Joyce Leiphon and the $20,000 turkey

As we embark on another Thanksgiving season, I wanted to write about what we did while I was a member of Light of the World Church each November.

It's the annual "Money Cometh to Me" conference held in Darrow, LA at Dr Leroy Thompson's church. We'd be asked to start seed sowing (MONEY) for her expenses and to sow (give till it hurts) as much for this week long love fest of material riches.

Joyce Leiphon as usual will go to this conference as she does each year to sow into her man of god. She will go and bring a money offering each day for the 5 day conference, at two meetings each day she'll have to bring some major cash with her on this trip.

I remember being asked one year what Light of the World did for the poor and needy in Ft Pierce, how many families did we help feed. Unfortunately, my answer was.....NONE! But I can tell you, when Joyce Leiphon came back from Dr Thompson's fund raising show, she did tell us she gave $20,000.00 to Dr Thompson and we should be striving to be like her. Of course that meant we were to give her the money directly.

Now that's a $20,000 turkey. How many families could that have helped in Ft Pierce? We'll never know, but one thing for sure this Thanksgiving, I'm giving thanks that I'm not part of this ponzi scheme and not part of Light of the World Church.

When your pastor encourages divorce by example, what?

I've been very blessed as today I celebrate 30 years of marriage to my wife Candy.

In my experience with Light of the World Church and it's pastor Joyce Leiphon, there exists a pastor who openly promotes divorce by example and actually preaches it from her pulpit! Of course she doesn't say the word divorce, but sometimes your actions speak louder than your words. I have heard her tell us that if your husband isn't listening to what I'm preaching, then....(stopped short of using the word divorce) stop listening to him!

When I arrived there 4 years ago I remember our meeting and how she went on to describe her 4 previous marriages. The last husband had attended REHMA Bible School. It didn't bother me as we serve a God of mercy and grace. What did bother me, was her last husband was co pastor and she said God told her to divorce him. He left the area, and she got the church! Scripture is pretty clear on grounds for divorce, but she told me she heard from God. Hey who am I to question the pastor?

Funny thing is, this was the second time God told her to divorce a husband. I have to admit, I'm no bible scholar but I thought God hates divorce. Why would God tell her to divorce two husbands? She said there was no infidelity or death involved but that God told her to divorce her husbands. Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace!

I started to look around and noticed, that out of the 15 regular devotees of the money cometh to me church, most were divorced, in the process of divorce, or been divorced. I was asked one day from someone, "How can someone who has divorced 4 times, heard from God to divorce 2 of them, , not interested in being married, belittles men and husbandry from the pulpit ever counsel anyone with marital problems?" I didn't have an answer. I have watched at least one divorce happen in this church with the pastor's blessing and encouragement.

Now I get emails and hand written letters from people who say she's actually been married 5 times! Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy.

I'm thankful I've been married only once and for 30 years today. I'm also thankful to be out of a church that encourages divorce. When your pastor encourages divorce, what do you do? If it's not scriptural, RUN!

Light of the World and the Love of Lucre

This is the time of year where the annual "campmeeting" takes place at Darrow, LA. Basically a week long money raising event concluding with a "founders" evening where last year over $200,000 was raised for Dr Thompson et al. As he sat on his throne, thousands of people would lay their money down before the Dr, large checks from churches such as Light of the World would be received eagerly. All for the man who brought Christianity the money pull. This 4th of July I thank God for true freedom from this mess.

I received this comment and decided to post it as it was buried in the archives.


This is a wonderful testimony of grace, Bill, and coming out from among the wolves. The cultish nature of that group is clearly evident within their doctrines and behaviors, as you have pointed out. However, it is especially noticeable within the comments of some of the remaining cult adherents, who saw fit to make their deceived condition known here on your post.

I have added a link to your testimony to my our own new post, "Leroy's Love for Lucre" on www.KennethCopelandBlog.com on the web. (BTW: I noticed that you linked to our post about Hagin's rebuke of Copeland, Thompson, and others...so thank you for highlighting that fact.) The hyperlinked text toward the end of the post which says, "Thankfully, some people have already realizing that Leroy and his throng of subordinate 'wanna-be-just-like-him' junior cult-leaders are nothing more than covetous wolves" contains the link back to your page. You can find the full post here: http://kennethcopelandblog.com/2011/06/01/leroys-love-of-lucre/

God bless you, Sir. Keep up the great work!

Always in Jesus,

-Rev. Rich Vermillion

Pastor David Wilkerson passes away with a warning

Unfortunately, many of the "Money Cometh to Me Now" churches will claim that since David Wilkerson spoke out against them, he died because he dare speak out against "God's anointed"

I will not address the misuse and twisting of scripture here. But will only say it smacks of manipulation and is a cult control tactic. Joyce Leiphon would tell us about people who came down with cancer, lost jobs, all sorts of bad things because someone dared to speak against her!

