What do you think?

It sounds terrible, but I would like to hear the other side before making a judgement call.

A quick google comes up with several different "Set Free Ministries."

 

Based on Brandon Tallman's location in Tacoma, Washington, I did a websearch of 'Set Free Ministries'. I think I found a website of a ministry/church that fits Brandon's description (inner city mission, Baptist church, discipleship program for troubled people) located in Elma, Washington, about 60 miles from Tacoma, WA. The website of this ministry/church is:

http://www.setfreechurch.org/

I didn't see anything like Brandon Tallman discussed being posted on the website, as it is very detailed with its ministry focus, goals, and programs.

Brandon, is this the place?

 

W__A__R__N__I__N__G...............
This sounds much more like a religious CULT to me, by the modus operandi you mentioned.

God does not need, nor does He EVER demand that a person give 100 % of their earnings to Him.
And just what is this 'set free' outfit DOING with the money it steals from its members?
Yes, I did say stealing, because that is precisely what it is.
The only reason it is taking such people as you describe sounds like they prey on the helpless and seemingly hopeless.
The 'absolute obediance' is another thing people need to be extremely WARY of.
In many religious cults, this 'obedience' is pre-arranged through long-drawn-out periods of starvation which cults often call 'cleansing fasts'....... the complete DEPENDENCE on the group for the survival of the members is nothing short of brutality, because if they tried to leave, where would they go without money to buy food or transportation, let alone a room or anything, period?
True, SOME might spend all they earn on dope, booze, cancer-sticks, whatever--- but not ALL people addicted are like that.
Their refusal to permit the member to pay obligatory debts is definitely NOT CHRISTIAN, and personally, I feel you should launch an intensive investigation agasinst that group and its 'leaders'.

I'm not trying to be an alarmist, but BE VERY WARY of groups like the one you described here.
Over the years, I've been doing a lot of intensive study on religious cults, and the pretenses they use to lure and enslave members.

That group may claim it is Baptist, but its ACTIONS denote completely lies. Groups like that really make me seethe.

God bless, and please DO keep us informed.
Christian1

 

If this is indeed the place it says it is a part of the SBC.

 

Some sites you may wish to acces:
http://web.ask.com/searchcp?q=Set+Free+Ministries&t=Set+Free+Ministries&cache=00*cv6qf2idq8gf&url=http://www.apostle.org/&page=&ws=1

and

http://www.setfreecanada.com/index.php

and

http://www.fishthe.net/OnlineEvangelism/indexoe.htm

and

http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/s/setfree/


Please bear in mind, too----- religious cults will only put on their website what they WANT you to see, in order to lure new members.

So their practices as described earlier may not be included in the writeups.

C1

 

Any ministry that wants all your money and doesn't want to allow you to keep your money and give what you decide is right, is not a ministry from God, sounds more like a ministry of greed.

 

How is your father involved? Is he one of the ministers? Or is he being ministered to?

Is this the program that LRL71 cited? Sounds like a good program to me. They house, feed, and train the people.

As to paying child support, I would guess that these people were not paying child support before they became involved in the program.

 

A ministry that tells you that you must give them all your money can not be considered a good ministry.

 

Brandon, I'm curious where you got your information. Maybe you should pay a visit to discuss your concerns with this organization.

Is your father a client there?

Your father should probably accompany you there as well.

I am skeptical of these claims.

MR

 

Hi Brandon,

Welcome to the Baptist Board!

I pray that we will be a blessing to you, and you to us. As for Set Free ministries, I am somewhat acquainted with this group:

http://www.angelsharleyevents.com/setfree.htm

It is an evangelical Christian organization whose pastors are former bikers, drug addicts, etc. I have been to a few of their worship services and Jesus Christ is lifted up as Lord and Savior, but the lack of education on the part of their pastors is strikingly obvious and they even brag about it as they preach from the pulpit wearing a black tank top exposing their prison tattoos.

I have also been with them on the street and at an outdoor rally/barbeque in a public park. That very many of them were severely damaged goods is very obvious; it is also very obvious that very many of them have had their lives turned around by about 150 degrees. The remaining 30 degrees is also very apparent in the smoking of cigarettes by their pastors while witnessing for Christ in public, their fleshing out on their motorbikes, and their general crudeness and ignorance of the Scriptures.

If they are helping your father, or God is using your father to help them, to God be the glory.

 

It would be good to know which set free ministries he is talking about.