After a two-year break, it seems Rory Alec is back

Rory Alec – Living life in front of a camera lens could not have been easy…
What has Rory been doing since his days of live television? Image from Wikipedia. 

Our blog post ‘RORY – Where are you? What’s happened to Rory Alec?’ is one of the most read articles on Christian Media Watch, with hundreds of readers looking for an update. It seems GOD TV’s former leader still has a mass following of people interested in his well-being. So, following his departure from GOD TV and divorce from Wendy Alec where is Rory today?

A quick google search shows he is now using his full name, Rory Alec Stephen and is living in Austria where he has set up new businesses. It also looks like he is continuing to play an active role as a philanthropist – supporting the feeding of underprivileged children in Africa.

According to Wikipedia “Rory Alec Stephen, better known as Rory Alec, is a South African Christian broadcaster and media executive. He co-founded the GOD TV network in 1995, and was Chief Executive Officer from 1994 to 2014. Alec is now pursuing other projects through a new company called The Internationals.”

The Internationals website lists film, TV, stage and music as the company’s areas of expertise. Rory A. Stephen is listed as a producer. Looking at tweets from The Internationals Twitter account, @theinterworld it seems Rory has visited Los Angeles to pursue his dream of making movies, which he often talked about on GOD TV.

According to Go Fund Me Rory still supports the work of Jesus Cares Ministry in Rustenburg, South Africa where he grew up and is asking people to sponsor a plate of food for school children. He has written ‘An Open Letter From Rory Alec’ in which he says:

“I have been on sabbatical over the last two years for personal reasons, and I am rebuilding my life and ministry and business, but this email is not about me or what’s happening in my life – let me share with you why I write…

“I received an urgent call for help from my dear friends Cliff & André Scott, who feed 950 children at nine schools, each week… They heard a few weeks ago, that they would receive no further support from their main financial backer… Cliff & André have to replace a ‘lost budget’ of $4,800 per month and have asked for my help.

“I have known this couple since I was 17 years old! They are faithful, reliable, deeply caring people, who most certainly don’t do what they do, for the money. They are servants to these children and the Lord and most certainly deserving of my/our help! So I want to help them quickly to replace this lost revenue.”

The Open Letter links to the Vimeo Video ‘Behind the Scenes with JESUS CARES MINISTRIES from THE INTERNATIONALS MEDIA GROUP’

“The Internationals Initiative is getting behind JESUS CARES MINISTRIES in South Africa for 2017 to help them urgently raise support… Please sponsor a plate of food @ 70cents per plate,” the video description reads.

The Internationals Vimeo page links to other ‘Behind The Scenes’ filming in Vienna as well as to another new company, Alec is involved in, The Diva Academy which aims to “spread the art of singing with professionalism, ease and fun in the German-speaking world.” The site lists its founders as Carola Caye and Rory Alec.

“Carola Caye has been a Lecturer for 15 years and has been Senor Lecturer at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna for more than 30 years and has been a successful and freelance singer for more than 30 years. The International Vocal Academy was founded in cooperation with the musician, composer-arranger and film and music producer Rory Alec,” the site says.

Rory has moved on since his days behind the camera and is now holding the camera himself. After such a highly publicised split and the pain and hurt of all concerned, he seems to be back on track. A talented man with a God-given calling it’s good to see his talents are not being wasted.

How do you bounce back after such a high profile career in Christian television? It must be difficult. But it’s clear God still has a calling on his life and like David with Bathsheba, he may have to pay a heavy price, but hopefully this is the start of a turnaround for him and his ministry.

It’s fitting that it was the needs of others that brought Rory back into public life, wanting to provide meals for hungry kids. The Bible teaches us that all we do for the least of people, we do for Him. And it’s no accident that the name of the organisation is Jesus Cares. Indeed He does, no matter what we have done and is always there to help us start over.

GOD TV’s former CEO Rory Alec is a good example of someone starting over. Hopefully after this ‘two year sabbatical’ this is a return to ministry. It may not be in-your-face tele-evangelism, but his ‘open letter’ indicates he hasn’t left the faith. Rory was often called an ‘Apostle to the Media’ and God-willing his new life will clear the way for him to pioneer new fields of media for God’s Kingdom, breaking new ground where the enemy least expects.

You can also read.  RORY Where are you? What’s happened to Rory Alec?

Did God intervene in the US Election?

