Exaggerations & Fabrications
The "Transformations" Video vs. Actual Facts
Comparison Chart


This is a chart detailing the claims made in the "Transformations" video by George Otis, Jr. and his accomplices.  It turns out after some investigation that, not only do we find exaggerations of the facts, but many, many complete fabrications!  This is a terrible black eye on Christendom since this video has been circulated by YWAM, the National Prayer Committee and the World Prayer Center to over 80,000 churches and organizations.  Its unbiblical methods are being used by many churches and large events have already happened in places like South Africa using these concepts.  We want to warn all Bible believing Christ centered churches to steer clear of this video and those behind it like C. Peter Wagner, George Otis, Jr. and others involved in the "New Apostolic Reformation" because apparently truth is no longer regarded as a necessity for Christians, and the end justifies any means available.  For more information on these people and their agenda, visit the Deception In The Church web site.


Hemet, CA


 
Transformations Video Claim - Hemet, CA Source
"Cult membership (in Hemet, CA) once a serious threat has sunk to less than 3/10ths of a percent of the population.” 

The Hemet population in 1997, which is the year the Transformations video based its facts on, was 52,315. 3/10ths of 1% (.003) of 52,315 is 156 people.  The current population in Hemet is over 100,000.  3/10ths of 1% (.003) of 100,000 is 300 people

Transformations Video
 

http://www.pe.net/~rksnow/cacountyhemetmis.htm

Actual Facts - Hemet, CA Source
Here are the available Hemet cult stats at this time:

Hemet LDS/Mormon Churches of Hemet have 9 wards @ 500 members = 4500 members.
1st Church Of Christian Scientist in Hemet has 43 members.
Jehoavah's Witnesses of Hemet have 1000 members in 8 churches

Here are the cults we could find in Hemet, which is not an exhaustive list:

Mormons/LDS = 8 Churches
Reorganized LDS = 1 Church
SDA = 4 Churches, 1 School
Religious Science = 1 Church
1st Church Of Christian Science = 2 Churches
Unitarian/Universalist = 1 Church
Scientology = 1 (Former Headquarters)
Odd Fellows Temple = 1 Church
Jehovah's Witnesses = 8 Churches
Unity Church = 1 Church, 1 Bookstore

909-652-2410

909-658-2635
909-929-2194

http://www.superpages.com/

Conclusion Source
Transformations Video total fabrication! Let Us Reason

 
Transformations Video Claim - Hemet, CA Source
"Once 9 metaphetamine labs operated out of the area and most have been shut down." Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Hemet, CA Source
"In 1998, 20 of the 52 labs in the region were large-scale operations that could cook more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine in a day or two, according to state drug-lab statistics. Some labs make more than 100 pounds at a time.As the Central Valley methamphetamine problem grows, agents use new techniques to catch traffickers who change their operations to avoid detection, Pennal said. Investigators follow trails from the clues left behind when meth makers dump lab waste.Now, Pennal is organizing an expanded team funded with federal money received when the region was designated a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.The money will add six agents to fight meth in the Central Valley.Agents will have resources to do more than just react to labs, Pennal said. "We're going to be able to conduct a lot of follow-up to dismantle these organizations," he said.(Published 1/23/2000)" http://www.inlandempireonline.com/meth/meth5.shtml
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video exaggeration! http://www.geocities.com/smithtj.geo/transformations.html

 
Transformations Video Claim - Hemet, CA Source
Decreased Drug Trade (75%). Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Hemet, CA Source
"Neither the churches contacted nor the authors of an article on the drug trade in S. California were aware of any such drop. Quote from one of the authors of the series on the drug trade in this area when he replied to my email" . I have not heard of the group or anyone in that area, including the police, talking about such a mind-boggling drop in drug use." Quote from an email from a church in Hemet ". I do know there are many methamphetamine labs throughout our two-county area -- newspaper stories on that situation can be found at http://www.inlandempireonline.com/meth" (See article "Inland Drug Empire"). A police contact in Hemet said "I don't know how they can measure a drop in the drug trade when the criteria for the measurement is not familiar to us. This is a new claim to me." http://www.inlandempireonline.com/meth/
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video fabrication! http://www.geocities.com/smithtj.geo/transformations.html

 
Transformations Video Claim - Hemet, CA Source
Crime rate is significantly lower. Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Hemet, CA Source
"Police comment - 'Like most cities in our nation, yes, the crime rate is measurably down.'" Hemet Police Department
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video misrepresented the fact that the lower crime rates really were as a result of  the spiritual warfare methods they employed! http://www.geocities.com/smithtj.geo/transformations.html

