Yesterday
I was watching the Steve Harvey "Don't trip, he ain't through with me
yet" which is the comedy act from MegaFest. I watched it
wondering just what it was that he could say without cursing and you
would never beleive what I heard. In the middle of the whole
thing he begins talking about his perception and the way he sees things
and he said "God has blessed me with three eyes" He pointed to
the middle of his forehead and said that his third eye perceives things
and sees things that other people don't. Now my first reaction
was to sit up and take notice because in the Truth Behind Hip hop 1 G.
Craig talked about the third eye vision also KRS one touts this as
theology with his infamous quote from a rap song admonishing people to
open up their third eye vision. Steve Harvey has gone off the
radar with this one and it is definately true that he needs
Jesus, T.D. Jakes allowed this devilish doctrine to be doled out
to 16,000+ people. He should have gone and apologized or made
some type of disclaimer seperating his ministry from this mess.
Unfortunately when you sleep with the enemy people see it so no matter
what he says, harm was done. Steve Harvey remarked in the
beginning of his act about a woman that said he needed Jesus in his
life and needed to know him and his reply was, (paraphrased)
"Woman look at all this and look at you, I may not know Jesus
like you think I should but I must be doing something right" he
was referring to his expensive attire. That brings to mind this
verse1 Ti 6:5 "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and
destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such
withdraw thyself." Thanks to all that I have learned in the Truth
behind hip hop, I can actually see the things that G. Craig was
talking about. Needless to say at the moment I heard Steve Harvey
say those words I took the DVD out, I had no desire to see or
hear any more of it. To be quite honest it wasn't even funny
because he is out of his element, all he could do was talk about
church folks and the things that they say to him and how they are so
corrupt and wrong. I hope that come judgment day he does not use
that as an excuse for why he did not come into the knowledge of Christ
as his Lord and personal savior, there will be no U-haul behind
his herse, so all of his gain gets him nowhere, as a matter of
fact I have advice for him. Enjoy your heaven down here because
at the rate your going that is as close to heaven as you will ever
get. I pray for his soul salvation. The devil has thrown
money at him to keep him in bondage and until he humbles himself and
realized that a rich fly cat like him needs to be saved and is nothing
and has nothing outside of Christ, he is eternally lost.
Just thought you would want some feedback from someone who has learned
from your ministry.
Sincerely
Minister K. Wheeler
Pastor Lewis, you’re absolutely right – Tonex has lost his mind.
Back in – let’s see, 1997 I joined Truth Apostolic Community Church in
Spring Valley CA pastored at the time by his late father with his
mother as co-pastor. I left to move to New York City shortly before the
tragic attacks. I haven’t been back to California much at all since
then, but I did go for 2008-09 new years and I made a trip by my old
church.
I was floored and disgusted by what I saw.
Let me tell you how I remember TACC while Tonex’s father was living. A
very normal looking church on the inside and out – that seats probably
up to 350 people if packed. Normal aesthetics all around. Nothing
abnormal except for the fact that church services are typically longer
since his late father insisted upon pausing service for the spirit to
move (which I definitely favored). The membership was good and loving
and very convivial and cohesive. New Year’s Watch Night Services –
don’t plan on finding a parking spot any time after 10pm…not going to
happen.
Well,
I flew in to San Diego and got in my mother’s car and headed south to
Spring Valley and I arrived right around 10pm. The parking lot? Please…
15 cars at most. I thought I had arrived early so I simply sat and
waited for the caravan to come piling in to the parking lot…no caravan.
So I walked in. Mind you, I hadn’t stepped foot on that facility since
just after 9/11 when his father was still living and pastoring. I walk
in, and the vestibule carpet is gone and replaced with ceramic tile… a
light blue color – the type that has no grout in between. I thought it
as odd but I didn’t pay it too much attention. I looked through the
window-cutouts to the doors to the sanctuary and there were maybe 20-30
people congregated toward the front rows, and no musicians on post.
