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Impact International Church...Incorporated???

06/16/06

Impact International Church...Incorporated???

04:31:12 pm, Categories: Bristol, TN/VA

Part one of a series…

Who are these guys, anyway?

Some disturbing information has been made available to TN420 recently concerning the Impact International Church in Bristol,VA. Presided over by Ryan LeStrange.

LeStrange Couple
wtf

The confusion has to do with the accreditation of the Church/School in Bristol and New Life Bible College (NLBC) in Cleveland, Tennessee. All one has to do is type in “Accrediting Commission International” (ACI) in most any search engine and examine what people say about this unrecognized accrediting agency.

Additionally, there are plenty of books that also discredit ACI, i.e., Bears’ Guide To Earning Degrees By Distance Learning . Many empolyers use this guide to protect themselves and their employees from bogus degrees.

The site Bakers Guide is helpful for one to understand the seriousness of recognized accreditation.

Now it could be argued that because IIC is teaching a “Christian” program that they do not want the state telling them what to teach. We totally understand that if they are seeking federal or state funds. However, regional accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
does not consider if you are a religious or secular school. They consider the standards of the school…the teaching of basic educational fundamentals. NLBC offers degrees all the way up to doctorate, and from an earlier conversation with a member of the staff, they are seeking accreditation through NLBC.
How does one college accredit another college? This practice is not allowed in the real academic world. Each college must stand on their own merits, as it should be.

We have learned that NLBC is accredited through Life Christian College , which is accredited by ACI which is not recognized as a legitimate accrediting agency.
Another question is “why” would IIC want to be affiliated with any educational agency of dubious character? Shouldn’t Christians, in the interest of example, not strive for excellence in everything we do? I suppose the reasoning for schools to seek ACI accreditation ranges from naive to outright deceitful.

Recent research on unaccredited Christian schools shows RHEMA stands as one of integrity. They make no claims that they are an accredited school. A potential student knows the truth from the beginning as to what can be done with the training.

You may be asking why we care. Our reason is simple: We are from this area and we do not want to see any agency, religious or not, mislead our faithful citizens. According to a student that is attending the school in Bristol, they are unaware that courses taken from the IIC school or NLBC would not transfer to accredited colleges in this area. However, we understand that Lee College in Cleveland Tennessee will accept up to thirty (30) credits from NLBC. What about the student who takes 60 hours from NLBC and wants to transfer to Lee College? Obviously they have wasted 30 hours at NLBC.

Wow, Looks like the “Church Incorporated” has a little explaining to do. Bogus Degrees? Sounds pretty serious to us. If you are presently attending Impact International Church (Inc), we strongly suggest you refrain from parting with any more of your hard earned money until you’re SURE that the degree you’ve been promised is Accredited by an Agency that’s Recognized by the Department of Education
and the next school you intend on attending.

We will continue to report on IIC as we uncover more information. Until then, Impact International Church Inc., for all you do, this Blog’s for you. :-)

Many thanx to “UT77″ for the contribution to this Blog and concern for the quality of education in our beloved area. You rock, dude!

Permalink • 11 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: TRS [Visitor]

I met this LeStrange guy and his wife while doing a service call.
Something about a preacher's wife wearing high heels and a tight dress that makes me kinda uneasy.

This is very interesting

Permalink 06/16/06 @ 16:48

Comment from: STR [Visitor]

So, let me see, "Thou shall not wear high heels", I can't seem to find that in my Bible. But "judging others and "smearing God's annointed", I do know where that is. I bet things are going real good for TRS and TN420 since they started bashing christians.

Permalink 06/19/06 @ 21:41

Comment from: TN420 [Visitor]

No "Christians" being bashed here.

If you consider telling the truth and presenting the facts "bashing" you might wish to consider the possibility that you have the definition of "Christian" incorrect.

"Christians" wouldn't attempt to sell fake, unaccredited degrees to unsuspecting faithful, if in fact that's what's being done.
We're not accusing anyone of anything. Just reporting what we find. If citizens are paying for education that's unaccredited they have the right to know about it. If they know and still want the degree, that's up to them and no harm's been done.

If anything in the post is false, please let us know and present your facts.

Now it's true that people and organizations that pretend to be "Christians" for personal gain get bashed here. Exposing the liars is what we do.

