Episode 4: “God Told Me So”

When personal revelation becomes a shield for power, who pays the price?

In this episode of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power, we examine the rise of Alan and Kathryn Scott—from their beginnings at Causeway Coast Vineyard in Northern Ireland to their controversial takeover of Anaheim Vineyard, the flagship church of the Vineyard movement. What began as a ministry rooted in spiritual fervor became a vehicle for unchecked authority, manipulation, and silencing of dissent.

Through firsthand accounts and extensive reporting, we uncover how Alan Scott’s insistence that he was hearing directly from God allowed him to bypass accountability, override governance structures, and consolidate power in ways that left congregants and staff confused, hurt, and in some cases, spiritually traumatized.

We explore:

• The red flags from Northern Ireland that went unheeded

• The leadership dynamics in Anaheim following the Scotts’ arrival

• Parallels between the Scott and Gatlin stories

• The role of worship platform culture and figures like Jeremy Riddle

• Why Vineyard USA didn’t intervene—and what that says about their systems

💬 Special Thanks

This episode wouldn’t be possible without the honesty and courage of those who agreed to share their experiences. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who trusted us with their stories—many of whom are speaking publicly for the first time.

💬 Special Thanks

This episode wouldn’t be possible without the honesty and courage of those who agreed to share their experiences. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who trusted us with their stories—many of whom are speaking publicly for the first time.

Thank you to:

🗣️ Brian Metzger, lead pastor at Raleigh Vineyard

🗣️ Rebecca Hopkins of The Roys Report, whose consistent and careful reporting helped illuminate key details of the Anaheim Vineyard story and provided a foundation for further investigation.

Your voices help shine a light where silence has prevailed for far too long.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to shows.

📣 Spread the Word

If this episode resonated with you, please consider rating and reviewing the show, sharing it with a friend, or posting about it using the hashtag #SpoiledFruitPodcast.

It’s time to ask why we excuse the bad fruit.

Disclaimer:

Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power is a work of investigative journalism. It includes allegations and opinions based on interviews, public documents, media reports, and other sources. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This podcast is not affiliated with Vineyard USA or any religious organization. Names, events, and quotes are used for reporting and documentary purposes under fair use and public interest protections. The creators of this series have taken care to verify information where possible and present commentary in a good-faith effort to inform the public.

Some episodes contain references to sexual abuse, spiritual trauma, and other sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.