Pastor Markus Bishop Arrested

Pastor Markus Bishop of Faith Christian Family Church has been arrested for allegedly punching his wife.

[confused]

I'm not totally understanding you, Margie. If there was physical abuse in the past, why didn't you come forward then? If he hit you before, why were you a fake before the church, especially during your Sunday night M & M service where you two would sometimes get a little too personal about your sex life? I sincerely care for both of you, but why didn't you seek help before now? You knew the devil was working to destroy your relationship, why did you wait? Why did you stay in the house 3 days before leaving if it was so bad?

[Fear]

It's called fear, embarrassment and sadly love. The thing is no one actually plans for something like this to happen to him or her. No one FALLS IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE and ask them during the dating process "hey do you beat Women"? These things happen over time. And hey "confused" person you know what they say about people who assume (well you sound bright, you can figure that out).
I’m sure they were going counseling, just because you didn’t know about it doesn’t mean it wasn’t going on. The Real problem is the Mr. Markus Bishop is so caught up in Sin, that he is no longer lead by God but is completely controlled by the devil (but that tends to happen when Pastor’s start to think there Bigger than God).

[3 sides to every story]

My side, your side, and the truth..As a law enforcement officer in Jersey I can tell you this: Things like this happen because of a combination of events and interactions between the two people involved. Anytime it gets physical, including throwing wine in someones face which might make anyone's anger rise, that is a sign to get help, counseling, or split. Don't be deceived in thinking that that poor woman was punched by that strapping man is the end all of the story. I'm sure that if she threw wine in his face, that tells me she escalated the argument and, that it wasn't the first time she has done so. Also, playing to the media by issuing statements and this baloney about " hoping that he gets his life together is all bull&%$#! Anytime a public figure is maligned by someone close to them it is a sign of manupulation and an ulterior motive. If you really wanted to patch things up, you would get all the help you need privately and work the situation out. Not wait three days to sign the complaint. Obviously she wasn't afraid to stay in the house with her "violent" husband for that length of time. And to tell the papers that the simple truth is, " Markus gets mad at me and sometimes hits me" is nothing short of slander. What did you do to trigger a physical response? We alreaady know by your own statement that you throw things at him....Please give me a freaking break!!!

[It is about time]

I am from PCB and attended Faith Christian Family Church for 15 years.I was there when the church was called Faith Christian Fellowship. I was there when the money given to the church actually went to the church not to Markus Bishop's mansion fund. Speaking of "Markus" I was there when he was called Pastor "Mark" Bishop. He decided to change his name after he came back from rehab AFTER allegedly hitting his mother-in-law. I was there when he hit his music director Michael Dean. I finally saw the light and moved on after I realized that he is no man of God, he is just a man. A man that has covered up so many sins, from affairs, to hitting his teenage daughter just a few months ago, to now hitting his wife. HOW DARE YOU attack the victim, unless you are guilty of the same crimes and are affraid your own wife may finally turn you into the authorities. He has changed his church name, he has changed his name, he has even changed wives but he has not changed his behavior. Jail is exactly where Mark Bishop belongs.

confused wrote:

I'm not totally understanding you, Margie. If there was physical abuse in the past, why didn't you come forward then? If he hit you before, why were you a fake before the church, especially during your Sunday night M & M service where you two would sometimes get a little too personal about your sex life? I sincerely care for both of you, but why didn't you seek help before now? You knew the devil was working to destroy your relationship, why did you wait? Why did you stay in the house 3 days before leaving if it was so bad?

[confused]

It is about time,
I don't know if you're directing your post at me, but I wasn't attacking the victim. I was simply asking why she didn't seek help before? If she knew he had this temper, why provoke him by throwing wine in his face? Is that not abuse too?

If you followed the story about his teenage dd, that was a few years ago, not months. You would have seen that the dd dropped the charge. She was basically mad and cried abuse. I'm not sure where you got your info about affairs, and I don't believe that to be true.

[It is about time]

I am very aware that the charges were dropped. I am also aware that his daughter was not just "crying" abuse. Markus Bishop did hit his daughter and was clearly defended by his lawyer just as he is being defended now. You can not tell me that just because the charges are dropped, the crime did not occur. Let me remind you of the O.J Simpson case.

I do not think that a little glass of wine in the face is reason enough for a fist in the face. A stain can be washed out, a bruise may fade but the wound is forever.

As far as his wife not seeking help before; you do not know that she didn't. They may be in counseling for his behavior. There are alot of reasons that women do not seek help when they are involved in emotional and physical abuse, until you are an abused or battered man or woman do not question the reasons why. Instead, why are you not questioning the reasons why they are being abused. Would Markus Bishop be given so many excusses if he were not a preacher?