 
Transformations Video Claim - Hemet, CA Source
God has just turned the school system around where it used to be one of the laughing stock school districts, where nobody wanted top send their kids to School in the San Jacinto school district. De Anza elementary school now are students have some of the highest Academic ratings and lowest dropout ratings in the western US.” Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Hemet, CA Source
"They are not on any blue ribbon program nor on California’s distinguished school program. The scores for 1998, 1999, and 2000 for De Anza Elementary and for 1999 and 2000 for the State of California are not impressive.

The data shows that with only a few exceptions a majority of students at De Anza score below the national average for all students in that grade and subject category.  That is, fewer than 50% score at or above the national average.  The exceptions are for math and language for first graders in 1999 and for math for first graders in 2000.

9 out of the 12 scores for 1999 De Anza students made lower scores, on the average, than students in California as a whole.  In 2000 for all subject matters and grades De Anza students did worse than California students on the average. Academic Performance Index (API) ranks Hemet elementary schools 5th out of 10.

http://www.ed-data.k12.ca.us/dev/School.asp
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video total fabrication! Let Us Reason
Transformations Video Claim - Hemet, CA Source
Church attendance increase to 14% of the population/ (doubled in 10 years).  Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Hemet, CA Source
"The population (in 2000): 100,000(+) With such a small amount of people one would think that a Church doubling in 10 years would be reasonable, many often do. And I might add without these spiritual warfare methods. In the last 15 years the city has changed with many new families and youth living there, it no longer just a retirement community. The property was cheap and many young people have moved there and commute. So there is a lot of construction going on. Many communities have church doubling or tripling without warfare prayer but by simply doing the work of evangelism.
 
http://129.33.31.49/asd/servermaint.html
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video misrepresented the fact that more church attendance was due to the spiritual warfare methods they used! Let Us Reason

Cali, Columbia


 
Transformations Video Claim - Cali, Columbia Source
Ruth Ruibal says, “the violence was getting worse and the church was really feeling the pressure of what was going on.” The video claims in 1995 there were 15 killings a day, 10 days afterwards the first drug lord was arrested, no killings. United prayer events were going on, that when we started seeing the results, and 10 days later the first drug lord fell, and God was changing the city.” (This is before the end of summer 95’).   Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Cali, Columbia Source
Government reports  “Homicide rates in the city of Cali, Colombia (1994 population: 1,776,436), increased fivefold from 1985 through 1992, reaching levels of 100 per 100,000 persons. Because of this increase, in 1992 the city of Cali established the Development, Security, and Peace Program (DESEPAZ) to implement a series of strategies to prevent violence and improve security among the residents of Cali.”

“Of the 2695 total homicides during January 1993-May 1994, for 2461 (91%) no suspect was charged with the murder. For 641 (24%) of all homicides, the suspected perpetrator was identified as a “hit man” (i.e., a hired assassin) (458 {71%}), gang member (91 {14%}), or a relative/acquaintance (62 {10%}). 

Firearms were banned in Cali in 1993-94 and in Bogata in 1995-97 with the result as follows: “The incidence of homicide was lower during periods when the firearm-carrying ban was in effect compared with other periods (multivariate-adjusted rate ratio, 0.86 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.76-0.97] for Cali, and 0.87 [95% CI, 0.77-0.98] for Bogotá). Conclusion: An intermittent citywide ban on the carrying of firearms in 2 Colombian cities was associated with a reduction in homicide rates for both cities.”

So apparently the ban in 1993-94 was already having an effect on the homicide rate well before Transformation’s implemented their prayer plan. Yet they took the credit. But has it worked?
US Drug Enforcement Agency states that nothing has changed in the drug arena. KINS reports Cali, maintains the second highest murder rate in Latin America at 112 per 100,000 people, is the traditional headquarters of one of the most powerful drug trafficking rings in Colombia and remains rife with narcotics-related violence. It is also in a region where guerrilla and right-wing paramilitary forces have become increasingly active in recent years. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers prowl downtown and armed assaults on both pedestrians and vehicles pose a high threat at night. Drug-related violence is commonplace, although it is generally quite focused and less likely to involve outsiders.

The murder rate has changed little in Columbia “With 25,660 recorded homicides in 2000 and an average of 70 killings per day, Colombia's murder rate is among the highest in the world, in line with the country's reputation as one of the world's most dangerous places.” 

