Leftover concerns about the mayor of Bristol and his faith advisor, podcast
The investigation into ex Bristol Labour Mayor Marvin Rees’s faith advisor, Rachel Molano, was first published in July 2019. Molano is a graduate of the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM).
I’ve created a podcast ‘deep dive’ into the content to give readers a different way to access this part of Bristol’s local authority history. In the discussion between the two podcasters your will hear highlights about Molano's close connection to BSSM, particularly its co-founder Kris Vallotton, whose views on homosexuality and conversion therapy have been criticized.
The podcast explores the potential influence of BSSM's teachings on Rees's policies and decisions, particularly in light of Vallotton's involvement in Rees's political activities. The article also raises questions about the transparency of Rees's connections to evangelical churches and the potential for conflicts of interest between his political role and his religious beliefs.
The following is a briefing document on the article and the podcast, in case you need to refer to it later.
Briefing Doc: The Mayor, His Faith Advisor, and Bethel Church
Main Theme: This article investigates the relationship between Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees, his faith advisor Rachel Molano, and Bethel Church, a controversial evangelical organization. It raises concerns about the influence of Bethel's conservative Christian ideology on the mayor's office and policies.
Key Points:
Marvin Rees's Christian Faith: Rees is open about his faith and has actively involved churches in city initiatives, even relying on them for funding.
“We prayed, and we invited the spirit of God into the city,” Rees said about his first day in office. “I don’t tweet that. But we did it, you know?”
Rachel Molano's Role: Molano, a graduate of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM), serves as Rees's faith advisor, a position funded by an undisclosed external source.
Rees has described Molano as instrumental in connecting his office to churches.
Bethel Church's Involvement: Molano has facilitated meetings between Rees and Kris Vallotton, a leader at Bethel Church, known for its controversial practices and beliefs.
An email reveals Molano describing Vallotton as "a close friend of [Marvin's] and mine.”
Secretive Meetings: Rees and Vallotton have met on several occasions, including at locations associated with intelligence operations. The content of these meetings is unknown.
Vallotton advises against disclosing meetings with political leaders: “Do not ever put these meetings on your itinerary where the public can see them."
Controversial Beliefs: Bethel Church and Vallotton hold deeply conservative views, comparing abortion to the Holocaust, opposing same-sex relationships, and supporting conversion therapy.
Vallotton wrote, “Planned Parenthood is to America what the Nazi gas chambers were to Hitler’s Germany."
He also stated that “homosexual acts are a sin."
Potential Conflicts: While Rees has publicly supported LGBTQ+ rights, the article highlights a potential conflict between his association with Bethel and his stance on issues like conversion therapy.
Concerns:
Transparency: The funding source for Molano's position is unknown, raising concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
Influence: The extent of Bethel Church's influence on Rees's policies and decisions remains unclear but raises concerns given the organization's controversial views.
Separation of Church and State: The article questions the appropriateness of involving religious institutions in government affairs and the potential blurring of lines between personal faith and public policy.
Further Research:
Investigate the funding source for Rachel Molano's position.
Explore the nature and content of meetings between Rees and Bethel Church leaders.
Examine whether Bethel's views have influenced any of Rees's policies or decisions.
This briefing document provides a summary of the key points and concerns raised in the article. Further investigation is necessary to understand the full extent of Bethel Church's involvement with Mayor Rees and its potential impact on the city of Bristol.