Complaint Review: St. Luke Evangelical Christian Ministries - Dearing Georgia

I have been a customer and student of Dr. David Ford since the late 1990s.  People need to understand what he offers and exactly what the advantages and limitations are of his services.  This would clear up much confusion.  What he offers is not illegal if handled correctly and people register themselves correctly with their local and state governments.

I was still in the military when I first requested his ordination credentials.  They filled a need in a niche environment that I found myself in at the time in the "Special Warfare Community".  After leaving the service, I went on to "Charter and start a charitable church and ministry in a somewhat remote part of the "High Desert" area of California.  My wife and I were also volunteers for a very large chain of hospitals where we served as "Grief Support Facilitators" and "in-home" Hospice Volunteers.  In 2009, we relocated to Oklahoma and we registered our credentials here.  We went on to start "Touch Of Compassion Ministries (TOCM)" and run that organization to this day.  We provide charitable work, home hospice care, and musical ministries to nursing homes and assisted living centers statewide.  We work with many different churches, denominations, and religions!  We turn away no one!

People need to understand what Dr. Ford offers and what they can do with it!  Don't let your local church or denomination tell you what you can or can't do for God or other people!  DO WHAT YOUR HEART AND GOD TELLS YOU!

 I am writing to dispute this inaccurate comment. St. Luke Evangelical Christian Ministries and Pastor David Ford are not a ripoff. I too ordered my ordination materials. It was about a month and a half . I emailed Pastor Ford . Within 24hrs. he responded and apologized for the delay he had been ill with the for the past month . Within 7 days I received my materials.Which is normal. Business mailings take 7to 10 business days. That is Monday to Friday not counting holidays or weekends. So about 2 weeks is normal. I also recently ordered a church charter to start my own church recived in about 10 days. Pastor Ford has responded to all my emails quickly and graciously . I wonder did this impatient persons ever reach out to Pastor Ford to find out what the issue was? I doubt it. Just impaietent and likes to complain.

I have been a member and ordained through "St. Luke's Evangelical Church on the Web," Since 2001.

Pastor Dave is an exceptional man to work with. I have only experienced delays in response when I am the culprit for not answering my emails due to my personal schedule. If everyone were honest, this would be realistic response delays due to Pastor Dave’s own life and responsibilities outside the confines of the obvious expectations of instant gratification to all. It is popular belief that he should sit at his computer 24/7/365 however, unrealistic this is in reality.

Be rational and patient. “Snail Mail” is dubbed that for a reason. With all Pastor Dave’s responsibilities, please give him a few days to respond to emails, print documents (after the time it takes to verify payment is made - which can take up to 72 hours), and mail your orders out. Depending on where you live and the speed of mailing services, two weeks may easily pass, with all things considered, before you receive your free order/purchase.

It’s not uncommon with all facts considered, including holidays when postal services are closed, for your package to be delayed up to three weeks. Not all things are in the control of Pastor Dave. Writing negative reviews without proper thoughtfulness is an injustice to both Pastor Dave and yourselves.

Since 2001 I have never experienced a situation with Pastor Dave where he wasn’t willing to go above and beyond to serve me. That alone says something.

 I have ordered many documents and have received them in a timely manner. I have been ordering documents for many years, and will continue to do so without a second thought.

I never got what I ordered ant that was Dec 15th 2014. That has been over 8 weeks. So they are a rip off. There are others that do not get what they order from BISHOP DAVID M. FORD, so called Preacher.

 AFTER I PAYED FOR MY CERTIGICATE IT TOOK 3 WEEKS BUT I GOT IT. SO HE PATIENT

Hi, I am a customer of theirs and had a similar problem but all has been resolved now. Rev Davids wife was seriously ill for a time, during which Rev David fell behind in his work. Once his wife recovered, my order was processed. If you have any issues, drop him an email and he will gladly sort them out. He is a lovely man and I dont believe human error constitutes a rip-off. 

Further, before seeking ordination, you may like to read these; Matthew 18:15-17, Proverbs 15:1 regarding Christian conflict resolution. Ames provides free bible college training www.amesintl.org if you are interested. This would equip you well for ministry.

Rev Dr Simon Geddes
CO
CCSA
www.ccsa.net.au
www.simongeddes.com.au

I was myself ordained by this ministry, and while my documents were not blindingly fast in arriving, they got there in a timely enough manner (a month or two) for a ministry. The complaint and comments aboveare clearly of a secular nature, as if this were a business. It is not. It is a ministry devoted to spreading God's word and service throughout the land.

I do not understand the most public whine that an ordination certificate did not arrive "when the applicant so wanted." It is my understanding that Dr. Ford processes these mostly himself, as he is able. It should also be understood from any congregant that prayer and consideration likely go into every request, and must meet an approval first through the Reverend, by the Spirit. Placing one's needs before that of the church is questionable at best, and makes me wonder if the applicant really has God's interests at heart. It is a wonder he has not lost his ordination, but that decision lies in the hands of the Lord, and inHis servant David.

When it comes to wanting things "now," as we Americans have come to expect, it is wise to keep in mind the ways and methods of the Lord, as expressed in Psalm 37:7-9 "Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Dont worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temperit only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land."

When buying and paying for the "things" of this world, by all means feel free to apply standards of purchase and commerce all you please. When you place your request before the Lord, remember that it is you who wait on the Lord, and not He who waits on you!

Amen

First International Church of the Web is a total fraud. I have been a member for a few years, and I still say it's a fraud. For months, at least, people have been complaining that they are sending money and orders to Rev. 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. Not even the Church Elders can help anymore. 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. It appears that the so-called Reverend David Ford is keeping the money for himself and either refusing or neglecting to send the product ordered. If this is true, then that could make it fraud or outright theft. Stay away from this place. It is a scam, and it gives other, more legitimate, ministries a black eye. Why am I still a member? Somebody has to keep an eye on them.

JUST THE ONE COMPLAINED ABOUT IN THE RIP OFF REPORT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HARMED BY/ MATTHEW WAS THE CPA and TAX COLLECTOR. LUKE WAS THE PHYSICIAN. JOHN WAS THE MYSTIC AND CONFIDANTE OF JESUS. MARK WAS THE JOURNALIST. THE RIPOFF CHURCH THEY SHOULD HAVE NAMED AFTER MATTHEW INSTEAD. MATTHEW UNDERSTOOD MONEY BUT IT WAS JUDAS THE TRAITOR WHO CARRIED THE PURSE ND WAS THE TREASURER OF THE JESUS MINISTRY, Maybe they should call it the Saint Judas Church.

I wanted to update my report I did get my certificate it was late but I got it. I feel that Rev Ford needs help to fullfill is orders. I pray that God will send a people he needs so that he can get his orders out on time. God Bless Rev. Williams

I thanks for judging people you do not know. I have sat under ministries and have service there ministries 100% and I know I have a call on me life to be a minister. These ministries never consider ordaining me ordination. At this time I am not going to try any more to become ordained by man. In there last day I am going to preach to regular people on the streets about Jesus and his return.

What a waste of money !! First off, WHY would you want an "ordination certificate" from an online "church" ?? Exactly what do you plan on doing with it ?? It is illegal to use it in several states, with more following. No REAL church is going to recognize it, as the vast majority of churches have their own ordination requirements ( Seminary, internships, etc. ). I could see you walking into ANY established church with your "ordination certificate" and being laughed out of the building. Secondly, St. Luke's has a history of not delivering, and has been the subject of several reports on this site. Personally, I would be ashamed for anyone to know that I had been "ordained" by this "ministry".