Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Who is Derek Dunn, City Harvest Church's former executive pastor?



Derek Dunn (2012)


Derek Dunn (1994 Spirit Life Bible College (SLBC) Yearbook, p77) (source)

Spirit Life Bible College (SLBC) students 
(whether Derek Dunn was among them is unknown)
"cast out devils" and "healed" the sick in Singapore 
and Southeast Asia, July 1993 (source)












































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Derek Dunn (born 1972), the former executive pastor (CEO) of City Harvest Church (CHC), left for Atlanta, Georgia after 16 years (Dec 1995-Dec 2011) working at CHC. He is now an itinerant minister, with an online presence, Derek Dunn Ministries, USA,  here.


The  reason given for Dunn's departure is that he needs to care for his sick mother [see below].
Online speculation concerning the possible hidden reason for Dunn's departure, and whether Dunn is using CHC money for his US ministry, prompted me to find out more about Dunn. 
According to Dunn's LinkedIn profile (below), he is a Pastor at Large of CHC. Is he therefore still on CHC's payroll?
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In 1994, Derek Dunn (aged 22) graduated from the now defunct Spirit Life Bible College (SLBC) in Irvine, California. Dunn enrolled at SLBC at its foundation in 1992.
SLBC in 1994 was unaccredited, completely dominated by its founder Roberts Liardon (born 1966, a Charismatic/Pentecostal faith healer/preacher, 26 years old when he founded SLBC in 1992), nothing but a branch of Liardon's church, with the pastors of the church forming the entire teaching staff. 


In 2001 Liardon was involved in a scandal (a homosexual relationship) that greatly damaged SLBC, which became defunct by 2007. The man fell, and the college fell with him. (see "On SLBC" below) 


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According to Dunn's Facebook and LinkedIn profiles (see below), Dunn graduated from SLBC in June 1994,  and served as an itinerant missionary (or simply a sight-seeing traveller, who knows?) in Southeast Asia in June 1994 - Dec 1995 (1 year 7 months).


According to City Harvest School of Theology (CHSOT), "Pastor Derek Dunn has been in full time ministry since 1993. ... Pastor Derek (Dunn) served as a full-time missionary, traveling extensively throughout Southeast Asia for two years, before joining City Harvest Church Singapore in December 1995." (see below)


It would appear that Dunn has falsified the starting date (1993) of his ministry, in order to show two years of missionary experience.
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Having examined SLBC and New Life Bible College (NLBC), the two almae matres (alma maters) of Dunn's, my conclusion is that the quality of Dunn's theological education failed to meet the extremely low expectation that I had before my investigation. 
I would grant, though, that the said quality might be higher than that of Kong Hee's theological education. 


(See here on Kong Hee's bogus theological degrees from a diploma mill.)

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City Harvest School of Theology (CHSOT) Lecturer

Rev. Derek Dunn (source)


Rev. Derek Dunn is originally from the USA and has been in full time ministry since 1993 (edfalse; should be June 1994. A clear attempt to lengthen his missionary service to two years) . He holds a a Diploma in Biblical Studies (U.S.A.)* and a Licentiate in Theology (U.S.A)*. Pastor Derek served as a full-time missionary, traveling extensively throughout Southeast Asia for two years, before joining City Harvest Church Singapore in December 1995. He is the Executive Pastor (CEO) of CHC and overseas (sic) the pastoral office and conducts leadership training regularly for the cell group leaders in Church.


*It is not clear whether Dunn's diploma and licentiate are from SLBC, NLBC, CHSOT, or some other outfit.

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Derek Dunn and Kong Hee (Dec 2011)


Derek Dunn to leave Singapore


City Harvest Church, December 2011 (source)



After 15 years of service at City Harvest Church Singapore, Executive Pastor Derek Dunn will be returning to the United States to care for his mother, who is currently in poor health.

It has been a very difficult decision, both for Dunn and his Singaporean wife Susan, who will be relocating to the US with him and their three children, and for the church leadership. But after months of attempting and considering every other solution, both sides agree that the imperative issue is Dunn’s mother gets the best care right now, and he needs to be there to ensure that.
There are plans for the Dunns to plant a City Harvest church in the US once Dunn’s mother is well on the road to recovery. Kong Hee says, “That won’t happen for a while yet — Derek has to focus on getting his mom well—but we have discussed it, and when it happens, it will be a City Harvest Church in the US, and we will support it to the hilt.” There are over 50 CHC affiliate churches and Bible schools across the globe.