Again, I thought I was early. I went into the men’s room and noticed
more changes. The walls were accented with black faux-fur. I also
remember seeing faux-tiger print material accented in there as well and
I thought that was rather weird for the men’s room at a church. So, I
started to wonder what was going on.
When I entered the sanctuary – trust me, I was in no
way prepared, nor could have I possibly been prepared for what I saw.
The carpet? Dark grey with deco color accents. The walls? Multi-colored
in different sections of the church – some in silver. There are literal
sofas on both side-walls of the church – both bright jewel-tone in
color. Toward the front of the church on the left side – on that
portion of the wall there is an electric “traffic light”… the plastic
toy-type that lights up. Oh, before I forget, on the opposite side,
toward the front on the right side, there is a very elegant elevated
table that’d look more fitting in a dining room – the type of table
that would require stool-chairs for height allowance. And in the very
front on the right side (right in front of the table), there are two
sofas arranged in an “L” formation (allowing for the seated people to
face the pulpit) which is where I concluded that the ministers sit – I
assume during night services or when the main platform pulpit is not
used.
And
I’m saving the best for last… two details. First, the organ. Liberace
painted that organ. Let me tell you… it was painted a radiator-silver
color, very bright and reflective. What was even more disgusting is
that the foot pedals were all painted gold. The volume pedal and all of
the key-pedals underneath. Gold. The organ is on the left side of the
sanctuary, near the “traffic light”. It faces diagonal so that the
organist can face the pulpit. On the right-side of the organ (the side
that faces the congregation), there are two square mirrors decorated on
the side (probably on the other side too… I didn’t see).
You think that’s it? No.
Here’s final detail #2. I decided to leave at 11:30 because I REFUSED
TO TURN THE CLOCK INTO 2009 IN THAT ENVIRONMENT. When I was walking
out, I saw that the vestibule doors were painted black, with those same
mirrors that I saw on the organ decorated all over the vestibule doors.
There are two sets of double-doors – both of them had this decorum.
I’m forgetting an
additional detail – the wall behind the pulpit at the front of the
church – also painted in black but the artistry of those walls looked
like outer space. It had that white-warp effect. If you want to know
what I mean, just go and look at any of the pictures of the desktop
images of the computer monitors on the Apple Computer’s website. …that
black/purple outer-space warp effect and feel is what I mean…except
there was no purple at the church.
Now let’s talk about
Tonex’s behavior. He had on the dreadlock wig that we have seen him in
on his myspace page. Technically I can file that under “so what.” But
his respect for the church has been compromised. During service, while
ministering to the congregation, he had a shofar that he was blowing
(which is also fine and rather impressive) but he was sometimes going
and standing on the pulpit chairs to rally the crowd into praise while
he blew the shofar…not just any of the pulpit chairs – the pastor’s
chairs…which I’m assuming is fine since he’s one of the pastors and
apparently no one complains.
I
was highly disturbed. I have since moved on and matured and am now an
Assembly of God preacher and the spirit is highly different than how
TACC used to be when his father was living. So I had to stay in the
spirit the entire time I was there in order to keep my shock factor
under the anointing.
The church only had – at most – 50 people in
attendance… for Watch Night Service. That’s traumatic for what I
remember TACC to be. AND YOU’D BETTER BELIEVE THERE WERE NO MUSICIANS…
at least not while I was there… I’m sure that the only person who would
touch an organ that looked like that would be Tonex himself, since the
boy does know what he’s doing on a keyboard.
Oh, and the music that was playing at the service
was a praise-dance-music (shoutin’) track that he composed at home a
couple of nights prior-to. It was playing on repeat and must have
looped-around about 20-30 times. The beginning and end of the track had
that “doomsday” type of feel – like you’d see in a scary scene in a
horror flick.
Tonex’s father? HE WOULDN’T HAVE STOOD FOR ANY OF
IT. Now he’s gone and Tonex has lost it. He’s absolutely lost it. And
his mother and he are equal co-pastors… I’m able to see now why it is
that people disliked her when I was a member there. She’s very
eccentric except I didn’t see it being she was merely the co-pastor and
not the Senior Pastor. Now that the founding pastor has passed, Tonex
and his mother have gone over the top and turned my beloved Truth
Apostolic Community Church into what looks to be the Truth Apostolic
Night Club.
