Ten years ago I watched a special on HBO dealing with Satanism. One of the segments was about this church in Tulsa which put emphasis on demonic possession and satanic ritual abuse. It is called the Morning Star Testimonial Church. The pastor convinces his followers that they have experienced satanic ritual abuse by their parents when they were small, but don't remember it due their minds "repression of it into their subconscious" - something like that.

Does anyone here know about this group?

I've been in touch with a number of church's including Christ Church in the old city of Jerusalem and ICOC which believe in all that stuff about demonic possessionm, witchcraft.. Basically, they have belief in an outmoded version of Christianity which most Xians don't suscribe to today.

I am far from an expert in this field and have not really
experienced this myself. In my opinion, from what I have
studied, there does appear to be a basis that some...not
all...people are ritually abused by satanists and that they
do need help recovering. Many of these people develop
"multiple personalities". (there now is a new and better
term used but I can't remember it). As far as convincing
everyone, it is also possible that some people become convinced
that this happened to them when it actually did not.

I have heard of Morning Star Ministries but not the one you
mention. The Morning Star I researched I believe was a
shoot off of Maranatha which had problems with shepherding
like tactics. However, that Morning Star could be completely
unrelated.

I just mention this, not about the ministry you mention since
I don't know about them specifically, but I do believe that
some people actually are ritually abused in satanic groups
as well as some are killed. I think it can be a problem when
the entire thing is just dismissed because those who really
were treated this way are no longer believed when they
reach out for help. I have personally met people who claim
they were mistreated or involved in such groups and I do
believe it is real. Although the most powerful and worst
satanic groups are also the most secretive, and involve persons
who appear to be normal and hold high positions in places
like government, corportations, politics, and.....churches. They
live a double life.

I am a member of Morning Star Ministries (actually Morning Star International). Just to clear up any confusion, we are based purely on Christian, Biblical principles and are not connected to this other group in any way. Our website is [www.morningstar2010.com.] This should clear up any questions. I have never heard about this other group, but I just wanted to clear up any confusion. :) God bless!

Morning Star International is associated with a controversial organization called "Champions for Christ"

See [www.culteducation.com]

Key people in the organization have a background with "Maranatha Ministries."

See [www.culteducation.com]

Certain "discipleship training" techniques and approaches used by these groups have been criticized.

I appreciate the information, but just to our defense...Morning Star International is in NO way teaching or preaching anything unbiblical. We are no longer affliated with Maranatha, but some of our key leaders were at one time involved with the organization. As far as the issue of discipleship, we believe that we are to do what Jesus told us to do in Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Through discipleship, we do exactly that - teaching others to obey the commands of God. This is nothing weird. It's what Jeses told us to do. He said that "if you love me, you will obey my commands". So we do exactly that. If you have more questions, I will be happy to answer any questions about what we do and who we are. Thank you and God bless!

Virtually every controversial church criticized for its practices will respond that it is "in NO way teaching or preaching anything unbiblical."

And the same defense has been used historically by groups from the Waco Davidians to the Peoples Temple led by Jim Jones.

KAnn admits that Morning Star has leaders once connected to Maranatha.

Maranatha was called "cult like" due to its authoritarian structure and teachings.

The type of "discipleship" promoted by Maranatha was one of its teachings that drew criticism.

See [www.culteducation.com]

And [www.culteducation.com]

Maranatha claimed such teachings were "biblical."

I know what I believe.
I know what my church believes.
I know who my God is.
I know that I am not here on earth to please man, only God.
I know that I'm going to follow Jesus' command when he told me to go and make disciples of all nations.
Yes, our church is not perfect (no church is), but I can guarantee you that our ministry is filled with men and women that follow the commands of the Bible and follow Christ with all their heart.
There is no arguement about it...
I thank you for your comments. May God bless you.

What We Believe
[www.morningstar2010.com]

You are sounding like someone unwilling to read both sides.

Moring Star includes "Champions for Christ"

See [www.morningstar2010.com]

This organization has drawn some bad press and controvesy.

See [www.culteducation.com]

I don't deny that Morning Star International is affiliated with Champions for Christ. It is one of our most fruitful ministries. The press is the press. But they do not see the lives completely changed for the better...people that were in complete darkness turning to God. I am one of those people, so I can't deny the favor that God has put on this ministry. You cannot deny a changed life.