In a 2016 sermon titled "When Your Honey Starts Acting Funny," Stone said he married his wife Pam because she was "hot" and said if women withhold sex from their husbands they can invite in the spirit of Jezebel, the Old Testament seductress who spread idol worship. The ministry is ruined. Charisma News promotes Stone's religious teachings through its media channels. A TBI spokesperson confirmed by email the agency is investigating Stone at the request of Steve Crump, district attorney general for Bradley, McMinn, Monroe and Polk counties, and that as of this week, the investigation is active. 2 min read. ", Frankie Powell, an Alabama-based pastor who served on the ministry's board, commented on the video, "Knowing what I know my friend this is sad. The timeline presented in the letters, and confirmed by two former employees, suggested ministry leaders knew about some of the allegations years before any action was taken. - wrote that when she is not traveling with Perry, several male co-workers will always be with Stone so "no one can make a false claim against him." You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Court Services Lt. James Bradford of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office - who identified himself in an April 22, 2020, conversation as Stone's security director - told someone connected to the ministry the allegations were making him question the organization's leadership. I need to shut OCI down and sell the building and forget everything I'm doing. No reason was given, he said. His wife was fired that day as well, both having been employees there for 18 years. | Updated June 8, 2022 at 11:35 a.m. That information included documents, internal communications and voice recordings, as well as interviews with 16 people connected with Perry Stones ministry or with direct knowledge of events relevant to the story. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. "With everything we've heard, it's going not to be a six-month, it's going to be a two-, three-year or more until we can get this thing where Perry can be delivered or whatever," Booke said in the meeting. Bible teacher Jen Wilkin addresses criticism of her views on sending children to public schools, Teen, 21-year-old man indicted for murder of Memphis pastor, Deion Sanders' prayers are constitutionally protected, lawyer tells University of Colorado, Revival at Kentucky college faces hurdles from school leadership, moves worship off-campus. All rights reserved. That's who you've been talking to.". Address: Perry Stone, P.O. He wanted to warn his employees since leadership was not addressing it, he said. Click Manage settings for more information and to manage your choices. Roger Keith shared the article with employees in his department. Kimberly and Roger Keith began working for Stone's ministry in 2002, Roger as a manager in the shipping department and Kimberly as a secretary. Find out more about how we use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy. According to Rodriguez, the board of directors "does not believe that it is appropriate to further characterize the nature and content of any allegations against Perry Stone.". This statement comes in response to a March [] "What you just witnessed happened at the trial of Jesus the day before he was crucified," Cutshall said. (READ MORE: Bradley County Sheriff's Office suspends ties with evangelist Perry Stone amid Tennessee investigation), Through Cleveland, Tennessee-based Voice of Evangelism and related groups, Stone leads a multimillion-dollar ministry with a global reach. Its not always about whats true or not, its about the advertising dollars, he continued, explaining the relationship between the media and advertising and the need to make money. "When you forgive people, you forgive what they do. Karen Wheaton, founder of The Ramp, is married to Towe, a board member who was present in multiple meetings discussing the allegations against Stone. The Times Free Press is continuing to investigate Perry Stone and his ministries. Shortly after, Roger Keith came across an Aug. 7, 2020, blog post written by Darin and Amanda Shiflett, founders of Kingdom Life Ministries. For years, Stone has hired off-duty sheriff's office employees to help with security at his events. Stone then told the crowd that God has told him that the people who have accused him will have to answer for it when they die. And that's a conscious choice on the part of the abuser.". At least seven people connected to the ministry, including some couples, have shared information that investigators sought about sexual misconduct allegations against Stone as well as the evangelist's connections to Bradley County law enforcement, according to the five people. 