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Derek Dunn's own résumé (source1, source2)

Derek Dunn’s mission is to see churches grow spiritually, numerically, and in impact in their cities. Derek has extensive experience training pastors and ministry leaders on the importance of discipleship, leadership development, and small group ministry that leads to principle centered church growth.
For 20 years, Derek Dunn has been helping pastors and church leaders maximize and grow their ministries to their fullest potential. As Executive Pastor and strategist of one of the largest churches in Asia, Derek was instrumental in implementing structure and leadership training that saw City Harvest Church (CHC) in Singapore grow from 1,400 members to their highest average attendance of 32,000.

Derek Dunn served under the leadership of Dr. (ed. doctorate is probably from a diploma mill) Kong Hee, the Founder and Honorary Senior Pastor of CHC for 16 years. As the Executive Pastor in Singapore, Derek Dunn provided oversight for the Pastoral Office and 30+ Ministry Heads of Departments of the church, conducted regular leadership training in CHC and throughout Asia and was a regular speaker at CHC’s School of Theology (CHSOT) (sot.chc.org.sg), the largest Bible College in Southeast Asia*. CHC’s worship and ministry style is among the most contemporary and biblically sound** among churches in the world. At a rate of planting one new church every 3 months, CHC is a mission-minded church. CHC’s motto of kristos kai kosmos is to bring Christ into the marketplace and contemporary culture of society in a relevant way.

Derek Dunn is originally from the United States and under the direction of the Holy Spirit and the backing of Pastor Kong Hee and City Harvest Church, he returned back to the USA in December 2011 and travels as an itinerant minister internationally. As an ordained minister Derek has had the opportunity to travel to 25 nations of the world as a missionary, conference speaker, Bible teacher and church consultant. He carries a strong conviction and tangible presence of God as he preaches, teaches and ministers.
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* This is misleading, giving the impression that CHSOT is the most established and prestigious Bible college in Southeast Asia.

In fact CHSOT is a glorified Sunday school of CHC with a faculty of six (excluding Dunn), offering a six-month Advanced Certificate program each year, and no degree program. At least five of the six faculty members are part timers, as they are either pastors of CHC, or conduct other ministries in the church.

** By claiming that prosperity gospel as taught by Kong Hee in CHC is biblically sound, Dunn shows his utter ignorance and willful distortion of the Bible. For an understanding of how prosperity gospel  deviates from historic Christianity, and was devised to enrich swindlers and scoundrels, see here.


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Derek Dunn's education (source)


1990:  Graduated from Mount Paran Christian School in Kennesaw, Georgia (USA). Started at New Life Bible College (NLBC) in Cleveland, Tennessee
1992: Graduated from NLBC (aged 20). Started at Spirit Life Bible College (SLBC) in Irvine, California
1994: Graduated from  Spirit Life Bible College (SLBC) (aged 22)
1995: Started Working at City Harvest Church (CHC) (aged 23)

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Derek Dunn on LinkedIn (source)

Pastor at Large

City Harvest Church, Singapore

December 2011 – Present (8 months) United States


President / Founder

Derek Dunn Ministries, USA

June 1995 – Present (17 years 2 months) Virginia Beach, Virginia. USA
DDM's mission is to see churches grow spiritually, numerically, and in impact in their cities. Derek has extensive experience training pastors and ministry leaders on the importance of discipleship, leadership develop, and small group ministry that leads to principle centered church growth.


Executive Pastor

City Harvest Church, Singapore

December 1995 – December 2011 (16 years 1 month) Singapore
As the Executive Pastor, Derek provided oversight for the Pastoral Office and 30+ Ministry Heads of Departments of the church and was responsible for matters pertaining to strategy and implementation of the overall church vision.


Regular Speaker

City Harvest School of Theology

January 1996 – November 2011 (15 years 11 months) Singapore
Serves as an honorary regular speaker in City Harvest Church's School of Theology (SOT) since January 1996. The SOT is the largest Bible college in Southeast Asia.


Itinerant Minister in Southeast Asia

Missionary

June 1994 – December 1995 (1 year 7 months) Southeast Asia
Upon graduating from Bible College, Derek served as an itinerant missionary traveling extensively throughout Southeast Asia.


