Worship musician Jeremy Riddle has been removed desde el Arise Shine Conference lineup in early May at Radiant Church in Michigan, following allegations he spiritually abused former staff at the embattled Dwelling Place in Anaheim, California.
“After a discussion between Jeremy and Katie Riddle and Radiant Church along with prayerful consideration, it has been decided that Riddle will not be joining us at the Arise Shine Conference this year,” a statement on Arise Shine’s Instagram page said.
Riddle was a worship pastor and board member at Dwelling Place Anaheim, formerly Vineyard Anaheim, Vineyard USA’s flagship church. Riddle resigned from Dwelling Place in January, following a tumultuous couple of years for the church led by Pastor Alan Scott.
Riddle did not respond to The Roys Report (TRR)’s requests for comment.
In November of 2022, former Vineyard Anaheim church members sued Scott, Riddle, and other board members, accusing them of fraudulently removing Dwelling Place from the Vineyard movement.
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Then last November, a investigación de terceros jointly commissioned by Causeway Coast Vineyard and Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland (VCUKI) determined Scott likely spiritually abused staff while serving as a Vineyard pastor in the United Kingdom.
Riddle said at a Dwelling Place January church service that his decision to leave wasn’t a “disconnection” from this church. Rather the Riddles had decided to follow God into a “season of consecration” and a “message of repentance.”
Last May, TRR publicó un exclusive exposé documenting numerous allegations of abuse by Scott. For TRR report, drummer Noah DeBolt and his wife, Debrianna, said Riddle had told the DeBolts to resign from their roles after the DeBolts raised concerns about Scott’s teaching.
Since then, Noah DeBolt published his account of Riddle’s and Scott’s alleged abuso espiritual of him in two videos.
Last week, he and other former Dwelling Place staff appealed to Radiant Church’s pastors Caleb Culver and Lee Cummings to remove Riddle from the Arise Shine conference in response to the spiritual abuse allegations.
Cynthia Andrews wrote on X that she had come to Riddle “in tears” about Scott’s spiritual abuse of her. Andrews has previously told TRR of Scott’s pressure-filled salvation quotas and discrimination against certain body types for his staff. But Riddle reportedly told Andrews to remain under Scott’s leadership.
“(Riddle) dismissed my concerns about spiritual abuse, describing Alan as apostolic and prophetic, and suggested that enduring such treatment was the price for revival,” Andrews wrote on X last week.
DeBolt posted that he initially asked Culver and Cummings privately to remove Riddle. But when they said no, DeBolt made his request public, he said.
“I privately asked @Calebculver & @leemcummings to reconsider hosting Jeremy Riddle as a speaker/worship leader at their upcoming church conference,” DeBolt wrote on X. “They declined. So I wanted to ask publicly. Jeremy has manipulated & abused many under his care and has yet to repent.”
TRR reached out to Cummings and Culver for comment. Cummings referred TRR al conference’s statement on its website, which is identical to the statement on Instagram.
DeBolt provided to TRR texts with Culver and a recording of a phone call from yesterday to Culver with his request to remove Riddle.
On April 12, Culver wrote that he and Lee had decided to allow Riddle to lead worship for the conference.
“I know that’s probably disappointing for you to still have him lead, but I think it will give me an opportunity to speak into it with Jeremy which I’m hoping will be beneficial to be able to speaking (sic) candidly,” Culver wrote.
DeBolt texted back, challenging Culver on platforming Riddle and paying him an honorarium.
“Would you guys be willing to change your minds on this?” DeBolt asked. “I find it particularly confusing that you want to speak candidly to him, yet to do so means rewarding his behavior by granting him your platform. If you find his behavior problematic, the strongest message you could communicate to him would be to remove from your platform.”
Culver is formerly associated with International House of Prayer-Kansas City (IHOPKC) and has posted various concerns about the embattled church on social media.
“Future generations need to see an example of godly, biblical leadership repenting and making things right with victims, not 24/7 prayer without works of justice,” Culver wrote on X about IHOPKC last week.
DeBolt appealed to Culver’s knowledge of abuse from his advocacy for former IHOPKC staff.
