On the one hand the bible is clear about our responsibility as Christians to show hospitality, to treat the visitor in our midst with love and respect. And we all know the despicable way that some in the 2x2 fellowship treated Eddie Cooney when he turned up looking for lodging and food. Their actions showed they were more interested in supporting a system than following Christ. Ex-workers need special care and support both from those within the fellowship and the exes, and pleasingly there are some groups willing to provide this.

On the other hand, the bible is also very clear about our responsibility as Christians to challenge false teaching. 1 Timothy for instance "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind." Timothy is told to flee from this and to actually fight the good fight of the faith.

It often requires great discernment (help from God) to know what is what, and what God is calling us to do.

We simply pass on some of the facts from experience with this "movement" from downunder. You will need to seek your own wisdom. But do more than simply scratch the surface. Be open for what God reveals and the peace that comes from that willingness to trust Him not our own thoughts and reasonings.

What you may not realise is that this new movement WITHIN the 2x2’s actually started downunder, in Melbourne and Adelaide to be exact around 2005. The founder is a Gary Johnston, who calls himself The Holy Prophet, and Steve Blubaugh is his assistant. There’s an email that did the rounds down here from Gary to one of the friends that would turn your hair - full of I AM language, new-age speak, channeling, secret name of God, angels names that aren't in the Bible, etc). Some of Gary's letters have been outrageous, strange, weird, not a little bit scary, close to blasphemy and definitely do not manifest the Spirit of Christ. Some friends down here refer to them as the "Johnstonites." A handful of the friends have adopted this new philosophy with Gary as their prophet, calling themselves "Children of Divine Light" (CDL). Steve himself has used this name when visiting with some friends early 2005. They have a group of followers based in Christchurch NZ who are into worshipping angels; believe they are in the "Golden Age of the Holy Spirit" (a new age term--just Google it). Gary set up a "Sacred Sanctuary" for worship with incense, flowers, special music and candles, where you remove your shoes, and bow when entering. Gary claimed:

"...that this room was indeed Holy, and as such, was Holy Ground, where the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY resonated an absolutely miniscule portion of HIS Holy Divinity - yet, to those in attendance, it was a powerful and Sacred Portion of HIS Holy Being.”

The workers are a bit unsure how to treat them and so the softly softly approach has let G & S get a foothold within the 2x2 system. They seem comfortable recruiting from both inside and also among the exes. Most are wised up to them down here so they’re focused on NZ where the workers are tolerating them and there’s lots of disenchanted 2x2’s, and now it seems Steve is concentrating on forming a network of people he can board with in the USA and with the possible goal of recruiting them into their new age philosophy. Steve appears to be doing the leg work in the USA with an ex worker called Allen Ridley or something. Steve's excommunication from the work fosters sympathy. In his initial visits, he finds many points to agree with you about, and encourages a deeper spiritual relationship with God, but doesn't show interest in attending churches with any who have found church homes they are happy with. If G & S operate as in the past, we can expect Gary (the self proclaimed "Holy Prophet") to appear with Steve on future visits. Both Steve and Gary have been told in no uncertain terms not to attend the friends meetings, and for a time they didn't. However, lately Steve, for reasons known to him, seems to be ignoring these instructions and even taking part in some USA meetings, which we find interesting. And a direct challenge to the workers, many of whom were Steve's former colleagues.

It's interesting that they seem only interested in recruiting from within the fellowship and from amongst exes, many of whom they discover and contact through internet lists and boards. They do not seem to have any notion of ministry to the wider Christian community. And they are on record as having made a number of prophecies concerning the fellowship and particularly its leadership in the past two years, most of which have proven false (as always happens in these situations). It's quite likely that Gary expects to take charge one day.

