Church International

Youth Force Ministries Church International is a nondenominational Christian church which meets at 204 Kemp Drive, behind Warrior City Hall in Warrior.

It was founded in 1988 by self-described prophet Robin D. Bullock and his wife and singing partner Robin R. Bullock, who have performed as Twice Robin. They incorporated it as a non-profit, "to spread the teachings of our Lord/Savior Jesus Christ," in 1996. Twice Robin took a break from their home ministry in 2002 to focus on their music career. After being inducted into the Alabama Country and Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006 they returned to Warrior.

In early 2008 Youth Force Ministries began holding a Saturday evening youth program which drew from military and gang iconography to involve youth who were eager to "belong". As it gained more adult participants, the Bullocks began holding Sunday morning services as Church International with Robin R. Bullock as pastor and Robin D. Bullock playing guitar. A recording of the services is broadcast on YouTube as "The Eleventh Hour", and has more than 200,000 subscribers.

The church has been described as promoting the "prosperity gospel". It has also adopted recognition of Jewish holidays and incorporates menorahs, shofars, and the flag of Israel as props. Speaking as a prophet, Robin D. Bullock has described the COVID-19 pandemic as God's punishment for Hillary Clinton voters, and has described homosexuality as a demonic influence which infects people called to be evangelists. He has urged his followers not to acknowledge Joe Biden as president, but to "call" Donald Trump back to office.

The church also established the Over The Top Bible College to train candidates for ministry. In 2022 Church International moved to its current location, in a former Fred's Pharmacy, from 430 North Thomas Street.

In May 2023 Youth Force Ministries purchased several parcels at 126, 204, 206, 208, 210 and 214 Louisa Street from John Launius of Launius Furniture Co. for a total of $4 million.

References

• Stelter, Linda (January 28, 2009) "Raising their voices in praise." The Birmingham News
• "Twice Robin, Ain't Nobody But The Lord" press release (July 27, 2018) MC1 Nashville
• Mantyla, Kyle (November 2, 2020) "‘Apostle’ Robin Bullock Says Hillary Clinton Voters Are Responsible for the COVID-19 Pandemic." Right Wing Watch
• Mantyla, Kyle (March 10, 2021) "Robin Bullock Claims ‘Prophets’ Have the Power to Call Trump Back Into the White House." Right Wing Watch
• Villarreal, Daniel (May 21, 2021) "Pastor Robin Bullock Says It's a Sin to Recognize Joe Biden as President." Newsweek
• Parker, Illyshia (May 17, 2023) "Warrior retail property acquired by church organization for $4M." Birmingham Business Journal

External links

• Church International website