I also find it interesting how Tonex never
acknowledges his mother publicly when he’s identifying himself as the
pastor of the church – he gives off the image as if he is the sole
pastor. However, if you call the church and listen to the voicemail,
his mother’s name is mentioned first. If you call and ask “may I please
speak to the pastor” without mentioning a name, they’ll connect you to
HER. And when I spoke by email to an old friend of mine who attends
TACC still to this day, I asked her “who is pastoring?”… her response
was exactly this: “Dr. Betty and Pastor N8ion (Tonex)”.
JR
I
was at Elizabeth Baptist Church when you visited Atlanta. I was
so thankful when I heard that you were going to share the message about
hip-hop there. My wife and family brought alone several of my
kids friends. After hearing about you coming I truly
thought that the Holy Spirit had done a work in Bro. Oliver, we
were wrong. However, we praise God for the one night, for we know
that all things work together for the good for those that love God and
to those that are the called to His purpose. Keep peaching the
truth my brother.
May God richly bless you, your family and the EX family
Min. Raven
Just wanted
to tell you how timely and neccessary your message is about
hip hop and its affect on the youth of our generation,
I am a saved man who was indeed bound by the spirit of
Holy Hip Hop, I dressed like the secular artists, and all
and my justification for doing this was ok, I see the Holy
Hip Hoppers doing this so Its ok for me to do it, after
all im saved and in order to reach the streets you gotta
be street........boy was my spiritual eyes opened when
i Got the meaning of your message, you broke me down when
you answered the question, what do we listen to now?........Just
listen to God, turn off all music for awhile after your
get this and allow God to minister to your Spirit and lead
you in the right direction, we are to preoccupied with
being entertained by t.v. radio, cell phones,newspaper,
talk shows, no wonder we cant hear from God about spiritual
things. thank you for being Gods vessel and allowing me
to understand the importants of BEING STILL and knowing
that he is God, Look forward to seeing you in August at
NCBC in Columbus Ohio, God Bless
Ambass4Christ Columbus,
OH
God
has truly blessed my ministry. About six months ago,
someone approached me
and was sharing about the ministry of Craig Lewis. I was
very apprehensive at the time. About two weeks ago, a member
of my church gave me the DVD of “The Truth Behind
Hip Hop.” I wouldn't even look at it. I was doing
ok with my speaking engagements on Reaching the Hip Hop
Culture. I felt that Brother Craig was too controversial.
The Saturday before my youth service, I told myself that
I would at least watch the video so that I can at least
tell the young lady who gave it to me to review that I
watched it. I thank God with all my heart for moving my
spirit to watch this tape. Word cannot express the change
and views I have in the assignment that God has entrusted
with me. I asked God to forgive me for being so blinding
in leading his youth. I showed it my youth and they were
blown away. My son has made a choice, “his choice,” not
to listen to hip hop. He told his mom that he tried to
listen, but it made him sick. Praise God for your ministry!!!!!!!!!
Pastor Tony Westbrook
- Center of Praise, Sacramento CA
Oh
taste & see that the Lord is good! Thank you Min.
G. Craige Lewis for
hearing from God while caring for us & sharing with us. You have left a
burning trail of evidence from the anointing here in the Hampton Roads area.
In just 2 days you delivered a Word from the Lord that opened the blind eyesof
not only young people, but adults also. It causes all Christians to look at
yourself then look at Jesus and measure your love for Him versus the way of
the world.
It's been over 2 weeks since you were here at Hampton University and people
are still disposing of Hip Hop CD's, DVD's, video tapes, books, magazines & even
clothing. As of 12/5/03 the # of CD's that have been brought to me for destruction
is 873 & still counting. There have been numerous souls saved & rededicated
to the Lord Jesus Christ. I've even had to minister to young people that were
disappointed after denouncing Satan & Hip Hop, because their parents wanted
them to keep the CD's that had bound them up & caused them to lose so much
sleep while living on the edge. One set of parents rebuked their daughter saying
that you were collecting the items for resale.(Even though we have them!)