2, to correct the ship when it's going the wrong way. Asked about its investigation, a spokesperson for the TBI said Wednesday in an email that "our case file has been closed," and directed questions to the Attorney General's Office. Bradford was one of the security guards who escorted the woman off the property, according to a recording of the incident obtained by the Times Free Press. map: false, Cutshall did not respond to a Times Free Press request for comment. As the likelihood of the allegations becoming public increased, ministry leaders turned to Rodriguez to handle public relations. Biden Moves To Bind U.S. To Future WHO Pandemic Policies. $9.99 $ 9. Cromer said many employees in Voice of Evangelism and Stone's other ministries were scared to stand up to Stone or, if they did, they would be punished. Cutshall told an alleged victim in the April 21, 2020, meeting that Stone was acting irrationally and he did not know whether the televangelist could be helped. His voice held steady for a few more words before he began yelling, "You've talked to people who told 16 lies on my wife and I! There would be retribution for those standing against the ministry, Stone said in the video. The contestant, 21-year-old Trey Louis, was a student at Santa Fe High School when a . "I confess at times I've been inappropriate in all this weariness of just non-stop ministry," he said at the time. He told ministry leaders he would kill himself and shut down the ministry. On Nov. 30, Stone told the crowd gathered in his building there was information about the allegations that he knew but the public did not. The recent news article against the ministry bears no new information or allegations. Department policy for "extra-duty work" allows sheriff's office employees to conduct off-duty work, including using their vehicles, if the work "does not create a conflict of interest with their responsibilities as law enforcement officers and if the work does not constitute a threat to the status or dignity of law enforcement as a professional occupation," according to records provided by the Bradley County Sheriff's Office. The ministry's donation makes it the second highest outside donation given to the sheriff's office in that time frame, second to LJ Consulting's $39,000 donation and ahead of the third-highest donation, $12,000 from Logan Thompson. The Board of Directors for Voice of Evangelism. This is the example of a war and a rumor of a war. At least one letter obtained by the Times Free Press said Stone would lock office doors to be alone with women. 4.6 out of 5 stars 59. "My name in law enforcement is everything. Perry Stone gives an in-depth prophetic and practical study of the word of God | Watch Manna-fest on PTL Network. Phone: 423-478-3456. Some expressed outrage that the board of directors at Voice of Evangelism, Stones international evangelistic outreach, did not involve law enforcement or fully investigate claims of misconduct against the televangelist. "Statements made by Perry, at the time of the recordings, were made by a hurting and distraught man who was in fear of losing his family and ministry over accusations," Rodriguez said in the statement. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. As Stone's following grew, he flew around the country in a Voice of Evangelism plane to preach, the newspaper reported. }); This is going to get bigger. Some of the accusations were withdrawn, some of which were not signed or, identified as to authorship and others of which the ministry leadership team found were not convincing or were otherwise unreliable. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Cutshall told an alleged victim in an April 21, 2020, meeting that many people would lose their jobs if the ministry shut down, according the recording. Pam wrote that while she and Perry "consider the male and female workers dear friends in whom we have confidence and trust," she has stopped two women from trying to seduce her husband. Contact Andrew Schwartz at aschwartz@timesfreepress.com, or 423-757-6431. Bradford, the sheriff's office lieutenant, escorted them off the property, they said. Stone, in explaining his behavior or attempting to undermine those making accusations against him, claimed an alleged victim had a mental illness and that someone was stealing gold from him, in recorded conversations obtained by the Times Free Press. In the summer of 2020, the Alabama-based ministry The Ramp took over operations at Omega Center International. The Voice of Evangelism board said in a December 2021 statement it conducted an "appropriate and intensive" internal investigation of the allegations, the Times Free Press reported. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. However, in a May 13, 2020 meeting, board member Gary Sears said the ministry's board would gather documentation of allegations but said statements from alleged victims would not need to include the alleged victims' names. } Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email. As biblical prophecy continues to unfold, you . And that was about it," Cromer said. The sheriff's office used property owned by Stone and his ministry to do K-9 and hostage negotiation training, as well as a SWAT training in 2017, according to a statement from Sheriff Lawson. Here are 13 of them. Cutshall went on to say people in the ministry had been concerned by Stone's conduct for some time. "We've watched him go down in front of our eyes. ", This month, Rodriguez said the board was "unaware of any allegations of criminal misconduct. December 25, 2021 at 10:11 p.m. