to use their skills and resources to make the community better for everyone, although, Shea added, he understands thats not always how the theology is seen. Its social media, Jake. Some in the community worry about how the church's out-sized funding and theological beliefs, including the 7 Mountains Mandate, might impact local political candidates. I don't know about Dacquisto. compared women who seek out abortions to school shooters. On Good Friday, KRCR's Sam Chimenti sat down with the youngest (known) candidate for Redding city council, Jordan Valenzuela. Redding residents are divided on the churchs impact on their city. One of the most frequent election questions posed recently on North State social media sites pertains to whether candidates do or do not attend Bethel Church or The Stirring.