Joyce Lephion on "The Midas Touch" by Kenneth Hagin Sr a message from Hell?

On one Sunday, I forgot to "sow our seed" to Joyce. This is when, we would walk up to the podium and lay our money down while she was preaching. If it was a large amount, $100 or more, she'd wave it in the air and yell out "Money Cometh to Me Now!" I got a call on Monday morning out of concern that we not miss our blessings since we were so connected to her and I was expected to show by example to give her money each meeting. I was reading a book from Word of Faith grandfather Kenneth Hagin Sr called "The Midas Touch". This was one of his last books before his passing in 2003. It was about bringing balance to the prosperity gospel. It seemed many of his followers at the time (spiritual sons?) were doing some wacky things in regard to money. He called a meeting and if you click the link you will see all the famous money preachers showed up, funny thing, Leroy Thompson was one of his spiritual sons and refused to heed the warning from his mentor. Joyce told me she was aware of this meeting and that Doc Thompson was told by God not to come. She told me to destroy that book and never read it, adding it was a book with a message from hell! She later called me and told me, that Kenneth Hagin Jr actually wrote the book out of a spirit of vindictiveness. She finally told me (ordered me) not to read that book anymore....period... talk about control issues!

If the grandfather of the word of faith movement tried to bring some sanity to the money gospel, it didnt' last long. I couldn't believe Joyce would tell me to throw the book away, plus it was a message from hell! She went as far as saying Kenneth Hagin Jr actually wrote it because he was jealous over Leroy's money making gig.....Imagine that! She used to quote Kenneth Hagin Sr many times, but I guess his book about the abuses of making money off the gospel was too much to bear for her. So the money game continues at Light of the World Church in Ft Pierce. Glad I'm outta there!

Other money making schemes and is the “Prosperity Gospel” heresy?

I remember the beginning of each year at Light of the World Church, starting at New Years Eve, everyone was required to come to church to pray the new year in. I see nothing wrong with praying as we should continue to pray without ceasing. However, when the members were trying to outdo each other by giving her money as the clock struck midnight and she would wave the cash in the air declaring "Money Cometh to Me Now!" I felt like....so this is the God we serve? The more you gave, the richer you would become in the coming year. Got it and did it for several years. I never got rich at all. There was an unspoken competition who could give her the most money. I didn't pay my bills so I could do this, passed on giving gifts to family, did without meals, all in the belief that by "giving 'till it hurts" was somehow something God wanted me to do. Interestingly, in the last year I stopped believing this lie and gave as the Holy Spirit led, I was blessed and it had nothing to do with shouting and jumping up and down yelling "money cometh to me now"

The first few months of the year was great for Joyce Leiphon as she taught us (brainwashed) us into giving what she said was "first fruit" offerings that went to her directly. So, like obedient sheeple, we gave our first weeks salary, first sales commission, she would wave it in the air then put it in her bank account. Back a few years ago when the government gave everyone a tax credit and everyone received $500-1,000 check, she told us that money belonged to her! Some members actually gave her their tax refund that year. I did my own study about "first fruit offerings" and while there is such a thing mentioned in the old testament, I believe the way it was done at Joyce Leiphon's church was just another money making deal.

I found this very interesting as it is the same gospel preached at Joyce Leiphon's church in Ft Pierce. The exception in the article is that the "Money Cometh" churches are much more in your face with the money message.

Is the “Prosperity Gospel” heresy?

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!

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

Would you come to this church?

She flies twice a month to follow Dr Leroy Thompson on his speaking circuit to attend his "Money Cometh" conferences and considers herself to be one of his spiritual daughters. Brags about the thousands she "sows to her man of God" while her church of 15 people continue to contribute to a new sanctuary that is still vacant after a year and a half. Yes, after 5 years there are only 15 adults attending her church. (WHY?)

She teaches the "Money Cometh" prosperity gospel, so we did the "MONEY COMETH TO ME NOW" shout and money pull. Repeated so much we believed this as coming from the bible, "You have a need, sow a seed", "I live by the seed I sow", "I want to be rich!" became our mindset. Giving to her is job number one.

I was the worship leader there for three and a half years and was instructed to flow with her to enhance her anointing and to usher God's presence into the meeting to prepare hearts to hear her message. Not exactly what true worship is to God. I repent to God for manipulating my brothers and sisters and not worshiping Him in spirit and truth!

In my time there, giving to her directly (sowing into the anointing) was encouraged and we were to sow level to level, (more and more) It came to the point our sowing was about $300 a week, (which was almost 50% of our income) in addition to our tithes, first fruit offerings, birthday, pastor "appreciation, building fund, jet airplane fund for Dr Thompson) We had minister of helps meetings about the importance of showing our pastor honor through our giving of lavish gifts, followed by on going fund raising for the pastor.

It stopped for me recently when we forgot to "sow our seed" one Sunday. I got a call on Monday morning out of concern that we not miss our blessings since we were so connected to her. I was reading a book from WoF grandfather Kenneth Hagin Sr called "The Midas Touch". This was one of his last books before his passing in 2003. It was about bringing balance to the prosperity gospel. Funny thing, Leroy Thompson was one of his spiritual sons and refused to heed the warning from his mentor. She told me to destroy that book and never read it, adding it was a book with a message from hell! She later called me and told me, that Kenneth Hagin Jr actually wrote the book out of a spirit of vindictiveness.

This is a MONEY CHURCH, all money flowed to her, no oversight, no benevolent fund, no charity giving, no outreaches. Everything is tightly controlled, no association with other Christian ministries, must attend 3 plus meetings a week, (each meeting you were to sow money into her). We became her personal servants, I was her personal chef two days a week in addition to my other duties at church.

The best experience I've learned here is DISCERNMENT. I wish it didn't take me so long. Stay away from the "Money Cometh" preachers!