Depending whether you liked/disliked brother Wilkerson, this video woke me up the day I saw it. I hope it blesses you and opens your eyes to all the "Money Cometh to Me Now!" teachers. God doesn't need your money, take care of your family, church family, the poor, the hungry, all the things spoken about in New Testament church. Rest in peace brother David Wilkerson, you ran your race and spoke boldly against those who would fleece God's people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9KUilKMDaY&feature=player_detailpage

an observation on LOTWC and Joyce Leiphon taken from public records

This was posted by a reader, very interesting is an understatement.

So What about Light of the World church and Pastor Joyce Leiphon?

Joyce Leiphon is serving as the senior pastor of her church and is the final authority. This obviously is a contradiction of scripture. She obviously is a great teacher and may or may not have a unique revelation on the prosperity. However, she is not submitted or under the authority of her husband. She and her husband are listed as pre marital counselors in Saint Lucie county. According to legal documents she filed for, and divorced her husband a few years ago. She is obviously not under any ones authority within Light of The World church. She is listed as the President of Light of the World church with the state of Florida. There is no Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer listed as officers of the corporation. There are only two directors listed who are related. This is also a violation of Florida Corporation law. There is obviously no system of checks and balances in this non-profit. One person handles the money and it is the same person that is the president and the pastor, Joyce Leiphon!

No matter how noble her intentions are, no matter what kind of revelation is on the word she is teaching, you can not violate scripture. You will only hurt the people you are trying to help. The only thing believers can do is pray for her and her congregation. Pray that the true light will shine on this and she will repent and set things right according to scripture.

What Jesus do you worship?

This is an interesting read from Lee Grady over at Charisma Magazine

I post this as the Jesus worshiped at LOTWC was the Rolex Jesus. So glad I'm free from that bondage! Joyce Leiphon became Jesus to the people of this church. You can see from the comments that LOTWC is Her church and pastor worship continues to run rampant. As you read this, please ask yourself, what Jesus do you worship?


John says Jesus will burst on the scene in all His majesty at the end of history, and all the world will see Him for who He is. Yet today people pick and choose what they believe about Jesus without accepting His full identity. They craft a god in their own image to meet their needs, then they stick the Jesus label on their idol. Do you recognize any of these false versions of Jesus that are popular today?

1. The Rolex Jesus. Many people worship at the altar of this golden calf. This Jesus promises health, wealth, mansions and luxury cars—but the people who benefit most from his favors are the prosperity preachers who demand that you tithe to them.

2. The Santa Claus Jesus. He lives far, far away and visits rarely. He makes a list and checks it twice, and his love is based on your performance. If you aren’t too naughty he gives you what you ask for.

3. The Rabbit Foot Jesus. Some people treat Jesus like a magic charm. They don’t seek to know Him personally, but they figure if they show up at a church service a few times a year, or hang a picture of him on their wall, they’ll be lucky when bad things happen to other people.

4. The Oprah Jesus. He’s soft, cuddly and adaptable to your spiritual preferences. He lets you define your own morality. He’s like a spiritual bartender—he’ll mix Buddhism, Hinduism and hedonism into your favorite New Age cocktail. He invites you to eat, drink and be merry because all religions lead to heaven.

5. The Fightin’ Fundie Jesus. He’s always angry, especially at homosexuals, women who work outside the home, and stores that sell liquor on Sundays. At any moment he’s ready to unleash an earthquake to destroy America. He doesn’t really like other countries either.

6. The Liberal Mainline Jesus. He’s similar to the Oprah Jesus, but more respectable. He doesn’t mind if you rewrite the Bible, but he requires that you wear a suit to church and that you sing the first, second and fourth verse of every hymn. And he asks that you keep your music very mellow.

7. The Rock Star Jesus. This one is hugely popular today. He doesn’t care how you live your life during the week, or who you sleep with, but in church you must be trendy and use lots of hair gel. Songs must be loud (even if they have no content) and sermons must have a lot of movie clips. Words such as “sin” or “holiness” are off-limits because they are just not cool.

8. The Republican Jesus. When this flag-waving Jesus was transfigured, he appeared with George Washington and Ronald Reagan. He’s willing to bend the rules and let certain conservative politicians and pundits into heaven (especially Mormons) if they promise to keep taxes low and guns available.

9. The Democratic Jesus. He rides on a donkey and dispenses good will, health care and stimulus money to all who are weary and heavy-laden. He steals from the rich, gives to the poor and creates jobs for people who are too lazy to work. He’s fine if you talk about God in speeches, as long as you don’t mention sin or offend a special interest group.

There are many other false versions of Jesus out there, but I think you catch my drift. We need to know, worship and proclaim the real Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible whose robe was dipped in blood because He died for all of us. His name is clearly legible: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Let’s tell everybody about Him now so they won’t be caught by surprise when this life is over.

Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/30006-what-will-you-do-with-jesus-tattoo#ixzz1CFBYIMBi