Devilish “Elim Christian Centre” in Auckland, New Zealand, evicted and excommunicated a Christian who is absolutely innocent in relation to all excommunications by churches, through their Senior Pastor Mike Griffiths. Mike Griffiths satanically attacked the innocent Christian immediately that the Christian entered the church building. The pastor declared that the Christian was unwelcome and demanded that the Christian leave church, and then called the police to have the innocent Christian removed. The hostile pastor Mike Griffiths falsely accused the innocent Christian. Mike Griffiths admitted that other church ministers slander, gossip and lie about the innocent Christian, Torsten, and that he and these church ministers conspire against Torsten.

(http://www.elimchristiancentre.org.nz)

On Sunday Feb. 23, 2014, a pastor named Mike Griffiths evicted me from his church Elim Christian Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, and called the police to ensure that I would promptly leave his church premises. I had previously never met or spoken with Mike Griffiths, had never met or spoken with any of his church staff, and had never met or spoken with any of his church members. The only individual communication between myself and Elim Christian Centre was a direct email to two of their church staff; sent less than 12 hrs before my first ever visit to their church. Mike Griffiths is the local Senior Pastor of Elim Church in Auckland, and the National Leader of the Elim National Leadership Team in New Zealand (http://www.elim.org.nz/about/national_leadership.aspx). According to Mike Griffiths, he and some of his staff in New Zealand had previously received my international appeal for prayer; a prayer-report email which Mike Griffiths had perceived as targeting his Elim Christian Centre, and a prayer-report which he had equated to an attack against the global Church.

On the Elim Christian Centre website their church declares its wish to be known for its love and acceptance “We want our church to be known for its love and acceptance.” (http://www.elimchristiancentre.org.nz/about-elim.html). Reality is often very different from aspired image, especially among churches. Elim Christian Centre has now proven not only to me, but possibly has also shown to others in our world, that they are amongst the more hostile, unloving and rejective of churches.

I entered the Elim Christian Centre building at 09:40, 20 min prior to that church’s Sunday morning public “service” whichwas scheduled for 10:00. A man at the door greeted as I entered the open door from outside. I remained standing at the same spot where the greeter greeted at the entrance for approximately three minutes, while answering some typical questions which church-representatives ask. The greeter did not move during questioning. Neither did I. I then noticed a man walking briskly directly towards me from across the opposite side of the room with his eyes fixed firmly on me. He then exclaimed at me “You are Torsten!” Although cautioned by the approaching man’s aggressive tone and hostile manner, I still acknowledged my name. The man then instantly told me that I was not welcome to attend his church “You are not welcome here!”. I therefore took out my mobile phone to record the conversation. The beneath transcribed conversation is from an audio recording between Senior Pastor Mike Griffiths and Torsten. The transcription is as accurate as I am capable to hear.

As is often the case with pastors/priests, also Mike Griffiths’ accusations against Torsten are untrue. The opposite of Mike Griffiths’ accusing words against Torsten is true. Mike Griffiths accuse that Torsten is extremely antagonistic. Mike Griffiths accusation has no resemblance to reality. The truth is that Torsten is peaceful. When I visit a church for the first time, I always arrive with peace and tolerance. It is always, without any exception, the pastors of churches who instigate hostility against Torsten.

During the 7-minute conversation with Senior Pastor Mike Griffiths, Mike Griffiths reached out with his arm in an attempt to physically remove my mobile phone from my hand, and twice during the conversation Mike Griffiths began pushing my body with his hands in his attempt to physically persuade/intimidate me to leave the church building.

Some of the accusations and hostile attitudes from Elim Christian Centre are reflected in these statements by their Senior Pastor Mike Griffiths: “You seem to somebody who has habit of going round to a lot of churches and targeting young females.”, “I understand you’ve been looking to set up relationships with young women [plural]. That’s what we’ve been informed.”, “We can’t have any abnormal behaviour.”, “Your behaviour is particularly extremely antagonistic.”, “We have concerns in our congregation about you being here.”, “You target us. … attacking the church.”, “You’re the one sir who chose to attack us. We have done nothing in any way to do that.” And curiously, the extremely antagonistic Elim Christian Centre also accuse something against my theology: “Your theology is very unfaithful.”

In this satanic war by pastors against Torsten, the first attack from Elim Christian Centre’s senior pastor Mike Griffiths manifested as he charged towards me and antagonistically asserted “You are not welcome here!” as the first statement he made towards me. Mike Griffiths also requested/demanded: “I’m just gonna have to ask you leave! And if you don’t leave I’m gonna have to call the police to move you out.”, “You need to get off our property sir. You’re antagonistic.”

Mike Griffiths inadvertently admitted on record that other church ministers are slandering, gossiping and lying about Torsten, and that the church ministers also conspire against Torsten. The colluding remarks acknowledged by Mike Griffiths are: “We’ve been contacted by a number of friends in ministry and asked to watch out for you.”, and “This is just the type of behaviour we’ve been told to expect from you.”

