I met this man yesterday. He called our church and told me that he just moved into town, and was having some surgery this week to amputate part of his foot. He had gotten frostbite on a mission trip with Saddleback – he had been at Saddleback for 24 years – and had parts of his feet removed. He just wanted someone to pray with him.
I met him at a public place, and he begins to throw out more names. One I knew, and knew to some degree his background. James said he knew this man, told of this man’s family and their profession and their growing up years. James even paid for my drink (non-alcoholic, though we were sitting at the bar).
He mentioned that he was homeless for the night, but never asked for money. He was going to stay in the hospital in the waiting room until he was admitted today.
Some things didn’t feel right, while others were so very convincing that it was hard to discredit. I took him to a hotel and paid for 1 night and gave him some money so he could walk across the street and get some food.
If in the front of your mind you are thinking, “David, you got scammed”, you were right.
We usually handle requests like this through a ministry called Love INC. The local group isn’t open on Monday, so I couldn’t call them to check on him, or ask them to pursue an interview with him. Today I called Saddleback and got the report from them, and I also emailed the person whose name I knew and got information back from them. Confirmed. A con man.
So I got scammed.
I John 3:17 But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help–how can God’s love be in that person? (NLT)
This verse haunted me yesterday and today. It was the basis for my thought process yesterday.
There are times when we invest in people and those risks pay off. People come to Christ or we help them and their lives are turned around. Other times, those risks don’t pay off and we get burned. Life is like that.
There are hundreds, even thousands of James Finlayson’s around. Some may cross your path some day. Be wise as a serpert. Have a process in place that helps you uncover the true motives of people like this. But in those times when your investment is a scam, don’t stop investing. Don’t stop loving. We can’t through the baby out with the bathwater.
EDIT: Here’s some pictures for you to see what Jamie looks like:
I am President of the Lee County Gideon’s and recieved a call this am from Morgan
James with the same story he had told Tom Padgett(who I know). I was set to carry Morgan to Eufalua, AL to go into the Hospital tomorrow Morning. The Auburn Police came by and suggested to Mr. Finlayson that he hit the road, which he did. I am fortunate that I did not help him any more than a cup of coffee at EAMC.
I have called the Opelika PD and the Lee County SO about Mr. James of what ever his name is today. He goes by Morgan Finllayson as well as Morgan James as well as Morgan Jamie as well as Morgan John. Please be aware of this snake in the grass.
The story continues. I met a pastor today and told him of Morgan James and he in shock told me that he had been called by Mr. James and went to meet him but he did not show(Morgan James) The Opelika Police Dept and the Lee County SO is out looking for Mr finlayson or James as he is using today. I hope he has left town but be very cautious with this snake. There is no truth in him.
P.S He now has long blond hair.
Morgan Finlayson (aka James, Jamie, Jim) has surfaced again. This time on May 23, ’08 at Intown Community Church (PCA) on LaVista Rd., Atlanta, GA. Not knowing any of the background found in this search (my circumstance gave no opportunity to do any inquiry while I was trying to help this scoundrel), I did what seemed compassionate and Christ-like by having lunch with him and a Deacon
from my church ($20.) then got him help from the Deacon’s Fund ($50.), and then got him a room for the night ($71.82) on my credit card.
As a Stephen Ministry Leader you’d think I’d be smart enough to figure this scamer out. I humbly admit I was flim-flamed trying to be compassionate as I thought Jesus would be. I really believe God heard my prayers with Morgan even though the facts he gave me were wrong. Will God use those prayers to remind him that someone cares for a liar and cheat like him? Jesus is a gracious care giver to depraved sinners like we all are!
So, let’s pray that he will repent of the error of his way and turn to Jesus for mercy and forgiveness. Maybe it will take some jail time for Morgan. The sooner the better for the sake of the still unscamed. Brothers and sisters, be alerted to him!
Wow. Just got through reading all of the comments. Hee-haw on my part. Jim Morgan, as it were, is resting cozily at the Jamison Inn in Newnan, GA tonight and dreaming about tomorrow morning’s biscuits and gravy that he seemed to know all about. At this point, it looks like we will be dining together. Hopefully, my $20 is still intact.
