What is key to understand about the insurgent religious tradition espoused by at least three out of four of Sarah Palin's Alaska churches is that, first, it was denounced by the Assemblies of God, as a heresy and unbiblical, both in 1949 and again in 2000.
The New Apostolic Reformation movement considers itself to be the only valid religious belief system on Earth. Adherents not only of non-Christian religious beliefs, not to mention atheists and agnostics, but even Christians in other sects and denominations, are held to be under the sway of Satan and possessed by demon spirits.
Thus, in the event John McCain and Sarah Palin win the 2008 presidential election America would face the prospect a having, a heartbeat away from the presidency, a vice president who might well believe that Catholics and non-Third Wave Christians hold false religious views and are controlled by demon powers.
In 1949 the Assemblies of God expelled from their association a number of leaders of the New Order of Latter Rain, a movement declared a heresy. But the remnants reemerged on a much larger scale in the 1980s and 90s under new leadership. Under the radar of most Americans, they call themselves the New Apostolic Reformation or the Third Wave.
Once she became Governor, Sarah Palin chose to attend Juneau Christian Center, when in residence in the capitol city. This church, once named Bethel Assembly of God, is a member of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, as was the church of her youth.
"The opening night banquet of the 2008 Alaska District Council was honored to have Governor Sarah Palin address the delegates and guests...
...Superintendent Ted Boatsman, who was Palin's junior high pastor at Wasilla Assembly of God, along with Pastor Mike Rose of Juneau Christian Center, where Palin presently attends church when in Juneau, laid hands on the Governor and led the Council in prayer."
[From: The Alaska Update, Summer 2008,
Alaska Assemblies of God, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska]
In 1996 Dr. Andrew Evans, former Superintendent, Australian Assemblies of God from 1977 - 1997, and founder of the Australian Family First Party, wrote about pastor Mike Rose in the "Renewal Journal" in 1996. In reference to the "new wave" he writes about Rose's efforts to manage the manifestations of this new movement in his church.
"...if there are two or three who are perhaps crying or laughing uncontrollably , the ushers will gently lead them into the prayer room where they can continue in the presence of Jesus ..."
" Mike is an AOG pastor in the largest city in Alaska, who had Rodney Howard-Browne minister in his church four years ago.....Mike is also an advisor on Rodney Howard-Browne's Revival Ministries committee...He informed me that he had sat in over 110 of Rodney's meetings..."
[Renewal Journal #7 (1996:1), Brisbane, Australia, pp. 37-42
www.renewaljournal.com]
The Apostles of the Third Wave, or the New Apostolic Reformation, believe that they must restructure the churches of America to do battle with evil prior to the return of Jesus. They are also preparing a generation of youth to serve as "Joel's Army" and to attack the 'demonic strongholds" of America. While the Assemblies of God churches widely embrace divine healing and speaking in tongues, this new end times army has received unique outpourings of the spirit such as:
---Falling individually or in huge groups into long stupors
---Shaking or Drunkenness in the Spirit,
---Weeping or howling uncontrollably
---Holy Laughter.
BELOW: previous video documentary in an ongoing series on Sarah Palin's churches -- "Palin's Demon Haunted Churches."
[for sources of video footage used in this documentary, plus background documentation on the Third Wave movement please see here.
Description of "Palin's Churches and the Third Wave"
Palin's churches are actively involved in a resurgent movement that was declared heretical by the Assemblies of God in 1949. This is the same 'Spiritual Warfare' movement that was featured in the award winning movie, "Jesus Camp," which showed young children being trained to do battle for the Lord. At least three of four of Palin's churches are involved with major organizations and leaders of this movement, which is referred to as The Third Wave of the Holy Spirit or the New Apostolic Reformation. The movement is training a young Joel's Army to take dominion over the United States and the world.
In the video you will see the Wasilla Assembly of God's participation with major international ministries that believe churches must be restructured for the end times under the authority of prophets and apostles anointed by God. A new breed of super Christians will have powers to get messages directly from God, heal the sick, and lay claim for God to cities across the world through "strategic level spiritual warfare" against territorial demons. You will see 'slaying in the spirit' by cell phone anointing, visions of a portal to Jesus on the third floor, and accounts of a village being saved by expelling a witch. The video is accompanied by documentation in articles at www.Talk2action.org. The articles include further links of Palin's churches with major leaders of this extreme movement including Rodney Howard-Browne, the person given credit for the beginning of 'holy laughter' outbreaks at revivals around the world. Involvement with the activities of other major leaders is revealed including Rick Joyner, Steve Thompson, Lou Engle, Frances Frangipane and more.
Links:
Sarah Palin's Churches and the Third Wave, Part One
Sarah Palin's Churches and the Third Wave, Part Two with embedded video
Bruce Wilson/research team produced "viral" video credited ( NYT, Washington Post, Newsweek, MSNBC, CNN ) with forcing John McCain to renounce the political endorsement of John Hagee.