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Introductory Articles about the Geftakys Assemblies for newcomers to the website. Note: The Geftakys movement was entirely separate from the Plymouth Brethren, although they had common roots.
Assembly News and Concerns Current activities of Geftakys Assembly groups and individuals, last updated April 17, 2008.
Editor's "Post-Assembly Musings" blog - Latest post April 22.

What's New?

May 5 Mark Campbell has a reply to the author of "Stranger Rape and Worse".

May 5 The Redlands Daily Facts newspaper had an article on Saturday about a multi-cultural festival at Plymouth Village, where George and Betty Geftakys live. George is still up to his old ways of misrepresenting the facts. He claimed he was a native of Greece and apparently recited the Lord's prayer in Greek!

May 1 The author has a comment about posting her story of stranger rape.

May 1 Tech support where Steve works sent out an email alert today, "Fraudulent Grand Jury Summons Containing Malware". Snopes confirms this report.

May 1 From the Assembly bulletin board, Garrett says, "Last Sunday on the way home from a men’s retreat, I pulled off the freeway to look at historical houses in the city of Redlands. To my surprise I drove right past the retirement community where George and Betty live. My curiosity was piqued. I made a u turn, parked my car in front of the community center and went in. Immediately to the left of the main entrance there is a 6x18 feet display case. The display case contained “small” pictures of children in their native land, and missionary artifacts were displayed. I emphasize “small” because there was one “big” picture. Of course you guessed it. A “big” picture of George in Africa was prominently displayed for all to see. See the picture, look at the man and be in wonderment!!!!! I dropped my head, chuckled to myself and walked out. The glorious truth is that the “big” picture, the un-readable books that can’t sell on E-bay, the vain babbling on the outdated cassettes that fills up the recycling bins will all burn and nothing will remain. Come Jesus Come!"

Dave Sable commented: "I'm betting it is that picture of George with the Masai warriors. He was proud of that because "most Masai warriors don't let their picture be taken, but they were willing to take them with me." It strengthened his argument about his impact in Africa because when he went on the safari, he saw the "big three" (Lion and two others). His guide kept saying, "Great is the God of Geftakys" because this was so unusual. Goes to show the massive impact his ministry had upon the contenent. **Roll Eyes** Tom and I have a bet he really got those pictures from a stand where you could pay $10 to get a picture taken with Masai warriors."

April 23 Flora posted on the Assembly bulletin board a very instructive account in regard to the claim, still being made, that GG's excommunication had not been "not handled properly." She has given permission to post it here in the Final Weeks section, where it sheds light on GG's letter claiming that he had been "pre-judged by excommunication ... without accusers and witnesses", in which he does not even mention the sexual misconduct.

April 23 There is a new anonymous comment on the stranger rape article from someone who knows the author.

April 20 Most of the discussion on the assembly bulletin board about the stranger rape has be added to the article.

April 20 Gordon Wong writes the following: "Mark Driscoll is one of the best preachers in my book, and he gave a great lecture about the 'Emergent Church'...To all former assembly people, may God rekindle heart and remind you that you are a treasured child of the Most High God. God has a plan for you to impact this world...investigate, observe!

(Writers like Brian McClaren, and Rob Bell - which I have not investigated personally their theology, but if it's true what Mark Driscoll says is true, it's a dangerous theology with these two men.)

I know some Christians, frustrated by the lack of outreach and inflexibility in churches-- have embraced 'Emergent Theology', and I agree we as Christians must see the church become 'culturally relevant ' (what's going on in Facebook, why is there 10 million subscribers playing Warcraft, why are certain programs so popular and how do we reach out with what we see going around in the world?) HOWEVER, theology must be unchanging.

Mark Driscoll is highly respected by John Piper and other reformed theologians. His church is in the top fastest growing churches in the U.S.A in one of the most difficult churched areas in the country. He's also one of the biggest influences in my life besides John Piper. MUST LISTEN.

Driscoll defined Christianity in three camps:

Sectarianism and liberalism - changing doctrine/practice and theology. Some former assembly people could easily go to this and reject fundamentalism as in the case of the assembly. The Emergent Church with people like Brian McClaren and popular Rob Bell falls into this camp. I can see some former assembly people going to this camp because we were so far into the 'right' with fundementalism (add some sin into the mix also).

Fundamentalism - closed theology and practice. We don't change our theology nor do we change our style. Here's why the assembly cling so tight to hymn books, and rejecting the world. We rejected movies, television and culture. In the process, we formed a closed-system of ministry style that made us culturally irrelevant in outreach. We worshipped with acappella when the world's music is about about instruments. We dressed like we were in the 1960s with suits and dresses (and hard to tell us from JW's or Mormons in our dress) when the rest of the world was going more casual. Moreover, we even rejected the practice of other churches in our arrogance and pride. There was very little Christian literature outside any that George Geftakys endorsed.

Subversion - unchanging theology but changing practice (timely truth and timely method). This is where the church needs to be today. Driscoll cited how Paul cited the 'rock stars' and quoted the words of the day in Acts, and bridged the gap to the world around him, BUT brought it back to the truth of the cross. "In him we move and have our being." (LISTEN TO LINK)

April 20 Jack Hutchinson: "It comes as no surprise that George hasn't stopped. I guess Herbert came along after you left. He came to the US a couple of times, usually with Samuel (they came to SLO in 2000). Herbert didn't have the same swagger that Samuel did, he still had some appearance of 'innocence' about him....perhaps George was still drawing him into his delusion...but maybe I just didn't see what he was really like.