So much has been written about the US Election, what more could possibly be said? From a Christian media perspective several things are worth noting.
It all pointed towards Hillary Clinton being the next president of the USA, Newsweek had already printed it’s cover with the words, ‘Madame President’. Yet in a shock turn-around we now have President Elect, Donald J Trump. What happened? Was it Wikileaks, was it disillusionment with the establishment or could it have been divine intervention?

With so many Republican candidates to beat, it’s a wonder Trump won the nomination in the first place. And, having blurted out so many politically suicidal comments, it is amazing he was allowed to continue to campaign…

When we heard his call for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the USA,” many of us thought it was the end for him. In today’s world you can’t spew forth such politically incorrect statements and hope to be taken seriously… and yet the statements kept coming…

Then came the ‘October Surprise’ of his lewd ‘locker room talk’ video tape where he was caught on camera disrespecting women in such a vulgar way.  The media correctly assessed that this would have been the end for any other politician… Especially coupled with the shocking accusations of several women with whom he allegedly acted inappropriately. Who would have thought any self respecting woman would vote for him?

And yet, defying all odds millions of women did vote for him. And men. And despite the Clinton campaign rolling out all the big names they could muster, including President Obama and the first lady, Trump still won. Unbelievable. Yet with God nothing is impossible. And He can use a donkey if He so chooses.

So many times during his campaign it seemed ludicrous that Donald Trump was a serious contender and yet it seems God decided to use him to lead the United States for His own plans and purposes and the obvious question is why?

The answers can be found in the Christian media who boldly stuck out their necks to support Trump as God’s choice of candidate and Charisma Magazine (published by Steve Strang) was right at the forefront highlighting prophetic insights from Christian leaders who history proved were accurately hearing from Heaven.

Scripture declares that God doesn’t do anything before first telling His prophets and Lance Wallnau, Dutch Sheets, Patricia King, Jennifer LeClaire, Bill Johnson, Mark Taylor and others are to be commended for bravely speaking about a Trump victory long before it even seemed vaguely possible.

“Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)

Lance Wallnau (Known for his teaching on the Seven Mountains of Influence) described Trump as ‘God’s chaos candidate’, ‘a wrecking ball to political correctness.’ Jennifer LeClaire accurately prophesied that “On Election Day, a Kingdom will be toppled.” Brave words indeed when the nation seemed to be rooting for Hillary…and win the popular vote she did, but not the White House.
Mark Taylor boldly prophesied five years ago that Trump would be President  and has since updated his prophetic word, saying that God will use him to expose darkness.

Despite Trump’s many flaws, it seems God has raised him up to give America a stay of execution. So many Christian leaders have discerned that the USA is under judgement due to the Godless agenda of the globalist elite; the murder of millions of unborn children; and the way the US Government has humiliated Israel in recent years to name just a few reasons why a vote for Hillary Clinton was not an option for many Bible-believing Christians.

God had nothing to do with Clinton loosing you may say… you may think it had more to do with Wikileaks… but that is not the case. Yes, it seemed for a moment the re-opening of the FBI investigation was going to help Trump, but then that came to nothing. Yes the Department of Justice probably called the FBI off, but the e-mail scandal wasn’t an issue on voting day and  not the reason Trump won. And despite all  Julian Assange’s promises of a smoking gun, that never did quite seem to materialise.

Clinton lost because people finally came to the revelation that she was part of the establishment who had her chance to make changes for good and had not delivered. She lost because millions of Christians were and are praying for an end to abortion and particularly late term abortion. She lost because America cannot afford to have any more excessively liberal supreme court judges. She lost because, just perhaps a successful business person, despite their obvious faults may be able to reduce the trillions of dollars in deficit and create a better life for ordinary people.

Trump is in no way perfect. He is deeply flawed, but he is not beyond forgiveness nor is he beyond change. He has said a lot of disturbing things for many people, but hopefully He is going to be a President for all people. We must also consider who he places around him. Patricia King said she felt Trump’s running mate was going to play a key role in this election with Vice President Elect, Mike Pence as a God-fearing Joseph to Trump as Pharaoh.

Whether Trump is a new believer as many Christians have speculated or he is as pagan as Pharaoh, God is obviously using him. One immediate thing Christians can glean from him, is his courage. It’s time for God’s people to be brave. To rise up courageously and stop being so afraid of the global elite and it’s agenda to rule the world.  Let’s hope, like many Christian media outlets have said, that a Trump presidency opens up the possibility for revival to come to America and to overflow to the world.

