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Just over five years ago, we published an article about a United Pentecostal Church minister in Colorado who had been alleged to have sexually abused several boys. Robert Anthony “Tony” Langston was working as a youth pastor in a large well known UPCI church, Landmark Tabernacle in Denver. He is the former pastor and founder of Tapestry Church in New Jersey, where he has been since the early 2000s, and no longer holds license with the UPCI.

Back in 2000, we made two blogs about this, though no names were mentioned at the time as no arrests or charges had been made. You may want to read Colorado United Pentecostal Sex Abuse Cases Part 3 and Colorado United Pentecostal Sex Abuse Cases Part 4 for additional information.

Tony Langston was arrested on July 23, 2025 in Colorado and charged with two CSA crimes which happened while he was the youth pastor of Landmark Tabernacle in the late 1990s. Billy Hale was the pastor and Colorado District Superintendent during the time in question. This is case number 25CR03894 in Denver County.

Instead of taking appropriate action, where Langston should have been made to forfeit his license and been reported to the police, he was permitted to retain his UPCI license for at least ten more years, all because it was internally handled by Billy Hale.

On June 29, 2025, Robert Anthony “Tony” Langston announced that as of that day he had retired from being the lead pastor of Tapestry Church in Jersey City, New Jersey, though he claimed he was not retiring from ministry. Tony stated for the past six months the church leaders have been meeting with him about this change.

The timing of Langston’s resignation came as no surprise to those of us who heard he was being investigated in both New Jersey and Colorado.

The church is now called Freedom Church Jersey City and replacing Tony Langston as lead pastor is Wade Haskins of Freedom Church. Haskins, who moved to Maryland in 1998, is also a former UPCI minister. Freedom Church has multiple locations, mainly in Maryland, but also in North Carolina, Arkansas and Nairobi, Kenya. Tony and Wade Haskins have been friends for over two decades.

Tony stated that he was not leaving the church and would continue to attend when he was not traveling. He hoped to mentor other pastors. (He and the church have been affiliated with Rod Parsley’s City Harvest Network since January of 2022.)

He also shared that he and his wife planned to go backpacking in Europe in September and were still deciding on what to do the following two months as they make this transition.

Tony’s letter to fellow pastors

On July 12, 2025, Tony Langston, or “PA” as many of the members of Tapestry Church in Jersey City, NJ called him, sent the following letter to a number of pastors. There was nary a mention or hint that he was under investigation for CSA crimes.

Dear friends,

I pray this message finds you well and blessed. I wanted to take a moment to share some personal news with you, as brothers and sisters in ministry whom I deeply cherish and respect.

After much prayer, reflection, and consideration, June 29th marked the end of my 29 years of active service in pastoral ministry.

This has not been an easy decision, but one that I believe is the right step for my family and me as I transition into a new season of ministry.

As most of you know, 22 years ago, we dreamed of a great revival in Jersey City. We declared a diverse, relevant, spirit filled community when it was just five of us in a living room . To say that God has blessed our efforts is an understatement. We stand in awe every Sunday as we watch happy hundreds vibrantly worshiping service after service.

The vision that God placed in my heart was a membership of 10,000 and 100 church plants.

We are well on our way to the first part of that vision but alas, I will not be at the helm for its completion. I recognize that I lack the skill set necessary for the growth ahead. And for that reason, I am so thankful for my dear friend Wade Haskins of Freedom Church, who has demonstrated an expertise in church planting and church growth. I’ve actually been following his lead for many years and our churches are already aligned in every way.

So Tapestry Church will become a campus of Freedom Church. Pastor Wade Haskins will become our lead pastor. Pastors Markus and Stephanie Robinson will become our campus pastors. Tanya, Brooklynn, Josh and baby Langston will remain on staff at Freedom Church Jersey City and I will attend when I am not out of town.

But the cry for church planting is still strong in my spirit. I hope in this next season to wrestle with the second half of that vision to mentor and manage church planters and pastors to see New York and New Jersey shaken with the gospel, not to mention your city should God choose to link us together.

This process started for me 15 months ago. I felt like God was transitioning me, although I didn’t know what that would look like.

In January, we started meeting with our leaders, overseers, and board to see what the next season would look like. And after much prayer, fasting and counsel I decided it was time to retire from this phase of ministry.

My primary focus after retirement will be to dedicate myself to mentoring and supporting other pastors and church leaders. I believe strongly in the importance of nurturing leadership, encouraging spiritual growth, and helping churches thrive in their mission. My desire is to be a source of encouragement, wisdom, and practical help for those who are called to lead God’s people, especially during these challenging and rapidly changing times. Phil and Darlene Bishop Driscoll prophesied to me last year that God was raising me up to show other pastors how to experience the kind of revival that we have experienced in Jersey City.

