Saint Lukes Evangelical Ministry ripped off, false promises, no response, won't answer phone, won't e-mail back, took money Hephzibah,Georgia

First International Church of the Web is a fraud. I am a member, and I still say it. For months, people have been complaining that they are sending money and orders to David Ford, and they have received nothing in return. On June 23, 2009, one person wrote this on the FICOTW bulletin board:

A friend and I are both ordained ministers. We have been running an outreach food pantry for some years. I mailed in coursework and checks for Master of Theology degrees. It's been 2 months since the checks were cashed but have heard or received nothing. I have emailed Rev. David Ford repeatedly with no reply. Can someone help?!

The fact is that the answer is NO. It seems nobody can help. Money seems to be pouring into the ministry, but nothing is being returned for the money. In my opinion that amounts to either Mail Fraud or Interstate Wire Fraud, depending on whether it is being sent through the mail or over the internet. The so-called Reverend David Ford is apparently keeping the money for himself and either refusing or neglecting to send the product ordered. So I guess that could make it fraud or outright theft. TWO MONTHS since this guy's checks were cashed, and still nothing to show for it. And what was he ordering? A fictitious "Master Degree" with no academic or legal backing whatsoever.

Stay away from this place. It is a scam, and it gives other, more legitimate, ministries a black eye.

I recently became ordained through St Lukes. I sent my e-mail and statement of faith on Sunday, May 31, and received my response a few days later on June 2, 2009. My reason for becoming ordained was to dedicate my life to God. I did an extensive search and found many sites willing to ordain individuals. Mostly all of them did not care about my religious preference (some would even ordain if you performed witchcraft), they did not care about my faith in the Lord, and they did not care about my views. St Lukes was the ONLY site I found that had everything I was looking for. It seems to share my conservative biblical beliefs. I am happy I made this decision and I am happy with the site.

The negative comments are disappointing, as it is also disappointing to see Christians talk in such a negative manner. I am often shocked by the language and anger used in such places as Christian chat rooms (and I'm not referring to St Lukes). I think that the world has become such a bitter place, in which everything bad is acceptable, while Christians and those loving the Lord have to fight so hard for their beliefs. Its ok if you believe in gay marriage, but don't dare speak against it. Don't talk about God in school. No religion in the government. I think we can see where this has gotten our country, certainly not ahead. Christians are constantly being criticized and attacked and unfortunately have had to develop a tough skin to stick up for their beliefs. Its time, however, for us Christians to stick together, demonstrating love and peace, as Jesus would. I'll end with this:

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
forgive them anyway

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives;
Be Kind anyway

If you are successful you will win some false friends and some true enemies
Succeed anyway

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
be honest and frank anyway

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
build anyway

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
be happy anyway

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God
It was never between you and them anyway

Much love,
Sister Rabecca

It took about 5 months for me to get me certificate but it did come. I do not believe that St. Lukes is a rip off. I feel that Rev. Ford needs help to fulfill his ordered and that he is overwhelmed. I pray that God will send him help. Please be patience I thought that I would not receive my certificate but it did come.

God bless you all and Rev Ford!

Rev. Williams

I do wish that Brother Ford would take a closer look at the folks whom are requesting an ordination, but that is my opinion. I do not feel a person who uses foul language is meant to be ordained to serve Christ. We, as ordained servants of Christ, are to be leaders and show how to live by example. I am not seeing any Christ like love or behavior in these matters at all. Yes, it took a bit of time for my credentials to come. They did not come in the time frame that I would have liked for them to come in, but it taught me that patience is needed when being a servant of God's Kingdom. Besides, when Rev. Ford says that you have been ordained, you have been ordained by God, not by Brother Ford. The "credentials" ( as another Bishop had told me ) do not make you a minister, pastor, priest, or whatever title you want to be referred to as. The credentials are nothing more than a piece of paper showing anyone whom you show them to, that you have been ordained into servant hood in God's Kingdom. They will also give you the ability to send them in to the state of residence to receive permission to perform marriages, but other than that, the credentials do not make you an ordained servant. Your heart felt love for Christ, and the willingness to serve in His kingdom is what makes you what you are.
I would be ashamed to show my face to anyone in the REAL Christian community with the hatred and slander that the accusers are showing toward Brother Dave and FICOTW or Saint Luke's. I have been a pastor ordained through, NOT by, Brother Dave since December of 2005. God ordained me through Brother Dave who chose to work as the vessel for which the task was done. I do have to say that with Brother Dave, he won't just hand out ordinations to anybody, he wants to make sure that you have your heart in the right place and will also have you do a letter of Statement of Faith, to see where you are in your walk with God. Other organizations will just hand out ordinations for $$$$$$$ and wala you are now ordained, which is not cool if you ask me.
I will pray for those who want to slam Brother Dave or FICOTW/ St. Luke's for any reason at all.

