After a three year court battle, Bishop Joel Peebles is back at the Jericho City of Praise, the church his family built into one of the Washington area’s largest and best-known houses of worship.
“All that I want to say is to God be the glory and we are humbled and blessed,” said Peebles as he, his wife and their son left the administrative offices of the 100 acre Landover campus Friday afternoon. “I have to get my son to football practice.”
Last month, D.C. Superior Court Judge Stuart G. Nash ruled that in 2009, Peebles was improperly removed from the board of trustees of the church started by his mother, Apostle Betty Peebles and that subsequent actions taken by the board, including firing Peebles as pastor after his mother’s death, were invalid.
So on Monday, Peebles returned to the building he had been evicted from several years ago. Two days later, Rev. Jasmin Sculark, who had been hired by the Jericho City of Praise Board of Directors, issued a statement, effectively resigning from her position as the church’s pastor….
On July 7, 2015 the Six Jericho Employee/Members lost their case in the DC Superior Court. They were found to have illegally taken control of the church during a well devised hostile takeover during the long illness and death of Apostle Betty Peebles. On Wednesday July 8, 2015 their lawyers filed a Motion to Stay the courts decision until such time as their appeal was heard. Today, Thursday July 9, 2015 their motion was denied. The full motion is shown below. Pay particular attention to the last paragraph top of page three of the Judges order.
July 8, 2015
people secretly seized control . The trial uncovered evidence that showed that long time board members Chairman William Meadows and Anne Wesley were in fact tricked into signing documents that were later used to illegally remove them from the Board of Trustees. The ruling also acknowledges that Dorothy Williams (one of the six conspirators and a part of the original board) personally enriched herself and was found to not be credible. Judge Nash’s order reinstates the surviving members of the original Board of trustees which consist of Bishop Joel R. Peebles, Elder William Meadows and defendant Dorothy Williams.
D.C. SUPERIOR COURT RULING REINSTATES THE ORIGINAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO JERICHO CITY OF PRAISE
July 7, 2015 – Washington D.C. – Bishop Joel Peebles, Sr. and Pastor Ylawnda Peebles are humbled and grateful by the recent ruling by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia which reinstates the original Board of Trustees, including Bishop Joel Peebles, Sr., to the Jericho City of Praise in Landover, Maryland. The ruling invalidates all actions of the improperly seated board.
We give thanks to God and move in His love, as we work through this transitional period. In preparation for the final steps of this process, we will carry out the mandate God has for our Ministry, by continuing to operate for the meantime within our current schedule of worship services. At the God ordained time, Bishop Joel Peebles will make the announcement of when and how we will move to the next phase of this restoration.
As it is written in Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”
Attachment: DC CASE – FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION OF THE LAW
2013 CA 007115 ROBERT GEORGE, ET AL. V. CLARENCE JACKSON ET AL.
HEARD BEFORE THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SUPERIOR COURT JUNE 8, 2015 – JUNE 10, 2015
About City Of Praise Family Ministries
The ministry was founded in 1964 under the guidance of the Reverend James R. Peebles, Sr. and Apostle Betty P. Peebles. Jericho City of Praise became one of the largest mega-churches in the nation with more than 15,000 members. Currently, we are a mobile church, operating two satellite locations at Forestville Military Academy in Forestville, MD and Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, MD. The City of Praise Family Ministries is led by the anointed leadership of Senior Pastor, Bishop Joel Peebles, Sr. and Pastor Ylawnda Peebles. Our vision is to Save Families, One Soul At A Time. For more information visit: www.CityOfPraiseChurch.com
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Phone: 404-565-4764
Email: Info@getipmg.com
July 8, 2015people secretly seized control . The trial uncovered evidence that showed that long time board members Chairman William Meadows and Anne Wesley were in fact tricked into signing documents that were later used to illegally remove them from the Board of Trustees. The ruling also acknowledges that Dorothy Williams (one of the six conspirators and a part of the original board) personally enriched herself and was found to not be credible. Judge Nash’s order reinstates the surviving members of the original Board of trustees which consist of Bishop Joel R. Peebles, Elder William Meadows and defendant Dorothy Williams. 