“I get why other ministries platform him (like Jesus Image), but it’s perplexing here because I think Lee and Caleb genuinely care for those harmed by IHOPKC,” DeBolt said. “Yet they are perpetuating the same ‘boys club’ and ‘protect the abusers not the abused’ ideologies at their own church.”
X account called Nameless Faceless Prophet urged Cummings, who had validated Tammy Wood’s testimony of alleged abuse by IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle, to be a shepherd in this case, too.
“@leemcummings — I saw you publicly validate Tammy Wood’s testimony of abuse by Mike Bickle just yesterday,” she wrote. “How is it that you are ignoring victims of abuse when it impacts your own network? It’s easy to speak against abuse online when the victim is a friend and there’s massive public outcry. It costs nothing. But being a Shepherd means: 1. Prioritizing the wounded 2. Using your position to advocate for the voiceless 3. Insisting on accountability even when it costs you.”
Woods has said Bickle sexually abused her beginning at age 14. She’s also scheduled to speak at the Arise Shine conference in early May.
In yesterday’s phone call, Culver said he was still learning about the situation and had thought the allegations with Riddle hadn’t reached a determination or resolution, due to the ongoing lawsuit.
DeBolt clarified in the phone call that he’s not part of the lawsuit, has different concerns, and hasn’t been granted a truly independent investigation by Dwelling Place.
Riddle was originally scheduled to share about his worship ministry at the conference.
“Jeremy will speak from his experience as a worship leader, the journey the Lord has brought him through and what living a life of undivided devotion looks like,” the conference schedule originally stated.
In January, Riddle told the Dwelling Place congregation that he didn’t know exactly what he’d be doing next.
“This is a transition into a stewardship of a message and a ministry that we feel the Lord has impressed on our heart and we don’t know the details of what that looks like,” he said. “There’s a lot of unknowns in this but we feel very, very strongly that as part of our obedience to what the Lord was speaking, that this message and this ministry would require our full and undivided attention as a couple and we needed to set our lives apart. We needed to enter into a season of consecration again.”
But Riddle said he didn’t want his departure to destabilize Dwelling Place’s ministry.
“We want no part of destabilizing anything here,” he said. “We do not see this as a disconnection from this house or any house that the Lord is calling us to minister into. It’s not a disconnection. It’s just a new way of relating to this house.”
Rebecca Hopkins es una periodista radicada en Colorado.
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….charter member of the crotchety old man club here. (early 80’s) The more of these stories I see the more firmly convinced I am that the issue is not with the leaders who make the headlines. The real problem lies with all the fervently hand waving faithful who never question anything but just belly up to the trough for whatever is on offer. It makes no difference what the celebrated leaders are peddling, its seemingly always customized to satisfy a ready market….which is why they continue to peddle it. These are not complex concepts. Until the market demand disappears, the supply will continue unabated. Entrepreneurial brilliance of the first order……. find a “need” and fill it.
I could not agree more. I got a restraining order against my husband after documented forms of abuse and his leaders never even had him sit. He preached during the duration of the restraining order and traveled to youth conferences. I was never contacted to check on me or my children by our “pastors” .
The problem is two fold it’s with the leader who perpetuates the abuse but even more so (I believe) on the leaders in place to hold ministers accountable.
Precisely. You have properly discerned that, in the final analysis, your opposite was not only a person but also a system populated by “leaders” who depended on that system to supply their needs.
I’m so sorry that happened to you, this is what happens when gifts are lifted above character. My heart crystal out for you and every victims of spiritual abuse
I suspect many of the worship leaders “featured” in these reports suffer from narcissistic/antisocial personality disorders. Charismatic, grandiose, controlling. We see this in politics and business as well, but a church is a perfect place for these types to prosper/fester. Perhaps psychological testing could be used to identify these people before they hurt others or damage a congregation.
Agreed up to a point but “psychological testing”?
Surely that’s worldly by definition?
DISCERNMENT (Acte 17:11, 1 John 4:1) is what is needed but a) it’s not valued b) if someone has this gift, they’re almost always rejected and ignored and c) most places of worship are carnal and, for all their posturing and focus on “tongues”, charismatic “churches” also don’t seem to believe in a gift-giving Holy Spirit or a LIVING God.
HOW MANY PEOPLE do we know who ASK for the gift of discernment above all other gifts?
