Bethel Church Leaders Respond to Attempted Assassination of Former President Donald Trump
Senior leaders shared messages that called the congregation to repent from any bitterness or slander against Trump while also cautioning against viewing any political leader as king. The Church has a rich history connected to Donald Trump.
Bethel Church’s senior apostle and prophet both spoke to their Redding, California, congregation on the morning of July 14, less than twenty-four hours after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.
Bill Johnson, the Church’s Senior Apostle, used comments offered before the sermon to ask God to surround former President Trump with safety. Johnson prayed in similar terms for President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
He called on the congregation to pray “without bias, without prejudice” for their political leaders and asked God to “alert the prophets” to specific dangers to those in authority over California and the United States. Johnson then called the congregation to repent from any bitterness or slander against Trump, lest, he seemed to suggest, they inadvertently contribute to his murder.
“Bitterness is just immature murder. It hasn’t grown up yet,” Johnson told the congregation. “If we harbor resentment and bitterness we really don’t have the right to complain about someone trying to assassinate somebody.”
“ . . . we don’t want to be a part of anything that would allow that spirit of hatred to be released into this country,” he continued before asking God to “forgive us for in any way partnering with the spirit of offense, resentment, accusation and echoing the voice of the accuser or pointing the finger in accusation.”
Johnson’s call not to accuse political leaders is a change of tone from previous statements in which he accused Biden of gaining the presidency by fraud. During a December 2020 interview with conservative radio host David J. Harris, Johnson said of Biden’s presidency,
“I’m 100% confident it was done by fraud. I don’t have any question. It is as obvious as the nose on my face. We need to pray for the Lord to expose, expel and break. Expose what happened, expel — cast it out — and break it so it doesn’t return.”
In December 2019, almost a dozen people from Bethel, including Johnson’s son and daughter-in-law Brian and Jenn Johnson, prayed with Trump in the Oval Office as part of a “Faith Briefing.” Shortly before the 2020 election, Johnson wrote in an op-ed for the Christian Post that he planned to vote for Trump, who, he said, had been falsely portrayed by the “mainstream media” as a “racist, misogynist and xenophobe.”
Bethel is a central part of what religious scholars call the New Apostolic Reformation, a non-denominational group of Christian churches that subscribe to a theology known as the Seven Mountains Mandate, which teaches Christians to “take dominion” over politics, business, culture and the media to “bring God’s Kingdom to earth.”
That message has been picked up by politicians, including California Senator Brian Dahle, to attract the support of members of the Christian community who believe God holds the solutions to what they see as America’s current fall from its religious and moral heritage. But for many Americans, the language is a frightening indicator of a slide towards theocracy. If codified into law, Christian dominionism could make abortion and gay marriage illegal.
For years, Bethel’s leaders have walked a thin line when it comes to political activity. Like other churches, Bethel risks loss of its tax-exempt status as a consequence of engaging in political campaign activity. But the IRS rarely enforces the Johnson Amendment and hasn’t stopped Bethel from using its significant national and international influence to encourage followers to oppose legislation designed to protect those in the LGBTQ community.
According to religious scholar Matthew Taylor, the first prophecy that Trump would become president was made at Bethel Church in 2007 by a South African named Kim Clement. Bethel’s Senior Prophet Kris Vallotton referenced the Clement prophesy yesterday morning, calling Trump’s survival “providence to the providence, max.”
Vallotton told the congregation “there’s a wrong spirit in the land,” and suggested that this might not be the only attempt that will be made on Trump’s life. “I feel like the spirit of vengeance is on our country,” he said, “and if we’re not careful, we’ll be swept up in this hatred.”
Like Johnson, Vallotton has a long history of support for Trump. In 2019, he instructed the congregation to oppose Trump’s impeachment. In 2020, he inaccurately prophesied that Trump would win the presidential election. He apologized after the Electoral College confirmed Biden’s win.
Yesterday, Vallotton appeared to temper his previously vocal support for Trump with a call to prioritize faith over politics.
“I want to point out that Donald Trump is not the answer to our moral crisis,” Vallotton said, “Joe Biden is not the answer to our moral crisis . . . If we’re not really careful, we’ll be calling for a king,” Vallotton said, “and we have a king. His name is Jesus.”
