MIKE ZACH IN OMAHA

[chswimmer]

I was wondering if anyone could help me out here.  Churches around my town of Omaha, NE have been inviting Remedy Drive to play concerts for the past couple years.  It has recently come to my attention that this band is made of Mike Zach's sons.  By viewing the history of the Assembly I can see how this man is very controversial.  I have checked numerous websites and some have listed him as a key player and an active participant.  I was wondering if anyone could tell me whether it would be wise to look into cancelling future concerts with the band or just how dangerous Mr. Zach could be.  Any information would surely be appreciated.

[Mark C.]

Hello CHSwimmer!

  Here is a link to a site that addresses your concern re. Mike Zach and the band Remedy Drive [url]http://geftakysassembly.com/Reflections/Remedy/Drive.htm[/url

  I don't know the current views of Mike Zach, or if the boys are continuing in the warped theology of George Geftakys.  I hear from a lot of former members, and have been active on this BB, but I have not heard that Mike Zach has offered any confessions or apologies for his part in the abuses of the Assembly.

  He was the main man in Omaha for George Geftakys and was 100% loyal to the Assembly cause--- in word and in deed!  I was involved in Calif. and so did not have much personally to do with him, but hopefully some who were in the group in Omaha will come forward and offer a personal testimony to his nefarious past.

   It is my hope that Mike Zach really does see how wrong his Assembly past was and is willing to come forward in honest repentance.  If he does not, then I would view him as a very dangerous person indeed to invite into your church to teach or lead in any kind of capacity. 

The gospel of George Geftakys, that Mike Zach promoted, is a false gospel that teaches that salvation by grace only opens the door for the possibility of eternal life.  In order for a believer to escape Outer Darkness one must first "overcome" all sin by a fully surrendered and holy life.  This "holy life" must not only be in behavior but in perfect purity of heart as well.

  There is more for you to learn about Assembly teaching at the above linked site.  The practices of these leaders, as well as their teaching, was reprehensible as well.  These practices were first written about in a book called, "Churches that Abuse" by Ronald Enroth and published by Zondervan.  This same author wrote a follow-up book entitled, "Recovering from Churches That Abuse" that also mentions the Assembly of George Geftakys.

   I hope that you find this info. helpful and let us know how your interview with the Zach boys goes.  As a warning, it is typical for these former leaders (as to Mike Zach, not the boys) to deny that they ever held to GG teaching and that they were ever involved in abusive treatment of those they "pastored."  The boys may not be that aware of what was going on when they were in the group.  They probably just need some good basic instruction in what the bible really teaches. 

   I know of some former leaders who have gotten involved in normal evangelical churches and have wormed their way into the hearts of these pastors.  They will deny all accusations against them as false, claim that they are the real victims, and paint the whole Assembly as a good church who just had a leader who fell into sin.

  However, they refuse to discuss their past conduct with former Assembly members that have grievances against them (contrary to the biblical directive that they should Mt. 18: 15-17).  In my opinion, before Mike Zach should be allowed to minister(music or otherwise) in a Christian church he should "first leave his gift at the altar" and make ammends with those he has sinned against.

                                                                 God Bless,  Mark C.