The Faithless

I belong to a private prison ministry, that up until last month had been closely affiliated with BT. We recruited members from BT with their blessing, we had our annual children’s party there, and we referred inmates nearing release there. A now-former member, who was dissatisfied with how things were being run (really, he complained about everything), went to “Rev. Jim” and whined about the ministry.After the associate pastors led the Spanish Inquisition with every single member of the ministry, we were all called to a meeting where we were told that our ministry had been severed from BT and that BT would form its own ministry. We were given a choice: Join them, remain with the private ministry, or be members of both (although Pastor Burgos and Deacon Portalatin cautioned that there may be a future “conflict of interest”– their words, not mine.) We were also told that we could take the BT training no matter what our decisions were. At that time, I chose to be a member of both.

On September 5th, I received an e-mail from the deacon asking to meet with me in a week’s time. I responded, advising that I would not be available that day due to a commitment with the private ministry at one of the jails. At that time, the deacon told me (still via e-mail) that I would have to choose between the two, and that the training was for BT prison ministry members ONLY.At this point, the hypocrisy became blatantly and painfully obvious. I chose the private ministry. Just to make sure I’d heard correctly, at the next private ministry meeting, I asked other members to clarify what Pastor Burgos and Deacon Portalatin had said. I *had* heard correctly. Yesterday, I attended services at BT for the last time. After seeing the deacon work the sanctuary like a politician and hearing “Rev. Jim” extol the excitement of working in a prison ministry with no facilities to go to, I got up and left, in an absolute rage. Never again will I enter their facility. I’ve been lied to repeatedly throughout my life, but to be lied to by supposed men of God is an outrage. I’m not giving up on God – after all, He cannot lie – and I’m looking for a new church home, but I will never again attend any function at or sponsored by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Liars. Nor will I recommend this “church” to ANYONE. A Coup by Jim Cymbala Alex Burgos and Abraham Portalatin to take over thePrison Ministry. Lied to eveyone. Send Abraham in as a PJC SPY sanctioned by Cymbala and Chump Alex Burgos who is Cymbala's Henchman . Cymbala wanted an inroad into the Prisons and say Pals for Christ as that inroad. He pretended to be interested in helping our leader and told him he would introduce the ministry to BT, send us singers, and help us. But in reality he only wanted to take it over and get a foot in the door to the NYC and NYS prisons. Cymbala send Abraham Portalatin as a spy pretending he was interested in joining the Prison Ministry but in reality was sent as a spy to take it over. Send it by henchman Alex Burgos who is a joke of a pastor who basically does PJC's dirty work. Abraham who is a spy brought back bad reports of Pals for Christ. They pretended to make Abraham the Administrator but in reality they were conducting a slow take over. A coup d'etat. They recently had a training and we were told that we could attend. Then we were told we had to make a choice. Choose Pals for Christ or BT. pals were not allowed to attend the training given by Abraham Portaltin who is clueless about prison ministry.

Cymbala saw an opportunity to have a valid BT prison ministry IT HAD TO BE A BT Ministry because then Cymbal can put up another page on the website and tell the world how GOd called him and Carol to have a prison ministry. Then they can go to Angola and do a video about BT Prison Ministry. It is, has, and will always be about BT and the Cymbalas. THey will use you, take from you and then deamonize you! Like they are doing to the leader of Pals for Christ.

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http://www.trulia.com/property...This is public domain. You can find this on Trulia link above.This is pastor Cymbala’s home.$3,800,000.00. Also a vacation home in florida purchased for $740,000.00.On a tax exempt pastor’s salary. This is the home that was upgraded by church workers on church salary.Rare Find – True Center Hall Colonial With Water Views, Master Suite With Dressing Room + Library/Office, 4 Bedrooms 2 Baths, Banquet Size Dining & Lr Rms, Sitting Rm,Den, Maids Quarters With Sep. Stairs, Country Eik, Butler’s Pantry, Cloak Rm, Mud Rm, Large Balcony Overlooking Little Neck Bay, Hardwood Floors, 2 Car Att Garage, Shed, Tastefully Restored HomeDo people really need this extravagance to worship God?http://www.acousticdimensions.... #As of 2009 The approximate value was 1.95 Million.The House was purchased on April 11, 1997 for $825,000.The Morgtage Amount was for $214,000.So he probably sold his home and put down $611,000 Cash. So one will have to find out how much he sold his old home for.Now 1997 was before the Market went crazy so that is a very expensive house in 1997.2009 – The Land Value was 284,8832009 – Improvement Value was $863,267Total: 1,959,000.Taxes for 2004 were $9,772Today the Taxes are $13,710 per year.The Value of the House is $3,800,000.00That is just his Queens Home. His Florida home was purchased in 2006 for $745,800.00 through Diversified Home Mortgage Inc. The Taxes for that Home for 2008 Tax year is $11,595.00.So Taxes alone for both homes is $25,305 annual just for Property Taxes. Now add two mortgages. Expenses to keep up the homes. Renovations. Well Wait!!Renovations might be somewhat tricky. One of the posts on this blog claim that major portions of renovations on the NY house were done by Church workers while on the church time clock. If this is true then that means that Pastor Cymbala renovated his home for free because the labor was paid for by the church. Church money that comes from tithing single mothers and elderly members who live off of public assistance?That is illegal (I think) and BT could lose its income tax status if the IRS were to find out that His house he is now selling for $3.8 million dollars at a $3 million dollar profit was party renovated by employees of Brooklyn Tabernacle while they were being paid by the church. Now granted this is all hearsay, at least that is what one post on this blog claims.see posthttp://www.topix.com/forum/rel... …But since there were no employee names mentioned nobody can ask them if they did work on the house. In fact it is said that someone confronted him about that very matter. And shortly after that they were fired

