Encountering G12 - Your Comments

Table of Contents

1. Encountering G12 - Analyzing the "Cellular Vision" of César Castellanos
2. Encountering G12 - The Vision
3. Encountering G12 - The Encounter
4. Encountering G12 - Conclusion; Authors; Credits
5. Encountering G12 - Footnotes
6. Encountering G12 - Your Comments

Previous: Encountering G12 - Footnotes

Encountering G12 - Footnotes

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9 Responses to “Encountering G12 - Your Comments”

1. Suzanne Cardegan Says:
   November 15th, 2007 at 8:24 pm

   Thanks for a great article. I had heard that the G12 program was controversial, but did not learn the details until now.

   I am going to show this article to my pastor. He knows another pastor who has expressed interest in G12.

2. Devin Tarr Says:
   January 11th, 2008 at 8:37 pm

   I’m concerned that many of the examples given as to why G12 is overly pressuring are atypical and do not represent actual teachings of the G12 leadership. It would be nice to see more of a consensus of what often happens at the encounter process for example than what has happened. As I’m sure we all know, there can be abuses among any Church, but I personally am weary of generalization - especially considering there is no mention of the doctrine that G12 believes in and the doctrine stated by the G12 website: http://www.visiong12.com is all biblical. Additionally, my understanding of this vision is that it is a Church growth strategy, not a new doctrine.

   with best wishes and warmest regards,
   Devin

3. Annette Alvarenga Says:
   March 8th, 2008 at 2:52 pm

   Wow!! I have a hard a hard time believing that some churches under G12 would do what the things set out in this article. I went to an encounter more than 4 years ago (although I did not belong to that particular church) and it did change my life dramatically. There was secret about where we were going. We are told exactly where we would be staying and given a phone number to leave with our family members incas eof an emergency. Nothing was taken from me or anyone else (I got to keep my cell phone and only asked to keep the sound off.) The extreme things described in this article never happened (tape recordings of abuse, etc.) What did happen was that I did in fact have a personal encounter with God and he called me into ministry.

   Since then, I have participated in organizing encounters and serving at encounters and, again, none of these extremes ever happen. People are not asked to write their names on “clinicas” nor are they asked to carry it around. On the contrary, they are specifically told not to place their names on them as it is personal between them and God. No one is led through “regression” or told that they were not wanted at birth, etc. If this is in fact happenning in other churches, I would agree that it is a form of psychological abuse. In fact, it is not psychological abuse that is experienced but rather healing from the abuses received in the past. It is done in a loving and compassionate manner and I personally have seen hot it has changed hundreds of lives, as it did my own.

   More than anything else, I believe the G12 is simply a structure for church growth and provides a method to reach out to others and bring them to a personal relationship with Christ and subsequently help them grow in their faith to become mature and effective christians, something most churches, unfortunately, fail to provide after a new convert receives Christ (after 1 weekend encounter and attending a cell group for a few months, I grew more than I had in 6 years attending church every Sunday from my conversion).

   I do ope that the examples given in this article are not what is happening in most G12 churches that have adopted this model. For those are are engaing in this, I would question whether they are G12 churches or if they have adopted the name and have resorted to something that has never been part of the G12 model. I have read the book which teaches how to do an encounter and nothing contained therein even comes close to what has been described.

   I hope this can clear any misconceptions peolpe may have about G12 churches. I can only state that had I experienced what has been described in the article, I would never have remained in the church. Had I not been told where I was being taken, I would not have participated in the encounter. Had I been told I had to surrender all of my things, I would have bolted from the conference. And had I been been subjected to such audio recordings, etc., I would have demanded my money back and demanded to be returned home.

4. Annette Alvarenga Says:
   March 8th, 2008 at 2:54 pm

   There was a typo in my comment. It should state, “there was NO secret about where we were going.”

5. Eugene Says:
   April 30th, 2008 at 12:25 am

   My Russian speaking church in Chicago area (USA)is 3 years old and we joined G12 vision 2 years ago. I got saved 4 years ago and most of the people in church are first generation Christians in a tough for gospel Chicago area. That is all thanks to application of G12. While studying in school of leaders I also got my masters degree from good local university, have a good job and I’m a webmaster for website http://www.g12chicago.com. I formed and lead the cell group myself. Also I go to help at encounters.

