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| ==Founders== | ==Founders== | ||
| Hibbert previously served as an ] in a ] church.<ref name="thesect" /> In an interview with the '']'' in 2000, Spademan commented on claims by others that she said she was a ]: "I don't believe I'm a prophet. I never said ... once I may have verged on it."<ref name="thesect" /> Hibbert acknowledged Spademan asserted she was a prophet, and said she made such statements "only once as a ] in a particular circumstance".<ref name="thesect" /> Hibbert went on to note: "I would say she fits into the prophet category (of the ministry) but not in the way the press is making it out to be, but because she is behind the scenes and she communes with ] a great deal."<ref name="thesect" /> Hibbert commented on claims that individuals were pressured to donate funds to his organization: "Certainly no pressure was ever put on anybody (to give)," he said. "You have never met a more ] ] group of people than the people in this ] and that includes this ]."<ref name="thesect" /> | ] previously served as an ] in a ] church.<ref name="thesect" /> In an interview with the '']'' in 2000, Spademan commented on claims by others that she said she was a ]: "I don't believe I'm a prophet. I never said ... once I may have verged on it."<ref name="thesect" /> Hibbert acknowledged Spademan asserted she was a prophet, and said she made such statements "only once as a ] in a particular circumstance".<ref name="thesect" /> Hibbert went on to note: "I would say she fits into the prophet category (of the ministry) but not in the way the press is making it out to be, but because she is behind the scenes and she communes with ] a great deal."<ref name="thesect" /> Hibbert commented on claims that individuals were pressured to donate funds to his organization: "Certainly no pressure was ever put on anybody (to give)," he said. "You have never met a more ] ] group of people than the people in this ] and that includes this ]."<ref name="thesect" /> | ||
| Spademan rules both churches, in England and in Connecticut, through constant contact with church pastors.<ref name="tolson" /> She communicates either in person or by telephone with Sam J. Wibberly, a pastor at the church in Connecticut.<ref name="tolson" /> | Spademan rules both churches, in England and in Connecticut, through constant contact with church pastors.<ref name="tolson" /> She communicates either in person or by telephone with Sam J. Wibberly, a pastor at the church in Connecticut.<ref name="tolson" /> | ||
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Bethel Church, also called Bethel Interdenominational Church, is a Christian religious organization based in Mansfield Woodhouse, England, founded by John Hibbert and Jean Spademan. It has a sister church, King's Chapel, in Norwich, Connecticut. Within the movement, Spademan is know by the name "Syro" - "an obscure Biblical reference to a Syro-Phoenician woman who appeals to Jesus to save her daughter from a demon".
Founders
Hibbert previously served as an ordained minister in a Pentacostal church. In an interview with the Daily Express in 2000, Spademan commented on claims by others that she said she was a prophet: "I don't believe I'm a prophet. I never said ... once I may have verged on it." Hibbert acknowledged Spademan asserted she was a prophet, and said she made such statements "only once as a means to an end in a particular circumstance". Hibbert went on to note: "I would say she fits into the prophet category (of the ministry) but not in the way the press is making it out to be, but because she is behind the scenes and she communes with God a great deal." Hibbert commented on claims that individuals were pressured to donate funds to his organization: "Certainly no pressure was ever put on anybody (to give)," he said. "You have never met a more selfless giving group of people than the people in this church and that includes this ministry."
Spademan rules both churches, in England and in Connecticut, through constant contact with church pastors. She communicates either in person or by telephone with Sam J. Wibberly, a pastor at the church in Connecticut.
England
In 2000, Spademan lived at Ley Lane, and Hibbert at Sandgate Avenue. Spademan rarely attended services. Spademan learned of a church member's lesbian relationship in 2000, and decided to split up the pair by sending one of the girls to live at the church in Connecticut. "Syro told me she knew from God that I was doing this sinful and evil thing. I was shouted at and screamed at, shaken, prayed over and had a Bible pushed against my chest. I was upset, confused and scared," said the girl that was moved to Connecticut. The girl eventually moved back to England and left the organization.
Along with Hibbert, another pastor at the church in England was Stephen Jeffs. Hibbert and Jeffs believed they were relaying the word of God to their congregation, as given to Spademan. Church members give ten percent of their earnings to the organization.
Members of the church participate in "deliverance" rituals, where church leadership assert that they have been informed of followers' violent and sinful thoughts. Followers are encouraged to dedicate their lives to the organization and shun family members.
Connecticut
In 1999, one of the three pastors at King's Chapel in Norwich, Connecticut was Sam J. Wibberley. In the 1980s, Wibberly's organization the Dayspring Church of God became affiliated with the Bethel Church. Both Wibberley, and his counterpart Hibbert in England, believe that Jean Spademan has the "gift of prophecy".
Members of the King's Chapel community share possessions including money, houses, and cars. They work at the church for free, and this is seen as a sign of their faith in the movement. One of the church's mottos was "You can’t outgive God". Members of the organization live in Jewett City; church pastors encourage their followers to live there.
Analysis
Dr. Martyn Percy of the Lincoln Theological Institute for the Study of Religion and Society , an authority on new religious movements, commented to the Mansfield Chad on the organization: "It seems to me to be a fascinating form of religious control exercised on people. If you really think people know what you think, you just don’t dare step out of line. It becomes intolerable. What is absolutely unique about this church is a woman being not just a figurehead, but the prophetic leader of it."
Lonnie D. Kliever, chairman of the religion department at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, told The New London Day that he did not observe evidence of brainwashing within the church. He compared individuals devoted to strict organizations such as King's Chapel to "misguided victims", commenting: It is like getting involved in a bad marriage. Some find it preferable to stay."
Mary Alice Chrnalogar, author of the 1997 book on cults, Twisted Scriptures, said she has heard of the group, and compared it to other religious groups she has dealt with: "I’m very familiar with that group. It’s no different from any other cult I have worked with."
References
- ^ The Express staff (July 17, 2000). "The Express: The sect where doubt is a sin". Daily Express. Express Newspapers.
- ^ Tolson, Kyn (May 30, 1999). "Lives Crippled in God's Name: Ex-members of King's Chapel tell of control, devastation". The New London Day. Shore Publishing.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Savidge, Katherine (March 2, 2000). "A Special Chad Investigation". Mansfield Chad.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Moran, Kathy (July 17, 2000). "They Exorcised Me Over My 'Sinful' Love For A Woman". Daily Express. Express Newspapers.
- ^ Mansfield Chad staff (March 2, 2000). "Exposed: The Church Of Fear". Mansfield Chad.
- ^ Tolson, Kyn (May 30, 1999). "Church Leaders Strive For Holy Ways: They say anyone is free to leave". The New London Day. Shore Newspapers.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Tolson, Kyn (May 30, 1999). "Cults rob victims of the freedom to make decisions". The New London Day.
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