I've been saving this this post like dessert after a seven course meal. The various pedophile pastors I’ve posted on over the last week have nothing on this case. Pastor Lonnie McCowan did not commit some horrible sexual crime. He simply stole a house from an old man. The difference is that in most cases I write about, the church eventually rejects the pastor and distances themselves from the crimes. In this case, McCowan and his followers embrace the pastor as if he were being persecuted. His followers do not care about the evidence that he committed a crime. They don’t care that there is a real victim who was damaged by McCowan’s actions. No, they stand by their pastor in clear violation of 1st Timothy 3.
3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
Why do they do this? The followers I talked to cried persecution and compared McCowan to Jesus Christ. Christians say they follow the bible, but when confronted with clear instructions on what a pastor should be, they turn a blind eye when their pet pastor commits a crime and follow him anyway. It blows my mind.
McCowan served his time in a work release program so he can continue to lead his church.
If approved by the county’s probation agency, McCowan will enter a work furlough program during his incarceration. He would be released from a locked facility near the Camarillo Airport during work hours and continue to serve his congregation in Ventura.
McCowan gets to repay his victim by working in the same job he was doing when he committed the crime. Does this seem right? I don’t think so. Do you?
McCowan and his church preach prosperity theology. He even bragged about his wealth and lifestyle.
In court records from the pending criminal case, McCowan told a district attorney investigator that he earned about $40,000 a month, $35,200 from investments and speaking events and less than $5,000 from Solid Rock. By comparison, the median annual salary for clergy members working in Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Ventura was $61,860 last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The McCowans own three homes in Ventura County. They live in a Camarillo home valued at $1,020,000, plus they have title to Gilmond’s house in Ventura, valued at $277,000, and another house on Santa Cruz Way in Camarillo, valued at $674,811, according to the Ventura County Clerk and Recorder.
Read more: Some revere the Rev. Lonnie McCowan as a man of God; others criticize him for amassing wealth
According to the same article, the median income for a pastor in Ventura was $61,860. Mixing money and Christianity is a scam. Letting this huckster out of prison to work at his church is insane. Allowing him 13 years to pay back the value of the property he stole is unwise. Where do they think he will get the money from anyway? It will come from the brainwashed pockets of his followers.
I sat through a service at his church in 2009. It was no picnic. These people are crazy. McCowan is a convicted felon. Attend at your own risk. Check out the Solid Rock Christian Center for more info.
Logging you in...
Anonymous · 735 weeks ago
I look in the Word how God is to be the judge, yet I am only human. If the person in this case had not been him, have the money he has, etc., they would have been convicted in a heartbeat and off to jail for some time to come.
Noone bothers to mention the great church he was going to build for which thousands of dollars were donated to support the creation of a new church which was supposed to be compared to the Crystal Cathedral. Where did all that money go?
Father forgive me, but when the pastor pulled the "racial prejudice" card on top of all this, I was nothing short of infuriated!
As ordained ministers, we have to tow the line even greater than the average person because we are leaders that others look upon for guidance and example from which to learn. From my own personal position, if any pastor commits a serious crime such as this, he has the responsibility to the people and God to step down in humility to make amends for our error and allow another to take care of the sheep.
Despite my disgust and anger over this mess, I pray God will forgive this man and open his eyes God's will, not the promise of the dollar sign and the illusion of fame that can confront us. No matter what, the actions of the pastor are between him and God. Just as every one of us, he will be held accountable for his actions.
Thank you for sharing your perspective on this issue. I have put it in God's hands to judge as He sees fit and pray that He will awaken others to realize that when you glorify someone as they have pastor Lonnie, they are literally saying it's okay. we forgive you. But what about the man and and his family who lost his house?
simply stated · 734 weeks ago
My prayer is that Christians and non-believers can recover from this and grow still in the way of God-
Lonnie Lies! · 655 weeks ago
We were shocked to learn Lonnie McCowan was having an affair with the churches praise singer. It was stunning! His wife was always sitting in the front row and he had 4 children! I learned that Lonnie had used the church money to take his secret girlfriend to expensive hotels.
Around this same time Lonnie was also having issues with the selling and using of cocaine. He was telling his congregation the Police are harassing him because he is a black man in a nice car. Four square officials stepped in and removed Lonnie from his Pastor position. Lonnie sent letters to all of us begging for a second chance. He then began his current church called Solid Rock. The guy made me sick!
Soon after all this, my wife became extremely discouraged and fell away from God. She had an affair and left me. Lonnie played a huge role on the destruction of my young marriage. I can't believe he dedicated my son to the world.