D.C. SUPERIOR COURT RULING REINSTATES THE ORIGINAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO JERICHO CITY OF PRAISE
July 7, 2015 – Washington D.C. – Bishop Joel Peebles, Sr. and Pastor Ylawnda Peebles are humbled and grateful by the recent ruling by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia which reinstates the original Board of Trustees, including Bishop Joel Peebles, Sr., to the Jericho City of Praise in Landover, Maryland. The ruling invalidates all actions of the improperly seated board.
We give thanks to God and move in His love, as we work through this transitional period. In preparation for the final steps of this process, we will carry out the mandate God has for our Ministry, by continuing to operate for the meantime within our current schedule of worship services. At the God ordained time, Bishop Joel Peebles will make the announcement of when and how we will move to the next phase of this restoration.
As it is written in Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”
Attachment: DC CASE – FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION OF THE LAW
2013 CA 007115 ROBERT GEORGE, ET AL. V. CLARENCE JACKSON ET AL.
HEARD BEFORE THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SUPERIOR COURT JUNE 8, 2015 – JUNE 10, 2015
About City Of Praise Family Ministries
The ministry was founded in 1964 under the guidance of the Reverend James R. Peebles, Sr. and Apostle Betty P. Peebles. Jericho City of Praise became one of the largest mega-churches in the nation with more than 15,000 members. Currently, we are a mobile church, operating two satellite locations at Forestville Military Academy in Forestville, MD and Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, MD. The City of Praise Family Ministries is led by the anointed leadership of Senior Pastor, Bishop Joel Peebles, Sr. and Pastor Ylawnda Peebles. Our vision is to Save Families, One Soul At A Time. For more information visit: www.CityOfPraiseChurch.com
#
Media Contact:
Interactive Professional Media Group
Phone: 404-565-4764
Email: Info@getipmg.com
As we went through our wilderness journey that began in 2012, we noticed that the hand of God covered us daily. We have been under the glory cloud. God allowed the sun to shine through at times bathing us with light and discernment, lifting the fog and bringing clarity to our purpose and mission. We were able to shake off dead weight and traditions, grow in unity and learn the power of love, forgiveness & mercy.
The spirit of God has been with us as we dwelled in the secret place of the most high which is the word of God. We remained under his shadow and canopy of protection for the past 3 + years and now our journey is coming to an end. The City of Praise Saints can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. We will finally be heard in court and there will soon be Validation, Restoration, Vindication and for some Incarceration.
Pastor Fred C. Rochester
As some of you may know, Jericho City of Praise in Maryland has a new pastor installed by members of a Board. The battle in the courts between the Board and Bishop Joel Peebles continues. The newly installed pastor at Jericho, Dr. Jasmin Sculark, also known as “Dr. Jazz,” has a very charismatic presence.
On a side note, in an attempt to be neutral and objective, the appearance of Sculark becoming pastor at Jericho is extremely questionable. I could be mistaken about this but it appears that the Board is seeking legitimacy by installing a pastor to appear that it is business as usual, attempting to be normal. It’s especially questionable when it appears that there is already a pastor in place after the passing of Betty Peebles. I do not know everything as God does, however, if I were asked to pastor a church that has unresolved legal challenges regarding who is supposed to be the pastor, wisdom dictates that you decline the offer. If there is grace from God, not from Jakes or any high profile Bishop or Pastor, I’d wait until the final earthly ruling is indisputably made. You allow the two parties exhaust all legal challenges until a ruling is reached by the courts. Even after a ruling, sometimes people will become unruly.
Even before relief from the courts is sought and achieved, if there is no grace to pastor that church as God’s set person, preachers should be careful not to interfere or intrude, or they will end in disgrace.
In a non objective statement I’m about to make, while we do not know everything, one certain participant in this debate over Jericho City Of Praise, I believe, and I could be wrong, was severely judged by God with an illness that brought that person to the brink of death.
That’s one mega reason to steer clear and let God have His way.
If it were me, I would not dare think about walking into a minefield with an identifying sign saying “STEP HERE” on each mine.