God can use a donkey… He can use Donald J Trump and He can use you and me… and let’s not see this expression as disrespectful to any donkey. Remember Jesus chose to ride a humble donkey into Jerusalem as the crowds shouted, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord’. There is no greater privilege than to be used of God.

Trump may not even realise it yet, the magnitude of his calling, but may he carry God’s plans and purposes for America to fulfilment. May He rely wholly on God to make America great again. May He do everything in the Name of the Lord.

The mass media continues to discuss the shock Trump win and social media is full of heated discussion.  Yet, on the whole, Trump’s secret supporters continue to keep a low profile, just like they did in the election, creating havoc with the pollsters. Those who have a Biblical Worldview no longer need to be quiet. Let our voice be heard. After all the ‘expert’ analysis God has the final word.

Further Reading

GOD TV now has a news section on it’s website enabling viewers to share their views on different topics. Several articles focus on the new Trump administration offering a faith-orientated focus on the  Inauguration, the Women’s Marches and how Trump’s Presidency will affect Israel . CMW has been quoted in the article Is Faith His Trump Card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why did Netanyahu want to address Congress? He once explained in an interview with me that he sees a threat most do not. Apocalyptic Islam. Excerpts from that conversation.

An interesting perspective on current US/Israeli relations.

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

>> See my new column on Netanyahu’s views on Iran and Apocalyptic Islam.

UPDATED: (Washington, D.C.) — Why did Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu want to address a Joint Session of Congress despite intense – even unprecedented — political attacks against him from the Obama administration, the media, and the left-wing in Israel?

Because he understands something too few in the West do – that the most serious threat we face today is not simply from “Radical Islam,” but from “Apocalyptic Islam.”

“I think the West misunderstood, and still misunderstands, the threat” posed by Iran, Mr. Netanyahu told me during a 2007 interview for a documentary film I was producing. “It is a fanatic, messianic ideology that seeks to have an apocalyptic battle for world supremacy with the West. It seeks to correct what it sees as an accident of history, where the West has risen, and Islam had declined.  The…

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How to Find Freedom From Slavery

Seems we are all slaves to something. God wants us to be free. The Christian media is an essential part of proclaiming Freedom in Christ alone.

Touching Your Community.com

by Jack Graham

Break the ties with the worldly idols that enslave you and live your life to love and serve Jesus Christ!

For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men (1 Corinthians 7:22-23).

You might be surprised to hear that you see slaves each and every day. You interact with them. You might live with one or two. Or, it’s very possible you’re a slave yourself. Now you may be thinking, “That’s impossible. Slavery is illegal!” Yes, it is… in some forms.

There are some who are slaves, for example, to their work. We call that workaholism, and it’s perfectly legal. Others are slaves to things. We call that materialism…

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Has Revelation TV really fallen foul of the Charity Commission?

According to The Independent, Revelation TV: Britain’s first televangelist station is facing investigation into misuse of funds.

Ecalpemos, a blog written in Scotland “on issues including current affairs, music, technology and Christianity,” has offered the following insight into the these claims. They also have a well documented page providing Background Information on Revelation TV.

Christian Media Watch has been criticised through a comment on this blog, for not alerting viewers to this investigation. We did actually pick up on this in a tweet, saying “We have to do better.”

Ecalpemos (Someplace spelt backwards) has observed Christian Media Watch as exemplifiying a polarised group of Christians who see such investigations as “a satanic attack against Christians”.

We do believe that all Christian media is under enemy attack by the Prince of the Power of the Air as they strive to redeem the airwaves. However we do not see an investigation by the Charity Commission as a satanic attack. All charities in the UK must adhere to the strict guidelines of the Charity Commission and if they are in breech of these, they need to be called to account and make right.

Revelation TV has responded to the accusations against them with An Announcement relating to the Charity Commission’s inquiry into Revelation Foundation – saying they are co-operating fully and that they believe the allegations will be proved unfounded.

Ecalpemos says: “Having reflected on this I suspect that those hoping for something to happen will be disappointed. The Charity Commission is very reluctant to take action in cases like this, usually citing concerns about loss of benefit to beneficiaries or bringing the voluntary sector into disrepute. Even when they do take action this information is only publicly available for a short period of time, and are not held in a public archive.”