A youth culture revival with an 84% conversion rate while still maintaining a spiritual church culture with a focus on emotional healing. I hope that is true. I claim it in Faith. I do love the body of Christ!

All that said, I intend to take a brain break for the next several months. Do some traveling. Rest. Breathe. And Inquire of the Lord and really seek His face about the future. Please keep me in your prayers.

Thank you for your friendship
Love
Anthony Langston

Freedom Church Scrubs Social Media

Not long after Tony’s resignation, the church hid the video of his retirement announcement service and then later they temporarily hid their YouTube channel, brought it back up after they’d scrubbed it, changing the playlists and video descriptions. They have hidden other videos.

They also changed the links for the church Facebook Page and Instagram accounts, and the website, along with removing many posts which mention Tony or show his picture or videos.

More information will be shared in future articles.

I originally posted about this on June 23, 2025, June 29, 2025 (includes video clips from his retirement service), July 24, 2025 and July 27, 2025 on our Facebook Page.

You will find a complete list of articles in this series by clicking here.

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Galatians Study Part Eight: 3:15-20

NLT: “Dear brothers and sisters, here’s an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. 16 God gave the promises to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say “to his children,” as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says “to his child”—and that, of course, means Christ. 17 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. 18 For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise.

“19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. 20 Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.”

NASB: “Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.

“19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.”

Paul, in continuing his letter to the Galatians, shows the difference between the law and the promise given to Abraham in order to show that they are not under the law. You may want to read Hebrews 8 through 10:25 along with these passages.

Take note of verse 15, where he shares that when a covenant is made, you cannot add to it. It cannot be set aside. Paul is showing that the covenant was made with Abraham long before the law was put into effect. Because it cannot be set aside, nor added to, the law never changed the promise/covenant between God and Abraham.

The purpose of the law was to show people their sins. It was temporary until the Messiah would come and redeem us from the curse of the law.

Though this was all in the past, those causing confusion and perverting the gospel were insistent that at least some aspects of the law must be kept in order to be saved. This was removing the Galatians from a walk with God by faith.

Let’s also take note of verse 18 about the inheritance, “For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise.” Consider that believers are given an inheritance and keep in mind that this inheritance is based upon a promise.

Ephesians 1:11: In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,

Colossians 1:11-12: strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Hebrews 9:13-16: For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.

1 Peter 1:3-5: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Ephesians 1:13-14: In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

Remember when Paul asked the Galatians if they received the Spirit by observing the law or by believing what they heard?

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Galatians Study Part Seven: 3:10-14

NLT: “But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” 11 So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” 12 This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.”

“13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.”

NASB: “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Paul delves more into the law and continues with Abraham. If you haven’t read Romans 4 yet, I encourage you to do so. The studies will be broken into smaller sections for now as we progress further into Galatians.

The law was a package deal. It was all or nothing. The Jews were expected to abide by every aspect of the law. A curse was pronounced on those who did not obey it. James 2:10-11 explains that a person could keep the law but mess up on one aspect of it and it was seen as breaking the entire law.

The law never made any man perfect or righteous. It took no faith at all to follow the law. It was a list of rules and regulations. One could follow them exactly and their heart could still be far from God and their character could still be carnal. Consider the Pharisees, who went to great lengths at times to follow all aspects of the law, even adding more rules than God required. Yet Jesus showed they did not know God and were full of dead men’s bones.

Following rules, whether it be the law given by God or those made by pastors and church organizations, will never change us on the inside. They can never cause us to be righteous before God. They take no faith to follow them.

We can see that these outsiders, who were confusing the people of Galatia, were causing them to be under a curse by requiring them to be circumcised or obey any other aspect of the law. Reverting to the law meant they were moving from faith in God to their own works. They were not remembering that Jesus had redeemed everyone from the curse of the law and made us righteous in God’s sight through faith in what he did.

Think about this: If Jesus rescued us from this, why would God institute another set of rules for people to follow?

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Galatians Study Part Six: 3:1-9

NLT: “Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 4 Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

“5 I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. 6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.
“8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.”

NASB: “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

“6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.”

As we progress into the letter Paul wrote to believers in Galatia, keep in mind that what prompted him to write was that the gospel was being perverted and some believers were turning to follow a different one. When we add to the gospel any list of things which must be done in order to be saved, we set aside the grace of God and are teaching a gospel void of the potential to save anyone. It is slavery. It will take away your freedom in Christ Jesus.

