DeKALB – A non-denominational church, Bright Field Church, opened at 901 Lucinda Ave Suite L. on Sept. 15.
“We believe the whole Bible. We believe that it’s inerrant, it’s perfect, it’s God’s word for us today, and we just believe everything that it says. And our mission is the same mission that Jesus had given the church back in Matthew 28:19-20 where he rose from the dead and he said, ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations and baptize them the name of the Father and of the Son (and) of the Holy Spirit, and then teach them to observe everything that I’ve commanded,’” said Lead Pastor Alonzo Khouaja.
Some community members have expressed concern over the church network that Bright Field belongs to, citing a case from May 1987 in which charges were brought against network leader Steven D. Morgan, alleging he committed sodomy with a child under sixteen years of age.
Morgan signed a diversion agreement with a term of 36 months in which he agreed to attend professional counseling for as long as deemed necessary by the counselor. Morgan was ordered to have no contact with the victim, no involvement in youth organizations and was required to pay for treatment costs for the alleged victim and their family.
Upon searching the church’s name on Google, among the top five links is a website called Leaving the Network and a subreddit created by former members of the church network alleging a toxic culture, spiritual abuse, manipulation tactics and other behaviors.
Khouaja declined to comment regarding the allegations and controversy.
On Aug. 31, Isaiah Church, based out of Madison, Wisconsin, withdrew from the network.
“During the last two years, the Isaiah Church Board has made multiple attempts and efforts to address issues and resolve concerns surrounding leadership theology, church governance, and past decisions with network leadership. However, these conversations and formal attempts have not yielded the changes that would be necessary for us to move forward. It has come to the point that we believe we have exhausted all avenues and withdrawing from the network is the appropriate action for Isaiah Church due to our biblical convictions,” according to a statement issued on the Isaiah Church website.
On Sept. 8, Vine Church, based out of Carbondale, also withdrew from the church network.
“Our biblical convictions regarding the leadership and governance of the local church have changed in such a way that our elders unanimously agree no longer allows us to continue our affiliation,” according to a statement published on Vine Church’s website.