As we commented on Ecalpemos’ article: “Commendations on a well documented blog. Despite your concerns with Revelation TV you have approached this in a respectful through critical way, which is so much better than some of the blogs that see themselves as called to bring down entire Christian networks. I hope that what you have suggested will be the outcome of the Charity Commission’s investigation into Revelation TV. ie ensuring that the way forward is completely above board.

“I rather suspect that Howard Conder has sacrificed everything to just get Revelation on air and even more to keep it on air, as have his family most probably. It is a concern that some family members have earned high salaries, but then we don’t know what level of work they have had to do. Christian TV is enormously expensive and every minute of TV takes much planning, production etc. Sometimes only family members are prepared to make the level of commitment to a vision, ie to give all.

“Christians cannot blame the devil for their mistakes. However we all know that he has tailor made traps for each of us because he basically wants to kill, steal and destroy. He walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. We have to be one step ahead. And yes as Christians we should do everything in the best possible way as an example to others. Hopefully Revelation will bounce back stronger.”

RORY – Where are you? What’s happened to Rory Alec?

Rory Alec – Living life in front of a camera lens cannot be easy. Will Rory Alec be back in front of the camera as a TV presenter or music producer?  Image from Wikipedia.

This article was written in two years ago but still receives many hits. Click for an updated article. 

“Adam where are you?” This was the question God asked after the fall of man. Given the amount of hits we’ve had on Rory Alec, many Christians are asking the same question of the former GOD TV CEO.

He seems to have disappeared into thin air after his confession that he had been unfaithful to his wife. She then announced on live TV that he was in South Africa, at the farm owned by the father of the woman he is said to be having an affair with… Where he is now is anybody’s guess…

But, God was not necessarily referring to Adam’s geographic position, but more a case of where was he spiritually. The same questions can be asked of each and every one of us, including Rory Alec.

In physical terms Rory Alec has vanished, the only trace being his Wikipedia page which says very little, but does include a different designation. It now says he is a music producer. It is pointless to speculate, where he is now, whether still in South Africa or Austria where the ‘other woman’ is said to be from… but what is not pointless is to question, what he will do in future?

Will Rory Alec ‘Finish Strong’ as outlined in the best-selling book ‘Finish Strong – Going the Distance for your Family by Steve Farrar? According to Farrar, only one in 10 Christian men will finish strong.

Will he end this affair and go back to his wife and fulfil his calling in Christian media? Or is it too late for that already? Will he divorce, marry this woman and start a new life?

Music production is not a new career for Rory. According to Against All Odds, he produced albums in South Africa. Although it was never obvious watching God TV, Rory is actually a musician. He was a worship leader long before he became a ‘tele-evangelist’.

God gives each of us a choice. He gives us the option to choose life or death. Although He clearly tells us which direction to take. “Choose life,” He says.  This refers primarily to salvation. We have a choice to reject God or accept Him and receive eternal life. We also have to make the right choices in our personal lives, choices that bring life and don’t cause destruction.

When it comes to our personal lives… our choices still lead to life and and death… in Rory’s case the death of a marriage, the end of his involvement in an international ministry. But there is still life for Rory Alec. God can and will forgive Him if he repents. God will even forgive Him if he divorces and remarries, but it will cause even greater hurt for all concerned.

His children will have to face all the difficulties of becoming part of a blended family. There will be the constant strain of divided loyalties, but like many, many people who have been divorced and remarried, they can and will survive.

The question will always remain, could Rory have achieved more for God if he had stayed in his marriage and continued with God TV? Or is God able to resurrect his gifting like He did with Samson?

Some may ask about the Biblical example of David (a man after God’s own heart) and Bathsheba. Yes, their ‘love child’ died, but their second child Solomon became King. Yes he was one of the greatest kings that ever lived, but look how he ended up.

These are Old Testament examples and we have a new covenant. Jesus Himself said to the accusers of the woman caught in adultery: “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.” To the woman, He simply said, “Go and sin no more.”

Ultimately, we serve the God who causes all things to work together for good for them that love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Our prayer for Rory Alec is that he finds himself.

In the meantime Christian TV fans should not forget his 20 years of sacrificial service in pioneering Christian TV in Europe. It remains a remarkable achievement.

And what is the message to each of us? Go and sin no more.

