A Letter from the Community (March 20, 2018)

With aching hearts over broken families, shattered lives, destroyed reputations and relationships - but most importantly (in our opinion) those who have lost faith in God because of the actions of Star R. Scott and the leadership of Calvary Temple, Sterling, VA, we write this letter to its members, its satellite groups, members of the community, and all who have been the victims of abuse - spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, and sexual. 

Our hearts broke again as we read Molly's post from March 14, knowing all too well the utter sadness and pain, at the hand of one who has so completely brainwashed innocent victims.  It brought back all the emotions - heartbreak, frustration, anger, etc., from an all too familiar scenario played out in our own family late in 2009 as we anxiously and fervently pursued restoration with our children and two grandchildren.  While some of the details differ, sadly - but predictably, the end result was the same. 

We were thrown out of Calvary Temple in 2007 and though we were told we were still "Christians", we were immediately cut off from any contact with our family still attending there.  Through our attempts to reconcile, we actually had opportunity to meet face to face with our daughter Sarah, her husband Mike, and our 7 month old twin grandsons, Kevin & Ryan whom we had not met.  Similar words were spoken, "You need to repent".... of what I asked?  Accusations were made, and my question then was, "why has the offended one (Star R. Scott) not come to try and resolve this?  In the Bible, it is very clear that the principle of Matthew 18:15-17 requires one to come to a person with an offence and try to reconcile."  The verses read:

Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’  And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church.

I stated that it seemed Star R. Scott had not done as the Bible instructed, but in fact had only "told the church" and then forced a separation of us from our children.  After some discussion on this, we were agreed on this biblical principle and the next step was for Mike and Sarah to arrange a meeting with their minister, Star R. Scott.  We parted with assurances that we loved each other and even heart felt hugs.  However when days had passed with no response, I questioned them on the status. 

"We cannot be reconciled Pastor Scott said he does not need to meet with you" was the only response we received via text message.

So, it is pretty clear - this man does not want reconciliation to happen.  Sadly, he refuses to obey and follow the precepts of the very Bible he claims to teach and follow.  In fact, he misuses the Bible to further his own agenda, leaving devastation in his wake.  He feeds on his ability to control and manipulate others through his distortion of Holy Scripture.

We continue to speak out, warn, and pray that this man will repent and stop his evil deeds, and that members of this congregation who have been deceived by him will have their eyes opened to the truth.  This is especially important to us and all who have come to understand just what Star R. Scott does and who he is.  You see, life for a member of Calvary Temple is a life of control and manipulation.  Information is strictly controlled and messages are formulated by Star R. Scott to present a picture, a scenario that he wants portrayed.  Details are not only left out, but altered to suit his purposes.  Indeed lies are told - and trusting followers could not believe that this man who represents himself as "called and anointed of God" could ever do anything wrong.  This is also why many people stay there - they don't have the truth, they have only what Star R. Scott wants them to know, and that is far from the "complete, real story."  So you see, really we cannot be silent. 

Some have said, if you would just be quiet and not criticize or speak out against them, maybe he would let you reunite with your children.  But that allows his manipulation and control to continue and it makes us a part of his evil, virtually erasing his wrongs in the eyes of the people.  Aah, but not so in the eyes of God!  The bottom line here is that if we know something is wrong and don't speak out against it or try to correct it, we are just as guilty.  

 "It is a sin when someone knows the right thing to do and doesn't do it."  James 4:17 (CEB)

We continue to trust and believe that the God who created this universe, the One who loves us more than we love ourselves, and gave His Son for us will sustain us, will keep us, will reunite us with our loved ones, and will deal with Star R. Scott according to his sins.  We miss our daughter and son in law, we long to know our (now) three grandchildren, but we will not compromise God's true Word or our relationship with the One who gave His life that we might live.

For all who have been the victims of abuse - spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, and sexual - at the hands of Calvary Temple or any one else, we offer these words with hope and prayer that they will comfort, encourage, heal, and restore...

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
(Psalm 121)

Gary and Marsha Foster