Finally, on this subject, watch the tree and the fruit of Sculark. If there is no good fruit, it’s time to scoot.
Sadly, people will eat bad fruit from a bad tree and look at you square in the face and say that it is good fruit, and offer you a bite.
According to certain sources, there has been some serious statements alleging her sexual preference.
Bluntly, lesbianism.
Unless I am missing it, there seems to be no denial about these allegations from Dr. Sculark.
In 2012, the Ugandan government made a very powerful stand as a government to outlaw homosexuality.
On the Robert F. Kennedy website, there is a letter, signed by 30 pastors that support LGBT’s agenda to urge the Ugandan government to rescind their laws.
One signature that is of note is Sculark who at the time was the pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in York, PA.
In the OT, Shiloh, if you recall, was the place where the Ark of the Covenant was taken by the Philistines because of the sexual immorality of the sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas.
Be careful about naming your church after Shiloh.
The letter and the signatures of these pastors can be read here.
There were several high profile leaders at the installation of Dr. Sculark. Most notably, Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potters House in Dallas TX. His involvement, endorsement, and presence at this installation cannot be overlooked, swept under the rug, masked, or hidden behind great oratorical skill.
When sin is not crucified at the cross, ultimately it will destroy the person.
Sin is acceptable in the pulpit because it is unchecked in the heart of man.
Her signature is not evidence in and of itself that Sculark is a homosexual, however, when you support the sin of homosexuality by signing a letter, you are already an enemy of the cross of Christ. To be on the side of homosexuality is to be against God. The Ugandan government took extreme measures to protect its people from the destructive forces of homosexuality. It underscores the fact that when people run from the Gospel of Jesus Christ to help deliver people from the destruction of sin, either the government will allow sin to run its course and destroy them, or take decisive action.
There is a serious undercurrent that many in the Body of Christ is not paying attention to.
The undercurrent of lesbianism in the Christian Church.
Powerful women of influence is cropping up faster than a comet. Not every woman is a practicing homosexual or sympathetic to the LGBT agenda in support of the sin of homosexuality. However, you have to be very watchful. Behind the scenes we are seeing a general acceptance of homosexuality.
It is now front and center.
The dangers of homosexual leadership, be it male or female is as result of permitting the sin of adultery, fornication, porn, masturbation, and bisexuality go unchecked. It is the doctrine of devils and seducing spirits. It is the bed of fornication in the city of Babylon that many professed believers are in.
This is a stench before God.
No sin will go unpunished.
When man rejects the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to set men and women free, there is only one place where sin and practitioners of sin must go.
The lake which burns with fire and brimstone.
Until there is a clear renunciation of this signature. Unless there is a clear declaration of renunciation of the sin of homosexuality from those that profess to be pastors and bishops. Unless there is a clear reversal of those that signed that document, their ministry, at best, is suspect.
Even those that are connected in any way with Sculark, namely Jakes and others, their ministry is suspect if they refuse to vehemently renounce the sin of homosexuality.
Either you are for the Lord or you are against Him. If you are lukewarm, you will not last another second in the mouth of Jesus. If you are a professed believer, you must make your choice. God gives space for people to repent. However, for some, space is limited. There is not much sand left in the hour glass. For when that last grain slips through, the law of gravity will not be denied.
For some, we will see that time is up.
They have already slipped into eternity.
For others, they will live out their days and it will be a testimony to them that God was gracious to give you time to repent, but you failed to take advantage of the grace of God to repent.
Watch where you go to attend church services and watch who you are hooked up with. Watch who your leaders are hooked up with. Bad connections yield more bad connections. Sin is not “ok.” Look at the destructive forces behind sin. It should be a deterrent to commit or permit sin in the local church. Have an “I don’t care” attitude about sin, and you will die in your sins. There is no middle ground or compromise. Otherwise, the death of Jesus for our sins is in vain.
If your pastor or bishop doesn’t take a clear stand against ALL sin, including the sin of homosexuality according to LGBT, you are in danger and in jeopardy. Psalm 1 is the clear demarcation.
Walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, sitting in the seat of mockers, and you will be burned.
As far as women in the ministry is concerned, we must be very careful about the fruit that manifests. The gift of gab is not the call to preach. Just because you sound anointed, it doesn’t mean that you are anointed. The evidence of ministry is not in charisma. The fruit must be present. Good trees produce good fruit. Bad trees produce bad fruit.
You can’t preach about Jesus and live in the very sin that Jesus died to set us free from.
You can’t preach about holiness and live in sin. You can’t talk about salvation if you are still in the burning building.
Be very careful of the spirit of compromise. If there is an exception to the Bible preached in the pulpit, it is a dead giveaway that a pastor is compromised and honor wickedness over holiness.
Thanks Bishop Joel Peebles and Pastor Ylawnda Peebles for listening and following the voice of God in this decision.
When people hear about gays in the Black Church they automatically think it’s the ‘gay black man’. When in fact, it is the number of Black lesbians in the Black church that’s alarming. Many won’t believe the amount of lesbians that’s in Black churches… from the Pastor’s wife on down. Okay, so let’s see…you have Pastor’s wives that’s a lesbian, the Usher, the Sunday School Teacher, etc. Lesbianism is just as bad as gay men in the Black church, but society treats as if lesbianism doesn’t exist in the church. Why is this though? Is it because the “gay Black man” is more noticeable because of his feminine ways? Is it because the Black community stigmatize the male choir director or musician as the gay ones?
Sadly, to say the Black church is more acceptable of lesbians within our churches. However, we shouldn’t be as closed minded about this issue. We should treat lesbianism in harmony as much as we criticize and judge gay men in Black churches. So, let’s be real now…there are a host of female Pastor’s that display ‘butch like’ tendencies, but we continue to look over the obvious. Am I telling the truth or what? For example you have Black female Pastor’s such as: Dr. Jasmin Schulark, Bishop Allyson Nelson, and Bishop Yvette Flunder just to name a few that either has admitted that they are indeed a lesbian and/or displays lesbianism tendencies.
C’mon Black church people…..if we are going to judge, criticize, and rebuke the Black gay man in our Black churches, then we shouldn’t have a problem doing the same to lesbian Pastors either.
The hottest spot in the DMV this New Year’s Eve will be at The Show Place Arena. Come hear gospel artist J. Moss, Mary Mary, Kevin Levar, Janay Peebles and Bishop Joel Peebles. Come join us tonight. BET Network will be in the house filming the City of Praises New Year 2015 celebration.
New Years Eve 2014 at the City Of Praise Church with Bishop Joel R. Peebles and Pastor Ylawnda Peebles
Click the Flyer Below to watch our Video:
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Dr. Myles Monroe told Bishop Joel R. Peebles Sr. 23 years ago the difficulties that he was to endure and the outcome. This video is from a 1992 revival service where Dr. Myles Munroe was the guest speaker at Jericho Baptist Church on Douglas St in N.E. Washington, DC. Dr. Munroe prophesied over Bishop Joel R. Peebles Sr. He first spoke to him off mic and said to him that, “the enemy would put obstacles in your way but you should not worry. You’ll have the victory through them all. You will go through great pain and a difficult season. But at the end you will recover everything.” Dr. Munroe then shouted for him to receive it. Note that the information was difficult for Bishop Joel to receive. Also notice in the video that after Dr. Myles Monroe laid hands on Bishop Joel that his father the late Bishop James Peebles Sr. knelt down at his son’s feet along with Dr. Myles Munroe’s armor bearer. The prophecy that he gave on mic at the end of the video is powerful.
There have been several developments within the past 90 days that have occurred in our fight to return our Landover (Jericho) campus. It is important to note that Apostle Betty Peebles died in October 2010. The self-appointed employee board filed suit against Bishop Joel Peebles and Chairman William Meadows days after Apostle Betty Peebles died and before she was buried. The congregation has filed 4 suits against the self-appointed board. The congregation WON the records case and we now have both Corporate and personal bank records. The self-elected board has dragged these cases on for over FOUR (4) years. They have used our tithes and offerings to pay their lawyers. The only ones benefiting from this is the lawyers. There are currently four (4) active cases. The statute of limitations has run out. There can be no new cases. They have run out of tricks and have boxed themselves in. They have avoided a jury trial for four years. Their day of reckoning is rapidly approaching. It is imperative that we pray for the souls that will be displaced. It seems that they have stuck their heads in the sand. Everyone knows that their days are numbered but them.