Christian TV under attack like never before?

Just 20 years ago Christian TV was in its infancy in the United Kingdom. Today there are some 17 channels on the SKY satellite platform.  It seems there is a growing demand for different streams of Christian television, and sufficient interest amongst British viewers to sustain so many Christian networks. However there is also much criticism targeted at particular Christian series and at particular networks. The irony is that the most venomous attacks seem to be coming from other believers. This is not a good witness to the world. It seems Christian TV is under attack like never before and Bible believers need to rally to trust God for His intervention.

GOD TV, Revelation TV, TBN, Daystar, UCB, Inspiration, LoveWorld, The Gospel Channel, The Word Network, EWTN, Faith World, KICC TV, Believe TV, Olive TV, SBN, Flow TV and ACBN. These are the 17 Christian Channels on SKY, in EPG sequence and reflecting a mix of channels from British, American, European and African backgrounds. While many of the schedules feature similar daily series, each has a unique appeal to viewers. And each seems to have it’s own fair share of criticism.

There are those who dismiss Christian networks outright as being part of ‘broad road’ Christianity, i.e. not part of the narrow way, and have nothing positive to say about Christian programming. There are others whose major gripe is the fund raising methods used by channels like TBN, DayStar, SBN and GOD TV who have Praise-a-thons or Missions Weeks. And of course since the demise of Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart, there have been those who belittle Christian networks due to their leader’s fall from grace.

The Internet has  provided a platform for Christians, who feel they are being discerning, to criticise, discredit and put down other ministries as if they were doing God a favour. While we are all called to be wary of wolves in sheep’s clothing and of being deceived by false prophets, we need to realise that though we differ on doctrine, salvation in Jesus Christ remains the single most important factor. We shouldn’t be wasting our time going around and bad-mouthing others when there is a lost world to win to Christ.

Fund raising will always be a difficult issue for some people, however it is clear that Christian media can only operate in partnership with listeners and viewers who catch the vision of the network and chose to support it. Holding telethons to gain support for Christian television is just as honourable as the BBC raising funds on air for Children In Need, if not more so, because we are dealing with people’s eternal destiny. Yes, nobody wants to be manipulated and you can’t buy a miracle. If you think you are –  just switch channels or turn your television off.

God blesses us to be a blessing to others, He loves to see His children working together in unity. He has called us to do our part in the Great Commission and that takes, time, effort and money. He has also called us to be cheerful givers, not stingy. When we partner with Christian networks, we are reaching beyond ourselves, our church, our community to reach people on the other side of the world we don’t even know, but we play a part in their salvation experience. It is the power of Christian media. The power of partnership.

Regarding the moral failure, adultery of Christian leaders, call it what you like. It was been shocking to hear accusations brought against Paul Crouch, the late founder of TBN and most recently Wendy Alec’s tearful account of Rory Alec leaving her for another woman. Some have identified this as the end of GOD TV, that the network “is on the skids.” But other networks like DayStar have survived this and more. DayStar’s Marcus Lamb confessed to having had an affair, his wife Joni forgave him and the network seems stronger than ever. Our God is truly the God of Restoration and even when our leaders fail, He remains faithful.

It seems GOD TV’s viewers are rallying around Wendy Alec which is commendable. It looks like they see this for the enemy attack it is and are believing God to turn the whole situation around. That GOD TV was not set up by man but by God Himself and He is not going to allow it to go down the tubes.  It is also encouraging to see Christian networks standing together, an example of this the statements made in support of GOD TV by Howard Conder of Revelation TV and Chris Cole of Cross Rhythms Christian Radio. We need so see more of this.

I once recall an interview I did with Bible prophecy expert, the late Barry Smith. I asked him about a particular woman minister and best selling author who was adored by some Christians and reviled by others. “If we are in doubt, what should we do?” I asked. His reply was clear from Galatians 5, “If you bite and devour each other, you will be destroyed by each other.”

Galatians 5: 13-15 – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

It is time for Christians to walk together in unity, to fight side by side for the extension of the Kingdom of God, in the face of the many, many attacks the evil one is bringing against us. Should we really be fighting each other when 68% of Christian men are addicted to pornography, to use just one example. Christian values are being eroded every day through and we cannot afford to dismiss Christian networks. The  Christian media is the only mass initiative we have, to mobilise believers on a global scale. It’s time to stand together in the battle of the airwaves.