What is
G.O.D.?
[Global Outreach
Developments International]
Tap HERE to read our open letter in response to Laurie Kagay, Gregg Garner, and GOD Int’l leadership
The narrative they spin.
“Equipping A Globally Conscious Community To Serve The Poor And Marginalized Through Education, Advocacy And Empowerment, Without Discrimination, Demonstrating Unconditional Love.”
—taken from their website
The reality.
After 25 years, what started as a beautiful vision for ministry, has slowly devolved into a dangerous high-control group (cult).
Countless people have exited the organization. These survivors are now beginning to heal from the traumas experienced while on the inside.
A brief history.
“In 1996, and with a couple of college buddies, Garner began organizing food deliveries in Southern California to poor people.
A ministry was born. It was called Global Outreach Developments (G.O.D.) International. Garner became a cool pastor, and his writings are filled with pop culture: ‘Tommy Boy,’ ‘Napoleon Dynamite,’ Bart Simpson, Chris Rock, Shawn Mendes, Whitney Houston, Johnny Cash and Usher all are referenced by Garner in posted transcripts.
One of the people who started working with Garner in those days was Tara Bishop, who, in 1999, became his wife.
In 2004, the Garners opened The Institute, a college on 40 acres. The school’s website says the school’s enrollment is 190 students, and the yearly full-time tuition is $14,250 (with an additional $8,980 for housing and meals).
The Institute is not accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education, according to ABHE President Philip Dearborn. The college has achieved ‘candidate status,’ which means it is on a path toward accreditation, Dearborn said.
In 2013, the Garners opened The Academy for K-12 students. The school’s website says 200 students currently attend. Tuition for The Academy For G.O.D.'s campus program ranges from $309 to $504 per month, depending on grade level.”
— Meyer, H. and Sharon, K. (2021, March 25). Global Outreach Developments founder Gregg Garner and his wife indicted on TennCare fraud charges. Tennessean
Quotes from personal experiences:
“I was in one of the first groups to leave. They called us ‘the seven,’ turned our friends who stayed against us, and made examples of us as ‘what not to be,’ to the rest of the community. That was 14 years ago. I’ve always wished for a way to expose them and I am SO grateful that their day of reckoning is finally upon us.”
— Ex-Member of G.O.D.
“Your family and friends are vilified and ‘othered’ so you lose those influential tethers and then you are convinced you need the organization, the community, their education and the leader in order to rebuild and ultimately thrive. But it’s all empty promises — a carrot on a string waved in your face that you never reach.”
— Ex-Member of G.O.D.
Down to business.
About 12 years ago, G.O.D. did not have a single for-profit business associated with their organization. Today there are 20+ businesses/entities associated with G.O.D. or their members/affiliates. Interestingly, the registered agent for many of the businesses (including Hopewell Family Care and Califarmia food truck), is Genovations Consulting LLC (also affiliated with G.O.D.). Their businesses span a range of industries from staffing and realty to media and design.
G.O.D. is headquartered at this location:
401 Center St
Old Hickory, TN 37138
Do your own research and come to your own conclusions. We do not claim to state facts, but rather to provide a platform for those to share their experiences based on many years of interactions and personal relationships with Mr. Garner and G.O.D. members.