Sándor Paull teaches at Christland Church in State College, Texas
ARCHIVE: 4 ONLINE REVIEWS FOR CHRISTLAND CHURCH IN COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
BACKGROUND
Network churches heavily control their public image, going to great lengths to control information about their methods and practices. Leaders encourage church members to flood sites like Google Reviews with positive reviews for Network Churches (and, in some cases, for churches other than the one the reviewer attends). This practice of having members leave positive reviews on social media has had the effect of burying legitimate public criticism.
For an in-depth analysis and specific examples of how Network churches encourage leaders and members to flood review sites with positive reviews, read this article on NotOvercome.org.
WHY DO THESE REVIEWS MATTER?
These reviews matter because they corroborate the manipulative, abusive, and harmful practices which are documented throughout this site. We have chosen to surface these reviews because they give further voice to victims and provide additional reassurance to anyone who has experienced abuse within these high control groups that they are not alone.
NOTE: We are not surfacing all negative reviews which have been posted to crowdsourced review sites. Rather, we have selected entries which bear witness to a pattern of the behaviors outlined in our article "8 Signs of a Dysfunctional Church".
WHO WAS THE LEAD PASTOR OF CHRISTLAND CHURCH WHEN THESE REVIEWS WERE WRITTEN?
- Sándor Paull: 2017 - present
CHURCH DETAILS:
- Christland Church
- Location: College Station, Texas
- Website: christlandchurch.com
- Year founded: 2017
I LEFT THE CHURCH AFTER BEING TOLD WHAT I CAN OR CANNOT POST ONLINE, LIKE I WAS A CHILD
Source: Christland Church Google Review, July 2022
Full text of review (view screenshot of full review):
Very friendly church, but quickly found out that if you don't agree with your leaders 100% then you're labeled as a cultural Christian. I left the church after being told what I can or cannot post online, like I was a child. Speaking of children, the head of the Network this church is affiliated with was arrested for SA a 15 year old boy in 1987 while serving in a youth program at another church. There is proof that the leaders of this church know about it. Documentation can be found at "leaving the network". Also the church likes to take down reviews.
PROTECT YOUR FAMILIES
Source: Christland Church Google Review, April 2023
Full text of review (view screenshot of full review):
<Name redacted> and I have attended Christland Church for four years, serving in many capacities during our time together. For four years, we have faithfully served the Lord and Christland Church to the best of our abilities, trying to learn more about God and raise our children to follow Him in their early foundations.
However, it has become increasingly clear that Christland Church and its corresponding “network” of churches are not completely transparent in their purpose of discipling Christians. From the most recent publications in the local media regarding the questionable origins of the church and through much research and prayer, Jake and I feel like the veil has been lifted from our eyes and we see Christland Church for what it is. Please read about this network of churches and know what you are getting into ahead of time. Don't buy into "your conscience shouldn't allow you to research." Protect your families, it's time they are exposed. (This review will more than likely be withdrawn immediately as the sensor all reviews to increase their ratings)
THIS CHURCH HAS DESTROYED THE LIFE THAT I AND MY CHILDREN ONCE HAD
Source: Reddit Comment, September 2023
Full text of review (view screenshot of full review):
I am currently in College Station Tx home of Sandor Paul’s Christland. My husband (soon to be ex) came under his spell 4-5 years ago. His Father was a Vineyard minister here locally for over 30 years. In the course of this time my husband,Father-in-law,Mother-in-law have all become members of this church. In fact my in laws are now small group leaders and my husband is in children’s ministry.
This church has destroyed the life that I and my children once had. We are now divorcing and are estranged from his family. Since this church “planted” into the my beautiful home town my life is turned upside down. Christland destroyed the trust, integrity, the very foundation of my marriage. Christland Church and Sandor Paull took a man that was ready, willing and able to serve his Lord and spread the gospel. But instead Sandor Paull took my husband and replaced him with angry, bitter, scared husk of a man.
CULT-LIKE TENDENCIES AND SPIRITUAL ABUSE
Source: Christland Church Google Review, August 2024
A NOTE ON THIS REVIEW:
Network Church staff responded to this review from a local guide, calling into question the authenticity of the post and implying the reviewer falsified their claim of visiting Christland. This response fits a pattern seen in other Network churches in how staff respond to negative online reviews (see Joshua Church and Hills Church online reviews). The local guide countered church staff claims that she hadn’t attended Christland by sharing a photo with herself with her brother and friend at the church.
REVIEW:
Full text of review (view screenshot of full review):
A part of the “network.” Please google ‘leaving the network’ before attending. Cult like tendencies and spiritual abuse. Lots of red flags that you don’t see until you’re out. Preys on new believers and young or naive Christians. Been there as a new Christian and left the Austin branch after the better part of a year. (Google Joshua Church, Austin, Texas).
My brother and best friend are here, and I’m praying they see the way out soon.
Response from Christland Church:
I am sorry for your experience. We are in College Station and do not have any record that you attended our church.
Respond from original reviewer:
Edit (in response to the church’s denial of my attendance): added a picture of me at Christland, my second time visiting there
“Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.”
Proverbs 12:19-20 ESV
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.”
Proverbs 19:9 ESV
“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.”
Proverbs 21:6 ESV
“No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”
Psalm 101:7 ESV
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
John 8:44 ESV