Not all posts end when I finish writing them. Many times I keep learning even after I have written about a subject here on this blog. This subject of conflictions, conundrums and confusion is one of the areas of new learning. I continue to see areas that confuse me about Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and its members. The confusion is especially evident in the advertising that the WOFF member-owned businesses are doing! These things just did not occur when I was in WOFF. This all makes me wonder if members are allowed to skip free through Youtube®? Or can they now ride the wild Internet any time they chose? Somehow I doubt that …. But, here is some new information to consider.
As mentioned in the previous post, Rutherford County is starving for jobs. The new Facebook® hub will help. Still many leave the county for work every day. When I was inside WOFF, I worked outside the county most of the time. Some days I drove up to an hour or more one way to work. Several others inside WOFF do the same or more. During one stretch while working for Two Mile Properties; I traveled to North Augusta to work. Our first stop in reviewing the confusions will be Two Mile Properties (TMP). My unique experiences will be saved for another post. Today, we will let others talk about TMP. First off, property management was a difficult business. It was so tough to make everyone happy all the time. That being said; I did a simple search and found these reviews….
Do not live on any of their properties they are cult owned, by word of Faith Fellowship…..bad news – By rucrazy on October 02, 2009 at 09:54 AM
this is sunday, laundry is not open, can;t wash clothes, gym is not open can;t do that, tennis courts are not open, our air does not work, there is mold in my bedrooms, its 86 degrees in my bedroom, no one will come to fix this, my apartment bedrooms leak when it rains from the floor not the ceiling. grandkids were woke up in middle of night by loud noisy neighbors, the 10 oclock curfew is not observed nor enforced, drug deals go down on every corner, there are gangs in here, soon as i can i am gone, this place is awful and the maintenance stinks,
By noneya on May 17, 2009 at 09:21 AM
I just moved into a Two-Mile Property on Aug.20, 2010 in Spartanburg, SC and I am enjoying the apartment. The only problem I have is on the first of September they ran a special for three months free rent. I feel I should’ve been told of up the coming special. I feel cheated and think some sort of compensation should be given to me, if not this lease, then on my next lease. I would like someone to contact me concerning this matter. My email is (deleted) or call me at 864-(deleted)end_of_the_skype_highlighting. I thank you in advance for your assistance.
By N icole Alexander on September 06, 2010 at 06:00 PM
Criminals! they cheated a bank out of north carolina out of 2 million they said were for renovations in their property in North Augusta, SC. Lied to city officials about a license plumber instaling thier water meters. They did not put grounding strips on the meters either. My water meter is in my bedroom closet! whats up with that! They lie, and cheat people out of money. They have some pull to, but they picked the wrong town in SC to come to cause its on. They go it coming!
By Truth Teller on October 08, 2009 at 12:33 PM
(link for reviews and to leave your comments… http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Two.Mile.Properties.Rutherfordton.NC.828-287-0700 )
It is humbling to think that folks could have been this upset while I worked for TMP. But, it is probably so. TMP is going through a court directed reorganization. So, at this time, they may not be managing the properties which spurred these comments.
Next, we will list a review of another restaurant owned by the same WOFF member who owns Café at the Mall. This one is in Tryon, NC. “10 North Trade Café Bakery” The longest review I found is below and I cannot tell if it written by someone on the home team…
This is one of those small -town gems that everyone should know about. They serve a wonderful lunch selection of specialty soups, sandwiches, quiches and salads along with flavored teas. They also offer a nice selection of delicious breads, pastries and desserts. If you want to try something unique that is nothing short of exceptional, try this little cafe. It is tucked away inside one of Tryon’s charming buildings and is adorable. But plan to visit them early because unfortunately they aren’t open for dinner. Or drop by and pick up a loaf of their specialty breads or a mouth-watering dessert to take home. You won’t be disappointed. (found here- http://www.restaurantica.com/nc/tryon/10-north-trade-street-cafe-bakery/23421451 )
Their website found here – http://www.10northtrade.com/ Liz Rose, the owner has her picture on the home page in the picture under the banner. This website is hosted by Sky Catcher Communications. Four employees listed on their management team are active WOFF members. Last I heard their offices were in the complex at Shiloh Road. Here is their website and contact info. http://www.skycatcher.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24&Itemid=106 .
