By Victor Ochieng
The time has finally come for Pastor John Gray to move from Lakewood Church to Redemption Church in Greenville, South Carolina. It’s a move that Gray appears to be very excited about if his Instagram message announcing the decision is anything to go by.
In the message, he said, “Hey family! It is With tremendous gratitude in our hearts for the past and expectancy for the future, that we are honored to share that we have said YES to God’s next assignment for our lives. We will be the new senior Pastors of what has been known as Redemption Church in Greenville South Carolina! To Pastor Ron and Hope Carpenter and the entire Redemption family, we say thank you for seeing the future in us and we are eager to begin this new journey.”
Then the pastor had a message to now his former church. He said, “And to Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen and our entire Lakewood Church family, we say we love you and are eternally grateful for all we’ve been able to watch God do over these last five years. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the church and being there as many Wednesdays as we can. Please pray for us as we embark upon the next place God has called us to. We love you! Houston we STILL have a promise. Greenville we are on the way! #TheGraysGoGreen”
The popular pastor revealed that he’ll be making the move in 2018, meaning he could still have some time in Houston even as he organizes himself for the new mission.
Redemption Church was founded in 1991 by Pastor Ron Carpenter. The decision to rope in Pastor Gray comes in the wake of the announcement that Carpenter will be leaving the church in May 2018. The new position will put Pastor Gray in full charge of the mega-church, which boasts of several campuses spread across different locations.
The name of the church is also set to be changed from Redemption to another one not yet revealed.
Even though many people have rejoiced in the decision to bring in Pastor Gray, there are others who believe Gray is likely to transform the church into a prosperity gospel place of worship. Some are worried that his association with Pastor Joel Osteen will likely influence the message he shares in his new assignment.
“If Ron Carpenter Jr let’s this guy in, Pastor Gray will be utilizing the ‘prosperity gospel’ just like his friend Joel Osteen,” said a user on The Old Black Church blog. “Horribly wrong decision, Ron. I sincerely thought you had more discernment then this, but I guess even the elect such as [your] are being deceived by the enemy.”
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