Church Under Investigation After ‘Kidnapping’ Teens at Gunpoint During Fake Raid
- Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:39am by
Billy Hallowell
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Glad Tidings Assembly of God (Image Credit: WHTM-TV)
There‘s nothing like a fake raid at gun point to get one’s blood pressure pumping in overdrive. Glad Tidings Assembly of God, a Christian church in Middletown, Pennsylvania, is catching some attention — and heat — after staging a fake armed assault to teach teenagers about the “persecution of Christian missionaries.”
Following what church leaders apparently hoped would be a teachable moment, a 14-year-old who says she was bruised in the incident has filed a report with police. Last Wednesday, Glad Tidings’ youth group was “kidnapped” at gunpoint, hooded, interrogated, herded into a van and brought to the pastor’s home where the teens were forced to see the faith leader assaulted and covered in what the young girl claims appeared to be blood.
The goal? To teach the teenagers just how dire the situation is for believers in other parts of the world. But while the intentions may have had noble roots, some of the details are raising eyebrows. The girl who launched the complaint, a visitor to the youth group who has asked to remain anonymous, described the incident in an interview with WHTM-TV.
Bruises a young girl claims are a result of the incident (Image Credit: WHTM-TV)
“They pulled my chair out from underneath me, and then they told me to get on the ground,” she explained. “I had my hands behind my back. They said, ‘Just do as I say, and you won’t be hurt.’”
At some point, the faux kidnappers — one of which was reportedly an off-duty police officer who was allegedly using a real, unloaded gun — told the 17 teens under siege that it was all a hoax.
Glad Tidings’ pastor, John Lanza, claims that the church is “so saddened” over the girl’s feelings on the matter. The faith leader says he merely wanted to cue them into what life as a Christian missionary in foreign countries might be like.
“It was a youth event, to illustrate what others have encountered on a regular basis,” Lanza said. “If anyone was ever uncomfortable, they would be removed.”
Local police are currently investigating the incident, as most of the parents and teens reportedly weren’t notified before it unfolded.
“I would find a way that we could continue to keep the shock value, but I would find a way to inform the parents (beforehand),” Lanza explained, saying that he would like to try to keep the program if possible.
The pastor also said he would like to apologize to the young girl and her mother — but doesn‘t feel it’s possible to do so until the police investigation concludes.
(H/T: Daily Mail)
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Comments (79)
terriergal
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:17pmThis is what you get when you have ultra macho pastors out there telling us to ‘get radical’ and do all kinds of shenanigans to draw attention to and ‘grow’ your church. I think of Perry Noble, Erik Dykstra (who kidnapped his own son this way for a hazing type Bday “coming of age” party when he was I think 15 or so) Mark Driscoll, Steven Furtick, among others.
This is squarely at the feet of the seeker sensitive church marketing movement. The crazier the stunt the more attention you get and everyone’s always trying to one up the last stunt. Whatever happened to just teaching the Bible and letting people stay if they want and leave if they don’t want it?
Report Post »terriergal
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:36pm“I would find a way that we could continue to keep the shock value, but I would find a way to inform the parents (beforehand),” Lanza explained, saying that he would like to try to keep the program if possible.
And look dude, make them watch a Voice of the Martyrs video. It’s very simple. There are even youtube videos of Christians being persecuted, beaten, necklaced and torched, and survivors and friends and relatives telling their stories. This guy is an idiot and should be kicked out. Seriously. This kind of behavior doesn’t come out of the blue. There is almost certainly a lot of other coercive behavior going on that no one has reported yet because it technically isn‘t ’illegal.‘ People don’t suddenly get this idiotic. They‘ve been allowed to get this way incrementally by their parishioners and peers who don’t keep them accountable or remove them.
Report Post »Kitkarr
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 1:14pmAmen, Terriergal. “Glad Tidings” indeed. The Assembly needs to make sure that there is more God and less of this…falsehood.
Report Post »booger71
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 2:10pmWhy would any parents allow their teens to go to a backwater 3rd world country on a missionary trip. It is just too dangerous in today’s geopolitical climate.
Report Post »Kitkarr
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 3:23pmBooger – Matthew 28:19 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (NIV)
Granted, parents should accompany thier teens, but it is the duty of all Christians to fulfill the calling of The Church. Also, I would contend that there are plenty of places here at home that need just as much witnessing as any other country. But the above verse should answer your question.