Thanks be to God for giving us you, Min. G. Craige
Lewis because you keep it real.
Min. Raymond Cullen
SCA Advisor
Hampton University
Hampton, Va.
Hey
i am from Cedar Hill Texas... and Min. G. Craige spoke
at my school today, Trinity Christian School, I was so
changed by his message on hip hop.. I never would have
realized the problems with secular music!! I have trashed
evry cd and tape I own unless it is a Gospel one! I just
want to thank Craige for the difference he made in our
school. His message had such an impact on Trinity Christan
School. I know that personally I plan to never ever go
back to that kind of muic.. I am also going to change
the type of television i watch!! just wanted to say thank
you SOOO much Craige!!! Come Back Soon!
Kristen
Bentel - Trinity Christian School/Cedar Hill, TX
Rev.G
Craige Lewis and his wife came to our fellowship to do
a two day Awareness Revival. He came armed with Knowledge
and the SPIRIT OF THE LORD! By the time THE LORD was
through, CD's were turned in and destroyed , both by
young people and adults. Scales dropped from the eyes
of those --WHO WERE BLIND. Our youth were delivered from
pain they did not know they had.WE ARE NO LONGER IGNORANT
OF SATAN'S DEVICES! The religion of HIP-HOP with it's
worshippers and disciples was dealt a severe blow. AND,
A powerful "hedge" was prayed upon Rev. Craige,
His wife and family and All the EX-MEN!
Go--Rev. Craige ! Proclaim LIBERTY to those who are bound ! Free those who
are in PRISON and OPEN THE EYES OF THE BLIND IN JESUS' NAME!
Pastor Mark -Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
Keep
Up the God-Work! Your presentation, to our youth, here
at the Texas Youth Commission was outstanding! The Educational
information and Spiritual perspective are invalueable
in helping troubled youth to adopt values and principles
that brings success
and not destruction! As Texas Youth Commission staff, we see firsthand, the
powerful negative influences of some of the Hip Hop artists in America. We
thank God for raising up Ex-Ministries as a standard against the flood of destructive
influences on our youth! We will plan for an encore and KEEP UP THE GOD-WORK!!
SINCERELY,
ROBERT LOUIS, DIRECTOR OF TREATMENT
TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION/ COTTRELL HOUSE
DALLAS, TEXAS.
The
ministry of EX and words of my brother G. Craige Lewis
changed my life. I was on e of the 4 members of the secular
group "Color me Badd" and I sold millions of
records about sex and sin. I was sitting in a crusade
that Bro. Craige was speaking at and the Spirit of God
led him to speak this powerful message about the music!
The message was for me. I went backstage and he began
to minister to me and I repented. I went and quit the
group that night. I am ministering the Gospel of Jesus
Christ to this day and I thank this ministry for not
compromising and standing on the truth. I am a living
witness of what this ministry is called to accomplish.
Praise God!! I am truly an "EX" man now.
Kevin
Thorton, former member of "Color me Badd"
This
page has effected me like no other site. You are stating
things I have
being feeling for years. This has even floored me. I cry as I type this
letter. I am a Gospel Music Producer. I knew it was bad, but not that bad.
For the first time, I am considering leaving the business. I am ashamed for
God to be associated with artist that compromise so viciously. I am
speechless, I support your cause 150%. Please get the word out.
Question, have you gotten responses from gospel Artist concerning these
things? I was at one of Karen Clark's Concerts were she sang songs from DMX,
and company. She also had young girls get on stage and dance provocatively
doing the head bang. In case you don't know already, sex had entered the
Gospel Marketing spectrum. Look at Yolanda Adams new album.
C
- Gospel Music Producer, Michigan
"Awesome," is
the only word that adequately describes the gift that
is within G.Craig Lewis. I had the privilege of having
him share with our youth and the youth of another ministry
during our crashing satan's party(halloween alternative)
here in Charlotte, NC.
