Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

Does anyone on here know anything about this church in Johnson City?

I came across one of their videos on youtube and was listening to their worship and thought I wonder if these folks are Apostolic. Found their church website, but did not find any doctrinal statements.

I was just wondering if anyone knows anything at all about them, for the sake of curiosity.

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

Looks like they're Branhamites.

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

Yup

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

Why so? I could not imagine a Branham group having that many people.

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

They have a link to Branham's library on their website.

http://www.happyvalleychurch.com/

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

Yeah they are. I was baptized in a small Church called Faith Fellowship in Dayton, Ohio in 1978. I had been there a few months and I heard something about a "Branham Church".

I asked the Pastors wife what that was and she told me I was in one. The Pastor had mentioned him a few times that was it.

A few years later they still believed he was a prophet but not THE PROPHET.

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

In my opinion it is hard to find fault with people who are lifting hands and crying holy holy holy. It certainly appears from their position they are worshiping God as best as they know how to do.

To me the litmus test is do we see the blessings of God upon a ministry? I am not speaking of worldly blessings, but blessings that reflect the presence of God seen through divine works that could not happen without God doing them.

I live in the midst of the Bible Belt and I'm still looking for the church with elders who can lay hands on and heal their members from various diseases without them having to go to medical doctors.

I feel that there is one out there but I have not found it yet.

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

I've heard the term Branhamite tossed around here before.
What exactly does that mean for these folks?

Should I be concerned about listening to their praise and worship-- as in their spirit could rub off on me?

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

From what I know of the person that the persons in the video are said to be followers of, was someone back in the 50s and 60s associated with a lot of healing and other miracles. I did see a picture of him on one website taken at one of his gatherings that showed a flame over his head in the manner spoken of in the Bible at Pentecost.

That is the good news. The bad news that I heard was he had problems with alcohol that was his undoing, and that he was killed in a DUI accident. I have also heard talk that he introduced the doctrine of Satan's seed being in mankind because Eve had sex with the devil. I could be wrong but I think that is the doctrine he is associated with that got him his bad name.

However, watching the video I would be more concerned about them or others coming under the influence of chanting that is slowly making its way into Christian praise and worship circles by people not knowing what they are risking by saying the same words over and over again along with the same sound for long periods of time.

Doing so risks introducing a trance-like state of being to a person's mind causing people to think they have come under the influence of the Holy Spirit when it is anything but the Holy Spirit that has grabbed a hold of them.

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

If that happened consistently 100% of the time Chrisitans would live forever. God can heal and does heal but it is at his discretion. That is why when I pray for healing for myself or someone else I always preface it with "if it is Your will". By His stripes we are healed but it did not say that we would be healed every time / all of the time. I am thankful for doctors who have taken the gifts God has given them and have used them to learn about medicene to help us. I don't believe God has a problem with that at all.

I have a feeling you are going to be one of those wanderers who never finds a church good enough for you. Hope I am wrong. According to my wife I often am.

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

Yes, I've been told they are branhamites...I also had to be told what that was...

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

The way you can tell if you are at a "happening" Branhamite church is if they now listen to mp3's or at least CD's of "The Prophet" rather than cassette t apes!

Back in the mid to late 70's I had a friend who dated a girl for a short time from a Banhamite church. They were VERY "Branhamite" and would regularly listen to recordings of "The Prophet" for their sermon in church. It was a very small church. I know you are surprised!

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

Just as there are many kinds of 'apostolic churches', there are various kinds of "Branhamite churches' also. One 'Branhamite church I enjoy occasionally is located in Louisiana. Great preaching in my opinion.

http://www.eveninglight.net/index.cfm?cid=52

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

William Branham was a Jesus name preacher. He never drank alcohol in his life. He did in his later life embrace "serpent seed". For a stretch of time, about 10 years historians would say he had one of the most powerful charismatic ministries since the first century.

By chanting I assume you mean the very nice song they were singing. A moderately Charismatic song that did nothing but honor the Lord.

The "trance like" state you describe might be better seen as persons engaging in personal closeness and intimacy with God. Something Christians very much need.

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

MTD you have had quite the walk and experiences walking with the Lord. I enjoy your sharing. :thumbsup

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

These folks are Branhamites I met some of them years ago. They are from a Oneness Pentecostal background. Like the group in M'boro.

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

It is stuff like the quote above that makes me think you are not real but someone pulling our leg.

As far as chanting the same words over and over again I heard more of that being raised in old time Pentecost than I ever have heard in modern Christian praise and worship music. Saying "Jesus" over and over as fast as you could was standard fare in old time Pentecostal "worship". No one seemed very concerned about "vain repetitions" then!

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

Branham was a great anointed man, that got a little off on some of his teachings later on. I'm sure there are some well meaning Holy Ghost filled folks that call themselves Branhamites, but some of his later doctrines I just can't get with.

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

According to Branham a woman cannot enter the kingdom of God wearing pants. I listened to his sermons for a couple of months before trashing them and cleaning my disk. i have a cousin who is very 'branhamite'

Re: Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ
 

You are very generous in using the word "little". :icecream