You can believe that he had affairs or you don't have to, that is your choice. I will tell you that I was there when pastor Scarlett left and Markus would not tell the truth about the divorce, he even went as far as going to Destin to have the divorce papers signed so his congregation would not know about it. Meanwhile he told the church that the reason his wife and children went to Alabama was because the school that the girls were attending were telling lies to the children. This caused several people to take their children out of that school. All this to cover up his divorce. He has never had the best interest of his flock, his family or anyone other than himself.

[confused]

Thanks for responding back. Maybe I'm just in denial because I truly wanted to believe this was all an argument that got out of control. I wasn't there when he divorced Scarlett, but did hear the story that Scarlett left him because she wanted the girls in school in Alabama. Would you mine telling me what school the girls attended in this area? I guess I still wonder why Markus stayed on as a preacher after the divorce if he didn't care about people. He could have been much more successful w/ some other business deal. I thought it took alot for him to stay, but maybe he faked us all and got the sympathy he sought after. I've never been to a church when tithe was so emphasized.

[FREE]

I have heard of Margie's abuse for some time now. I have recently left a church in PA where the Pastor is divorcing his wife for another woman in the church. Margie and her first husband, John Wagner, were out of the same church as our Pastor. It is amazing how much divorce and abuse has come out of that church. John left Margie for another woman, Margie grew used to the lifestyle and unforunately many Pastor's wives compromise the truth for their material possessios. I came away from our church hurt and feeling decieved. We later found out how our hard earned money was squandered on their lavish lifestyle. Heads up people - start looking at this Faith Movement with new eyes. We were being fleeced. God have mercy on these Pastor's. Jesus said give to the poor, read your gospels. WE have since, after a few years, come into contact with a Calvery Chapel church where all they teach is line upon line, verse upon verse and they are not manipulating me. What are all of these wealthy Pastor's doing with this money? You just have to look at their lifestyle and it will be obvious. I beleive God is cleaning house.
I was a firm beleiver, giving faithfully for over 17 years! If you want the truth go to ccphilly.org and get set free! Listion to the truth about tithing. You will see things with new eyes. No wonder the world laughs at us, we were fools! Get out now. God is real and you don't need these phonies to bring you to him or for them to fight the devil on your behalf (Paula White). If your not afraid go to the site and learn the true word of God for a change.

confused wrote:

I'm not totally understanding you, Margie. If there was physical abuse in the past, why didn't you come forward then? If he hit you before, why were you a fake before the church, especially during your Sunday night M & M service where you two would sometimes get a little too personal about your sex life? I sincerely care for both of you, but why didn't you seek help before now? You knew the devil was working to destroy your relationship, why did you wait? Why did you stay in the house 3 days before leaving if it was so bad?

[FREE]

By the way all these Pastor's tried to claim it was their wife's decision to leave the marriage. Look at all the prominent Pastor's that have gotten away with this without a bump in the road. The bible sounds an elder should be of one wife. What about a Pastor? They all leave for something younger and prettier, just like the world. My husband and I have been married for 31 years and it is only because the word of God has been our foundation. They all come to each other's aid and help smooth things over. A prominent visiting Pastor came to our church and called those that left goats. Since when is standing up for the truth and the word of God a crime? Wait and see how many more Pastor's are going to do the same thing. There are no consequences. They preach forgivness.

[WantingJustice]

FREE, Thanks for your insight. I too am looking into Calvary Chapel in our area. I am starting to see that this church is not for me.

[FREE]

I watched TBN last night for a few minutes. Binnie Hinn was preaching for their pledge athon. At one point he said if you are a Christain you will get up and call and make a pledge. He paraphrased scripture, never reading from the word of God. I sit amazed that I was so deceived for so long and blessed to know that God was faithful and delivered me from these cults. Someone told me years ago these guys were bad but I wouldn't hear of it. They just kept praying for me. You will not be disappointed in Calvery. There will not be any of the bells and whistles, just pure word, no opinions. I am beginnig to believe that these false preachers in the Word of Faith movement are the ones tha God is speaking to when they say Lord didn't we prophesy in your name and the Lord says I never knew you. God will not be mocked. For the first time I feel I am truly learning the word of God and it is beautiful.

WantingJustice wrote:

FREE, Thanks for your insight. I too am looking into Calvary Chapel in our area. I am starting to see that this church is not for me.

[MiMi]

What happened when Markus Bishop went to court on March 31????? Were the charges dropped?