As usual with many (most?) churches, satan demonstrates that he governs also Elim Christian Centre in Auckland, through their Senior Pastor Mike Griffiths.

This is the audio recording of the conversation between Mike Griffiths and Torsten on Sunday morning at 09:40, Feb.23, 2014 inside the entrance to Elim Christian Centre in Auckland:

[AMR-file original at 650 kB, 7 min]: http://www.kyrkor.be/Elim_Christian_Centre_Auckland_with_Mike-Griffiths_140223_amr.amr

[MP3-file at 3.3 MB, 7 min]: http://www.kyrkor.be/Elim_Christian_Centre_Auckland_with_Mike-Griffiths_140223_mp3.mp3

TRANSCRIPT: 

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   I just thought it’d be good to be real upfront with you.

TORSTEN:   What’s your name?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   My name is Mike. I’m the pastor.

TORSTEN:   Mike?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   [Mike says something angrily]

TORSTEN:   You said I’m not welcome here? Why am I not welcome?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   [Mike changes to a more diplomatic tone of voice] You seem to somebody who has habit of going round to a lot of churches, and targeting young females, and we’re not comfortable with that as people who take our shepherd role of our congregation seriously.

TORSTEN:   What have I been targeting?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   Yes we understand that

TORSTEN:   What have I been doing?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   I understand you’ve been looking to set up relationships with young women [plural]. That’s what we’ve been informed. I’m really sorry we have a shepherding responsibility. I’m just gonna have to ask you leave! [Mike began to physically push me backwards.] And if you don’t leave I’m gonna have to call the police to move you out.

TORSTEN:   Yeah go ahead.

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   That’ll be great, so are you gonna leave [the] premises or not.

TORSTEN:   Call the police.

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   You’re not gonna leave our premises?

TORSTEN:   I want you to call the police.

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   I’m asking you to leave our premises.

TORSTEN:   Call the police as you said.

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   Are you going to leave our premises?

TORSTEN:   No, I’m here. I’m here for the public service.

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   And we have the right to say who can be here and who can’t. Cause we can’t have any abnormal behaviour. [uncertain transcription] And I’m sorry, because eh, that’s just the way it is.

TORSTEN:   Ok. What is my behaviour?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   Your behaviour is particularly extremely antagonistic. We’ve been contacted by a number of friends in ministry and asked to watch out for you. It’s great to have you here, but I’m sorry you’re not welcome here this morning.

TORSTEN:   They said “to watch out for you”?

[Mike Griffiths reaches out with his arm in an attempt to take Torsten’s mobile phone out of his hand, as Mike realises that he just revealed information to Torsten that the churches are conspiring against Torsten. Torsten then quickly removed his mobile phone from between Mike and Torsten and places it behind Torsten’s back in order to protect the phone from Mike’s grasp, and Torsten then returns the mobile phone into the same position as previously; between their faces.]

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   … cause you’re recording without my permission.

TORSTEN:   Of course I’m recording. It’s my evidence.

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   Thank-you, thank-you. Can you please leave now.

TORSTEN:   No I’m …

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   No … is for people who come along here and don’t have problems with our concerns in our congregation, but we have concerns in our congregation about you being here. Thank-you.

[Mike Griffiths suddenly stops his hostile talk and decides instead to only stare superiorly at Torsten. After ten seconds of Mike’s silent staring at Torsten, Torsten asked Mike why he is just staring.]

TORSTEN:   Why are you staring at me?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   Why are you …

TORSTEN:   Yeah, are you just gonna stand there? You said you were gonna call the police.

[Mike Griffiths then shouts towards another church staff and gives orders to her.]

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   Kathy. Kathy! Could you call the police for us. This gentleman here has been asked to leave, and he is refusing to do that. That’ll be great. Thank-you.

[Mike Griffiths turns back to Torsten.]

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   We take our responsibilities to seriously.

TORSTEN:   Hmm. Before God? Is this a Godly decision?

[Mike Griffith’s psychological defence mechanism: projection of Mike’s traits onto Torsten]

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   We have read a lot about what you’ve written, and, seeing the kind of heart I think comes through some of that stuff, I think probably that you need to do a little of a heart-search between you and God, and your attitude to people, toward church, toward Scriptures. I would just, I would respectfully recommend that. Go back there, and check Scriptures again, check your heart on these issues again.

TORSTEN:   What sin have I committed? What sin have I committed?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   Between you and the Lord.

TORSTEN:   Ahhh ok. But still, you’re …

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   My job is not to judge sin. It’s the Lord’s job isn’t it? Isn’t that what Scriptures say?