Telling the audience that God loves all nations and Tribes, including Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine, Johnson said it’s important to remember that the Kingdom of God is bigger than a nation.
“I’d like to point out that patriotism is important, but Jesus is not an American, and the kingdom of God transcends patriotism, as God loves the entire world,” Vallotton told the congregation.
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Hi HC, you need to meet Vallotton and you’ll see just how manipulative he is in real life. He’s the one that stated he saw pictures moving across the wall in his home in Lewiston…I mean that can be interpreted in many ways, but for sure, one that sounds a bit crazy. Not sure why you think you need to protect Bethel, they’re doing just fine on their own, but like most overly aggressive churches, start to crumble. Especially when they want to change a person from who they are into something else, that’s wrong. Happy day to you !
Happy Citizen and the Other Commenters who obviously have been ordered by Kris Vallotton to make comments on social media so that Bethel appears to be a very kind, sensible and a responsible entity in the community. Well, let me assure you that Vallotton has a major temper in public and among his fellow office holders. I was in a meeting with him and he, out of no where, pounded his fist on the table and said, “I’m not homophobic”.,,,statements like that often reflect just the opposite.
Remember that a great number of Bethel attendees are under 18, BSSM students from other states and countries and simply do not add up to the political power house they espouse…it’s the local voters who don’t ask questions; or study their ballot’s and candidates issues. Vote Smart in November !
Mr. Treadway,
I do not know Kris Vallotton or members of Bethel Church. In fact I don’t attend any church.
I attend my own personal relationship with God. And it happens to be shared the same relationship with 99% of members our all churches around the good old USA. Including Bethel.
So stop your silly false propaganda and lies about my relationship with any church, including Bethel..
Like I said before. Some people cannot stand and hate other people who go to church and share their politics.
I suggest you don’t discriminate and address your own personal relationship with God.
Honest article,
But appears some editorial contributors hate people who go to church and share their politics.
Happy Citizen: Please let me know what specific parts of this article, to you, indicate “hate for those who go to church and share their politics.”
Annelise,
I am not talking about your article. I am talking about the reply of other editorial contributors to your article.
The specific parts explained have been written and replied to by other contributors with the hatred towards people who go to church and share their politics.
My job is to note it without trying to hurt any individual’s feelings.
Despite the anonymous commenters criticism it seems like a pretty balanced article. Why is it important to write about Bethel Church? It is the dominant church in Redding and claims 12,000 members, plus they have a majority of city council members and considerable influence in the community. That said, it is encouraging that they are no longer openly supporting Trump, while many White evangelical churches believe he is sent by God, despite his problems with honesty, fidelity in marriage, a history of stiffing contractors and a strong desire for vengance against his enemies among other many other attributes they would not consider acceptable by members of their own congregation.
Previously some of their leaders spoke out against the Covid vaccine, despite it being responsible for over one million deaths in the United States. That said, I’ve known many members who are really great members of the community.
I appreciate Shasta Scout bringing us well balanced articles like this and hope it continues in the future.
Bad idea to mix church with politics
Since we don’t want a politician to tell us which church go to lo
The danger of Christofacism, which the Republican Party is currently promoting after many years of hiding it, leads right to social-political-economic MAGA trumpism. The leaders of BETHEL, who have abused their tax status to promote idol worship, Fascism, and inequality and inequality, are free to use their 1st. Amendment rights, but I’m free to call this tripe what it is; Un-American, reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
When the Trumpist leaders of BETHEL actually publicly repent and ask Shasta County for forgiveness, perhaps another look will be warranted. But until then, these BETHEL leaders are but false profits who continue to line their pockets with tax-free profits from our community while giving their tithe to trump. To hell with that.
Wow! Christian Fascism is a perfect definition. It says it all. The quote “Is not my word like a hammer, it shatters rock” I think that applies to the words “Christian Fascisim”
“Senior Prophet”? Interesting that there is a hierarchy of prophets within the church. After a few good performance reviews, are Junior Prophets promoted to Senior?