I am a slow typist and highly annoyed at this point, so I am going to just type out some key words that he said to me that will match the stories above: Jim Morgan, ferrier, mother on a missionary board, Saddleback, Rick Warren, late Friday, didn’t necessarily ask for money, Colorado, Gideon, local guy, knew a lot of names, apartment ready but doesn’t have utilities hooked up yet, Promise Keepers, prosthetics rehab starting tomorrow. Oh, this is too good so I have to type it out. The story that I got on the feet was that he was on a horseback trip with the elders in CO and the horse reared up in the river and crushed his feet on the rocks. Rich. Couldn’t have walked out of Applebee’s any slower. May test the former neighbor’s claim above and challenge him in a 60 yard dash…winner keeps the 20. Will keep ya’ll posted on that. By the way, this site just made it into my favorites list. I am so intrigued by this guy, his stories and his deception(the least of which being his self-deception.) I’d really like to hear more insights into other folks’ reactions and conversations with the Lord after being so deceived by someone so well versed in “churchspeak” and seemingly in need. I am one our church’s new men’s ministers and the Lord has really been working on me lately about serving others. So there sits Jimmy boy in my car talking about his biggest problem with Southern Baptist is the lack of love that we show each other. My initial reaction of “hey pal, what does it look like I’m doing here” was quickly redirected to a SS lesson that I have taught about love in the Bible being more of an action verb than an emotion. That lesson coupled with John 15′s revealing of Jesus’ commands to his disciples to love one another was overpowering. After this experience the lesson hasn’t changed, but hopefully my discernment will. It has to be noted that I have been praying fervently lately for the Lord to make me into a spiritual warrior. The equivalent of a Maximus or William Wallace. I expected some chinks in the armor, but ouch. Am I missing a piece of armor? Belt of Truth maybe? Was I not in tune with the Holy Spirit as I thought I was ministering to this man? One thing I did notice from the above posters who were not deceived was that many of them had another brother at their side. Boy, there’s a lesson for men’s ministry on the isolation of men in our church’s.
Pretty long post for a slow typist, so I’ll sign off for now and get ready for my parking lot race in the morning. Not sure who owns this site, but Thank You!!! If nothing else this has been therapeutic, but I sincerely hope that it will spark further conversation on the subject and others’ reactions to the deception. I’m not joking about this being in the favorites. I’ll be back and hopefully with some updated pics of the scammer. By the way, he currently has brown hair over the ears with a mustache.
Like Rob, this site is on my favorites list and every couple of weeks I check in to see what Jamie/James/Morgan/Finlayson has been up to. He contacted our church in Raleigh, NC, the summer of ’06 and I have been following him ever since. Our story is the same as most of those posted, although by the time he called us he was already checked into a very nice hotel room for the night and was only looking for a meal. Our youth pastor and I met with him. All he got was a sincere prayer and a ride to the local Christian bookstore where he was supposed to meet someone from the Gideon’s. This guy is amazing! I add my thanks to the person who maintains this site.
We just encountered Jamie Finlayson in Newnan, GA. Same story, second verse. This time the amputations were due to a horse riding accident and he was supposed to be going into physical therapy rehab in nearby Peachtree City this week for about 10 days. I thought I had asked the right questions but I guess I didn’t ask enough. I just wanted to let anyone nearby who might be looking himup that he is in the area and working hard. Thanks for this website.
same story here.. frost bite ..took off shoe to show me his amputated foot. Our assoc pastor received a call ..same thing new everything about Methodist church. wanted to get envolved in the Kairos ministry (served on over 20 walks)
seemed very knowledgable about Kairos and Emmaus. We put him up in a motel brought him to church next morning and then took him to lunch and dropped him off at Carribou coffee shop. He was awaiting for a close friend from a local church…
Jim is now in Woodstock, Georgia.
This man was in Woodstock, GA on Sunday, July 6. He contacted our minister, came to worship and a fellowship dinner that evening, got a room at the motel from our benevolence deacon. Same story as others have heard…
He has been in Canton, GA off and on since July 4th, contacting deacons at 3 or more churches. He did get food money and possibly more. Same stories about his foot. He needs prayer but not for his foot.
He’s working the churches in Manhattan, KS, right now with all the same lies.
Yes Jim is in Manhattan. Right now he is in the Riley County Police Department awaiting charges of theft by deception. If anyone in Manhattan has had contact with “Morgan” please contact me at 785-537-2112 ext. 2623.