TORSTEN:   So you’re judging by evicting me and calling the police? And you say that’s not judging? Are you not lying when you say you’re not judging? You’re actually judging.

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   We all make judgements don’t we. And Scriptures, doesn’t Scriptures say that we’re to judge those within the church. Isn’t that what the Scripture says?

TORSTEN:   Hm.

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   You need to get off our property sir. You’re antagonistic and we’re not appreciative of that.

[Mike Griffiths tries again, but harder than previously, to physically push Torsten away.]

TORSTEN:   Stop pushing me!

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   So you are here. You’ve been asked to leave, and you’re not gonna leave. Is that correct?

TORSTEN:   I’m waiting for the police.

[Mike Griffiths shouts towards his church staff, again, and renews his orders to her to call the police.]

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   Kathy!

[Mike Griffiths walks away to his staff for some seconds and then returns to Torsten.]

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   You’ve been around to a lot of churches?

TORSTEN:   That’s none of your business where I go.

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   That’s none of my business now. Ok.

TORSTEN:   What is your business to [accuse falsely of] opposition, and eh, eh …

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   And make judgements?

TORSTEN:   Oh, and you just said. Eh. And harassing young women? Is that what you said?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   That’s not what I said. Maybe you should check your recording.

TORSTEN:   What were the words you said?

[Mike Griffiths lowers his voice and mumbles a bit.]

TORSTEN:   What is the reason you’re evicting me?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   I’ve already had this conversation.

TORSTEN:   Ok. You don’t want to say it again?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   No I’m not. Cause it’s quite clear that you are not willing to enter here … [difficult to hear Mike’s exact words] … You’re not welcome here.

TORSTEN:   And what is the reason I’m not welcome?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   What do you want me to say to you?

TORSTEN:   I’ve never seen you before. You walked straight up to me and said “You’re Torsten!” That’s what you did. And you said “You’re not welcome here!” I’ve never had any interaction with you ever before. And you …

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   How many emails have you sent to me and my staff? You target us. You know nothing about us. You send us defamatory emails about churches around the world. About the Pentecostal denominations particularly. You’re the one sir who chose to attack us. We have done nothing in any way to do that.

TORSTEN:   In what way have I attacked you?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   You sent emails to us, to all of my staff, attacking the church.

TORSTEN:   Attacking your church?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   Attacking the church of which we are a part.

TORSTEN:   Ahh. I’m not a part of the body of Jesus Christ? Is that what you’re saying?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   That’s not what I said at all. You put words into my mouth. You see that’s an excellent attempt. But I’m sorry sir; this is just the type of behaviour we’ve been told to expect from you.

TORSTEN:   Ahh. Ok.

TORSTEN:   “The church” has only one name?

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   Which are you referring to? You know the church comes from the greek word “Ecclesia”. We’re both familiar with what that means. We’re very familiar with […] I thank-you for this conversation. [difficult to hear Mike’s exact words] I don’t think you really care for what’s at here.

TORSTEN:   I think the world wants to. I think the world wants to know what a devil you are.

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   sending us a devil. That’s wonderful. Ok – let’s go.

[Mike Griffiths turns and speaks to his staff.]

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   Kathy are the police coming? That’s great. Thank-you.

TORSTEN:   When an innocent person enters the church, you immediately attack the person.

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   [difficult to hear Mike’s exact words] Your theology is very unfaithful. …

TORSTEN:   Ahh!!

MIKE GRIFFITHS:   … You have sent us the emails. You have been very clear where you stand. Thank-you very much.

TORSTEN:   I think we have enough material.

[Torsten turns his body 120 degrees towards to the greeter who is still standing at the door entrance.]

TORSTEN:   It will be posted online. Would like a copy?

Greeter: No I wouldn’t.

[Torsten turns off the recording and immediately walks out the open-door entrance and continues walking directly to the sidewalk and departs.]

The brief email monologue with Elim Christian Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, is read chronologically from the bottom upwards beneath, with the most recent email at the top:

---------------------

Dear Elim Church - Sphere,

Hi.

I am a Christian single man here in Auckland. I seek a Christian community in Auckland where I also might find opportunities to fellowship, socialise, meet and talk with other Christian singles.

Are there opportunities in your congregation where also single Christians can meet and communicate - and build relationships?

Are there fellowship groups, community groups, cell groups or small groups in your church that I can attend?

Best regards,

Torsten Nenzén

Email: torsten@nenzen.net

Dear Elim Church - Sphere,

Hi.

I am a Christian single man here in Auckland. I seek a Christian community in Auckland where I also might find opportunities to fellowship, socialise, meet and talk with other Christian singles.

Are there opportunities in your congregation where also single Christians can meet and communicate - and build relationships?

Are there fellowship groups, community groups, cell groups or small groups in your church that I can attend?

Best regards,

Torsten Nenzén

Email: torsten@nenzen.net