In October 1999, Transparency International issued its annual Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranked 99 countries based on levels of corruption perceived by experts and the general public. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the least corrupt, Colombia received a score of 2.9, making it the sixth most corrupt country of those surveyed in Latin America. (Country risk reports)

August 2000 update: The US donated a lot of money to Colombia to fight the drugs. The guerilla are obviously not happy about this, and fights and kidnappings have been intensifying.

http://www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/maps/safety.html
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video total fabrication! Let Us Reason
Transformations Video Claim - Cali, Columbia Source
Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Cali, Columbia Source
http://www.poorbuthappy.com/colombia/maps/safety.html
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video total fabrication! Let Us Reason
Transformations Video Claim - Cali, Columbia Source
Drug Cartels have been defeated. Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Cali, Columbia Source
"Six of the leaders were put in jail. The drug Cartel re-organized, with two of the original leaders still operating out of Cali, one commanding his operation from prison. Other leaders of the drug Cartel have set up operation just outside Cali and in other parts of Colombia, and due to this de-centralization, the organization is more resilient. The rebels (who protect the drug trade) have been attacking churches in Cali, shutting down many. The church recently wanted to hold pastors meeting in the local auditorium, but the police initially resisted because the risk of guerilla attack was too high. A quote from Ekklesia newsletter "FARC guerrillas also may view evangelicals as allies of the United States. The rebel group has closed churches, imposed a 6 p.m. curfew on services where it allows churches to meet, and banned public religious activity in a territory under its control, Esquivia said. The ELN, another rebel group, invaded a Catholic church in Cali and kidnapped 140 members two months ago, he said." New reports continue through to today. This can be verified on http://www.cnn.com, search for Cali, Colombia. http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/traffickers/Colombia.htm http://www.emergency.com/calipres.htm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video fabrication! http://www.geocities.com/smithtj.geo/transformations.html
Transformations Video Claim - Cali, Columbia Source
For years Colombia was the world's largest Cocaine exporter (unstated implication is that this has changed) Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Cali, Columbia Source
Quotes from the US Drug Enforcement Agency: "Colombia-based drug traffickers are responsible for most of the world's cocaine production and wholesale cocaine distribution, although traffickers from Mexico have assumed a much larger role in the transportation and distribution of cocaine. Colombia's strategic location makes it a logical hub for cocaine trafficking. " "Traffickers from Colombia have been able to solidify and expand their position in the U.S. heroin market by distributing high-quality heroin and by initially undercutting the price of their competitors. They also use marketing strategies, such as including free samples of heroin in cocaine shipments, in order to build a clientele. Trafficking groups operating in New York and Philadelphia even market their drug using brand names - like No Way Out and Death Wish - as a way to instill customer recognition and loyalty. These marketing techniques have allowed the traffickers from Colombia to expand and ultimately dominate the heroin market. In fact, the DEA's Heroin Signature Program, which determines the origin of the heroin sold on the street, found that 65 percent (356 kilograms) of the heroin seized in the United States in 1998 was produced in Colombia." http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/traffickers/Colombia.htm
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video manipulation of the facts! http://www.geocities.com/smithtj.geo/transformations.html
Transformations Video Claim - Cali, Columbia Source
Cults have decreased Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Cali, Columbia Source
Satanists are invading churches to shut them down. A quote from the newsletter of Ekklesia says: ".Satanic groups are attacking churches and Christians, especially in Cali. Some churches have suffered repeated attacks, said Consuelo Zuluaga, a social worker of Justapaz. " http://www.bijbelnet.org/landen/colombia.html
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video fabrication! http://www.geocities.com/smithtj.geo/transformations.html
Transformations Video Claim - Cali, Columbia Source
Cali is a "safe" city, where a significant percentage of the population is now safe and revival flourishes. Instead of a city where people lived in fear, people now safely walk the streets. Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Cali, Columbia Source
According to the newsletters of Ruth Ruibal, the widow of the assassinated pastor Julio Ruibal (who is mentioned on the film), the situation in Cali is "a gross darkness", a city where her church must hire armed guards and where the church must be protected by barbed wired (soon to be replaced by a 10-12 foot wall if permission is granted). Recently at another church in the city, a church body guard was killed when the church was attacked by guerillas protecting the drug trade. A quote from the October 1999 newsletter from Ruth Ruibal "The church in Cali confirms the news that we receive through the media in the USA. Naturally speaking the political and economical situations seem to be going from bad to worse. In fact, the Sunday before I left for this trip, there was guerrilla infiltration in our church service.". The newsletter of Ekklesia, the denomination for Ruibal's church also confirms how bad the situation is.The assassin of Julio is free, and is openly claiming to have killed Julio, owns the land next to the church and is threatening to kill the other family members. Here is a quote from the Dec 1999 newsletter written by Ruth Ruibal: "On the other hand, some days ago the man who continues to threaten us (and boasts in the street about killing Julio) started a new construction right next to our property. In the past he has tried to take over our land. Our simple barbed wire fencing had been knocked down, so we began to replace it. Immediately, the man began threatening the workers and several of our church men, shouting that he would “give us problems” with 50 hit men that he claims to have. He asked if we wanted there to be another death, and added that he will get the property (the entrance to our church) and block it. We have had to hire guards just to get the work done! " http://www.Ruibal.org/1999oct.htm 
http://www.ruibal.org/1999nov.htm 
http://www.ruibal.org/1999dec.htm http://www.bijbelnet.org/landen/colombia.html
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video fabrication! http://www.geocities.com/smithtj.geo/transformations.html