We don't consider High Heels to be wrong in any way, but if someone that chooses to post to this blog does, they have the right to say that, right?

Permalink 06/20/06 @ 09:56

Comment from: Person [Visitor]

Just wanted to let you know. I attend Impact International Church and understood from the beginning when I looked into taking classes that the accreditation is based solely on a spiritual based curriculum. Those wishing to attend know they will not learn literature or math, but rather those things of a spiritual nature. Since I have also attended a state run, liberal arts college, I also understand how accreditation through the government works and also how the government limits those topics that Impact covers in their classes, namely things such as prayer, scripture, etc. Any classes on Christianity I took at the state school were limited to a historical approach, and things such as interpretation of scripture were left out. My husband and I have both looked into taking classes but wisdom and God have both told us to wait until a little later. However, when we feel it is time, we will take classes through Impact. I know that the degree I would receive at Impact greatly differs from the one from the State School, but then, my purpose for going to each is different. I thought I would post to say that I'm sure those attending DO know the difference, and Pastor Ryan fully explained the purpose of ACI's accreditation and also the level to which that accreditation runs. Never were we deceived into believing that we could transfer to ETSU for an English major after taking a a few courses at our local church. If someone felt mislead, it may have been a communication issue.

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 13:54

Comment from: captainkona [Member]

· http://tn420.org

Thank you for your comments, Person. We appreciate the fact that you've had a good experience, and as we stated, as long as you're not deceived no harm is done.

Permalink 01/07/08 @ 22:27

Comment from: Taylor Swift [Visitor]

I actually attend NLBC, that is, New Life Bible College, and as previously stated by the Impact attendee, we students at NLBC have been informed, and are aware of the exact type of accredited degree that we are receiving. The Christians at this particular Bilbe College are in fact Christians, not lying, stealing, "Christians". They exemplify Godly character above and beyong most w/ a genuine concern for the students, not their pocketbooks. No lies. No misleading. No stealing. If you would have done full research you would know that though. So, you don't need to warn anyone w/ your "Christian", "bogus", and any other comments that you have, these two institutions make all the information available themself. And the highheel and dress comment, I mean, pleeeease. I know Pastor and his wife personally. Good try though.

Permalink 04/27/09 @ 20:36

Comment from: Tula [Visitor]

I really enjoyed reading your insights and learning from your interesting and informative article. - Tula

Permalink 01/29/10 @ 19:35

Comment from: Rory P [Visitor]

You wouldnt believe how long ive been googling for something like this. Browsed through 10 pages of Yahoo results couldnt find diddly squat. Very first page on Bing. There was this.... Really have to start using it more often!

Permalink 02/15/10 @ 10:01

Comment from: Reality Check [Visitor]

I cannot believe how people try to destroy Gods people. I have known Pastor Ryan for about ten years. I have had many dealings with him and found him to be honest and upright. I now attend his church and have been thoroughly blessed by his ministering of the word. I have not known is wife as long as I have him but I found her to be a very sweet and honest person who loves the Lord. How would you like for us to dig up something on you and post it on the internet and in the newspaapers? Shame on you for spreading rumors!!

Permalink 04/10/10 @ 13:05

Comment from: captainkona [Member]

· http://tn420.org

"How would you like for us to dig up something on you and post it on the internet and in the newspaapers? Shame on you for spreading rumors!!"

LOL, be my guest.

This "church" was allegedly representing unaccredited degrees as accredited. That is universally unethical. It was our civic duty to explore it.

Oh, yeah.... this article is four years old. So you only knew them for six years at the time.
The research in this article is authentic and irrefutable. There is no "rumor" here. Just a topic and the pros and cons offered by others.

Thanx for your input.

Permalink 04/10/10 @ 20:40

Comment from: Rev Shahbaz Anjum [Visitor]

Dear pastor.\
Greetings and glad to communicating with you because we are belong to same family from heaven.As i am ministring gentile and christian by healing and gospel seeding.Almight God revealed some seacret and said to start ministry in villagesbecause villagers are dying without word.They are living as a barren and dry tree and they are waiting the spiritual raining.I started ministry in villages by some pastors.Because in the past,pastors are not visiting the villages.They are visiting but after two or three month.So pray for pakistan ministry.God bless you my church and i will be grow and stand with you in and out.God bless you richly.

Permalink 06/19/10 @ 12:12

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