   There is nothing miraculous about G12 - it is a strategy and a plan, where everything clearly laid out. There are no secrets. Everybody can go to site, read the principles, testimonies, see photos from church and encounters, come to church and talk to actual people. I.e. it is all transparent. Vision motivates and focuses on bringing people to Christ and fulfilling their purpose in life, which is most important. My pastor cares about me and helps me spiritually grow. I do same for people in my group - call them, go out with them, pray for them, inspire and encourage them, teach them, help them. People from other churches whom I know - they don’t have it. I have interesting and filled life being “Sent” to the world to look for people for Christ.

   My pastor has a pastor, who is in international G12 of Cesar Castellanos. My pastor is happy that he is not alone and has his leader.
   What else can I say to advocate the G12 vision? Just don’t be unbelievers, but believers. Become Jesus Christ’s deciples and do work for Him in the way he showed it to do. God bless you.

6. Paul mahendran Says:
   May 13th, 2008 at 6:04 am

   Greetings!
   Praise God for the work you are doing.My name is Paul mahendran and i am from S’pore. I am a Missionary and serving God in Mindanao ,Philippines. I was shocked to hear that there is another G12 that is also know as Encounter God’s Retreat which has become very popular in the place that i am at present. They have the same teachings of G12 but they are using props like a black Cross and also nails with red ink at the end.the nails are used to prick their palms until they felt the pain and to kfeel how Jesus felt the pain.Many churches are involved. I am against it and has taught to many who have attended this EGR seminar.They are against me too and telling that i am the only one that is against this teaching.I hope to hear from you to refute this teaching and which is the site that can help me so that i can bring the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please help me.

   God bless
   Paul m

7. Kenny Says:
   May 27th, 2008 at 9:55 am

   i want to read the 2nd part of this..

   i’m part of a G-12 church, and i also belong to a 12.. i encounter some of the issues presented here. but i was shocked of the extreme cases. actually G12 is good. but i need to know G12 in view of the bible because i’m afraid we’ll be unbiblical.. but really it’s good. and oh, one feels pressure when the outward motivation is far greater than one’s personal motivation to WIN SOULS AND MAKE DISCIPLES!

8. Sarah Hernandez:) Says:
   July 24th, 2008 at 10:20 pm

   Thank you for your article. I have been oppressed for two years in a G12 church and recently felt it was becoming cult like. Thank you for confirming my suspicions its good to know I’m not alone!

   Praise God who gives us free will

9. Don Says:
   August 1st, 2008 at 9:52 am

   I live in Yuma, Az., USA, where the G12 model is paracticed at a church called Generations. G12 Pastor, Rich Witmer and hench men, can be best described in Jude,–”For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:4
   G12, “the Vision”, the “method”, and belonging is merely idol worship.
   Scripture is twisted to conform to the mission of their heresy. When any G12ers are encountered by myself or any other mature Christian, they are unable to reason or think on their own. When, so called, “leaders” are confronted, they regurgitate the man made undersatanding of “those in authority” over them, never what the Scriptures say. They can not and will not “reason” together. They are kept soooo busy, and directed as to what to read in devotions, they are not encouraged to take the time to “Search the scriptures”, to see if their teachers are teaching truth. The “leaders” make merchandise of the unsuspecting, living a jet-setting, sportcar driving, lifestyle, while those who are struggling are told, “they do not have enough faith, the have not tithed enough, their finances are cursed, or there is sin in their life.” THIS IS NOT WHAT GOD’S WORD TEACHES! –”And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:3– “In this life there will be struggles!”
   God’s words will not return void, regardless if a jack-ass or these G12 heretics, speaks them. Witmer sends his skimply clad young girls to the Marine base across the road to lure the prey to Generations church. Castellono, Witmer and the rest of the apostates lace enough scripture to appeal to the seekers, then oppress them with method, at the threat of exclusion! This is man and man’s methods in “building the church.” This movement is simply a precursor and part of the woman (the apostate church) that is described in the book of Revelation 17.
   Young people, FLEE!!, from this non-sense. The only souls and disciples the G12ers are intrested in winning, are those who “Submit to their athourity” and serve this demonic idol and their leaders. Jesus said, “Do not be called leaders; there is but one Leader, that is Christ.” Matthew 23:10 (NASB)
   Jesus says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)
   Follow Jesus, not man. Search the scriptures to see if what is being taught is true. Pray that His Holy Spirit shows you the truth, for the Truth shall set you free and you will be free indeed!
   Be Blessed, Be Free!
   Amen

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