Faith Christian Center — Attraction in Phoenix

FCC,

I was invited to this church by my friend Shanika after the loss of her husband. I attended service in hopes for comfort and support, but unfortunately, I didn’t feel welcomed. The overall atmosphere made me feel like I had to stay on guard, and some ushers were surprisingly rude. I didn’t experience the warmth, love, or kindness you’d expect from a church community. No one showed the fruits of the Spirit, and instead of feeling free and peaceful, I felt controlled, especially by not being allowed to choose my own seat. My daughter went up for prayer, and I waited for her in the seat they assigned me to. While I was sitting there, one woman—who stood out by the way she was intensely staring at me—made me feel very uncomfortable. She looked like she wanted to say something but never did, which only added to the tension I felt. Another deeply troubling part of this experience was how my friend Shanika was treated during one of the most vulnerable times of her life—losing her husband.

Two men affiliated with the church, Ramon and a man named Nicco, took advantage of her emotional state. (I understand that Nicco has exhibited anger outbursts while serving in outreach and working with God’s people homeless community) Now, he is currently incarcerated not there at FCC for the time being. About Ramon, I became aware of his behavior through conversations he had with my friend while helping her with her husband's funeral planning. I personally overheard him on speakerphone several times while my friend was reaching out for support and friendship during her time of hardship. At one point, she asked me to be a witness because she felt something was off, especially since she was still fairly new to FCC—only a few months in. When she tried to hold him accountable for his actions, he deflected and attempted to shift the blame onto her.

What concerned me most was hearing Ramon, who is supposed to be a man of God, make inappropriate and unprofessional comments in phone conversations with my friend just days before and after her husband’s passing. He spoke about women at the church—and in his personal life—being “delusional” for believing he was their God-sent husband. These remarks appeared to be aimed at Shanika as well, and Ramon even directly accused her by asking if she thought the same. This behavior was not only insensitive but completely unacceptable given the difficult circumstances she was facing. From what I observed, Ramon was supposed to represent the church in a leadership or outreach capacity. His behavior—playing mind games with a grieving widow—was deeply disturbing and unacceptable, especially from someone in a position of influence within a church community. The church community is supposed to be there for the widows, not playing games on their mindset. SHAME ON THE TWO MEN!

The visit and me witnessing all this and conversations left me feeling more unsettled. A church should be a place of comfort, healing, and integrity. What I witnessed was the opposite, and I hope leadership takes a serious look at the people they allow to serve in such roles. Some churches just aren’t what they used to be.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NASB) But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. #GOD FEARING

May God and His Angel's be here at the arrival of...

I used to attend this church in person a few years ago and I've recently been attending online. I'm disappointed in what the sermons have been reduced to. While there are tidbits of Biblical truth and wisdom offered, the majority of the sermons given by the pastor and his wife are filled with shaming, twisting of scripture, blasphemy, and actual worship of Satan due to the pastor's ties with secret societies. I've observed more worldly behavior on this pulpit than the godly, respectable behavior you'd expect from a pastor. The sermons are very clearly fueled by envy, lust, pride, lies, and selfish ambition. Their words are hypocritical, as they point the finger at others for the same things they do themselves (and the couple has exposed several of each other's secrets DURING sermons, including past infidelities and their actual spiritual beliefs--they're not Christians). They call their shaming of those in the congregation "conviction" and "truth" but it's merely verbal abuse and lies laced with the same disgusting words and rumors that the Satan-led society circulates. Their only concern is to make the world laugh and to fit in with the secular world, as opposed to taking a stand against evil and assuming the responsibility every pastor on the pulpit has. They strike me as generally and spiritually immature, and it's difficult to gain what one should gain from a sermon when this pastor's agenda is not to serve God. I've witnessed these two blatantly state that they worship Satan (accompanied by the secret hand symbols), promote literature that blasphemes God (polytheistic books), proudly express lust for people outside their marriage, add words to scripture they read aloud as a means to promote their own opinions, blame women for sexual abuse and harassment, YELL to innocent people in the congregation that they are not welcome there, and FIGHT on the pulpit like a simple, worldly couple, revealing that their own marriage may not even be blessed by God. I've witnessed people in the congregation literally turn their backs to the stage during the praise and worship segment, in honor of the innocent people this church constantly disrespects. Others in the congregation are now wising up to the many, inexcusable flaws of this church, but most are too afraid to stand out by taking a stand. So they simply go through the motions; it's obvious. If you care about your spiritual growth, then LEAVE this church and find another that is focused on the Word of God and bringing people to Christ. This church is only about image and clowning. Their jealousy is...

Very welcoming Church establishment. From the moment I walked in the door to the moment I left the building, it was nothing but love!!! Not only that, but the preachers(because I have now been there like three times now) are pretty good. They speak the truth and put the Bible in contact as to what is happening in the world with people today. It is very awesome. Crazy I have been invited to this church several times on different occasions and different years, but I never went until one day three weeks ago, I stepped foot in for the first time. I like the fact that they have children's church as well, so the adults won't get too distracted with children getting antsy, and they can really receive the word of that day. Also, a bonus they do provide snacks just in case you're running late and couldn't pick up anything to eat and they have refreshments, but as I said, that's a bonus. I've been looking for a church like this in Phoenix for a long time, and I'm glad I was pointed in this direction. The preacher here is a lot like the Preacher Jerry flowers in Texas and Preacher Darius Daniels in New Jersey and the late Great Preacher Stephen(Steven) Darby in Louisville. Real Bible speaking and references, not just telling you that you are going to be blessed but really speaking truth and telling you that you will go through things that won't be so great. Came in right on schedule speaking about anxiety. I needed that almost had me in tears because the word was so real and relatable to my...