Rather than enabling him to continue this lifstyle, lets hold him accountable and encourage him to work. His sins are finding him out.
Just an update from my previous posting. Jim was charged by RCPD with Theft by Deception. Other jurisdictions should consider this. Using this blog as additional evidenc will show his intent to decieve and clear intent to evoke sypmpathy thereby elliciting money, goods and services from others, all based on deception. I just learned that after jim was charged with this he showed up at another area church and reported that he needed to get to Salina for surgery. He was eventually taken to Topeka hwere he was to meet with a friend who allegedly would drive him to Salina. People from the church bought him two meals and drove him to Topeka and paid for a hotel there. I suspect this his attempt to leave Manhattan so as to not answer to his charges.
That is fine, I do not want him in jail, scamming the public with various illnesses and medical problems that we all would have to pay for. Now, if he fails to appear in court, a warrant will be issued and hopefully he will never return to the Kansas area to prey on us. If every where he goes this is done, then he will be pretty limited in where he can move about and prey on folks, or end up getting his act together.
“Jim Morgan” is now in the Andover,KS area with tales of feet amputations due to frostbite which occurred during a Promise Keepers mountain hike two years ago. He entered my business and first spoke with my co-owner asking if any Promise Keepers men were present. As my partner spoke with him they walked to the rear of the business where I was working. He claimed to be a messianic jew, and offered several critical comments regarding Baptists (which we are). As we spoke I became cautious of him through long experience with such types. When I told him that I was a former state trooper and law enforcement instructor he said that he didn’t wish to talk with me and should have stuck with my business partner. I had already detected the odor of alcohol on his breath and his eyes were glazed and red. He never asked for anything other than prayer, but spun a tale about having a local apartment (he couldn’t tell me the address) without utilities. The only thing he seemed honest about was his distrust of any law enforcement types. He attempted to show humility as several dollars were passed his way, but it was no surprise when he took it. He doesn’t like being quizzed about drinking and substance abuse issues!!!!
Just a heads-up for others in central Kansas.
An older friend in Wichita called me a while ago and told me of Jim Morgan, a Gideon, from Auburn, AL, who was a partial amputee and was going into the hospital on 10/5 for foot surgery on Monday and asking for prayer. Many common phrases and connections to the ones mentioned above. A needy man – but a con man.
About mid-afternoon on Saturday, October 4, 2008, I took a call from a man who said his name was Jim Morgan from Auburn, AL. He said he was a member of the Gideons and wanted someone to meet and pray with him, because he was scheduled to go to check in Via Christi Hospital for surgery on Sunday afternoon. He said he had an apartment rented, but at this time the utilities were not yet turned on. I tried to call the Gideons office to verify his membership, but no one was there on Saturday. I agreed to meet him in front of Outback Steakhouse. As we sat together in my car, he told of his experiences with Saddleback Ministries and Promise Keepers, mentioning names like Chuck Swendoll, Howard Hendricks as well as names of officers of the Gideons.
He did not ask for money, but said since he couldn’t work for a while, he was living on $10.00 for the last five days. While he was writimg out 3 prayer requests I took $10.00 out of my pocket and gave to him to buy some food. He said a friend had called the pastor at my church and suggested he go there. He agreed to go to church with me in the morning and we’d meet at IHOP early Sunday morning. A friend joined me at IHOP Sunday morning to meet with Mr. Morgan, but he was not there. So, he fooled me and I got “scammed”, but it was a good lesson and I’d rather error on doing right.
Morgan Finlayson contacted me yesterday 2/16/09 in Durango, Colorado. He is telling “same” story, recent surgery on feet, more amputation. I met him as he was dropping names and Chuch of God associatio(WCG) and messianic. I began seeing “red flags’ early in conversation. I did give him a ride to Cortez as he was to check into rehab there next day and fed him a meal. Supposedly he had rented a trailer but was needing deposite for utilities.
His story includes working for Applebees in past.
I have seen him some where in past, the hospital shoes, partially amputated feet. I am sorry that someone would “pray” upon those trying to fulfill God’s instructions to help those in need.
He knows about the Church of God (WCG-Sabbath keeping) but does not know what our beliefs really are.
