Several students have raised concerns online about the practices of RISE Ministries, a “non-denominational Christian club” at York. On RISE Ministries’ official Instagram page, the group claims it is “purposed to train and raise up the next generation of young Christian leaders.” However, some students have questioned the organization’s practices and whether they resemble those of a cult.
The Instagram account @get_yorked has recently shared anecdotes from students who said they have been approached by members of RISE Ministries. The post referenced discussions from online spaces, including the York University subreddit, that warned students about “an off-campus organization operating on campus grounds” operating under the name RISE Ministries. Students alleged that RISE Ministries is an offshoot of a group titled the Restored Church Toronto, though this connection has not been independently confirmed. The Restored Church Toronto is led by Americans Evan Bartholomew and Kelly Bartholomew, who are identified by the church as Lead Evangelist and Women’s Ministry Leader respectively. The church’s website states that the pair have been “serving in full-time ministry for nearly twenty years.” Evan Bartholomew follows RISE Ministries on their official Instagram account, @riseministriesyorku.
Some students came forward to Excalibur with their accounts of the organization. Esther, a former member who graduated from York last year, joined RISE Ministries in September 2022. Having been raised in the church, she was hoping to find a Christian community. During their first Bible study, the group read the Bible and brought up spreading the gospel, which Esther said she was “not comfortable [doing] yet.” According to Esther, spreading the gospel continued to come up in the following weeks. Esther recalls that the study leaders focused on the topic of Jesus’s disciples spreading the gospel, and asked her to do so again, to which she declined once more. Esther says members later told her that not spreading the gospel was “a grave sin.” She soon stopped associating with the group, though they tried to reach out over various online platforms.
Another student, who is involved with a Christian club on campus and requested to remain anonymous, says they were approached by members of RISE Ministries following an exam, an interaction they describe as “creepy.”The student says that the RISE members spoke about Martin Luther, and how his interpretation of Christianity was correct, unlike other denominations. Looking back on the encounter, the student reflects that they “felt preyed on.” The student claims their club has also had other members get approached by RISE Ministries, with more frequent attempts within the past month.
RISE Ministries is not the only religious student organization facing questions about its activities on campus. There also exists The Lord’s Chosen Campus Fellowship (TLCCF), a student-run chapter of the Nigerian organization, The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries (TLCCRM). Posters for the group have been plastered around campus by the organization, promoting freedom from hardships that the organization describes as enemies, such as unemployment, addiction, academic setbacks, and even demonic manipulation.
The group also operates a YouTube channel and Substack page owned by TLCCRM, which feature testimonies from individuals who say they have been healed. Beyond its work at York, the organization operates off campus and at other universities, with posts detailing their miracles. One post shows an interview with an unidentified individual formerly suffering from “5 Years of Violent Head & Body Twisting Rolling Away,” with comments offering praise. Additionally, a person who identifies as a student at McMaster University claims they obtained their student visa thanks to worshipping God.The group also publishes videos portraying homosexuality as evil, with one video detailing how a member’s brother was ‘delivered’ from it.
Although both organizations are registered on YUConnect, York’s official campus community platform, their activities have prompted concerns among some students about whether their practices resemble those of a cult. Cults are categorized as “unauthorized activities and organizations” by the Centre for Student Community & Leadership Development (SCLD). SCLD defines cults as “groups that deceptively recruit members by using mental, emotional, physical and financial means to control the actions of their adherents.” The department further states that “they can best be described as elitist, high demand organizations that require members to follow the teachings of their leaders, without question.” Excalibur reached out to SCLD staff for an official statement on RISE Ministries and TLCCF, but has received no response at the time of writing.
York’s Deputy Spokesperson Yanni Dagonas reiterates the University’s stance, stating that “all registered student organizations are expected to conduct their activities in a manner that is respectful of others and consistent with university policies and regulations.” Dagonas acknowledges that the University is aware of social media posts describing student interactions with “members of two registered student organizations with religious affiliations,” though he explains it has not received any formal complaints.
Dagonas emphasizes that while social media can help with raising awareness, firsthand reports strengthen the university’s ability to investigate. He encourages community members with concerns about these organizations’ conducts to go through the University’s official complaint process to raise them. Concerns can also be sent to scld@yorku.ca for “review through appropriate processes.” Unless further administrative action is taken, it appears these groups will be able to exist on campus for the foreseeable future.