Dictionary:
Summary Judgment: a court order ruling when a judge determines that there are no disputed material issues of fact in a case, and the side asking for it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. As used here, “material issues of fact” refers to any facts that could allow a fact-finder to decide against one side. If the motion is granted, there will be no trial.
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First Case: Court of Special Appeals Maryland. The Appeal for the Articles Case: This case was granted a summary judgment by Judge Jackson on 2/4/2014. We filed an appeal to the Court of Special Appeals. The Jericho six (the Defendants) filed a motion to Dismiss the case.
Response from the Court: 11/17/14 
Trial Date January 9, 2015
Second Case: The DC Court Case 2013 CA 007115 in DC Superior Court, Robert George, ET AL. V Clarence Jackson ET AL.: The Jericho Six, filed a Motion to Dismiss the case on 12/03/13.
Response from the Court: 04/23/14 Trial 2015
Third Case: Jericho Baptist Church Ministries, Inc. V. Joel R. Peebles Sr. and Chairman William Meadows: The Jericho Six, filed a motion for Summary Judgment on June 2, 2014, the hearing was held on October 2, 2014
Response from the Court: 11/26/14 Trial 2015
Fourth Case: The Federal Case Action Pending
For more information visit: www.CityOfPraiseChurch.comtrustees which has been in place for over 40 years under Bishop James & Apostle Betty Peebles-and now Bishop Joel & Pastor Ylawnda Peebles-is the true board. “ DC CASE 2013 CA 007115 Robert George, ET AL. V Clarence Jackson ET AL. filed in the District of Columbia Superior Court on October 15, 2013 is in the final discovery phase and headed towards trial in the late fall.*
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* Dr. Jasmin Sculark****************************************************************************************
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This time they have upped the ante. It has been reported that they are paying their new hireling Dr. Jasmine Sculark in the neighborhood of $300,000 per year to use her popularity to fill the seats. After all, having just 40 to 50 people worshipping in a building built to hold 10,000 people is ridiculous. The ministry built by Apostle Betty Peebles is currently meeting at two high schools under the leadership of her son Bishop Joel R. Peebles Sr. and the true long time Board of Trustees. They are carrying forth the vision of the late Bishop James and Apostle Betty Peebles. Bishop Joel & Pastor Ylawnda Peebles are operating a mega church ministry out of two local high schools. The six, ungodly crooks have commandeered our building and our assets. That is why there are only about 50 people there each Sunday. They are desperate to get someone in there who can fill the seats to increase their declining numbers before they return to court and have to explain why they have decimated this ministry. Meanwhile, the ministry under Bishop Joel Peebles is growing and adding souls to the kingdom of God weekly. We presently have 4 active legal cases. These six employees are not the legal board (see State Court of Special Appeals and the State Supreme Court Decision) that will be decided by a jury. We are confident that we will prevail. To God Be All The Glory! Anything that this Rogue board has puts in place is not binding. Can you say Out of Order!!! Please read the attached letter to Bishop Joel Peebles with prophecy from Prophet Mario Maxwell. This was sent to Bishop Joel via Bishop Neil Ellis. Prophet Mario Maxwell prophesied 911 and the financial collapse. All of his prophecies have come to pass. 
After the death of Elder John Peebles, Apostle Betty said during a 2005 New Years sermon, that she was changing the name of the church from Jericho City of Praise to The City of Praise. So, why have these six self-appointed, unholy, ungodly, rogue crooks who say they are carrying out her wishes refuse to do this? They fought against it after she died, they refuse to change the signs, they refuse to support the name change. They claim that they are keeping with her vision. How? You be the judge as to who is actually carrying out Apostle’s vision. 
15
People of Praise MD 