I was given the gift of discernment (1 Corinthians 12:10, Hebrews 5:14) at conversion. It’s very, very humbling. I’ve discerned everyone from Ravi to more recent (finally) exposed impostors.
The whole point of discernment is that it’s not based on what’s presented i.e SEEN.
That’s why carnal “churches” are suspicious of it. They want to see everything and control everything.
Discerment(TM) has been conveniently redefined into seeing and feeling and smelling out DEMONS and WITCHES in every closet and under every bed. Here, there, EVERYWHERE – BEWARE!
My Dear Wormwood,
I refer you to my previous epistle on Semantics, specificially the redefinition of the Enemy’s words into their “diablolical meanings”.
Your Ravenously Affectionate Uncle,
Screwtape
When my friend entered into the Roman Catholic priesthood he had to go through quite a battery of psychological testing. He had to travel to a different city and stay to go through a multi-day series of interviews and tests.
All this before he was even permitted to enter start at seminary.
I would never accuse the RCC of doing everything right (believe me!) but perhaps they do keep out more crazies this way.
I don’t know about the US, Steve, but having been a member of the RCC (before I was born again) for four decades in three different countries, all I can say is that if they do psychological testing here in Europe, it most definitely does not work!
Fair enough.
I am in Canada by the way.
My family was a part of Vineyard Anaheim during this season. We are praying for the Riddles. We believe there is a tyrannical and abusive agenda coming from Alan Scott. He is terrifying and I feel like what we witnessed there was a cult like situation. I believe Alan keeps his staff cut off from the congregation so that ONLY his words are heard so that his evil agenda could move forward. If anybody questioned him, this is when he would humiliate and be little. He absolutely abused people. We have friends who are still suffering and have seemed to pull away from Christianity because of their spiritual abuse experience at Vineyard Anaheim/ The Dwelling Place. I wouldn’t be surprised if Alan used mental abuse on Jeremy & Katie. They have had hospitalizations in their family due to anxiety and stress. I believe there is a lot that is yet to come out. I believe it’s much worse than we know.
I tend to believe you from what I have heard of Jeremy from people I know. I don’t think he is your typical narcissistic abuser. My guess is he is a victim who then treated people in a way he normally wouldn’t have.
This is cult behavior. In my estimation he was programmed.
Dear Monique, I attended the Anaheim during the 90’s until 2007. Lance Pittluck was the pastor when I moved to central CA. Best church and worship experience I’ve ever had. So depressed to see things go this way. The real problem is the lack of the development of a mature church govt at the AVF. The place needs a church constitution where the congregation itself plays an important role in the decision making. If the AVF congregation had voted on whether to leave the Vineyard assoc or not, I don’t believe that anywhere near a majority would have favored it. Huge decisions like that need to have the backing of the congregation and financial supporters at large. There also needs to be a voting mechanism to replace a sinning and run away pastor. Matthew 18 days, “tell it to the church” if they won’t listen to correction. The church isn’t supposed to be an oligarchy, but a mature and self correcting family.
The thing that is similar with all these abusers and abusers ive experienced within my own life in the church, is they all lack humility as well as majority of them are narcissists. They are exeptional manipulators. The church needs to continue to work on standing up for the victims. Riddle, Scott, Bickle, Driscoll, Houston just to name a few refuse to ever see their wrongs rather they choose to gaslight people into thinking that they themselves are the victims and the actual vitims are just liars its beyond disgusting
its why i enjoy the catholic mass. you don’t find any priest being called rock stars and they are there to educate and inspire vs entertain or maintain some sick ego control. Catholics have learned their lessons on the pedos vs i think the pedos and malignant narcist have moved from the catholic church to the American evangelical world. Also, here is a hint. If your boss at work inspires you more than the Sunday preacher, then LEAVE. it aint a church. it’s just a place to hang out and pretend you’re being fed. The louder and more animated a preacher is the more i know he has no message for me or many. He is just there for his own fulfillment, and you are just his audience. Think Elmer Gantry
One thing I see in the church today is that there is an emphasis on growth in numbers yet people are not paying attention as to how the numbers are increasing. So they get leaders who can put people in the seats. But where is the discussion on leadership philosophy and also leadership character qualities? 1 Timothy 3 which is speaking about the roll of the spiritual leaders of the church tells the church one must focus mostly on character. I believe teaching is the only functional aspect of the position. Now even though there are other positions in the church besides pastor I would say most should follow this same thought process. Look to quality of character, Christ likeness rather than talent.