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On Spirit Life Bible College (SLBC)


Roberts Liardon


Spirit Life Bible College (SLBC) in Irvine, California was founded in 1992 by 26-year-old Roberts Liardon (b. Feb 14, 1966), a Charismatic/Pentecostal  preacher along the line of controversial faith healers Oral RobertsKathryn Kuhlman, and Aimee Semple McPherson.

SLBC in 1994 was unaccredited, completely dominated by Liardon, nothing but a branch of Liardon's church, with the pastors of the church forming the entire teaching staff. In 1993-94, SLBC had 87 seniors and 88 juniors.

In December 2001, Liardon  took leave as pastor of his congregation after admitting to a moral failure involving a short term homosexual relationship with his church youth minister, John Carette. Liardon took a three month leave of absence from Roberts Liardon Ministries to seek counselling and undergo a process of restoration. The scandal devastated many of Liardon's followers, students and missionaries who left the church, bible college and ministry.

SLBC became defunct by 2007 (source), possbly in 2005 (source: reader's comment here). The man fell, and the college fell with him.


Roberts Liardon Leaves Ministry Over 'Moral Failure' 
December 21, 2001 (source

Pastor and writer Roberts Liardon is stepping down from ministry after admitting to "moral failure." He is taking a three-month leave of absence to seek "professional and church counseling related to a recent short-term homosexual relationship," according to a statement issued on behalf of his Embassy Christian Center in Irvine, California.

Liardon, 34, announced his decision this week citing "several situations, both personal and health related," the statement said. He had been advised by doctors to take time off to deal with an ongoing heart condition and further recuperate from recent surgery, it added.

Liardon said: "As a minister of the gospel, I realize my moral failure has been inappropriate and wrong. I have asked God's forgiveness, and for the past month have sought professional counseling and other help. I ask anyone affected by my actions to forgive me and to pray for both my spiritual and physical recovery."

The statement said that Liardon will re-evaluate his situation in three months' time, together with those offering "accountability, counseling and authority...and determine the appropriate time for his return." Liardon is the author of "God's Generals," a history of Pentecostal pioneers. He founded Spirit Life Bible College, and his Roberts Liardon Ministries has offices in England, South Africa and the Philippines.

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September 2009 (source)


The 2001 scandal triggered an exodus from Liardon's church and his school, Spirit Life Bible College. Some leaders who left complained that Liardon did not accept initial pastoral counsel from a leader who advised him to step away from the pulpit for one year.


Both organizations closed in 2007, when Liardon relocated his itinerant preaching ministry to Florida.


In September 2009, Liardon became the principal of the International Bible Institute of London (IBIOL), the training arm of the charismatic Kensington Temple London City Church.



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New Life Bible College (NLBC)

Similar to SLBC, New Life Bible College (NLBC, founded in 1977) of Cleveland, Tennessee is an unaccredited church school dominated by a Charismatic/Pentecostal preacher Norvel Hayes (born April 20, 1927), and simply a branch of his New Life Bible Church.

NLBC shows no curriculum, faculty, or degree program of any kind online. It is perhaps a glorified Sunday School or Bible retreat.

"Dr" Norvel Hayes (right) was awarded a bogus PhD in Theology by
Life Christian University, a diploma mill,
based in Lutz, Florida, a suburb of Tempa (source)

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you your hard work.God bless you.

Anonymous said...

THIS IS AWESOME

Anonymous said...

Philippians 1:17 - The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

Philippians 1:18 - But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.

Whether God judges the wicked or not, whether these people are guilty of wrongdoing or not, its not of our business. All shall be judged. Unless we think that we are smarter than God? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

If not, judge not. :)

Helluo Librorum said...

It is absolutely our business to judge, imperfect in intellect and character though we might be.

The more moderate injunction is that Christians should not judge one another. That I categorically reject.

But you appear to preach an extreme injunction that Christians should judge no one else (Christians or otherwise), or that no one should judge other people, period.

That, I trust, is simply too ridiculous to need refutation.

Helluo Librorum said...

Christians under the self-serving injunction of mercenary "pastors" and leaders to surrender their mind and their intelligence, pass no judgment on other Christians, and unconditionally honour and obey their pastors, should heed Apostle Peter's warning on false prophets and false teachers.

(NIV) 2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them —bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
...

17 These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit," and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”