Children Lost to Christian Cult in Durban, South Africa
A group of concerned parents in and around Durban, South Africa have set up a website –www.ctmiconcernedparents.com – with stories of their children who have become involved with a church identified as Grace Gospel Church. The church is a branch of Church Team Ministries International (CTMI), an international Christian group with head offices in Mauritius. Young people from upmarket Durban suburbs are being recruited into the group which many parents call a mind controlling Christian cult. It is alleged that some are married off to men they hardly know and who are chosen for them by the church.
It has been reported that many young people have abandoned their studies and careers and left their families to live with church leaders at their various homes. CTMI is led by founder and televangelist Miki Hardy, who lived on a luxurious estate.
The Concerned Parents Group was formed with the aim of restoring damaged relationships and educating others about the dangers of the church group. A common thread that runs through the stories of the parents is that their children have become alienated, robotic, and reluctant to participate in family gatherings.
A 22 year – old girl who did not wish to be named attended the church from childhood and spent some time at the group’s headquarters in Mauritius stated: “They believe their way is the only way. They are not bad people, but they are elitist. They have stopped seeing reality. I’ve seen my good friends, girls of 18 and 19, give up their dreams because the church labelled them ‘worldly’ and ‘of the flesh’.
“They’ve had their lives mapped out for them by the church and some have been married off to men chosen for them by the church, guys they hardly know. These girls had good relationships with their families, but not anymore. The church told them these are emotional relationships and not right, and they must distance themselves from their families. No one is forced to go to Mauritius, but they are strongly advised to move there. If you question the leadership and share your own views, then you are ostracised – that’s it. This is out of control.”
What this girl says positively identifies this groups as a cult. Former members of the Jehovah’ Witnesses, Mormons, Moonies, Scientologists etc will all identify with her utterances.
This was originally reporeted on by the Cape Argus and The Star newspapers.
http://www.capeargus.co.za/?fSectionId=3571&fArticleId=vn20091107072434816C446171
RE: Willy Qwabe’s comment on IOL
I agree with Willy Qwabe. I have lost a very dear friend, because he is so brainwashed by his church fellowship that he does not want to associate with me anymore, because I don’t fellowship. Those are his conditions of friendship with me, that I must get into a church. He has taken from me materially and financially, took my contributions, handouts, I have been kind to him, but he does not want to come into my home and be my friend because I am not in a specific church denomination.
I am very much born again, saved, etc., but when they start dictating to you in that way and there is all that division, conditions – then I don’t know, I just can’t see the Lord in it all. He is such a nice person, such a nice Christian, but they have brainwashed him.
As a teenager I was involved in a sect, the “blourokke” and they were the worst. I only got saved in 1978 and I do love the Lord, but I will not allow a bunch of fanatics to dictate to me, create division in relationships, etc., or make a business, a living out of me, they make a business out of the Lord, but seldom does one of them have the humility to come to my door outside meeting times. Their life and times are organised by their churches. What a pity, as one reader said, “Once the truth(that they have been under the mind control of someone/some group and have been unable to think for themselves) is revealed to them, they appear dazed while they come back to reality.”
It is shocking. Absolutely shocking. They get so miserable outside their church meetings, because that is all they hang onto. (A false sense of peace, security and happiness) – the church has become a social group thing. Nice young people are misled. It has become a lonely hearts club, there is also fornication.
I may be wrong in what I have typed here, but that has been my personal experience and that is only part of my opinion. Jesus died for us and loves us. Please, He was an ordinary, kind person. Now people are doing all this type of thing instead of just serving Him in a quiet normal way, they want power and control, which is what Satan, that thrown out angel did. He wanted to be God. No ways, pray together, love each other, show love, visit each other, help each other, read your Bible, say your prayers, but don’t allow it go overboard to the point where your studies, life, everything is organised and affected by some or other person who attended Bible school, got a Pastor certificate and then tries to rule the crowds. Forget it. Reject. If they tell you that you are a rebel and quote, “They went out amongst us because they were not of us”, then so be it. It’s your life and your salvation. Not their’s. The Lord will lead you to the right people at the right time, but be careful, there are wolves out there. I agree wholeheartedly with Willy Qwabe: In the book of Mathew 7:15-18 :15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Sorry if this offends you, but each of us have our own individual rights and I am not being rebellious, no church organisation will brainwash me subtly, or play God over me. They may have a place in society, but I reject this type of thing completely. Once families, homes, relationships, etc are broken up, simply because you don’t fellowship or belong to their whatever and you are then condemned, then I am very sorry. They have their place – the pastors and churches, but that is disgusting, absolutely disgusting. So much evil is done under the shroud of good and charity. Thanks for your prayers.
Nice article, but sad to hear about children. But I must say that Durban is Heaven on Planet Earth and this city is already competing against top cities of the world, I must say that I am in love with this city. I am a South African living in England and I used to Live in Umhlanga – Durban long time ago and even today I still have the memories of Durban, it is such a nice place I have ever seen, especially the weather in Durban is so nice and warm also beaches to name a few Umhlanga beach, Ballito Beach, Zinkwazi Beach, Umhlali Beach, Tinley Manor Beach, Thompson’s Bay Beach and I had time of my life at Sea Point – Durban. I would love to go back one day and experience the warmth and enjoy being on the soil of South Africa.