A Cult in Coronado? Part Five: A Dire Warning
Awaken Church not only poses a threat to communities in San Diego... it is an "even greater threat to people’s souls.”
"They will not stop until they have taken control..."
This warning comes from Chris Rosebrough, a pastor formally trained in biblical languages, Christian doctrine and comparative religion.
As the creator of the “Fighting for Faith” podcast, Pastor Rosebrough has devoted himself to exposing cults, including Awaken Church of San Diego.
I had the opportunity to interview the pastor this week to get his take on Awaken and its founder, Jurgen Matthesius.
Awaken Church is on the radar of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, which tracks domestic extremists…
Along with the FBI, there are numerous concerned parties monitoring Awaken, including “christofascism and extremism” researcher Kate Burns, who has compiled an in-depth look at the history, politics and culture wars of Awaken:
Preaching Fascism: Inside San Diego’s Awaken Megachurch
Here’s My Take
It’s hard to believe that anyone would be drawn to Awaken after seeing Pastor Jurgen
Claim to performs miracles by speaking in tongues.
Promise his parishioners that if they give him their money God will remove curses and rain manna down from heaven.
Call for violent conflict to replace democracy with theocracy.
Then there’s the scandal-ridden history of the two Australian megachurches where Matthesius learned his dark craft.
Yet the allure of cults has been with us throughout the ages. They prey upon those who legitimately long for community and deeper meaning in their lives, then seek to make them dependent and obedient with an “us versus them” mentality. While we should do all in our power to oppose such organizations, we must also hold compassion and concern for those who are drawn in.
If you are alarmed about Awaken, please join the hundreds who have signed the “No Cults in Coronado!” petition… and tell your friends.
Resources:
A Cult in Coronado? Part Three
Preaching Fascism: Inside San Diego’s Awaken Megachurch
The Mayor, Our Schools and the Radical Right