My question is this, is the geopolitical climate any worse today than it ever has been? For that matter, are people any worse today than they ever have been? I don’t know, the present is my only personal experience. We could read history and see whatever we want to, or even see whatever someone else wants us to, but all we really truly know is now.
Report Post »BarackStalin
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 7:22pmI wonder if Jesus got any bruises
Report Post »daniel1138
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:42pmTrying to instill emotion and passion into teenagers is ridiculous at best and criminally coercive at worst. This is Spiritual Abuse. When Clergy use their position and power to manipulate and affect the actions of adherents it is Spiritual Abuse. They are trying to keep kids in church via sensationalism. This following after Passions, Power and Possessions is what befalls every sinful man. Good thing Jesus was able to resist, for my sake.
Report Post »personofinterest
Posted on March 28, 2012 at 12:43pm“I think of Perry Noble, Erik Dykstra (who kidnapped his own son this way for a hazing type Bday “coming of age” party when he was I think 15 or so) Mark Driscoll, Steven Furtick, among others.”
I agree with your other post 100 percent, but this one is ridiculous. I don’t know who Erik Dykstra or Steven Furtick are, but you’re making a huge jump to compare Perry Noble and Mark Driscoll to this guy. As for the comment on “seeker-sensitive churches,” so do you believe they should all be so traditional and old-fashioned that no one who’s not already saved would ever be interested in going?
Report Post »Kitkarr
Posted on March 28, 2012 at 3:52pmDaniel – Agreed.
Barackstalin – Yep.
Isaiah 53:5, 10 – But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (KJV)
Thank God.
(Had to repost in correct thread)
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:37amSo, who all really understands that an asteroid is threatening earth?
Report Post »Dwilson
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:52amDude, what is up with you and the asteroid, you say this in every other post.
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 1:31pmTim I told you it’s not asteroids, it’s hemmeroids you have.
Report Post »TiocFaidhArLa
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:22amdumbasses. lucky no one got shot
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:12amI don’t think this pastor prayed about this decision prior to doing it. I wonder what else he “teaches” without praying about it.
Report Post »Female
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:11amGreat training for the youth with all the regulations the Obama Administration, EPA, DOJ, DOE, And healthcare infractions. The govt. will be doing all kinds of raids for failure to comply w/ abortion, contraception, and death panels. What a whiny little girl? Someday, she may look back and wish it was a fake drill instead of the “real Obama hope and CHAINS”!
Report Post »AllAmericanGirl22
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:01amWow, what a “fun” church. How can they get away with doing something like this to kids who think it’s real?
Report Post »punyhuman
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:16amWelllllllllll, if ya really want to encourage new people to come to your church, then ever’body knows the best way to do that is to scare them all off first, then whoever stays behind will be allowed membership in the church.
Report Post »Seriously, in my mind, all trust in that church would be gone, given all the loads of bs the churches have been handing out lately.
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:46amIt would be one thing if these kids were actually going to go on a Missionary trip to another country, but this is a little overboard. At least, let the parents know.
Report Post »Hrothgar
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:46amNow, that’s the kind of Christianity I think we can all rally around. Where do I sign up?
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:45amOther sources tell me that an off-duty LE officer and a former member of the military were involved with this activity at the church, and that it had happened several times before any complaints were filed.
MY OPINION: not a bad idea to make otherwise sheltered people aware of what can really happen in situations (for example, a trip overseas or Mexico, or even here in the USA – yes kidnapping does happen here, folks). HORRIBLE PLANNING AND EXECUTION that may wind up costing this pastor his reputation in the community, and destorying the church finances.
SHOULD HAVE: (1) informed the parents in advance of the details of the plan, and sought out consent, answered questions about safety, etc. (2) informed the entire church in advance what would be happening (if armed masked men showed up on some campuses, they would be shot) (3) informed the kids in advance of what would be happening and why, (4) sought out safety advice and legal advice on the plan from local LE BEFORE proceeding.
Pastors, please please please think through these issues and use wisdom!
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:30amagree
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 1:14pmIf I were a teen, and my parents were informed and signed forms but I was not informed and this happened to me – I’d be very angry at my parents with good cause. Pretending a hijacking is not a small thing. It is not necessary to teach what the church was trying to teach. As a parent I would NEVER sign for my children to unknowlingly take part in anything like this. It is not respectful to them as fellow humans to put them through such a stressful situation.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 1:15pmSorry, meant to post my previous under Anonymous’ post about at least let the parents know.