[libbylu]

I have never to a three hour service that passed the offering plate around a least a half dozen time and is filled with jewelry - You have to ask yourself what is God going to do with all the jewelry in the offering plate with a pastor living the life that he does. Also they don't mind accepting any monitery inheritance either. This fact is known by all who attend this parrish. Wake up people and smell the coffee!!!!!!!Markus Bishop is a fraud

[Dinahbele]

He was arrested and released two hours later.

[Dinahbele]

WantingJustice wrote:

FREE, Thanks for your insight. I too am looking into Calvary Chapel in our area. I am starting to see that this church is not for me.

There is a really great Calvary Chapel on the beach that I used to attend. Check it out. I now attend a Calvary Chapel in Melbourne.

[Dinahbele]

It is about time wrote:

I am from PCB and attended Faith Christian Family Church for 15 years.I was there when the church was called Faith Christian Fellowship. I was there when the money given to the church actually went to the church not to Markus Bishop's mansion fund. Speaking of "Markus" I was there when he was called Pastor "Mark" Bishop. He decided to change his name after he came back from rehab AFTER allegedly hitting his mother-in-law. I was there when he hit his music director Michael Dean. I finally saw the light and moved on after I realized that he is no man of God, he is just a man. A man that has covered up so many sins, from affairs, to hitting his teenage daughter just a few months ago, to now hitting his wife. HOW DARE YOU attack the victim, unless you are guilty of the same crimes and are affraid your own wife may finally turn you into the authorities. He has changed his church name, he has changed his name, he has even changed wives but he has not changed his behavior. Jail is exactly where Mark Bishop belongs.<quoted text>

I attended Faith Christian Fellowship at the same time you did! I had gone for many years before I, too, saw the handwriting on the wall. I had become privy to many underhanded behaviors of the pastor including two sets of books, turning people into the IRS for tax fraud in retaliation to threats of exposure, drug and alcohol abuse, adultery with his, then secretary, and on. I'll bet we know each other.

[Former Member]

I too attended Faith Christian Fellowship as it was called. I had dinner one night with a fellow member. He confided in me that one night he met with Mark Bishop with the intention of killing him because of Mark's affair with his wife. He told me that he had a gun in his pocket when he met Mark. He said that he changed his mind at the last minute; that it wasn't worth it. I don't know what ever happened to him.

[attended faith christian]

I seriously doubt anyone in their right mind would want a child to go to Alabama school where they have no funding to speak of verses the lush fully supplied Florida schools due to lottery,
I movged from Panama City Beach to Alabama and there simply is no comparison , Alabama requires you to supply soap and other things and if you want your child to use toilet paper you need to stuff their pockets, I live here I can honestly say this, as far as all the rest remember the biggest downfall of a man is pride

[Former Staff Member]

I can't speak to how things are now, but I remember when the church used to be a really special place. I remember when Mark (won't call him Markus) was a really great guy and an excellent pastor and teacher. He was truly gifted.

If I were to guess, I would say that the turn away from "goodness" started with the tragic and untimely death of his first father-in-law (Scarlett's dad). From that point, it was slow and incremental--but noticeable. I believe God has given Mark multiple opportunities to turn away from these negative behaviors. I still believe that God hasn't given up on Mark.

No, God hasn't given up, but my family and I did. It cost us much to leave, and even after all these years, I still feel the loss. I mourn the loss of what might have been, but I am glad that we got out...and this was before Mark's biggest crashes. I am confident that if he'd kept on the proper course, his church would have been at least 2000 strong by now. Maybe more.

Knowing Mark Bishop was one of the best things that ever happened to me...and probably the worst.

I tell you, it would be an amazing thing to collect together and minister God's love, mercy and greatness to all of the wounded, tattered, scattered souls. The congregation would be flush with former members, employees, volunteers, workers, staff, community officials, builders, tradesmen, and even local restaurant and hospitality service workers.

Now that would be a big church.

[confused]

Thanks to all of you former members taking the time to post your experience at Faith Christian and of Markus Bishop. I am unaware of most of what I'm reading. I guess I just don't understand why he chose to remain a preacher. It seems like he would have made much more money w/ his books and business deals. The overhead of the church alone must cost a fortune. He does seem to go overboard about tithing. I sometimes wish I could just write my checks to God to make sure it gets in the right hands.

Now I hear Bishop has stepped down temporarily but still attends. Wouldn't it be so much easier to throw in the towel? I mean, how embarrassing is that for him to sit in the congregation? His preaching really spoke to my heart and it messes me up to think he's a fraud. How could you live w/ yourself knowing you're a fraud? Why do so many continue to support him?