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Bryan Cutshall, president of Stone's International School of the Word, in a recorded meeting where Stone was not present, said Stone and his wife had said the televangelist is impotent, a claim denied by a victim during the meeting and contradicted by two alleged victims who told the Times Free Press that Stone either showed them he was aroused or rubbed himself in front of them. The board sat him down and said, 'OK, we're going to send you off for a little while, and we're going to take care of this.'". The couple had followed Stone's ministry for years and moved to Cleveland to be a part of it. God told me to build this place, and you're not going to run me off," Stone said. Mobile App|Weather App | WDEF Email Sign Up. According to a newspaper report last spring, the TBI began investigating Stone at Crump's request. ", The statement closed with this: "As we make this statement Pam and Perry are off celebrating their 40-year wedding anniversary. Over 32 years I have been involved with television. Click to reveal Because you kept touching them, she said before she was removed by security. Stone has hired sheriff's office employees in the past to provide security at his conferences and weekly gatherings. In November 2021, Cutshall was moved to oversee Stone's Omega Center International ministry as leaders of The Ramp shifted operations back to Alabama. "They had a VOE meeting and pulled all 25-ish employees, 20-ish employees, into a room and told them, some things have been accused, we think Perry's unwell, we're gonna send him off for more or less a type of rehab or recovery. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. "Over 32 years I have been involved with . The Times Free Press requested to speak with Stone, but Rodriguez said Stone "has no additional comments on things that happened 20-plus months ago that have already been publicly addressed. But you're not just dealing with a moral failure here. orientation: "portrait", I swear to God I'll take my life," Stone told the other ministry leaders on April 8, 2020, one of whom was said to be in possession of the letters containing the allegations. Stone said the allegations could not be made public. "To the knowledge of the Board of VOE, there is no such investigation," his statement said. Stone has a serious temper, Roger Keith said, and the couple thought Stone's behavior around women in the ministry was inappropriate but they did not see anything that was criminal. Many of the people who spoke with the Times Free Press are worried a lack of accountability and awareness could put others at risk as Stone begins traveling and leading services again. "Why don't you tell them the real reason why they left? Recent News. The recordings reveal board members and ministry employees considered forcing Stone into retirement and shutting down his ministries, specifically the youth ministry Omega Center International. Some of the alleged victims were in their early 20s, roughly a third of the age of the pastor in his early 60s. It could be a mental problem. In response, Rodriguez said the "extensive and appropriate investigation by the board contains supported and unsupported positions of individuals and allegations, some of which were completely refuted. The Times Free Press spoke to Bradford by phone on March 31 for comment. March 31, 2022 at 7:43 p.m. "The board consulted with legal counsel to determine appropriate response to the circumstances which the board confronted in the spring of 2020.". Sears did not respond to a Times Free Press request for comment. In an April 30, 2020 meeting that was recorded, board members Sears and Booke expressed doubts about whether Stone could be restored to leadership after a six-month sabbatical. and they can take it wrong.". "I can't shake a woman's hand, 'Oh, he's coming on to me,'" Stone said. See what's going on with him, what made him do whatever has been done. Perry Stone @PerryStoneMinistries 765K subscribers Subscribe VOE Website Home Videos Shorts Live Playlists Community Channels About Search Videos Play all 16:03 Getting Through Your Worst Storm. He told his followers he had a "physical collapse" from the stress of running a $14-to-$15-million ministry. Singer Katy Perry had harsh words for America after watching a school shooting survivor audition for "American Idol.". On Nov. 30, after the disturbance at the Tuesday night service, Bryan Cutshall, a longtime employee of the ministry who had just been promoted to lead another of Stone's organizations, compared the woman accusing Stone of sexual misconduct to the crowd heckling Jesus before he was crucified. The board said it created a restoration plan in the spring of 2020, which included professional counseling, medical care, removal from social media and absence from ministry for between six and 12 months, with some exceptions, the newspaper reported. Or the pastor who's in good standing and has led this church for 10 years? "The financial health of the ministry is more vital than ever as we continue to experience unprecedented growth.". My whole family holds hands, rubs backs. Claims of inappropriate conduct involving groping, unwanted kissing and showing women he was aroused were first made in 2020. "The investigation revealed that no acts of adultery were committed. "That's part of this whole thing that scares me," Cutshall said. Follow him on Twitter @news4mass. Voice of Evangelism has contributed $36,560 to the Bradley County Sheriff's Office since 2018, according to donation records provided by the department. On Nov. 23, Stone posted a video to his more than 500,000 Facebook followers about a dream he said was a spiritual vision in which seven ugly fish with big mouths were keeping other fish, which Stone said were young people searching for Christ, from being caught by fisherman, who were pastors like himself. "I let my guard down and I've asked, of course, God to forgive me for that.". Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Omega Center International is shown in Cleveland, Tenn., on March 30, 2022. agents with the Chattanooga office of the FBI were interviewing alleged victims of Stone, received at least nine letters from women employed by or connected to Stone's ministry, criticized the board's handling of the allegations. When you see news happening, share it! }. "I just want to tell all you women something, sitting out there and anybody watching," Stone told the crowd. ", Rodriguez said in a statement that Stone continues to follow the guidelines created by the ministry's accountability team created to "evaluate his spiritual, emotional and physical health and help to lead the ministry forward.". Stone's ministries have donated $36,500 to the sheriff's office to buy body cameras and cameras for patrol vehicles. We celebrate community and we tell your stories. So I'm not going to bow out and not offer a resignation letter and then he come out, they restore him and then he starts talking about me in front of everybody, saying I did this, I've done this, I stole stuff.". I quit that. Before publishing this investigation, the Times Free Press asked Voice of Evangelism about the nature of this information and the "16 lies" Stone claimed were told against his family. Pam Stone - in her 2005 memoir with Perry titled "We're Not Finished Yet!" Stone later said he was away from the public eye to focus on his family and because he was working on a project about a "great treasure" that would soon be discovered. We ask that friends and supporters operate by Scripture in Luke 6:43-45, "For every tree is known by the fruit it bears." If you have any information you believe can help, please contact Wyatt Massey at wmassey@timesfreepress.com or call 423-757-6249. The Board of Directors for Voice of Evangelism has announced that Perry Stone has stepped aside from the pulpit and his travel ministry., They say it is in response to behavior that deviated from the biblical standards set in place for VOE leadership., The statement says a couple of employees complained about inappropriate words and actions.. But as Stone was describing to his followers how some people walked away from religion in recent years, the voice of a woman in the back brought the auditorium to silence. Voice of Evangelism did not dispute the allegations against Stone when the Times Free Press provided a series of questions to the ministry in December 2021. "Often it's a chosen victim because of vulnerability, a chosen victim because they may not be believed. The Biden administration is preparing to enter the United States into a "legally binding" agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) that would grant the entity authority to mandate America's health care policies in the event of a future pandemic. 1, walking the path that God would have him to walk on, more or less, and that the ministry is heading that direction. Stone has recently posted to his hundreds of thousands of online followers about a spiritual vision in which he strikes a fish, which symbolized someone standing against his ministry, in the head. Let's not forget that, Why revival must be tethered to Scripture, Revelation 9: The pit, the smoke and hideous demon creatures, Former Hillsong Dallas Pastor Reed Bogard resigned after he was accused of rape, investigation reveals, California prosecutors fabricated case against megachurch preacher accused of sex crimes: defense, Hillsong pastors say they warned Brian Houston about Carl Lentz's immoral behavior, were ignored, Pastor used Scripture trying to coerce congregants into sexual relationships, prosecutors say. The 2022 Prophetic Summit hosted by Perry Stone with special guests Bill Cloud, Curt Landry, Jonathan Cahn, and Mark Biltz was held in one of the most prophetic seasons of our lifetime. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Televangelist Perry Stone speaking out against secular media on December 27, 2021. People have taken me hugging and kissing them on the cheek wrong. During that time Stone still led prayer meetings and videos of him interpreting current events were posted to his hundreds of thousands of social media followers. Nine people either connected to or employed by Stone's ministry, some of whom were with the ministry for more than a decade, said he would hand out cash to those close to him. On Sunday's episode, judges Perry, Lionel Richie . | YouTube/Perry Stone. His wife was fired that day as well, both having been employees there for 18 years Perry Lionel... 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