Report Post »NealPatrick
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:44amEvery time there is something bogus, weird, dodgy, scamy, fraudulent in the world of protestant religion, you will find the charismatics. Poor theology and emotionalism mixed in with a cult of personality always finds easy victims.
Report Post »mdeputy7
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:00amWhat are you talking about? What is wrong with charismatics? That‘s an awful lot of human judgment you’re throwing out there dude. I’m not technically a charismatic, but I see nothing wrong with them. Sometimes it may seem a little overboard, but maybe that’s just because so many of us grew up in a “don’t show your emotion about God” society and/or family.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:25pm@ NealPatrick:
Wow! What a fantastic game you’ve invented! Can I try? Ok… “Every time there is something molest-ish, weird, creepy, or pedophile-y in the world of religion, you will find the Catholics.” Or how about this version: “Every time there is something deviant, weird, h0m0-sexual, tranny in the world of religion, you will find the Presbyterians.”
How am I doing?
(sarcasm off)
Neal, I recall Jesus praying that those who believed would be unified together (John 17:21-24), so that the world would take note and also believe. Love for one another is the mark of Christianity (John 13:35). This pastor made a judgment error (that had nothing to do with theology), and I’m sure he feels terrible about it and would take it back if he could.
Considering the prayers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and considering the growing spiritual darkness in America, I think it’s high time that ALL who truly believe that Jesus is Lord stop biting each other and stand shoulder to shoulder. We are going to need each other before all is said and done.
Report Post »MammalOne
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:37amNothing like being held up at gunpoint and kidnapped to teach kids about jesus.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:44amPray, or else.
Report Post »Charles Bronson
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:15pmI figured out long ago Christians are just drug addicts looking for their next endorphin release. Looks like they got their rush.
Report Post »terriergal
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:21pmCharles, sadly I think in most cases you are right. But those aren’t real Christians. They are only Christians because it’s easy to be one in this country, for now. They twist the Scriptures in order to cater to their worldly desires, not because they really believes. Persecution eventually will weed those fakes out. But until then we have to put up with them.
Report Post »saranda
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:33amPoorly conceived, poorly executed. Could have ended badly for a “kidnapper” if someone had fought back with deadly force. A speaker could have brought the experience the church wanted. This was just plain stupid.
Report Post »Godssailor
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:28amI think this was a very good idea that was very poorly executed. This should have been treated just like any other drill or training event. This was like a lock down or fire drill at a school.
Think about it. When you have some big drill at school, there is some kind of warning, letters to parents, phone calls, etc. That way, when the actual drill happens, the kids aren’t scared out of their minds. If the school does random drills, kids and parents are notified at the beginning of the school year the same way.
I think that if the church had worked with parents on this and had informed kids, even the night of and required permission slips, I think it would have been just as educational and would have mitigated some of the risks including potential litigation. If this girl had been given the opportunity to opt out and did not, the church could have reduced their liability. In this case, the church is likely to get taken to the cleaners for a couple of bruised knees.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:25amWhat ever happened to just playing charades or Bingo?
Report Post »Watchyer6
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:16amWow. Christians are almost as crazy as the Muslims. Ain’t religion great?
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:23amIf your going to have a TRAINING DAY then everybody must be volunteers and completely aware of what its going to entail…sign off on releases and then have a nice day. You can’t just spring this on people especially a visitor who has no idea what is going on. The church made some serious errors here but I’m sure with good intentions. Now the real persecution begins at the hands of lawyers the Church has thrust themselves into.
Report Post »peace maker
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:35amI agree that you have to let people know what is going to happen. If I was there and they staged a hostage situation and I did not know it was a pretend situation, my first reaction would be to take action and there would be a few “Terrorists” who are not going to be able to attend church for a very long time. I would feel horrible afterward knowing that I maimed or killed “actors”, but for some of us it is just instinct to act when acted apon.
Report Post »Reformed
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:14amSounds like a successful conversion huh…
Report Post »toomuchgovt
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:11amI’m sure she is glad she lives in the nanny state of the USA, so she will never need to worry about protecting herself. I could only hope that I had this kind of information available to me in my area. A true reenactment of a real situation that happens all over the world and in this very country. Look at the Jews in Brooklyn (Ave J – repainted as Ave Jew, cars set on fire and lets not forget the gunman storming the holocaust museum). Oh no my naive child, this will never happen to your church.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:06amAt this juncture, might I suggest a little less “religion” and a tad more “Constitution”???