Looking back I remember Lonnie putting such a huge emphasis on his suits, his car, his hair, his colored contact lenses. The scum bag was having an affair and using cocaine! I couldn't believe some of the members followed him over to Solid Rock. They are probably the same ones supporting his current criminal behavior. Lonnie McCowan is trash! He has hurt many, many people. His first wife at New Beginnings must have been so humiliated when he cheated on her. She was an overweight woman (4 young children) and Lonnie was a fit stud having an affair with the skinny praise singer. What a DOG!!!
My allegations are true. I saw it first hand. I was very close to some of his asst. pastors whom which were also very hurt and let down. I was part of an inner circle that had the details regarding Lonnies selling and using cocaine. Remember..... Lonnie loves money! He will hurt people to get it!
Unknown · 710 weeks ago
the "Best" for him and his family. Still do, but extremely disappointed. "That's Life".
Im not here to "Judge". I feel more for the people that attended Solid Rock, the gentleman which had faith in Pastor Lonnie...trusting. Good lesson for everyone, never
sign anything over until an Attorney reviews. "Let all move on"...God in Jesus Name will
address these matters in his "World".
Lonnie Lies! · 655 weeks ago
We were shocked to learn Lonnie McCowan was having an affair with the churches praise singer. It was stunning! His wife was always sitting in the front row and he had 4 children! I learned that Lonnie had used the church money to take his secret girlfriend to expensive hotels.
Around this same time Lonnie was also having issues with the selling and using of cocaine. He was telling his congregation the Police are harassing him because he is a black man in a nice car. Four square officials stepped in and removed Lonnie from his Pastor position. Lonnie sent letters to all of us begging for a second chance. He then began his current church called Solid Rock. The guy made me sick!
Soon after all this, my wife became extremely discouraged and fell away from God. She had an affair and left me. Lonnie played a huge role on the destruction of my young marriage. I can't believe he dedicated my son to the world.
Looking back I remember Lonnie putting such a huge emphasis on his suits, his car, his hair, his colored contact lenses. The scum bag was having an affair and using cocaine! I couldn't believe some of the members followed him over to Solid Rock. They are probably the same ones supporting his current criminal behavior. Lonnie McCowan is trash! He has hurt many, many people. His first wife at New Beginnings must have been so humiliated when he cheated on her. She was an overweight woman (4 young children) and Lonnie was a fit stud having an affair with the skinny praise singer. What a DOG!!!
My allegations are true. I saw it first hand. I was very close to some of his asst. pastors whom which were also very hurt and let down. I was part of an inner circle that had the details regarding Lonnies selling and using cocaine. Remember..... Lonnie loves money! He will hurt people to get it!
Michelle · 679 weeks ago
Lonnie lies! · 655 weeks ago
We were shocked to learn Lonnie McCowan was having an affair with the churches praise singer. It was stunning! His wife was always sitting in the front row and he had 4 children! I learned that Lonnie had used the church money to take his secret girlfriend to expensive hotels.
Around this same time Lonnie was also having issues with the selling and using of cocaine. He was telling his congregation the Police are harassing him because he is a black man in a nice car. Four square officials stepped in and removed Lonnie from his Pastor position. Lonnie sent letters to all of us begging for a second chance. He then began his current church called Solid Rock. The guy made me sick!
Soon after all this, my wife became extremely discouraged and fell away from God. She had an affair and left me. Lonnie played a huge role on the destruction of my young marriage. I can't believe he dedicated my son to the world.
Looking back I remember Lonnie putting such a huge emphasis on his suits, his car, his hair, his colored contact lenses. The scum bag was having an affair and using cocaine! I couldn't believe some of the members followed him over to Solid Rock. They are probably the same ones supporting his current criminal behavior. Lonnie McCowan is trash! He has hurt many, many people. His first wife at New Beginnings must have been so humiliated when he cheated on her. She was an overweight woman (4 young children) and Lonnie was a fit stud having an affair with the skinny praise singer. What a DOG!!!
My allegations are true. I saw it first hand. I was very close to some of his asst. pastors whom which were also very hurt and let down. I was part of an inner circle that had the details regarding Lonnies selling and using cocaine. Remember..... Lonnie loves money! He will hurt people to get it!
Sol · 677 weeks ago
Mojoey 107p · 677 weeks ago
Your point is a fairy tail. If a man is committing crimes, his words cannot be trusted as they are self serving. There is no link to god or the "anointed" nature of his work. To believe otherwise is foolishness.
Lonnie Lies! · 655 weeks ago
We were shocked to learn Lonnie McCowan was having an affair with the churches praise singer. It was stunning! His wife was always sitting in the front row and he had 4 children! I learned that Lonnie had used the church money to take his secret girlfriend to expensive hotels.
Around this same time Lonnie was also having issues with the selling and using of cocaine. He was telling his congregation the Police are harassing him because he is a black man in a nice car. Four square officials stepped in and removed Lonnie from his Pastor position. Lonnie sent letters to all of us begging for a second chance. He then began his current church called Solid Rock. The guy made me sick!
