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Bethel Church is a Christian religious organization based in Mansfield Woodhouse, England, once headed by John Hibbert and Jean Spademan.Spademan, known as “Syro” to church members, claimed to have the "gift of prophecy"; her words were infallible and believed to be directly from God. Jean Spademan died in England in 2007. It is unclear who has taken over the role of "prophet" of this controversial group.

Bethel is currently headed by John Hibbert, Stephen Jeffs, and Spademan’s grandson, Christopher Jenkinson.

There are dozens of churches around the world known as Bethel churches. They are known for their emphasis on faith healing.

Murmuring is to air some sort of grievance with another person, either within the church or even worse, outside. The grievance itself could be something very minor, or some resentment about treatment by the ministry. It supposedly has the effect of poisoning the heart of the other person, which if they are an outsider is particularly bad since it could stumble them and thus prevent them receiving salvation. It is often preached against, and held up as one of the reasons the church does not reach its potential in the world. From a control point of view, those leaving the church have often eventually seen this teaching as a control mechanism. This alone is one of the main reasons many in the church do not see the depth of control being used. Those disciplined behind the scenes in harsh ways are often reluctant do discuss what has happened to them, seeing it as murmuring to do so.

This is an important teaching in the church. Basically, God has a perfect will for a Christian's life. The Devil constantly tries to hamper that plan. Each time a Christian commits sin, the Devil has an automatic right to contest God's will for that person's life. God is absolutely just, so the Devil gets what he's after. This is where God's permissive will comes in. God will turn the mistake around to something good in the end, but the result will never be as good as God's original plan for that person's life. The same happens in the church as a whole. Each time a church member commits some sin, the Devil gains entrance into the church and is able to hamper what God wanted the church to do. The result is that the congregation will frequently be 'blasted' in a message from the platform. They will be told God wants to work miracles within the church, but he cannot until sin is removed. Murmuring (see above) will often be mentioned here, and held up as one of the reasons God cannot do what he wishes to do.

A sister church, originally known as King's Chapel, is located in Norwich, Connecticut, in the United States. King's Chapel, led by Sam J. Wibberley, under the guidance of John Hibbert and Jean Spademan, is a controversial organization that incites strong reactions from those affected by the church and those who are participants. While anyone is free to leave the church, many ex-members describe practices rampant with mental abuse, charlatanry, and dominance. Detractors claim that those who leave the church spread lies out of revenge or misguidance. Parishioners are discouraged from speaking to those who have left, so as not to catch a spirit of doubt. To doubt is a major sin^[1], obedience is a must. The church in Norwich has changed its name to the Peniel Church.

• May 31, 1984, Wayne Wibberley, aged 20, pled guilty to second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.^[2] This was after Syro accused him of inappropriate conduct while babysitting, and all-night “counseling” sessions with church pastors, which pressured him to confess. His criminal record shows that the arrest occurred almost three months after two alleged assaults, yet there is no warrant in his court record to explain the charges. No name is given for Wayne’s attorney, and there is no description of any crimes. After these accusations having been taken to heart, Wayne went to live in Florida with his biological mother, where he was convicted of sexual assault and battery in 1987, and again in 1998 for lewd and lascivious behavior in the presence of a child.

• December 19, 1987, Ronald Allen of Preston, CT committed suicide through carbon monoxide poisoning in his car.^[3] Allen had begun counseling shortly before his death but had been discouraged from seeking help with 'outsiders'. The church had been pressuring him to sell his home on Amos Lake in order to move closer to other church members and to donate profits from the sale to the church.

• December, 1994, Martha Davis attempted to commit suicide by an overdose of painkillers.^[4] She had been forced by the church to take care of the M. family, including providing shelter, food, and cleaning for them. Martha felt controlled and abused and as though she had no control over her life. Her son was sent on a trip to England to stay with members of the Bethel Church, which eventually led her into a deep depression, coming to a head as an attempted suicide. After she was released from the hospital, she asked church elders and Sam Wibberley for time off of caring for the M.s and for her son to come home so she could be with him. Wibberley responded by saying that she should apologize to the M.s for scaring them and that her son could not come home as her suicide attempt had ruined much of what they had accomplished with him. In the year 2000, Martha successfully committed suicide.

• September 14, 1996, Joshua K age 21, confessed to allegations of child abuse to local authorities, after an all night session of "counseling" by Sam Wibberley and other church elders.^[5] Josh recanted his story 48 hours later after two full days of constant pressuring and harassment from church members: he stated that brainwashing and suggestion had compelled him to tell such a story to the local police.

Rick A. Ross website, archive of New London Day newspaper articles, Daily Express newspaper articles, Mansfield Chad newspaper articles

Apologetics Index page on Bethel Interdenominational Church

Freedom Of Mind Center - Kings Chapel