"John Piper came to SLO a couple of weekends ago, and gave a wonderful conference. It was the first 'seminar' I had attended since the Assembly. John Piper talks about the glory and supreme value of Christ, as did George. We need to value and enjoy Christ above EVERYTHING in life, and as we do, we will also enjoy life more fully, even in difficult circumstances. Of course, the spiritual power behind Piper and George are quite different. While Piper's ministry is all about making Christ look like the treasure He really is, George's 'ministry' is all about making himself look like the godly, apostolic preacher he never was. I was refreshed as I heard John Piper say that he fails God miserably every single day and that he has to repent just like everybody else. Now THAT was something George never said.

We really do need to see our lives as part of a larger context than simply how we get along in our daily lives. We can live our lives as part of a global enterprise of Divine origin. Our lives really do have profound, eternal significance, and thank God for humble men like John Piper who can communicate that perspective to us."

April 19 We've added a link to a portion of the original Assembly bulletin board in the Assembly History section.

April 19 I Corinthians 13 in a Greek scholar's version is a blessing, and the antidote to the biggest problem in the Assemblies. (Hat tip: Suzanne)

April 18 We have received a feedback email from author Dee Ann Miller, whose work we link to on this site: "Thanks much for your site. It has led a poor soul, who is suffering much, to me this morning. I am indeed grateful." We are glad the website has served in this capacity! Ms. Miller also requested attribution for her definition of collusion, and a better link to her material, which we are very happy to provide.

April 18 There is an update on the whereabouts of David Gefrtakys. (Also check out the re-organization of the "Continuing Assemblies" page while you're there. We now have links to separate pages on most of the existing Assemblies, with bits of info gleaned from here and there - but by no means complete.)

April 15 There is another reader's comment on 'Stranger Rape and Worse': "This story is a horrific example of the moral bankruptcy of the Assemblies. The Assemblies truly are misogynistic (hateful of women) good old boys clubs. Our society understands the need to protect women, evidenced by restraining orders, women’s shelters, marriage counseling, domestic violence counselors etc. In the Assembly, however, the natural compassion for a vulnerable set of people is replaced by the need to dominate and subjugate for the purpose of power, control and the repression of emotion." Read more»

April 12 TH in SoC blog has a post today about the Assembly.

April 11 Here is a reader's comment on "Stranger-Rape and Worse".

April 10 This account, Stranger-Rape and Worse, came in response to the news that G. Geftakys is beginning all over again. The author, a FAM who will remain anonymous for now, ends her horrific story, "I thank God every day for bringing the truth about George Geftakys to light. I pray that his new beginning will not succeed."

April 7 Dave Mauldin sends out a request: "I am currently looking for a quote from the Solomon book, Handbook to Happiness. It's the passage about 'owning the baby'. Can anyone give me the direct quote and reference?"

April 5 Just a reminder that the website of the National Association for Christian Recovery, which is recommended on the Links page, is a goldmine of good articles. One example is an interview with David Augsburger, Forgiveness and Its Imitations. Very clarifying.

April 2 It has been confirmed that George Geftakys has started all over again, with weekly Bible studies and Sunday services at his home at Plymouth Village in Redlands, CA, located at 242 Carver Circle. He has also preached recently at a conference in Tanzania. He was invited by a brother named Herbert who is involved in a ministry that builds orphanages. Apparently George is attempting to gain a position of influence in that ministry. Amazing. He's like the Robert Duvall character in "The Apostle".

April 2 "Torey" has written another poem, "Sunday Morning Five Years Later." Anyone else still experiencing "beliefs that bind"?

March 26 The MP3 of Dr. Rosenbladt's "The Gospel for those Broken by the Church" is tailor-made for all those folks who are "mad" at and "sad" about Christianity because they have been "baited and switched" by the church. (Available on MP3 for $3.45 at New Reformation Press.)

March 24 Michael Spencer has a great post today called The Three Stories. They comprise a shorthand way of encapsulating the gospel while distinguishing it from a couple of widespread substitute stories. The three stories are "The Feel Good Story", "The I'm Good Story", and "The Grace Story". Hearing the gospel clear as a trumpet always lifts up the heart!

March 14 Two prayer updates: Carolyn Wenneborg's cancer is officially in remission!

January 21 Dave Mauldin posts this request: "I have completed my interviews with a current leader of an Assembly. We had a great time and it was a really positive experience. Yet I still need a "lay" member! If you are a current member and would like to participate in a post-graduate "Oral History Project on the Assembly" through Cal State University Fullerton, please contact me at dkmpsr@earthlink.net. Thanks! David Mauldin."

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What's New 2007 December Archive - NOTE: Some of this material can be found only in the archives. Not all "new" items have been filed and linked yet in the proper sections of the website.
Rachel's Story, Kristin's story, and a timeline chronicling the collapse of the Geftakys ministry can be found under Final Weeks.

If you would like to talk or email with someone about the Assembly, feel free to contact us.

The Assembly Bulletin Board is a separate entity from this website, having no connection other than a common background in George and Betty Geftakys' ministry. It is run by Brian Tucker, formerly of the Charleston Assembly in Illinois.