| .:HOW AND WHY WITNESSES FOR JESUS, INC. WAS STARTED
Witnesses for Jesus is an evangelical, parachurch,
counter-cult ministry that exists to educate the Christian and secular
communities about the spiritual and sociological dangers of Jehovah’s
Witness and Mormon religions. We are not affiliated with any specific
denomination, but partner with Christian believers of all backgrounds
throughout the world. We offer materials and training seminars to equip
individuals with effective tools to constructively challenge members
in cult groups with the Truth found in Jesus Christ.
On November 3, 2003, Witnesses for Jesus incorporated
under a five-member board of directors and on March 16, 2004, non-profit
501(c)3 status was granted by the IRS, enabling us to issue tax-deductible
receipts.
 Witnesses
for Jesus, Inc. was founded by Christy Darlington (formerly
Christy Harvey) who began her counter-cult career in
1994 when someone close to her began challenging her
to consider the Mormon Church as another denomination
of the Christian faith. She was raised in an Evangelical
Christian home where the simple, straightforward teaching
of the Bible took precedence over secular philosophies.
Thus, the Mormon Scripture-twisting she encountered
during her correspondence with this person was unlike
anything she had ever seen. This experience compelled
her to research into what attracts individuals to pseudo-Christian
cults and what issues need to be addressed before individuals
can leave these groups and find freedom in Christ. In
an attempt to gain deeper insight into the mindset of
individuals within these groups, Christy has participated
in multiple Christian witnessing outreaches at Mormon
events and Jehovah’s Witness meetings. She understands
cultic mindset from an academic and sociological perspective
and has conducted support group meetings for former
cult members. She has led both Jehovah’s Witnesses
and Mormons to faith in the real Jesus and discipled
them in the Christian faith. She is the author of many of the
materials published by Witnesses for Jesus, Inc. and posted
on our websites (www.4witness.org / www.4jehovah.org / www.4mormon.org).
She has spoken at Christian counter-cult conferences
and her seminars are now available on DVD. Christy met
her husband Bruce through this ministry and they minister
together as opportunities arise. Click Darlington
Family Corner to view Photos of the Darlington
Family.
.:OUR APPROACH TO MINISTRY
We define a cult as any group that sets itself up as
the “only” true church and “channel of communication”
between God and man. Requiring exclusive devotion to their doctrines
and policies, cult groups claim that one’s salvation is based
upon one’s association within the group and that there is “no
place to go” for anyone who leaves.
Pseudo-Christian cults are groups that—under
the guise of “Christianity”—not only exhibit the sociological
aspects of cult control, but that embrace extra-Biblical revelation
and heretical doctrines that are not compatible with the historic Christian
faith. Hence the teaching ministry of Witnesses for Jesus has two goals:
- To educate people regarding the spiritual and
sociological dangers that association in pseudo-Christian cults presents
to society. We delineate the doctrinal differences
between biblical Christianity and heretical movements and define the
sociological distinctions between health and unhealthy
environments.
- To counteract the psychological control that pseudo-Christian
authoritarian structures have on their constituents by creating support
environments for victims of these cults.
It has been our experience that once an individual
has given his heart to a religious authority, he has also given his
mind, and until his heart is won, his mind is closed. Consequently,
ministry to cult members not only involves counteracting the intellectual
barriers that encompass the minds and hearts of individuals under cult
control, but it involves relating to individuals on both spiritual and
emotional levels in the context of relationship.
Just as it is essential that one work to break an adherent’s
trust in the leadership of the cult group before he will be free to
accept Scriptural truth apart from cultic interpretation, so it is essential
that one provide the cult member with an authentic way to meet his spiritual
and emotional needs. Indeed true spiritual significance, security and
freedom can only be found in a personal relationship with Christ.
