A Call to Stay Rooted in Christ
Over the past year, we’ve become aware of a cult operating in Toronto known as The Church of the Almighty God (also referred to as Eastern Lightning). Individuals connected to this movement have been intentionally engaging within our church community.
Their approach hasn’t been confrontational or public. It’s been relational and gradual—building trust, forming connections, and then subtly redirecting conversations away from the Gospel and toward their own teachings.
What we’re seeing isn’t simply spiritual curiosity or honest exploration. It’s a pattern of influence that seeks to undermine biblical truth and gently draw people away from Christian community and the teaching of Jesus.
This is why passages like Exodus 32 remain so important. They remind us that spiritual drift rarely announces itself. It often comes quietly—wrapped in language that sounds familiar, but leads somewhere very different.
What this is (and isn’t)
This is a call to stay grounded in Jesus and His Word
This is an invitation to ask questions and seek clarity
This is not a reason for fear or suspicion
This is not a call to withdraw from relationships
What we’ve seen
What we’ve observed follows a pattern Scripture warns about.
It often begins with kindness—a conversation, an offer to pray, an invitation to connect.
Then, over time, it shifts:
- Persistent efforts to build private, one-on-one relationships
- Subtle undermining of Scripture, the identity of Jesus, or church leadership
- Invitations into private or “deeper” Bible studies outside the life of the church
What begins as encouragement can become confusing. What feels spiritual can begin to pull you away from the simplicity of the Gospel.
What We’ve Done
As a church, we’ve taken this seriously.
- We’ve identified individuals promoting teaching that contradicts Scripture
- Where necessary, we’ve removed individuals from participation to protect our community
- We’ve equipped our leaders and teams to respond wisely
This is about faithful shepherding—protecting the integrity of the Gospel among us, while still holding space for repentance and restoration.
Watch: A Word From Pastor Brett
On May 3, Pastor Brett McBride shared a timely word from Exodus 32 on truth, discernment, and staying faithful in a world where clarity is often challenged.
If you missed it—or want to listen again—we encourage you to take time with this teaching. It connects directly to what we’re walking through as a church and helps frame how we stay grounded in what is true.
How to Guard Your Heart
This is where wisdom becomes personal. Not fear—but formation.
1. STAY ROOTED IN THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE
The clearest protection against what is false is deep familiarity with what is true. We don’t learn to spot counterfeit teaching by studying every variation of error—we learn it by knowing the gospel so well that anything off becomes obvious.
If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31–32
Call to Action:
Stay close to Scripture. Read it slowly. Let it shape your thinking more than anything else you consume.
2. KEEP YOUR HEART CLOSE TO JESUS
Faith is not only intellectual—it is deeply relational. There are seasons when our love for God feels strong, and seasons when it feels dry. In those moments, we don’t drift—we return and ask Him to renew what has grown dim.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12
Call to Action:
Pray honestly. Ask God to rekindle your affection for Him where it feels worn or distant. If you need prayer, you can send your requests to our prayer team.
3. STAY ANCHORED IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
We were never meant to follow Jesus alone. Spiritual isolation leaves us vulnerable, but shared life in the church helps us stay steady, accountable, and clear.
Let us not give up meeting together… but encouraging one another. Hebrews 10:25
Call to Action:
Stay connected. Be present in community through Life Groups, reach out to a Pastor, and don’t walk through spiritual questions on your own. Community is one of the clearest ways we stay grounded, supported, and spiritually healthy together.
4. BE DISCERNING ABOUT INFLUENCE
Not every spiritual voice is trustworthy. Scripture calls us to test what we hear and to pay attention when teaching or relationships begin to subtly pull us away from Bibllical truth.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. 1 John 4:1
Call to Action: If something feels off, don’t ignore it.
- Ask which Pastor oversees this ministry.
- Check to see if this ministry is on the website.
- Email Karen if you have any further questions or concerns.
Staying Grounded Together
If you notice something concerning, experience something confusing, or simply have questions about anything you’ve read, don’t carry that alone. Reach out. Bring it into the light. That’s always the safest next step.
We’re here to listen, help you discern, and walk with you through it.
Reach Out Directly
Email: KarenH@thepeopleschurch.ca
Subject line: When truth is replaced