While these men almost certainly will not come right out and tell you their plans, often saying they are just letting God lead them where He will, if they repeat their past activities, you may be assured they really DO have an agenda/mission. And that they do not believe in the sufficiency of the scripture. They believe God is revealing to them (prophets) additional information not found in the Bible, which they want to impart to you. Gary wrote regarding God's name he gave to them in the Sacred Sanctuary:

"For, this [name of God] is Supremely Holy and is not written down in it's fullness in the Sacred Texts, including that very limited Scripture, which ye call the Bible. It is also not Divinely Lawful for it to be uttered from unholy lips, lest they who do so, in an unholy or blasphemous way, be cursed with a curse. It is Sacred, Powerful and Supremely Holy."

Our advice from your friends downunder: "BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS, which come to you in sheep's clothing..." Matthew 7:15

Posted to TMB by "friends downunder", July 21, 2007 - Source page

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To whom it may concern,

It has been brought to my attention that there has been a post listed on the TMB about my supposed position as the prophet of a group that has been referred to as the Children of Divine Light. Some have used the term 'Johnstonites', inferring that I am the leader of this group.

It proclaims to represent my attitudes and intentions based on private letters that were sent to two individuals, in relation to a gathering in Adelaide, at the start of 2005. I believe extracts have already been posted.

Furthermore, it falsely implies that I, along with Steven Blubaugh, am in the business of proselyting people into this so called, 'New Age' type movement.

My first inclination was to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, when He answered not a word to His false accusers. However, having prayed about this, the Lord indicated that on a number of occasions, the Master did respond to the Scribes and Pharisees.

Therefore, with the help of God, I am in the process of formulating a response that I trust will convey the situation as it truly is.

It can be assured that the forthcoming reply will be posted after much prayer and Godly consideration. Therefore, please be patient in awaiting its arrival, as the matters of concern are important.

Yours in Christ,

Gary Johnston

Posted to TMB by "Gary Johnston", July 25, 2007 - Source page

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To whom it may concern,

Thank you for your patience, as I have prayerfully sought the Lord God’s help to write a Godly response to the post from the ‘friends downunder.’

The reply is proceeding well and the Lord has conveyed to me that the liberty to post it will occur within approx 2 weeks.

Yours faithfully in Christ,

Gary Johnston

Posted to TMB by "Gary Johnston", July 29, 2007 - Source page

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We expect Gary to be upfront about his involvement with Steve, when/if he eventually writes his explanation here. After all, if what he believes he's got is worthwhile then it should stand scrutiny in the light. However if he isn't then the evidence can pour out.

Firstly the family in Melbourne who provided Steve with lodgings in their home eventually discovered that Steve was secretly sneaking off and going on trips to worship and recruit with Gary Johnston.

Then there's the "holy epistle" that Gary Johnston sent one of the friends down here, after a well-documented visit by Gary and Steve to this man (Mervyn) and his wife. If need be the whole documentation of this affair can be examined. For now here's some relevant "prophetic snippets" (note these are three paragraphs cut out of sequence from a much longer rambling email):

Ye who received MY Holy Sons, Gary and Steven, as the messengers of GOD and verily saw it as a confirmation of all ye had been prepared for, which it was. Do know, ye whom the LORD thy GOD has been helping and preparing for this Holy meeting, ye who were doing so well, hast erred.

Mervyn, Mervyn, MY Holy Heart desires thee to come unto ME. Come thou unto thy HEAVENLY FATHER O' MY son. Come thou away from thy lower self and feel the GREAT LOVE I have for thee. Do know, that this has nothing to do with Gary and Steven going on an unholy crusade amongst the friends to draw people unto themselves.

The LORD thy GOD sent HIS Holy Prophet up the highway to see thee, and selflessly allowed the LORD GOD YHWH to speak unto thee through him. Ye also heard ME speak through MY Holy Son, Steven. Ye received them as Holy Messengers of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY because ye, in the highway of life, had been moving away from lower self and towards ME. Then came the unholy prophet of unrighteousness and ye reversed thy path and travelled down the highway, back towards thy lower self in unison with the unholy inquisitors.

Posted to TMB by "friends downunder", July 30, 2007 - Source page