ATrueChurch
| ATrueChurch | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Non-denominational |
| Theology | Christianity |
| Region | Moodys, Oklahoma |
| Members | 50[1] |
| Official website |
www |
ATrueChurch is a church located in a rural area between Moodys and Peggs, Oklahoma, headed by Darwin Fish. The church is known for proclaiming humanity to be on the "broad road" described in Matthew 7:13-14,[2] and condemning almost every single modern Evangelical leader (and other religious leaders) as "false teachers."[3]
History
The origins of the church date back to 1992, when Darwin Fish was asked by his sister and her husband to lead a Bible study in their home, since they could not find a church they believed to be faithful to the scriptures. Up until that point, Darwin had been attending Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. The church was officially established in 1993 as God's Word Fellowship.[4] Soon after, Darwin began exposing well-known evangelical leaders, such as John MacArthur, James Dobson, Charles Spurgeon and others. Darwin Fish was excommunicated from Grace Community Church in April 1994. In 2002, the church changed its name from God's Word Fellowship to "ATrueChurch".[5]
In 2008–09, the church moved from Lake Hughes, California to their current location in eastern Oklahoma.[5]
Beliefs and activities
ATrueChurch regularly condemns modern Christianity as being contrary to the Word of God. Specifically, the church condemns the concept of dividing beliefs between "essentials" and "non-essentials" for salvation, arguing that all of the Bible is essential to true salvation (Matthew 4:4; James 1:21), and that salvation is "coming to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4).[6]
The group pickets churches, evangelical gatherings, crusades, and festivals to spread their message.[7] They carry signs with slogans such as "JESUS CAUSED 9-11" (Isaiah 45:7) and "GOD KILLS: REPENT" (1 Samuel 2:6; Luke 13:3), amongst others. Each sign has their toll-free number 1-800-HOW-TRUE under the slogans. For years, they carried their signs in the Rose Parade.[8]
Their YouTube channel contains videos of picketing large evangelical gatherings such as Greg Laurie's "Harvest Crusade" and Acquire the Fire, a large youth evangelical movement.[9]
See also
References
- ↑ "ATrueChurch FAQ".
- ↑ Fish, Darwin. "You Think You're Saved, But You're Not!". atruechurch.info. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
- ↑ Fish, Darwin. "Identifying False Teachers". atruechurch.info. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
- ↑ "God's Word Fellowship in Green Valley". Bizapedia. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Darwin Fish: The FAQ".
- ↑ Fish, Darwin. "ATrueChurch: Statement of Faith".
- ↑ Segal, David. "From Billy Graham, A Big-Tent Revival". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
- ↑ "ATrueChurch: Contending for the Faith at Rose Parade and Various Other Events".
- ↑ "ATrueChurch YouTube page".