Anyone who willingly participates in “Jesus Image” church should be called into question. They platform Benny Hinn (pastor’s wife is his daughter), a decade-long known swindler and false prophet.
Julie, you’re on the right track of discovery. When Alan Scott came in as our new “Pastor” over the Anaheim Vineyard, it wasn’t long before he was telling his new flock, from the pulpit, “If you don’t like what’s happening around here, there are 3,000 other churches in Orange County that you can go to.”
My husband and I began to do some research about what was happening to our church. In very short order we discovered that Jeremy Riddle and his wife had spent over 10 years at Bethel Church, Redding, CA under the leader ship of Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton.
Alan quickly brought in a whole new staff and by and large most were related to Bethel Church/Bill Johnson in some way, shape, or form. Alan’s roots with Bill Johnson go way back to his days when he was in Ireland.
It is our opinion that the “Dwelling Place” is really Bethel Church Southern California. Evidence leads one to believe that it was a coup and the “Puppet Master” is, we believe, Bill Johnson.
Julie, may God bless you in your research, and may the church family return to Scripture and stop following these false teachers, apostles, prophets, worship leaders, healers, whatever you want to call them.
They all have the same things in common, money, power, fame, and control. They do not care about the truth. They are true narcissists.
That’s not Bill’s MO. He doesn’t care about that kind of thing.
Scott used his influence with Bill to do what he did.
There are good and bad people that come through and out of bethel. But Scott was like this back in Ireland and people just didn’t talk about it.
If Bill has a fault that played into this it’s that he doesn’t really like to confront people on their issues.
But I doubt he even really knew Alan’s issues.
This all on Alan Scott. I think he victimized the Riddles actually. I don’t think this was normal behavior for them.
Not being a total defender of Bill here. I actually vehemently disagree with the way he handled the Todd Bentley thing. Basically failing to confront him. He should have cut Todd off.
I want to say this about all these things happening in the Church today, my question is this, WHERE ARE THE TEARS FROM LEADERS? why are they not broken, by even a ounce of accusations. I see ministries protecting leaders aND not the victims, every since the Ihopkc scandal happened, and others that have abused victims. There has not been one day I haven’t wept for the victims. May we as his church, get back to holiness and pray foe repentance
Vineyard Churches are set up to give total control to the senior pastor and board. Keep in mind the pastor chooses the board. Most don’t have memberships, give no voting privileges to the congregation (no say/vote in hiring senior pastor or board members)and don’t even release hard numbers regarding salaries to the tithing congregation.Many people would be shocked to realize the entire church property/value can be sold without their knowledge. Ask the former members of Vineyard Anaheim if they had any say or warning. That kind of power invites abuse and fear of speaking up if it will displease senior leadership.
Excellent analysis, Kelly. The AVF has never developed a mature form of church govt. The congregation has a very important role to play. This is seen in Acts15,Matt18 and in the choosing of the first deacons.
Glad things are being exposed. We live near Radiant and we were elders more than 10 years ago. Too much has been broomed over the years and many people have experienced abuse from unqualified leaders in my opinion.
What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Why do we automatically just assume the first person to say something is right? Silence on the part of Jeremy Riddle in no way shape or form denotes guilt. I went to Dwelling Place for a while and had several encounters with Jeremy and his wife. Every single time they were nothing but kind, respectful and clearly walked in the highest integrity. That was also their reputation amongst the congregation that I talked to. I have several friends on the worship team at Dwelling Place, and when I directly asked them about these “allegations” they all said it’s complete and utter nonsense. People can we use some common sense here please? I pray for reconciliation between all parties and I pray for the people in the church to start using the brains God gave them.
“Riddle said at a Dwelling Place January church service that his decision to leave wasn’t a “disconnection” from this church. Rather the Riddles had decided to follow God into a “season of consecration” and a “message of repentance.”
… can you help me with the link? It links to Gmail for me…