After Paul shares his background and a couple of other incidents where people were trying to add rule following to the gospel, in this chapter Paul nails it down. I imagine that when this was first read, it may have been somewhat shocking. Paul asks who bewitched them, who cast a spell on them, in order for them to turn from the gospel of faith in Christ Jesus that he had delivered. He did not candy coat their situation. Think about it. How would you have reacted, if while in your unhealthy church, you received such a letter?

Consider the questions Paul poses. They boil down to one thought: Does God do things for and through us because we believe or because we observe the law? Do we attain our goal through our human efforts? I believe if Paul were here today, he would be writing similar letters, asking if God healed someone because they dressed according to church rules or if they received God’s Spirit because they tithed. The list could go on and on.

Verse three brings the issue home, “How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” This is what unhealthy churches and ministers do to people. They turn their focus from God and the Holy Spirit to themselves, what they might accomplish by what they do or do not do. This is another gospel.

After this, Paul brings up Abraham. He points out that because Abraham believed God, it was credited to him as righteousness. It was not through the law. (See Genesis 15:6) Faith and belief are emphasized in chapter three and mentioned more than a dozen times.

It wasn’t because of any works Abraham performed that God counted him as righteous. Leaving his land, offering Isaac, tithing on the spoils of a war and being circumcised did not accomplish this. It was his faith and belief in God. If we believe God, we are counted as righteous, just as Abraham was, and we are considered his children.

It would be good to read Romans 4 through the beginning of 5 as it goes along with what Paul is teaching in Galatians. This walk with God is all about faith and belief. (You will also see these mentioned more than a dozen times in Romans 4.) It also goes into the circumcision issue, which is pertinent to what was happening in Galatia.

If we want to be reckoned as righteous in the sight of God, it will only come through our believing God and placing our faith in him.

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As my work schedule has changed to enable more time off and affording opportunity to find a new house of worship, I find it to be quite a challenge. What issues have I faced in this quest? Allow me to begin.

One reference in finding a new church home can be found in this Reddit post. It is one of countless articles one can find on the topic. Some challenges I found include:

TITHING
Several churches I visited preach a good bit on compulsory tithing as part of membership in the church, even to the point where they incorporate the prosperity gospel message – the whole pressed down, first fruits, and being cursed if people don’t tithe – that didn’t sit well with me. I still get memories of preachers who live well at the expense of the congregation.

DOCTRINAL DIFFERENCES
Each of the different churches I visited to this point have differing doctrinal viewpoints. My core beliefs, rooted in Oneness teachings, remained solid (Oneness of God, Jesus’ Name baptism, infilling of the Holy Ghost) yet at the same time I knew better than to enter into a debate at any congregation I visited. My goal was to seek fellowship and realized I was a guest in someone else’s house. If that meant agreeing to disagree, that was okay with me. I also noticed a political variation among congregations, including some churches’ stand on defending Israel, even if the government of that country committed wrongs. If God held Israel accountable in the Bible for its sins, then in my opinion it isn’t considered antisemitic to question the actions of the Israeli government.

FEELINGS OF BEING WELCOME VS. TOLERATED
One of my major struggles throughout my lifetime is seeking an environment where I am truly welcome as opposed to being tolerated for as long as I am deemed useful. Previous churches I visited seemed to be a good experience until I realized my views were different from the congregation I visited. My concern was that at some point my welcome would wear out and I would need to seek fellowship elsewhere. In my quest, I visited four different congregations; three were non-denominational and one was UPCI.

One of the non-denominational churches seemed to be more welcoming to me, and I made several visits; I visited the UPCI church in Bartlesville this past Wednesday after visiting my daughter. I visited that particular congregation in 2005 when I was on leave with my children’s mother while still in the Navy, so I thought this would be a good stop on my way home. I was in for a rude surprise. While I held to core beliefs common to those in attendance, I had a strong sense things were off. First, I noticed they had gone more off the rails when it came to tithing, basically embracing the prosperity gospel more than when I was active in the UPCI. The visiting preacher (the pastor was out of town) devoted part of his sermon to uplifiting a prominent UPCI evangelist whose stories were proven to be grossly exaggerated, yet still is given credence. As the service ended, I felt really conflicted. I had to ask myself, and most importantly God, why did I visit a church affiliated with the same organization I was given the boot over a decade earlier? Maybe my being there was to show me how far the United Pentecostal Church as an organization has fallen and the visit was for my education.

RESULTS OF MY VISITS
Finding a new place to worship and have fellowship won’t be an easy process. I could very easily find myself being like unto what Jesus Himself shared.

Matthew 8:20 – And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

If God who walked among us in the flesh had no permanent place, then I am in good company.