“And you shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.… If therefore the Son
shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.…I am
the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes
to the Father, but through Me.”—John
8:32, 36; 14:6
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.:ENDORSEMENTS
I have known Christy since 1997 and her commitment
to Christ is unquestionable. Her desire to minister God’s Word
and truth is absolutely sincere — without any motivation for self-promotion,
or self-aggrandizement. Her biblical and academic scholarship in the
area of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormonism is equal to any ministries
in the same field I know of today. But most importantly, she has an
intense passion to see Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons come to
a saving faith in Christ, as well as to see them discipled after coming
to Christ. With confidence and no reservation at all, I fully and unequivocally
endorse Christy to come and share with your congregation.
Justin T. Alfred, Executive Director
Word in Life Ministries, Murrieta, CA
Website: http://www.wordinlife.com
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I encourage pastors to take advantage of this ministry's
resources. They are prepared with diligence, insight, and love, and
they can both encourage and equip willing Christians for effective outreach
to cult members.
Paul Carden, Executive Director
The Centers for Apologetics Research (CFAR)
San Juan Capistrano, CA
Website: http://www.thecenters.org
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This letter is to support the ministry
of Christy Darlington and her research on Mormonism.
Her commitment to Jesus is unquestioned. She models
the Bereans in Acts 17:11 and how the Bible commends
them for daily examining the teachings of the apostle
Paul and critically holding them up to the light of
the Scripture. God wants us to question what we hear
and what we are taught.
Thessalonians 5:21 tells us to ‘examine all things’
and to hold fast to that which is good. Christy has
studied the claims of the Mormons for numerous years.
Her research is very thorough and her ability to efficiently
dispute the Mormon teachings with the Gospel clearly
point those held by the grips of this religion to Jesus
Christ.
Pastor Eric Cartier, Senior Pastor
Rocky Mountain Calvary, Colorado Springs CO
Website: http://www.rmcalvary.org
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I have had the privilege over the last
few years of watching God grow and bless Christy Harvey’s
ministry, Witnesses for Jesus. Her extensive understanding
of cultic doctrine and behavior is greatly enhanced
by a sincere love for those who are trapped within those
systems. I believe those who are exposed to her ministry
will come away greatly blessed.
C. Brian Michaels, Former Senior Pastor
Rocky Mountain Calvary, Colorado Springs CO
Website: http://www.rmcalvary.org
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When Christy spoke to our fellowship, we really appreciated
her approach to this difficult subject. She came with humility and gentleness.
Christy is a breath of fresh air. Instead of attacking the cults with
anger and hostility, she exposed the lies of the enemy by a thorough
understanding of what they teach. She shared the truth of God’s
Word with compassion and concern for those that are held captive by
Satan’s deception. We felt as though we’d known Christy
for years—not just a few short hours—as she greeted and
interacted with those who had questions or loved ones involved in the
cults. It is obvious to us that the Lord has called Christy Harvey into
this ministry and thus gifted and equipped her for such a time as this.
I highly recommend Christy Harvey and the Witnesses for Jesus ministry.
Jeff Johnson, Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel Grand Junction
Website: http://www.calvarychapelgj.org
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Christy has done very thorough and in-depth presentations
on the religions of Mormonism and Jehovah Witnesses at Mountain Springs
Church. Our people were challenged and equipped in how to understand
the erroneous teachings of these cults and how to lovingly share their
faith. The balance of truth and mercy in Christy's presentations is
what impressed me the most. I would recommend Christy to any church
that is serious about understanding and sharing their faith with Mormons
and Jehovah Witnesses.
Steve Holt, Senior Pastor
Mountain Springs Church, Colorado Springs, CO
Website: http://www.mountainsprings.org
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Christy knows her stuff, and her humble spirit makes
for a real learning experience. An hour under her teaching seems like
a few minutes. My congregation kept asking when she was coming back!
If you want to know about Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses, I'd
recommend her ministry!
Dr. Tom Franks, Former Senior Pastor
Morrill Baptist Church, Morrill, Maine
Website: http://w3.ime.net/~mbch/index.htm
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