James is now in Cortez Colorado! All church’s in that area need to be notified of him and avoid providing for him!
heading south – just “hit” Farmington New Mexico, knows alot about Free Methodism. Trying to pass the word along to pastors and churches in Albuquerque and Phoenix just in case.
Ah! What a relief. My minister, Mr. Phill Dunagan of Albuquerque talked with me last night and finally, Mr. Finlayson has been arrested on a warrant from Arizona.
Mr. Dunagan called the police and they police showed up and so did Mr. Dunagan and took Mr. Finlayson off in hand-cuffs so I have a feeling he may not be doing these scams anymore. The Lord does work and this is just proof the Lord works.
While I hate seeing scams like this, I truly believe that I will continue help as I am able. I have had churches help me from time to time, but at the same time, God blesses me that I may give back by helping others.
I am blessed to be in the body of Christ, having been baptized by Mr. Dunagan of the Western Region Church of God at the Feast of Tabernacles 2006. During my time since I began to come to know the truth in 1989, I have learned that sometimes too God puts people like that in our midst to see if we will help because we do not know it, but we could be helping even just an angel.
Nonetheless, this gentleman is finally in jail.
Michael
A fellow came to my office today who made me think of my encounter with James Findlayson a year ago (see my earlier post). He threw around the same names from our denomination, as if they both had the same script. Then, just as with Findlayson, came a set of near-criticism designed to set me on the defensive and be eager to please (Findlayson on church politics, this fellow on race). Each of them coming to this town because of old friends here. In this case, though, we were about to start service so I told the fellow to wait around and I’d take him to his friend after service. For someone allegedly deeply steeped in our tradition (thus all those names he knew to drop), he lasted about three minutes into the service before he moved on.
It was incredible of how Jim Finalayson was finally arrested and taken into custody in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was without a doubt God’s Hand and the result of much prayer. It is obvious to me that God had enough of this man’s scamming and deception of sincere and giving individuals and decided to bring this wickedness to an end. God doesn’t always do things on our time table; but He is on His Throne observing the affairs of man. Mr. Finalayon’s cup of iniquity had overflowed. I want to thank Mr. Phillips for posting the information on the web site; if he hadn’t, it would have been very difficult to have known about Jim Finlayson’s scamming. Most of all, we should all be very thankful to God for intervening. Part of the story at least can be seen on this link http://www.koat.com/video/19267792/index.html.
Phill Dunagan
I encountered James Finlayson in 1997 in Mesa, Arizona. At that time he was not using the surgery gambit. He was using Promise Keepers & Walk to Emmaus, and indeed I did feed him and put him up for the weekend. Even at the time I realized that his tale was either complete bunk or fully true. What’s incredible is that one comment he made started me on my current ministry trajectory! God can use anyone for His purposes – even if that person is out to scam people!
David, I found out about this through Loren’s Twitter post. I’m a year into the Len Sweet/George Fox DMin program. I hadn’t connected the Finlayson story, but I had come across your blog a few months ago when researching Alan Jamieson’s Theology of Journey.
I didn’t see any of the comments our church posted on Jamie Aug. 27,2007. He spent some time in the Northwest Mississippi area. I am our church secretary and was the one to take the call. I referred him to the deacon on call that particular week who is my husband. All these stories have elements of our association with Jamie. My husband even picked him up at a motel in our area and drove him to Memphis, TN (approx 20-25 miles) where he was to have amputation surgery the next day. We put him up at a Hampton Inn that is adjacent to the Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis. We found before he checked out what the real deal was and had the desk clerk give him a note when he checked out. It seems everyone has been just one or two steps behind this man. And to see that he is still successful today ……. baffles me
AH! I posted a “little”too soon. I now read where he has been apprehended. I do pray he will reflect on the kindness of the many, many people who “helped” him and know that it is Christ in us that compelled us to help him ….
July 13, 2009 – I’m sorry to inform Pastor Phill Dunagan, but “James” “Jim” “Morgan” Finlayson is now in Durango and Silverton Colorado. My husband received the identical call yesterday just before beginning his sermon and “Jim” called back this morning. I spoke with him. All the same information, and now going to have surgery at Mercy Medical Center, and wanted to talk to a “real” guy who was the real deal, not a Pastor. I have a much longer story, but in the interest of letting all of your precious people know, who have gone before, that this flim flam man is still alive and well and weaving his evil web. He is scheduled in Montezuma County Cortez Colorado for trial on July 21, 2009 for two crimes he has committed. Please pray for him to finally atone for his sins of deception. And, please, dear brothers and sisters, don’t let your hearts be hardened to assisting the truly needy, but may we all learn from this, and walk in love, praying unceasingly for discernment and wisdom in how to deal with these who are so troubled.