I fear so many people have lost touch with reality and think the founding principles need to be hammered home and put on the front burner. Religion is obviously important, but the Constitution and Declaration are everything.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:51amNot smart at all…
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:59amDefinintely not smart. And this was wrong, wrong, wrong.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:51am.
It just takes one Turd in the Punch Bowl to spoil it for everyone……
Way to go kid…….
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:53amShe’s probabaly the one kid that agreed to convert to Islam to save her neck.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:56amShe was a visitor at a youth group. Have you ever attended a youth group (as an adult)? Many of the church kids barely know how to act right, let alone a visitor.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:00amYo … she was a guest and may have little understanding of faith … cut a break
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:17am@deeberj
I agree a lot of kids have no idea how to behave (at a church youth group or anywhere in general) but terrorizing them like this is no way to teach them good behavior or anything else. This girl may never attend a Christian youth group again and miss out on the fellowship & support of other kids. If she isn’t a Christian, it’s possible she will never again be open to taking an opportunity to know Christ. She may be as the saying goes “another soul lost”.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:51am“If anyone was ever uncomfortable, they would be removed.”
If the teen thought it was some sort of real kidnapping/raid, then how would they know she was “uncomfortable” and remove her? That is a stupid comment.
This “program” was a bad idea. I understand that the church wanted kids to come out of there American Christian comfort zone, but these kids are not delinquents who need to be “scared straight” to keep them out of jail. If they wanted the kids to understand how difficult it is to be a Christian in some countries, get info or a speaker from Voice of the Martyrs or some other Christian org. that deals with countries that persecute Christians. There are lots of stories and pictures out there about this.
Report Post »mapgirl10
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:48amOMG that church is just up the street by me and I didn’t hear a thing! I don’t believe there would be any harm teaching a lesson like this, however it must have been frightening for the teens at the time.
Report Post »Roberto G. Vasquez
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:58amThis was just plain stupid. What if one of the kids parents had been armed and thought it was a real attack???
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:03amYo Mapgirl10:
Hello, I live in the area also and know quite a few people from this church. I believe this was a good idea done badly.
Report Post »brntout
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:47amOh the horror…. To teach the young that this is what they have to look forward to…. Oh and the only complaintant, a visitorwith a couple of superficial bruises? Waaa.In real life ,had it been real,you wouldn’t be here to complain.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:53amSo if they did a similar exercise in a church service you attended you’d be OK with that. People coming in with guns and masks and making you all lie on the floor or whatever. That’d be fine with you.
Report Post »brntout
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:04amUpon reflection,perhaps a little sympathy would have been correct,but years of suvival training taught me one thing,and the Boy Scouts motto says it all….Be prepared.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:28amIf a person carrying a weapon had been at that place who knows what would have happened?
Report Post »Abraham Young
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:43amHmmmm, I question this man of the cloth’s judgment.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:08amQuestioning his judgment is putting it mildly. What was his next plan? A surprise crucifixion to illustrate what Jesus encountered?
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:42amI appreciate the intentions but the exercise was stupid! People could get killed playing games like this.
Report Post »geomann
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:54amI agree. We have some pretty bold youths in our A.G. church, who would likely subdue the “attackers” with great bodily h a r m. If it were done in the main service, someone would be leaving in a bag.
They should show the youth group videos of real stories from third world countries if they wish to expose them to persecution.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:59amMaybe not killed but certainly could have lead to an escalation of violence. My boys know how to defend themselves and at 13 & 14 could have taken at least one of their “kidnappers” out. Surely the pastor and staff should have put more thought into this exercise of reality training.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:37amThe parents should have been consulted and the kids should have been told about the general idea in advance. The world is a dangerous place and our church youth group has discussed and learned how to defend themselves against an attacker and/or a kidnap situation. They’ve had training sessions with self-defense teachers. They’ve also had lessons in how not to appear as an “easy target” and how to avoid putting themselves in situation that invites the possibility of being a victim.
They’ve had “drills” but the parents & the kids were told in advance that there would be a “situation”. Not all the details but in general and the kids were instructed to use the techniques they had learned. But if the kids in our group had thought it was a real situation several of them, my own included, would have left the terrorists with a good number of real bruises, scratches, bleeding noses etc and in some serious pain. The kids may not have escaped but they wouldn’t have gone down without a serious fight.
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