At least six MPs, including Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples, and Internet Mana leader Hone Harawira were among those attended the official opening of the Destiny Church’s ‘City of God’ headquarters in Manukau last Friday evening. Church spokeswoman Anne Williamson told the New Zealand Herald that Destiny had no intention of inserting itself into this year’s election Read more
Richard Lewis yesterday thanked his new congregation and family before delivering his first sermon since splitting from the controversial Destiny Church, where he spent 13 years as Bishop Brian Tamaki’s right-hand man. Mr Lewis addressed around 80 people at the Dream Centre in Manukau. He told them he was there because he was “compelled to Read more
Negative posts from a Destiny Church pastor about defector Richard Lewis have been shared online by Bishop Brian Tamaki. Lewis spent 13 years as Tamaki’s right-hand man before resigning from the controversial church three months ago. “I resigned from Destiny in September. I came to an end of that journey,” Lewis said yesterday. “I served Read more
There are cracks appearing in the Destiny Church. One of Bishop Brian Tamaki’s most important lieutenants, Richard Lewis, and left and is setting up his own church. His departure is the latest in string of high profile members leaving Destiny Church. Janine Cardno, the church’s media spokeswoman for many years, and Paul and Michelle Hubble, Read more
The son-in-law of Destiny Church leader Bishop Brian Tamaki has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship to help feed the needy. Vance McPhee and wife Jasmine will use the AMP scholarship to kick-start their business providing low-cost grocery boxes to low-income families. The couple have started building relationships with wholesalers and growers and have a ready-made Read more
Bishop Brian Tamaki says a new book about him and the Destiny Church, “Destiny: The life and times of a self-made apostle” is “not all negative”. In fact, he says, primarily the book is quite positive, and tells the story of Destiny Church which has grown to something from nothing. “I’m feeling quite, wow, chuffed,” he Read more
Peter Lineham is Associate Professor of History at Massey University’s Albany campus, and his research focuses on religion in New Zealand life and history. His new book, Destiny: the Life and Times of a Self-Made Apostle, looks at Brian Tamaki and the Destiny Church. In an interview with Kim Hill Lineham says his book is not Read more
Destiny Church’s bid to establish a charter-type school has been declined. The church was informed on Tuesday its application for a partnership school had been unsuccessful, spokesman Richard Lewis said. So far Destiny had not received an explanation for the decision, but had been told there would be an opportunity to talk about the strengths Read more
Next month a book about the life of Bishop Brian Tamaki and his Destiny Church will be published: The Life and Times of a Self-Made Apostle. It has been written by Massey University’s associate professor of religious history, Peter Lineham. He relies heavily on the accounts of Lynda Stewart, a former financial administrator for the church. Read more
The Salvation Army has bought the Destiny Church complex in Mt Wellington, Auckland. The Destiny church is moving to new premises in South Auckland. People familiar with the property say the back-rooms and offices feature full-length mirrors and opulent fittings. Photos on the website of listing agent Bayleys show chandeliers and leather lounge suites. Salvation Read more