This church claims they are a family, that they are there for their members no matter what. IT'S A…read moreCOMPLETE LIE!
I joined this church in spring, 1998. At that time, I was living in an abused woman's shelter with my 4 small children, overcoming an abusive marriage. So I was a single parent. At that time, off and on throughout the years, I would ask the church for assistance with utilities or food, etc. because we fell on hard times from time to time. I paid my tithe and offering faithfully, and when I was able, I would give a little extra to show my gratitude. This was when Pastor Wright was senior pastor. But then, in 2009, one of my daughters became pregnant. She wasn't married yet, she eventually married my grandchild's father, but people in this church chastised her and ridiculed her for having a baby out of wedlock. From that time until now, she refuses to go to church any more. When she told me what happened, I confronted the few individuals that said these negative things to her, and I too stopped going to this church for 10 years.
But after my car accident in 2019, surprising the church helped me financially and I was grateful. So I started attending again. Fast forward to the present, on September 26th, I and my son were in the middle of preparing to move into a new residence. Another home owner, whom we were initially going to rent from but changed our minds, refused to give our security deposit back. I contacted HUD an about this, and they made this individual give our money back. The day we were supposed to sign our lease and get our keys, the lady didn't give our money back as agreed. For two days, she would string us along. Finally, on October 1st, she refunded our money, but the owner of our new home got tired of waiting, and changed his mind. We lost our house. Unfortunately, it was too late when we received the refund. Long story short, I asked the church to please help us with the security deposit before this happened, and I even said I'd refund the money once we received the money back or we would lose our new home. The church admin pastor told me that because the church helped me and my family off and on for several years, they refuse to help us any more. I pleaded for their help and stressed the severity of the situation, that we are in jeopardy of becoming homeless. It fell on deaf ears.
So we lost our home and have been homeless since October 1st, 2024. I even contacted a few members who lived near our old residence, and asked if my son and I could stay with them for a week or two, just long enough to get our bearings and secure another property or at least figure out our living options. They all told us no. No one has checked on us (I'm talking about the pastoral staff - senior pastor, elders, etc.) and asked how we're doing. It's November 2nd, and my son and I are living in our car. This church would rather see us living in our car than help us. Needless to say, I cannot support a church who would allow their members to live in their car than help them. I don't care how many times they've helped me in the past. Our situation was/is severe, and they could care less. But they'll keep us in prayer.......(that's the response I get). There are a few members who I know personally who have checked on me and my son, but the pastoral staff, they could care less about our well being. That really hurt my heart that they treat their "family members" in this way. It really opened my eyes and gave me a serious reality check.
So just know that this church is not what it's cracked up to be. If you want a show, by all means go, you'll have a good time. But don't hold your breath if you need help other than prayer..... Needless to say, I've stopped going to church period. And I'm sure they'll read this review and try to justify their decision, but at the end of the day, when they face Jesus, they'll have to explain their actions to Him....... Hope this helps in your decision to go or not