Almolonga, Guatemala


 
Transformations Video Claim - Almolonga, Guatemala Source
92% percent of the people are Christian. Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Almolonga, Guatemala Source
According to an article written by Stephen Sywulka (in Guatemala City) for Christianity Today, the figure is exaggerated, and is likely more like 65%, and in many cases the change is only "skin deep", with former witchdoctors now calling themselves "prophets" but they are doing much the same thing as before. http://www.christianity.net/vt/9T4/9T423c.html
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video exaggeration! http://www.geocities.com/smithtj.geo/transformations.html
Transformations Video Claim - Almolonga, Guatemala Source
Large vegetables, increased production 1000% over past 20 years. Researchers from all over the world are coming to study the produce (but the film doesn't speak about why or the findings) Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Almolonga, Guatemala Source
The war in Guatemala brought agriculture to a near standstill with fields being burned, people disappearing, farmers being killed. the war, which went on for 36 years, ended only in the early to mid-1990s, thus would have been at its peak 20 years ago. Though we cannot say that this happened specifically to the Almolomga fields, the information that we have was that agriculture across all of Guatemala was impacted by the war. It is thus no wonder that if we compared the agriculture production over that length of time, it would have significantly increased. Secondly, the crops in Almolonga are notable in the health community, not for their size, but for the health problems that have come from excessive use of pesticides. This would have the effect of increasing the quantity and size of the produce, but with side effects. Third, the size of the produce depends upon many things, including the variety of seed used, and improved agriculture practices over the years. The film itself states that the agricultural output improved as the people worked harder. None of what they showed required anything supernatural. As one can see just from a quick search on internet, researchers around the world are coming to Almolonga to study the health problems which have resulted from the abuse of pesticides used to create bumper crops. http://134.197.49.132/GR/issues/GR%20Vol%2088/
GR-Jan1998/Jan98-Arbona.html
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video misrepresentation! http://www.geocities.com/smithtj.geo/transformations.html

Kiambu, Kenya


 
Transformations Video Claim - Kiambu, Kenya Source
People are flocking from Nairobi to live in Kiambu. Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Kiambu, Kenya Source
A missionary with African Inland Missions (AIM) who returned to Canada in March says that she has not heard of anyone flocking to Kiambu because they want to live there. AIM missionary
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video misrepresentation! http://www.geocities.com/smithtj.geo/transformations.html
Transformations Video Claim - Kiambu, Kenya Source
Revival of Christianity has broken out across the city from "The Prayer Cave" Transformations Video
Actual Facts - Kiambu, Kenya Source
The Prayer Cave is a "Word of Faith" church, under the ministry of Rudi and Sharon Swanepoel. They do not teach Biblical Christian doctrine, but rather teach Word-Faith doctrine. Swanepoel, on their website indicate that they have been impacted by the ministries such as Rodney Howard Browne and his brother Gil. Rudi is an ordained minister of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa. As can be seen in the film, they do support "drunkenness in the spirit" as shown by a sign which speaks of "Intoxication in Jesus".  http://www.godsglory.org/main/frames.html http://www.godsglory.org/prayercave/index.html
Conclusion Source
Transformations Video misrepresentation! http://www.geocities.com/smithtj.geo/transformations.html