MINISTERIAL CREDENTIALS FOR SALE?
YOU SHOULD HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE FIRST CHURCH OF UNIVERSAL LIFE AND DOWNLOADED YOUR MINISTER CREDENTIALS RIGHT THERE AND THEN FOR FREE --NO WAITING. THEY SELL SUPPLIES FOR THEIR MINISTRY AS IS THEIR RIGHT AND YOU MIGHT WANT TO BUY A COPY OF THEIR PRAYER BOOK SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT THEY ARE ALL ABOUT...

I KEPT WAITING TO HEAR SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR GUY JESUS IN HERE BUT I NEVER DID. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS A CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION OR WHAT... I AM NOT A CHRISTIAN BUT I ADMIRE YOUR GUY JESUS, HE OR ONE OF HIS PEOPLE SAID BY THEIR ACTS OR BY THEIR FRUITS --DEPENDING ON THE TRANSLATION --SHALL YOU KNOW THEM. WELL, I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THEIR ACTS FOR SOME TIME AND I KNOW ENOUGH TO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH WHATEVER ST.LUKE'S IS --SHAME-- BECAUSE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN A GREAT DOCTOR WHOSE HANDS WERE GIVEN INCREDIBLE HEALING POWERS BY G*d --THE ORIGINAL ST. LUKE WHO HUNG OUT WITH JESUS, THAT IS.

In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church took it upon themselves to sell "indulgences" which is like a phone card only you can pay them so much and you were entitled to so many sins and not be put in hell. Along came a guy name Martin Luther who stepped up to the plate and said HELL,NO, THIS IS WRONG. ONLY G*D CAN FORGIVE SINS!! It was one of the causes of the Protestant Church -- PROTESTING THE SALE OF G*D'S MERCY,GRACE AND FORGIVENESS FOR SO MANY OF WHATEVER DENOMINATION OF MONEY THEY WERE SELLING FOR AT THE TIME!

I can't presume to know why people would want a license from a dubious organization like St. Luke's when I see all of the PAST RIP OFFS THEY HAVE DONE IN TO PEOPLE.

JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED. I AM NOT JUDGING. I AM JUST CURIOUS ABOUT ALL OF THIS...

Everyone knows what a rip off this "ministry" is. They will "ordain" anyone who has the cash. I understand that the founder also was ordained online by another such entity. I certainly would not advertise the fact that I was ordained by this scam outfit if I ever had any inclination to be a REAL minister. I seriously doubt that ANYONE who has ever been ordained by them has EVER held ANY position within an actual church. I fail to see the justification of such an organization. They have no physical church building, only a website and a bulletin board. Just by reading this bulletin board one can see the lack of spiritual depth, let alone the lack of Biblical education, possessed by these morons. Several municipalities and states have passed laws against recognition of these types of credentials. I can only hope that the remaining states do the same. Sham and scam - 100%

First off their is no excuse for this organization being like this. This organization needs to quit being irresponsible. At the bottom of their order form. It states allow 3 to 4 weeks. If for some reason it will be late. They need to notify the individual stating it will be late. maybe offer a refund as well. Because if they can't do this. Then why the hell offer these services (ordination,etc.) The reason I"m responding to this report of this organization. I'm a victim of these people to. I had order my credentials to. And I never received anything! I email these people to. Sadly got nothing. I'm getting my ordination done somewhere else. I wish you guys the best on your journey to become a minister! GOD BLESS!

I am an Ordained Minister and have worked with the St. Luke Evangelical Ministries for the last 8 years now. I have never once had any problems at all with this ministry. I do know that, as a minister, many people, when they have little time, expect a pastor to drop everything and every other person for their wants and needs. This is not possible and not Christian like.

The Apostle Paul tells us to be patient in everything, this includes expecting a reply that is not an Emergency of life and death.

We do not know why Dr. Ford was not able to answer their reply in the way or time they wanted. He is a pastor of many other people and bishop, or overseer of other pastors as well.

I would recomend that these people try a little Christ like Love, before going and trying to destroy a nother persons ministry.
Respectfully, a fellow servant in the Lord's Harvest and willing slave for the cause of Christ,

Pastor Bob

I have been a member of Saint Lukes now since May 2004. While I find them slow to respond, not more so than any other Church of the Web. My sister was also Ordained by this Church and sent money for credentials. While the check was cashed as soon as they received it, she did get her credentials, eventually.

Just because a company or Church is slow does not make them a "Rip-Off". Full e-mail boxes are not a sign either. I find that those who order their credentials when they are ordained get a quicker response. I received mine in 4 weeks. My sister in 6 weeks. Never wait till the last momnet to get your Official papers. As for no one answering the phone, this could be that no one is there when you call. I myself am not by the phone constantly and receive many calls and sometimes my VM gets full. I check mine every day and have this problem and I only have a small church. I don't believe that this is a ripp-off situation. It is a situation created from bad planning. Thank You for your time and God Bless, Pastor AJL