CC's flock will get wise to Ireland's game just as these poor folks did.

Shaking his followers down for donations, promising them a grand utopia. Reality is 5 years later they are getting converted office space out in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention the millions sunk in taxes and utility costs while the building sits mostly vacant. If I were a CC member I would contact the State Division of Consumer Affairs for an investigation.


Randolph church to return donations
Settles with state over accusation it misused $120K
By Peggy Wright and Abbott Koloff April 1, 2009


State Division of Consumer Affairs officials will hold a press conference in Randolph today to announce the settlement of an alleged misuse of donations by leaders of Church Alive.


Church Alive officials acknowledged on Tuesday that they agreed to pay back $120,000 in donations that had been made to refurbish their Route 10 church building, which they later sold. But they denied any wrongdoing, saying they sold the building after about half of their members left the church.

"We weren't able to make mortgage payments when those members left," said Philip DuPlessis, a pastor at Church Alive, also known as Randolph Christian Church.

In a press release issued Tuesday, state officials said church leaders sold the church building and used the proceeds to buy a $1.6 million luxury home in Randolph and a 78-foot schooner, among other items. Tax records show that Church Alive purchased a home for that amount last year.

Jeff Lamm, spokesman for the state Division of Consumer Affairs, said the state would not elaborate on its press release until today's press conference.

DuPlessis acknowledged the purchase of the home, saying it serves as a parsonage, home to the church's senior pastor, Eric Simon, and his family. He said it also serves as a place where the church's 75 members participate in leadership development and other activities.

"Our church members have full access and use of the building," he said. "It's an investment we made when we sold the (church) building. ... We are very grateful we didn't invest in the stock market."

As for the schooner, he said the church purchased a small interest in the Liberty Schooner, based in Jersey City, used for outreach to children in urban areas.

DuPlessis said the church paid $150,000 to refurbish the Route 10 building before selling it to another church. Church Alive still uses the building for Sunday services, having signed a five-year lease, and will pay nothing the first two years, he said.

Church officials issued a prepared statement Tuesday, saying they signed a consent order with the state that refunds "some contributions made to the church building fund by certain former member-leaders." It also said the church agreed to make changes in some current investments and to reorganize its constitution and bylaws to establish "stronger checks and balances."

State officials scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. today in front of the home purchased by the church last year at 14 Kingsbrook Court in Randolph. State Consumer Affairs Director David Szuchman, investigators and attorneys are expected to attend.