Below is the letter the ASSEMBLIES OF GOD Church sent me in responce to my e-mail. As you can see it was very carefully written. The word "Prophecy" is not in the letter at all. They used "statement" in its place. Please read for yourself John Kilpatrick's Prophecy Against Hank Hanegraaff and Kilpatrick's "apology" for it.
THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
THOMAS E. TRASK PHONE:(417) 862-2781
General Superintendent FAX:(417) 863-6614
July 16, 1997
Dear Mr. Crow:
Choice Christian Greetings!
This will respond to your questions concerning John Kilpatrick and the Brownsville Revival. First of all, I want to state very clearly that we have been monitoring this. There is a Committee of Reference put in place by our office to meet with Pastor Kilpatrick and Evangelist Hill on these matters, to give guidance and counsel.
It was unfortunate that Pastor Kilpatrick made the statement relative to the matter of Hank Hanegraaff. I have talked with pastor on this and it would have been better had he not made any statement. If God wants to deal with Hank Hanegraaff, that's God's business. John Kilpatrick doesn't have to be the mouthpiece for God. I also want to state that one must keep in mind that John Kilpatrick is human and simply because the revival broke out down there, doesn't place him above the frailty of man. That should not be interpreted that we condone what was said, because pastor has been told that he need not defend God, and he need not defend the revival. I do believe Pastor Kilpatrick did what was right and honorable in admitting to his error and asking for an apology. This shows me that his heart is right and that he is willing to follow the right instruction from the Lord. No one, that I know of, asked him to make this apology. This was something he did entirely on his own.
It was my privilege to be in Brownsville Assembly recently to meet with the pastor and evangelist as a member of the Committee of Reference. I say that only to assure you that this is being watched closely and matters are being handled directly with them. There were several items that we touched on in this meeting. It is important that we find a balance in not being gullible to everything that would come under the heading of revival and yet be open to what God wants. We don't want to ever be perceived as a throttle or as a restrictive measure, but to stand alongside these men whom God has chosen to flow in and through to touch scores upon scores of men and women.
God is bigger than all these matters and He will continue to pour out His spirit on those who hunger and thurst after righteousness. I am happy to report that there is a tremendous harvest taking place in Brownsville. At the present over 100,000 people have signed conversion cards, and people by the scores are finding Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Be assured of our desire to see that the Kingdom of God, and the Word of God, is not brought into reproach as a result of what God is doing today.
I trust this has been helpful to you. May the Lord bless you.
Sincerely,
Thomas E. Trask
General Superintendent
TET:ak
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