Tom is very open to learning about Christ, and he's being courted by a dangerous cult.
Tom is a Boston University student we met while ministering there. He listened to the open-air preaching and when I approached him afterwards said he wants to know about God's forgiveness. Tom said that we were there for a reason! He even let me pray for him on the spot! I'm praying for him in the photo to the right.
I got Tom's email address, and he exchanged emails with my partner, Eric.
Then I ran into Tom again the next week and he asked me for more gospel tracts so he could give them out!
I ran into him AGAIN the third week, and he told me he started attending a new church. After chatting with him, I discovered that it is a dangerous cult known as "The International Christian Church."
This Cult was started by Kip McKean, the same man who started another cult called "The International Church of Christ." Kip's first cult eventually kicked him out. Both of Kip's cults they teach that you need to be baptized in water to be saved, and it only counts if you're baptized by them. If you leave them, you leave God and lose your salvation.
I beg you to pray and fast for Tom. This is a dangerous cult that is good at controlling people.
I sent Tom an essay I wrote on this group, and Eric met with him. Please pray that he does not get trapped by this harmful group.
Please feel free to click on the essay to the right to download a copy.
I have some free resources on "The International Church of Christ" available for free on my website at: http://luke-15.org/resources/#ICOC.
all for Jesus,
Mark (and family)
P.S. Tom is supposed to go to church with my co-worker, Eric, this weekend. Eric is preaching! Please pray that Tom goes with Eric and not with the ICC. Thanks!!!
Dear Mark,
We will pray for Tom. Our son got caught up in the ICC while in college at the University of Nebraska. A year and a half later, he walked away from the church as well as from God. It has been almost 20 years since he left it, but he no longer goes to church or desire to talk about spiritual things. He had a change of personality when he went into the church and a another change when he left it.
I have read though that some of the leadership recognized that they had been too controlling and made some changes. My understanding was that Kip McKean whose own daughter left the church, was put out of the movement. He then went to Portland, Oregon and started a new church just like the first one. Is he back in Boston now? I use to do a lot of research on the movement, but have done very little in recent years, so I am probably not up to date.
Please pray for our son.
God bless
Barbara,
I’m so so sorry to hear about your son. Sadly, his story is not unique with the Boston Church of Christ. But if God can save me, he can save ANYONE so there’s still hope for your son. I will pray for him. Please keep in touch and let me know if you see any “signs of life” in your son.
My understanding of Boston Church of Christ history is the same as yours. The BCOC kicked out Kip, but instead of changing his ways, he just started a whole new church in Portland. That new church, “The International Christian Church” has spread and is back in Boston. And it is affecting people like Tom.
You and your son are in my prayers.
in Christ,
Mark
Mark and Barbara,
I was apart of the International Church of Christ for three months two years ago. I will pray for Tom and your son.
-Matthew