Buzzfeed's eye-opening look inside the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry

Last week Buzzfeed published an excellent, eye-opening article about the Bethel School of Supenatural Ministry -- a school run by Bethel Church in Redding, California, probably the most influential church in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). The article is titled "Meet the 'Young Saints' of Bethel Who Go to College to Perform Miracles," written by Molly Hensley-Clancy. What it shows is deeply concerning.The article shows how influential Bethel has become in its own city--intertwining its NAR teachings with city politics and even the public school system. It also shows that it's attained global influence through its worship music and offshoot supernatural schools of ministry that use the curriculum developed by Bethel.  And it shows how prophecies and healings that are passed off as genuine at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry don't amount to more than the power of suggestion and parlor tricks. Most disturbing of all are the accounts of individuals who say they've suffered real harm as a result of Bethel's teachings and practices, including a grandmother who blames Bethel students for her 15-year-old grandson's death.I'm pleased to see media taking a closer look at Bethel Redding and the teachings of its leaders, the apostle Bill Johnson and the prophet Kris Vallotton. Anyone who wants a glimpse inside what's really happening at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry should read this article.---------Holly Pivec is the co-author of A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement and God's Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement. She has a master's degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University.