As of today, Mr. Finlayson, or “Jim Morgan” as he presented himself to me this past Friday, September 11, 2009, is in Colorado Springs. It appears that I was the first of a string of at least three who were taken by him within the past three days here in ‘the Springs’.
This past Friday evening I received a call from “Jim” explaining that he was to have surgery the next day and wasn’t able to stay in his supplied home for reasons of financial difficulties causing his utilities to be shut off. While on the phone with him, he began to weave a very convincing tale of his being part of our denomination for years, and had actually attended church where our present International Overseer (Bishop) had been pastor several years ago. He indicated that when contacting the Overseer, the overseer had instructed him to contact me. Having recently been in contact with International Bishop, I felt it was reasonable to think that he probably remembered me from that correspondence. Initially, all he said he needed was someone to pray with, so I agreed to forego my son’s High School football game and do my pastoral duty of going to meet him.
I drove to the Starbucks at the corner of Austin Bluffs and Academy Boulevard where he was waiting. I walked in, immediately realized which of those in the building was him, shook his hand, and introduced myself. We sat down and he began to tell me all about my denomination. Somehow, he even knew where the church which my dad was pastoring forty-seven years ago was in Alabama, and mentioned, with uncanny accuracy, a nearby congregation.
He spoke of a procedure his doctor was beginning on him the next day for a foot cancer, and asked me to pray with him that he would find a place for the night so he could be able to get to the hospital (which was, conveniently, located right by my house) the next day for the procedure. OF course I prayed with him.
We talked awhile of his being in the band with Mylon LeFevre, how he had stayed in hotels throughout the country, but was, at this time, down on his luck. He talked of many churches which I was familiar with, and their pastors. He seemed to know very much about our denomination, and our Pentecostal beliefs and practices.
He had a metallic blue prosthesis for a right foot, which was very convincing. I have watched a video out of Albuquerque which gave a brief view of his diseased foot, which is now replaced by the prosthesis. The photo and video at that site is definitely the man I met with, but he has the prosthesis and no mustache at this time.
To make an even longer story short, our church invested approximately $60.00 into a motel room and food money. Ours is a small congregation, and it angers me that I was taken in like this. I had a terrible feeling that something was wrong, but wouldn’t allow that to stop me from helping where I felt I could.
We have a “Benevolence Committee” at our church to handle such matters, but it was a Friday night, and I made an “executive decision”. Thank goodness God is a loving and forgiving God when we do not listen completely to His urgings and warnings. I believe God will still bless the effort to provide, as my brother originally mentioned in this blog ( I John 3:17 ); however, I also believe that we must heed that inner urging that could help when something doesn’t “feel right”. I’m preaching to myself here.
I was told today that two other churches were approached this weekend as well: one on Saturday, the 12th, and one yesterday on Sunday, the 13th. He is very active in Colorado Springs RIGHT NOW. The proper police unit has been alerted and are looking for him. If you have any information, please contact the Colorado Springs Police Department.
Also, I have found a tremendous group that helps in this as well. In Colorado Springs, you may contact Melanie Casey at mcasey@churchandschoolsecurity.org. Or their national website is http://churchandschoolsecurity.org/
Beware, brothers and sisters, for among you ia a wolf posing as a sheep-in-distress…
Pastor Rex
Peakview Church of God
November 4, 2009
He is in Loveland, CO right now. He is just starting to work the scam right now as I speak. Most churches have been alerted here and we are attempting to alert Fort Collins, CO as well, but I do know he has more information to name drop per our discussion. Bummer, but at least no money that I know of yet.
Jim is on the prowl here is Northern Colorado (Loveland/Fort Collins area) as of today, November 4, 2009. He has called 4 churches that I know of and I am sure, many others.
Thanks for the posts. They have helped us in realizing the scam.
I emailed area churches to warn them and even our local police department.