Dear Editor,
I have truly appreciated getting the Shasta Scout for the majority of the content, because it has been very informative, it has inspired me to be more engaged locally and seems to be written primarily from an unbiased/fair/neutral approach: with the exception of how you write about Bethel. Your articles pertaining to any issues including Bethel typically come across as oppositional, biased, and as if you, the writer, are harboring personal offense against them, perhaps from being a prior attendee? As a reader and citizen of our County, it becomes painful to read through the bitter lens of the articles. I strongly prefer your “Bethel” (Christian or Church) articles contain a respectful balance of facts including both sides of issues, with more Churches referenced than just Bethel. Without balance, inclusion and consideration towards the readers, you are replicating the media corruption in culture that relentlessly defames other’s from the basis of personal opinion in a sea of various reader’s opinions, neglecting to report the fullness of facts, equating more one sided “fake news.” Many of us are wanting a trustworthy honest balanced integrity filled news source so we are reading your content. If you continue to indirectly attack/single out Bethel negatively above all the other Churches/issues in our Community, you will sadly loose community support and become far less effective. Its self sabotage toward what you are trying to accomplish in Redding. America has enough News source animosity going on without any more contributions. Debatable topics require balanced content to be effective. Please be respectful and fair in your faith based journalism articles because you are truly a gifted writer, you hold my attention as a reader and are meeting a great need to inform our local community.
1+
Well said, true, very accurate, and thanks.
I respectfully appreciate your request for an unbiased report. However, I don’t know of any other churches in the area that are aggressively buying up land and businesses and aggressively promoting Dominion over the towns, communities and county’s political arena.. It’s mind-boggling.
Dear Editor: I realise Bethel looms large as the behemoth mega prosperity sect it is, but I would sincerely like to request polling another church (leader) with even more “influence…” with established doctrine, and history. I could get you in touch with Archbishop Cordileone of the San Francisco Archdiocese (Catholic) or Metropolitan Gerasimos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of San Francisco and the West. Dominionists, like Bethel, aren’t the only ones to hold to core Biblical truths and teachings and holy Tradition handed down from the Church Fathers, such as the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, and Marriage Reality. Many Classical Protestant denominations do, too. I know Bethel looms large in Redding but I’d like to see the focus not on them every time as THE Christian religious leaders or authorities. Dominionism and authentic historic Christianity are clean different things.
Thanks for letting me share.
Thank you for confirming that Bethel is a false church/cult. Many times
prophesying & being wrong. They are only after your $
I’ve been subscribed for a little while now. Living out of state I’ve enjoyed keeping up with local politics and Redding/county news. I just don’t understand the need to have bethel church anywhere in the news. They’re a community of religious zealots but are harmless to anyone able to critically think. We visit family multiple times each year in Redding. I’ve been approached twice by “students” asking to pray “over” me. They’re harmless and well mannered but brainwashed. Eveytime their name is published it gives them attention and really it’s not news but a chance to clickbait subscribers and illicit negative emotion. I know someone involved with your news organization was involved with Bethel and probably has had negative experiences but it just gets old reading about the same old tired narrative. If you really want to report on Bethel. Research how the main leaders took advantage of ministry non profit tax breaks to earn millions in nearly tax free dollars. Or how they formed their businesses in Nevada to avoid income tax. Or how Brian and Jenn Johnson built their ranchett home “GoatLord” ministries tax free along with airbnbs, hunting ranches and “Merica brewing”, others have lavishly remodeled their “ministry homes”. Maybe all of the staff past and present should receive this deep inquiry including the past accountant who was part of leadership. Or how they use “interns” as free labor for everything from babysitting, book writing/research, media, traveling companions for ministries, fund raising and so much more. I’m not anti Bethel but am anti wealth building off gullible less fortunate people. There’s a reason Eric Johnson left 🤔. Power struggle with Chris Vallatton, putting out to many fires started by Vallaton and his many temperamental cussing outbursts at staff, disagreements how Vallaton used allocated money and more. Most of this I learned through a conversation with a retired firefighter who was the head elder at bethel for many years. Chris Vallaton ran him off by slandering him for asking to many questions.
Let’s get some real meat to these stories about bethel rather than the same old re runs of old stories.
Wow. I can tell you really dont want to hear about bethel, by the way you told us everything about bethel.
Thanks for the article. Now I know for sure, it’s the church for me.