Complaint Review: The Cross - Saint Matthew's Churches - Tulsa Oklahoma

I received a letter from what seemed an annonymous source. It was addressed "To A Friend". The envelope had writing all over it with parts of the phrases highlighted in yellow. On the envelope is a pretty yellow cross called a "Prosperity Faith Grace Bible Cross".

The enclosed letter was typed with various words underlined in red. In it, it stated that "We just feel that some at this address needs prayer for God to help them. Could this be you?"

Well Duh. It came on a day that was just awfull, I was feeling depressed, lonely, money was running low and it was only the beginning of the month, etc. etc. and I was thinking how harmless it and NICE it all sounded.

As the letter continued, it really started to seduce me into thinking this was an answer to a prayer I'd asked God for only a couple days earlier.

What was the REAL answer to my prayer was the fact that my kids returned home from school, I had to put the letter away for the time being, and got the bright idea to later look up the name of the church on the return post card on the internet to see what information I could find on it. I thank God I did that instead of returning the card.

Thanks to this site, I was able to find out that this is a scam to beat all scams and I am updating you on what these people are NOW sending out, which is different from the previous information.

The letter says "Do You Need Help? Do You Need Prayer? Are You Troubled? Are You Lonely? Do You Need A Continuous Flow Of Money Blessings?" Then by filling out the return card with your complete name and address, checking boxes of what you want them to pray for, they will send you a FREE "Golden Cross of Prosperity". (No size of the cross is indicated".)

The letter states it is "from the heart of a minister who has been preaching the Bible and helping people for fifty-teo years". No name is given for this person.

There are supposed quoted from people who have received

"miracles" from the prayer of these people, i.e. "I was in need of $2,492.00 for income tax. God blessed me the next day. Thanks and may he bless you." C.H. - Michigan

There are also comments from Seed Harvest Members, etc., as was stated in a previous complaint.

There is a disclaimer I found most fascinating.

"...This Ministry assumes no legal responsibility for the veracity or permanancy of reported healings, miracles or other happenings. All supernatural events and blessing are contingent upon spiritual condition relative to the individual and any other deviation from the intended devine plan could result in mental/physical and/or spiritual setback (John 5:14).

"We are a small group of praying parents and grandparents whose lives are dedicated to praying for people and mailing out these little scriptural based message letters of love and faith. ...The Bible is a book of form letters. We write out partners three letters a month, all of the same faith-building nature. These items of faith, along with our letters, have no power.... If for any reason you do not wish to receive this church's mail please notify us and we will remove your name and address from our list."

This so peeves me because legally they can abuse people who have put their faith in the prayers of these people, just by telling them when their "miracle" doesn't happen, "You weren't spiritual enough" or "You didn't do EXACTLY as we said so of course God didn't listen". And the material they sent out is copywrited.

It's the elderly who won't (rather can't because I had to use a magnifying glass) read the disclaimer who will be the one's most hurt - those living on fixed incomes who will be conned out of their saving for nothing.

Thanks to others who have posted warnings about this "group" I will not be responding. I hope I have been able to stop others as well.

Nicole

Bonne Terre, Missouri
U.S.A.