His ministry has impacted the lives of youth and adults.
They will never be the same. I had an usher run up to
me the Sunday after Craige ministered to
tell me that her beautician greeted her with this statement, "girl what
did yall do to my daughter on Wednesday, I don't know who the guy was that
spoke, but he got to my daughter. She got saved, came home and broke up her
CD's, and threw them away. The next day a friend picked her up from school
and she was listening to power 98(secular hip hop station) and she told the
individual, I don't mean no harm, but I can't listen to that stuff anymore,
please don't be offended!"
People were saved, healed and delivered. Our phones have been ringing off the
hook, asking for Craig's website address. This message needs to get out to
the masses. My prayer is that God will usher him to the forefront and allow
him to share this transforming truth.
William Cosey, III - Youth Pastor, Greater Salem Baptist Church
Charlotte
NC
It
was exciting to see and experience the power of God that
was brought forth through this mighty ministry. Our youth
are giving up their secular cd's and making vows to only
invest in Christian music. Curses where broken and God
gave us new beginnings through the power of your message.
We want you back.
Cynthia
Small, Youth Director ofSaintsville COGIC
Your
words came out and touched me like God was really speaking
directly to me. It really made me understand the power
that music had over me. - Ben McKinney, Dallas Tx
Bro
Craig, Greeting in the name of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. We just wanted to let you know how awesome
God
presented his presence through your ministry. The wealth
of information you imparted concerning negative hip-hop
music and it's demonic influence on behavior. Your
annointing was so great we literally watched as a number
of our
youth went to their cars and returned with cd's that
they could no longer possess, because of the negative
message it gives...their slogan as you put it "I
don't want to be down with the devil" God bless
and we look forward to future fellowship with you!
Kay
Morgan, St. John Ministries, Tampa Fl.
You
have blessed our youth each time you have come to our
area. Thank God for a ministry that is not afraid to
tell the total truth. Our young people will never be
the same. God bless your ministry - Miss'y Pringle Temple
of Joy, Wichita Falls, TX
God
has gifted you with a special message. Don't be afraid
to share it with the world. The truth truly will make
us free. You have been a blessing to our jurisdiction
and I pray you will continue to uphold the standard for
the Kingdom of God. - Bishop W.H. Watson, TX NW Jurisdiction
Our
ministry will never be the same. You opened our eyes
to something that we didn't even know was going on. God
bless you - Hope of Glory Ministries
MY
SISTER DEBORAH PERRY ATTENDS ST JOHN'S MINISTRIES AND
SHE ALLOWED US TO VIEW THE VIDEO OF YOU SPEAKING THE
NAKED TRUTH AND WE WERE VERY ENLIGHTENED WE REALLY
DIDNT KNOW LIKE YOU SAID. MY DAUGHTER IS 19 YEARS OLD
AND BONE WAS ONE OF HER FAVORITE GROUPS AND SINCE SHE
SEEN THE NAKED TRUTH SHE ISNT DOWN WITH THE DEVIL ANY
MORE. WE WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN PERSONALLY FOR ALLOWING
GOD TO USE YOU AS HIS TOOL TO REVEAL THIS THINGS TO
US. WE KNOW THAT GOD HAS BLESSED YOU ALREADY AND THIS
IS ONLY THE BEGINNING. I WISH YOU WOULD HAVE HAD DAYS
HERE TO FINISH TELLING US ALL OF THE NAKED TRUTH. MY
SISTER DEBORAH WANTS TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR PRAYING
FOR HER DAUGHTER SHANNA. SHE HAS REALY BEEN A DIFFERENT
PERSON EVERY SINCE. WE THANK FOR BEING THE BOLD SOLDIER
THAT YOU ARE AND ALLOWING GOD TO DO HIS WORK THROUGH
YOU AND HAD HE NOT WE STILL WOULDN'T KNOW. THANKS BROTHER
LEWIS AND WE LOVE YOU.-- BARBARA W ALCINDOR