In the depths of religious history, there are organizations that stand as beacons of hope and enlightenment, and then there are those that shroud themselves in darkness, leaving behind a trail of twisted beliefs and unspeakable atrocities. The Worldwide Church of God, a seemingly harmless name for an entity with a dark past, belongs to the latter category.
Founded by a charismatic and enigmatic figure, Herbert W. Armstrong, the Worldwide Church of God (or WCG) emerged from the shadows in the mid-20th century. Armstrong, a man with a tendency for prophecy and an uncanny ability to blend fact with fiction, set the stage for what would become one of the most controversial religious movements of its time.
There is no more Worldwide Church of God. There is no more World Tomorrow Program. There is no more Plain Truth. There is no more Good News Magazine. There are over 209 documented failed prophecies. You would think that if it were of God,….
This is not to mention that adults who grew up as children in the environment are lost souls, many of whom wander from mental health asylums to jails with mental disorders and PTSD from the Draconian treatment they received.
There is so much more… the evil lives on even if the boozing alcoholic pedophile progenitor is long gone.
But Grace Communion International. It barely exists. Go out to the website and look for a church in your area. With 50,000 members (their own statistic, which, you know, seems just the tinyist bit exaggerated), assuredly you should be able to find a local church in your area with a search from the site. Go ahead. Let’s pick one:
Here’s one: https://www.gcpo.org/ Fine group, fine people, no doubt. And it meets in it’s own church building, right? Just like so many evangelic churches do, right? The address is (as given by the website): 1403 Sidney Ave., Port Orchard, WA 98366. Oh, let’s see, then. 1403 Sidney Ave., Port Orchard, WA 98366… why that’s… that’s, Hula Halau O Na Mele O Hawaii! Here’s their website:
https://www.hulahalauonameleohawaii.com/
It’s an Hawaiian dance studio and community center.
I guess they had a slot at 10 A.M. on Sundays and Wednesday mornings at 10 A.M. for Bible Study.
Well, you know… a lot has changed, but renting facilities hasn’t. It’s probable that the pastor has a real day job. It’s hard to imagine how pastors occupy their time if they don’t. Also, there’s probably no retirement either, like United has. GCI — if you are a pastor or a member, you are on your own. Don’t expect a lot from the… Home Office (?), where ever that may be.
Can’t win either way. But if you need a social group, this may be just the thing for you. In fact, if you happen to be in Caloundra, Australia the 14th and 15th of September this year, be certain to stop by to celebrate weekend to celebrate Family, Friends and SEP Reunion. More details are not available, sorry.
Now concerning GCI, they do reference Ambassador College and Imperial Schools, just if you are interested. Because GCI cares, they can provide transcripts! Yes, friends, your academic credentials are not lost (we suppose)! You can find the information on getting your past records at:
https://ambassador.edu/
Oh, and look at that! It’s an educational website! Sort of like https://www.harvard.edu/ It’s the .edu as top level domain that gives it away! It’s for colleges and universities. Give GCI credibility.
The whole thing is really sad and depressing, isn’t it? Well, no matter. Have a blessed day!