One of the major problems with the field of paranormal research
is the issue of urban-legend, especially when it comes to the concept of ghosts. The vast majority of "Ghost Hunters",
especially the new ones, utilize the Internet as their main source for finding investigation sites. As a result,
a circuit has developed in every state that these types of investigators rotate through on a regular basis. These locations
are generally businesses who have found ways to monopolize from these investigative teams by embelishing the claims
and then providing them access for a fee. What the Ghost Hunters get in return for their cash is a nice backdrop
for photographs for their websites, and a quickly compiled list of "cases" that give the illusion of experience
and expertise in a field of research that has yielded absolutely no evidence of what they pursue. These circuits are
well established and spread across the Internet like a plague and find their way into source books of haunted places in America.
Then there are the victims of the
urban legend - locations and people that are reputed to be haunted, based on claims that are entirely and unoquivically
untrue, and the onslaught of the ghost hunters who contact them on a daily basis about conducting investigations becomes increasingly
difficult to deal with.
One such location is a long established church in Dallas, Texas. I
recently had the opportunity to speak with Kurt Johanson, the Pastor of the Pleasant Grove Christian Church. I
had written him about the claims associated with his church that revolved around the rumor of spirits of children inhabiting
the place and, like most places that receive requests about such information, I understandably received no response.
Eighteen months later, I was sitting on Lake Lewisville with my fishing pole in the water when I received
a call from Pastor Johanson. We had a nice conversation about the claims associated with his church and I was appalled
by what I heard. He expressed to me that, obviously, the claims were untrue and then went on to talk about the
adverse effects that this kind of reputation has had on his church. It turns out that this rumor about his church
found its way onto the Internet, and then into a book called 'Haunted Texas' that detailed the most haunted places
in the state. As a result, ghost hunters called and emailed his church to such an extent that it is taking away from
the time needed for church matters. They have been forced to change their contact information, website, and have even
had their services interrupted by ghost hunters who are chasing these legends.
Pastor Johanson asked
if I could try to help him in whatever capacity I could to counter this rumor so that he and his congregation may regain a
sense of resolution about this issue. So, I have decided to devote this page to their problem and hereby state
that the Pleasant Grove Christian Church does not claim these rumors to be true in any way, shape, or form, and respectfully
ask that they not be contacted by those who wish to investigate them.
In his words, "The
only spirit in our church is the Holy Spirit." ... And I , for one, believe him.
Ardis Stembridge
Credible Paranormal Founder