I have to agree with Dennis that Pastor Combs was right in revoking memberships as we called it. The way the people handled their problems was very immature. Instead of talking to the pastor about it they went behind his back and trash talked everyone who didn�t seem to think the way they thought. One thing i disagree on is the fact that he "evicted" the school from the property. They school was sucking money out of the church and the church was not getting anything in return, not even thank you. Also considering the school was under the corporation of the Valley Cathedral, all of the computers and other resources the school was using belonged to the church board, not the school...so before you make accusations, find out the facts first. If you weren�t part of the issue then what gives you the right to comment the way you did and accuse the church board and pastor of things Diane?

After reading this very long rant from a discusted former church member/leader about their pastor and his wife I can only come to the conclusion...Combs probably did the right thing in most of the removals. I pastored for 18 years and most of the things said in this article are simply bourish tattletail from one that can not keep their peace. Something that one who is in Christ must learn to do. That's not to say some of the things may need to be addressed. But if an elder is in fault, those that are spiritual go to them. If they do not listen, take another elder with you. In other words, it is to be handled in house. Taking it outside the leadership and copying papers and handing them out was enough to remove them. That's not being expressive, that's being divisive.

It is so sad that the church was blind sided into thinking that because Pastor Combs came fro the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church that he was a reputable man (not preacher). He was a wicked associate pastor here getting his mean Jim Jones style from his leader Jim Cymbala who throws people out of the church, takes people out of the choir or any other ministry, tells people who to marry, unaccountable to anyone, a long ranger if you will making his solo rules, everyone is afraid to question him for the same reason, has a son in law in Chicago operating a church in the same evil manner name Al Toledo (who was also trained by Cymbala), Cymbala calls people into meetings and speak to them as if he is speaking to goats and not sheep, no one can call him at home, he sends his co-pastors to meet with people when they request him, runs around all over the country making money at speaking engagements, disrespects a new member named Bishop, news have it that he threw Combs out on his birthday (but not before Combs picked up his evil ways) Look on google.com and type in Jim Cymbala abuse go into Cymbala speaking at the summit and click on the number scale on the right side start at #1 and continue clicking on other numbers and you will see where Combs got his unchristian behavior from. You will see that the apple didn't fall far from the tree. You people of God should pursue this and God will show you how to get rid of this evil man, who is not of God. He transformed himself into a angel of light and the bible says if it was possible the enemy could deceive the very elect.(and that is what happened)The same way that you described how Combs runs the church is the exact same that Cymbala runs the church with the outstanding choir (don't let the chruch with the choir fool you and if people prase the Lord in the style of outwardly spirit praises and not when he manually tell you security guards will take the people out of the chruch. Retire police will come to you inservice and ask you to leave (you see he got his training from Cymbala who walks around the church with a body guard who was once a big rough cocaine dealer) I guess he treats people so bad that he's afraid.

Not surprising that Pastor Combs operates this way....it is the modus operandi of Pastor Cymbala at the Brooklyn Tabernacle as well. He is accountable to no one for financial practices, rules with an iron fist, and the church staff operate in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Anyone who questions his practices is labeled "rebellious" and are quickly shown the door. There is no oversight of the church, other than the Pastor himself. His son-in-law and daughter pastor the Chicago Tabernacle, and they are even worse. Log onto topix, or google Pastor Cymbala abuse and Chicago Tabernacle and read the blog, which is written by the very congregants of both churches. This is what happens when you believe your own hype and have no accountability.

Wow! Well, it's not surprising considering that he was a pupil of Pastor Jim Cymbala. The same level of corruption and dysfunction, except on a more egregious level, occurs at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. I remember him when I worked there and it's no surprise that he got caught up in this Christianized version of bait and switch scam artistry.

WOW!!! CAN SOMEONE SAY BROOKLYN TABERNACLE? Sounds Like Old Charley Boy who was Fired from BT on his Birthday Between Services and was Abused Now Becomes the Abuser. How Sad!! Just to thing that these poor people thought they were getting a godly man just because of the reputation of BT but did not know that BT has real issues with DICTATORSHIP stle leadership

I thought you'd be interested to know what's happening with the Valley Classical Christian School that was housed in the Valley Cathedral. Not only were they evicted but the church kept all the furniture, computer equipment and supplies that were donated to the school saying that those items fell under the umbrella of the church. Valley Classical Christian School now has had to find another location and will have to furnish the school with all newly "purchase" materials. I'm not sure I understand that kind of Christianity. It's surely not the kind that was modeled by the Son of God.