Saint Mathew's Churches Aka Prayer By Letters ripoff religious in nature prayers answered thru giving to this so called ministry rip off con artists Tulsa Oklahoma
My experience with this so-called ministry began on May 16, 2003. My husband had just returned home from the hospital having had by-pass surgery. It was a very emotional and stressful time in my life.
When I got the mail, here was this card from St. Matthew's Churches aka Prayer by Letters asking me to submit my prayer request. No money was asked for at this time so I thought what would be the harm. (Duh! Big mistake!)
A week later I received a letter with a cross pendant inside. This was to be my "point of contact", that this would help me to focus my prayer energies.
The letters continued weekly, and feeling guilty because I did not regularly give my 10% tithe to God's work, I submitted $20.
As soon as the letter left my mailbox, I began to "wake up" and realize my own stupidity!
The bible plainly says the only way to God is through Jesus Christ and prayers are answered according to our own faith, not a "point of contact" or giving to a ministry. I immediately began to look for a website or telephone number, a street address to ease my mind. Nothing! Only a post office box in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I then noticed that some of the letters were postmarked in Santa Clarita, California.
I found your website and the scam alert on July 28, 2003. This same day I received 2 letters from these people. So, I printed your page with the scam alert and put it in the reply envelope provided by the "ministry", and wrote on the letter that God has a really hot place prepared for them and their servants, and so does the Federal Trade Commission!
To anyone who reads this report, please do not lose faith in God. He does still hear and answer prayers, but only through Jesus Christ and your faith in him. And the best part, it's FREE!
Rhonda
sylacauga, Alabama
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Suzanne
Cheswick,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Prayers Answered
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, January 22, 2004
I am in no way affiliated with St. Matthews. I have sent in prayers and seed offering.
So far most of my prayers I have sent in to St. Matthews have been answered, and in a relativly short period of time also. Where as they have not been answered previously.
Yes, I believe the Bible supports point of contact articles such as Paul used with the hankercheifs.
I'll be honest, I don't know if they are scam artists or not. All I know is that my prayer requests from a new vechicle, christmas presents, to growing faith has been answered. I recently read from another rip-off report that they are registered as a non-profit, which tells me that they are at least in the charity business.
It could have been my growing faith. So much has changed in my life since sending seed into St. Matthews that I can't just discount them as total scam artists. If they are, then God used them to help me, and who knows how many others.
I know the Bible says that when you pray to have faith that you receive what you prayed for. Maybe it was the point of contacts St. Matthews sent that made Hebrews 11:1 more clear and more real in my mind. No matter and call me decived if you will but, I'm glad St. Matt's came into my life when they did.
Suzanne
Cheswick,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Prayers Answered
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, January 22, 2004
I am in no way affiliated with St. Matthews. I have sent in prayers and seed offering.
So far most of my prayers I have sent in to St. Matthews have been answered, and in a relativly short period of time also. Where as they have not been answered previously.
Yes, I believe the Bible supports point of contact articles such as Paul used with the hankercheifs.
I'll be honest, I don't know if they are scam artists or not. All I know is that my prayer requests from a new vechicle, christmas presents, to growing faith has been answered. I recently read from another rip-off report that they are registered as a non-profit, which tells me that they are at least in the charity business.
It could have been my growing faith. So much has changed in my life since sending seed into St. Matthews that I can't just discount them as total scam artists. If they are, then God used them to help me, and who knows how many others.
I know the Bible says that when you pray to have faith that you receive what you prayed for. Maybe it was the point of contacts St. Matthews sent that made Hebrews 11:1 more clear and more real in my mind. No matter and call me decived if you will but, I'm glad St. Matt's came into my life when they did.
Suzanne
Cheswick,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Prayers Answered
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, January 22, 2004
I am in no way affiliated with St. Matthews. I have sent in prayers and seed offering.
So far most of my prayers I have sent in to St. Matthews have been answered, and in a relativly short period of time also. Where as they have not been answered previously.
Yes, I believe the Bible supports point of contact articles such as Paul used with the hankercheifs.
I'll be honest, I don't know if they are scam artists or not. All I know is that my prayer requests from a new vechicle, christmas presents, to growing faith has been answered. I recently read from another rip-off report that they are registered as a non-profit, which tells me that they are at least in the charity business.
It could have been my growing faith. So much has changed in my life since sending seed into St. Matthews that I can't just discount them as total scam artists. If they are, then God used them to help me, and who knows how many others.
I know the Bible says that when you pray to have faith that you receive what you prayed for. Maybe it was the point of contacts St. Matthews sent that made Hebrews 11:1 more clear and more real in my mind. No matter and call me decived if you will but, I'm glad St. Matt's came into my life when they did.
Suzanne
Cheswick,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Prayers Answered
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, January 22, 2004
I am in no way affiliated with St. Matthews. I have sent in prayers and seed offering.
So far most of my prayers I have sent in to St. Matthews have been answered, and in a relativly short period of time also. Where as they have not been answered previously.
Yes, I believe the Bible supports point of contact articles such as Paul used with the hankercheifs.
I'll be honest, I don't know if they are scam artists or not. All I know is that my prayer requests from a new vechicle, christmas presents, to growing faith has been answered. I recently read from another rip-off report that they are registered as a non-profit, which tells me that they are at least in the charity business.
It could have been my growing faith. So much has changed in my life since sending seed into St. Matthews that I can't just discount them as total scam artists. If they are, then God used them to help me, and who knows how many others.
I know the Bible says that when you pray to have faith that you receive what you prayed for. Maybe it was the point of contacts St. Matthews sent that made Hebrews 11:1 more clear and more real in my mind. No matter and call me decived if you will but, I'm glad St. Matt's came into my life when they did.
Shepry
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
I applaude for your spiritual insight on prayer!! BUT....a scam?????
#6Consumer Suggestion
Sun, August 03, 2003
According to your story, these people didn't even request any money from you!!
YOU took it upon YOURSELF to donate 20$ to the organization.
Because they didn't request any money from you, and more so provided you with a free cross,
this is NOT a scam; but a DIFFERENCE in prayer beliefs and/or a misinterpretation of the bible on their behalf.
Best wishes for your husband; I hope he is doing well.