For months we have been hearing about a scam involving a Rev. Terrell contacting ame churches. Union Bethel ame church in great falls was scammed recently. We must get the word out to all of our churches to beware. Below is the email I received from the pastor's wife of union bethel ame.

Just to let you guys know there is a scam going on with AME churches and it appears that Montana is now the target. There is a couple pretending to be an AME preacher (Rev. EH Terrell) who's daughter (Diane Terrell) is moving to our town, our church. She plays the Piano and organ, has 4 kids, husband is in overseas fighting the war, etc......... Well we were the latest victim. We wired money to help her out cause she was stuck in a small town in MT and only had a Cashier's check and they had fixed her car and on and on and on...... long story. Bottom line please be advised that It is a scam DON'T HELP THEM!!! It is my understanding that a few AME churches have been contacted. I am hoping and praying that we are the only ones out this kind of money and no one else gets hurt

-- Anonymous, November 17, 2003

Answers

So, the spirits of Sapphira and Ananias are alive and well in 2003. Lord have mercy....

Rev. Rogers,

God will restore that which was taken. You gave out of love, as we are commanded to do. Those that deceived God's people will pay, for as my late mother used to say, "God don't like ugly."

-- Anonymous, November 18, 2003

My fifth district brother, God bless you for your kind words. But it was not my church that was scammed it was Union Bethel Church in great falls montana.

The churches in my town set up a program so that we would not be scammed. If someone calls who is not a member of our church they are referred to the salvation army. The salvation army in our town requires an interview, ID and will put you up in a hotel and provide food but you are not given cash. Churches contribute money to support this program.

And the words you said to me are exactly what I said to my colleague in Great falls. I do feel bad because i knew about the scam but never dreamed they would come to Montana. The church that was scammed is 700 miles away over several mountain passes and it is hard to get together.

-- Anonymous, November 18, 2003

Thank you for the heads up!!

-- Anonymous, November 18, 2003