PHILADELPHIA: “CHIEF APOSTLE” PARTNERS WITH JEWISH DEVELOPER TO REVIVE “THE MET” FOR $56 MILLION “CHURCH” & SECULAR CONCERT VENUE WITH 25 BARS

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 PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania preacher who 
identifies himself as a “chief apostle,” and has traveled as a 
participant in crusades held by prosperity preacher Morris Cerullo, has 
teamed with the world’s largest secular entertainment group and others 
to allow the building that he uses for Sunday services to be renovated 
and utilized as a lavish concert and comedy venue. The location, known 
as the Philadelphia Metropolitan Opera House, or “The Met,” features 25 
bars and appearances by some of the largest names in secular music, such
 as Bob Dylan, Sarah Brightman and Boys II Men.

According to reports, Mark Hatcher, who leads Holy Ghost Headquarters
Revival Center, had purchased the building in the 1990’s to save it
from being demolished as it sat vacant for some time. Hatcher says that
he used to attend religious services that were held at The Met in the
1950’s.

He spent $5 million on renovating the former opera house, which is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hatcher had hosted
what he called “camp meetings” in the building in years past, which
included appearances by Paula White, Rod Parsley, Steve Munsey and Paul
Morton. Hatcher parked his Cadillac Escalade outside of the building,
which is located in one of the poorer areas of the city.

Hatcher states on his website that his mission is to “restore the old
landmark where God’s presence manifests to teach men of every creed of
the Holy Spirit and that they are equipped to go out and compel fallen
mankind to repentance, being established unto God and ever abounding in
the knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

In recent years, Hatcher entered into a partnership with local
developer Eric Blumenfeld of EB Realty Management to restore the
property. Blumenfeld had also worked on the Divine Lorraine Hotel, which
previously belonged to a cult leader who went by “Father Divine,” who
claimed to be God and asserted that his second wife, known as “Mother
Divine,” was the reincarnation of his deceased first wife.

The entertainment group Live Nation—which dubs itself as the “largest
producer of live music concerts”—also came into the picture, entering
into talks with Hatcher about using the building for concerts and other
shows, while Hatcher would continue to host church services at the
location.

The extravagant building project, with 3,500 seating capacity and 25
bars, cost $56 million for renovations. Bob Dylan was the first artist
to perform at The Met, which officially opened this month, with John
Legend and Weezer shows days later.

Other acts scheduled to perform as booked by Live Nation, which
manages the facility, include Pentatonix, Sarah Brightman, comedian Jim
Gaffigan, Ringo Starr, and Boys II Men.

The site Amplify reports that prior to the Dylan concert, an official
ribbon cutting ceremony was held, with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney,
City Council President Darrell Clarke, Live Nation Regional President
Geoff Gordon, and the aforementioned Blumenfeld and Hatcher taking part
in the occasion.

Architect rendering of The Met“This
is the building that nobody thought would be saved. God put certain
people in place to make it happen, and it did,” Clarke stated, according
to The Morning Call.

Last Sunday, Hatcher held his grand re-opening church service
featuring fellow prosperity preacher Morris Cerullo, who he refers to as
his spiritual father. Cerullo’s website includes posts such as “How You
Can Make Prosperity Easy,” “Confess the Promise Out” and “A Transfer of
Wealth From God to You.” A gathering with megachurch leader Noel Jones
was also held on Dec. 6.

“I am really excited about tonight. Tonight is the beginning of
something brand new, spiritually, in our city, something that is going
to shake our city,” Hatcher said during the Jones event, according to
the Philadelphia Tribune.

“This is the first night getting back in the building and the devil’s
real scared right now. He’s real nervous,” he stated. “I haven’t slept
in weeks, and when I thought I was going to lay down last night and get a
couple hours of rest, the Lord began to download some stuff. He said,
‘What I’m about to do is not another level, but another dimension.’ The
city has been in a drought, but he said, ‘Tell my people what I’ve done
here on Broad Street is what I’m about to do in your spirit.’”

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 teaches, “Be ye not unequally yoked together
with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness, and what communion hath light with darkness? And what
concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth
with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?”

“For ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will
dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall
be My people. Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive
you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”