Soon after all this, my wife became extremely discouraged and fell away from God. She had an affair and left me. Lonnie played a huge role on the destruction of my young marriage. I can't believe he dedicated my son to the world.
Looking back I remember Lonnie putting such a huge emphasis on his suits, his car, his hair, his colored contact lenses. The scum bag was having an affair and using cocaine! I couldn't believe some of the members followed him over to Solid Rock. They are probably the same ones supporting his current criminal behavior. Lonnie McCowan is trash! He has hurt many, many people. His first wife at New Beginnings must have been so humiliated when he cheated on her. She was an overweight woman (4 young children) and Lonnie was a fit stud having an affair with the skinny praise singer. What a DOG!!!
My allegations are true. I saw it first hand. I was very close to some of his asst. pastors whom which were also very hurt and let down. I was part of an inner circle that had the details regarding Lonnies selling and using cocaine. Remember..... Lonnie loves money! He will hurt people to get it!
evilbeard 1p · 674 weeks ago
I can't believe he got off with basically a slap on the wrist and the 88 year old guy he swindled will be dead before he sees much of the money stole from him. The fact McCowan's church has no repudiated him tells me the church must be corrupt and sinful as well.
Andy · 667 weeks ago
Don't trust him! · 655 weeks ago
We were shocked to learn Lonnie McCowan was having an affair with the churches praise singer. It was stunning! His wife was always sitting in the front row and he had 4 children! I learned that Lonnie had used the church money to take his secret girlfriend to expensive hotels.
Around this same time Lonnie was also having issues with the selling and using of cocaine. He was telling his congregation the Police are harassing him because he is a black man in a nice car. Four square officials stepped in and removed Lonnie from his Pastor position. Lonnie sent letters to all of us begging for a second chance. He then began his current church called Solid Rock. The guy made me sick!
Soon after all this, my wife became extremely discouraged and fell away from God. She had an affair and left me. Lonnie played a huge role on the destruction of my young marriage. I can't believe he dedicated my son to the world.
Looking back I remember Lonnie putting such a huge emphasis on his suits, his car, his hair, his colored contact lenses. The scum bag was having an affair and using cocaine! I couldn't believe some of the members followed him over to Solid Rock. They are probably the same ones supporting his current criminal behavior. Lonnie McCowan is trash! He has hurt many, many people. His first wife at New Beginnings must have been so humiliated when he cheated on her. She was an overweight woman (4 young children) and Lonnie was a fit stud having an affair with the skinny praise singer. What a DOG!!!
My allegations are true. I saw it first hand. I was very close to some of his asst. pastors whom which were also very hurt and let down. I was part of an inner circle that had the details regarding Lonnies selling and using cocaine. Remember..... Lonnie loves money! He will hurt people to get it!
Mr. Thompson · 627 weeks ago
Mr.Thompson · 627 weeks ago
After a lengthy conversation Alonzo propositioned my business partner to be the Vice President of this company & even offered to buy him a Mercedes Benz to travel back & forth from San Diego to the Oxnard/Ventura area. To make a long story short my business partner and I traveled from California to Teaxs & from California to New York promoting this so called business. Things were fine in the beginning, but as the money started coming in ole Lonnie started showing his true colors!! He was repeatedly asked about changing the structure that he had originally set up by some very influential business people in the Houston, Tx area and Lonnie gave his word that things would remain the same.
Mr.Thompson · 627 weeks ago
After a few weeks & wheel barrel full of money Lonnie began to "change" the structure that he initially set up. Needless to say he fired up a few of those good natured southern folks!! They demanded a conference call, to which my business partner, myself & ALL the good folks in Houston that originally signed were present on. During this call ole LOnnie began to contradict himself so much that I had to leave the call because I was so infuriated with his lack of character & double talk!! But, to top that off this guy CONTINUED to change the structure all the while he kept raising the participation cost & not providing a clear cut course of action & making excuses about some software issue that had been resolved MONTHS prior! He just refused to use the software to pay the participants properly.
Mr.Thompson · 627 weeks ago
His actions created problems with this company because it was a contact of my current business partner & they wanted him to use their program so that they show their abilities to future clients! This guy even used the people from his congregation to facilitate what he wanted, when he wanted with total OBEDIENCE to him! He had the nerve to tell me that he likes military people because they "do what they're told." Really? He actually said this to me! A former Marine who served this country proudly so he could scam folks from the comfort of his big desk in his big office filled with newspaper clippings from his news worthy actions! I wonder if he posted this up in his office!! Bottom line, this guy is vain, self-centered & will do ANYTHING to get money no matter who he has to step on to get it! And this is a representation of the love that the Most High has to offer us? I think not! I'm just thankful that I have changed over the years or this would've been a different story!