Do you find it odd that WOFF members could work for a company that provides Internet services and solutions when regular WOFF members have their Internet access so highly regulated and monitored? WOFF members are working in communications when the access for regular members to outside information sources is so highly monitored? Confliction and Conundrum for sure…! Ask Morgan Sample, a former WOFF member, how her access to outside communications was monitored and regulated. (Read the post here about her struggles to get her computer and cell phone returned after she left WOFF- http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=4598 )
On Monday, I heard about another WOFF member-owned business in a town several miles away from Rutherford County- Simply Silver Accessories and More, LLC -in Hendersonville, NC. The documents originally filed in Raleigh October 1, 2008; do not mention a Hendersonville, NC address. I am unclear how long this business owned by Bridgette “BiBi” Powell and managed by Virginia “Jenny” Piper has been in at their present location. But, a simple search reveals a recent video of their store on of all places- Youtube®! Wow- WOFF members can’t freely surf the very venue they choose to advertise on? Confusing? Great thing about Youtube®- they let you share. There were actually two videos, I chose to share this one since Bibi smiles real big and Jenny is seen walking through the store. Enjoy and freeze frame the video to see the new products!
Update: 02/14/2013- the first video I put up has been made “private”. So, I have now inserted the second one.
Also in Hendersonville, you will find another WOFF-member owned business. That is the dental practice of Dr. Jonathan L. Lowry. The papers filed and available at the NC Department of the Secretary of State website (http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Filings.aspx?PItemId=9704188 ) show that Dr. Lowry organized on March 1, 2011. He has a very nice website found here – http://www.hendersonvilledds.com/ . On this website are pictures of his wife and sister-in-law who work at the practice. Pictured are two other staff members who I do not recognize as WOFF members. You will also find a picture of his daughter. On the Meet Your Doctor page, Jonathan closes his short bio sketch with these words… “Avery Shae was born into our family in April of my senior year at UNC, and I graduated in May—what a time that was!” It was somewhere during this time I understand that Jonathan Lowry experienced some confusing doubts about WOFF-life. “…what a time that was!” a conundrum for him for certain…
On the site is a short introduction video provided on the Youtube®! We will share it and allow Dr. Lowry to tell you in his own words how thankful he is for Dr. Todd allowing him a start in Hendersonville.
Before posting this information, I searched to find if these WOFF-member owned businesses had earned any “Best of” awards and was unable to locate them. This post is for information purposes only. I hope to make others aware of the growing list of conflictions, conundrums and confusing stuff in the world of WOFF members. In future posts, we may add to our list.
Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog. Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.
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This seems to support the system of double standards that most cults practice. The leadership benefits from the tithe and offerings of successful businesses owned by members. If the business owners subject themselves to the cult leadership they are often praised and used as an example of “God’s blessings”. “If you live for God, you will be blessed”. These business owners are allowed to stretch the boundaries of cult rules and policies if they play by the cult’s rules, while ordinary members have to follow strict rules and live under a different set of standards. The “simple minded” cult members or the ones that hang on every word of their cult leaders and follow blindly with unwavering loyalty are kept back from any business endeavor or any level of success that would bring about a sense of achievement and allow them to feel good about themselves.
This is definitely a conundrum and a conflict. I was one of these types that followed without questioning and my life was used up in the process. It took a few years away from the cult for me to realize that I was human and had potential to achieve a measure of success and enjoy the fruitfulness of my own labors. Being free from strict control and manipulation allows one to find purpose in life and the once imprisoned soul is endowed with a new feeling of self worth through individual achievement. This freedom allows a person to make responsible choices regarding all things in life to include spiritual things.
This freedom also allows a person to see the difference between being forced and limited in their purposes, and making decisions on their own which brings about a huge sense of liberation enabling that person think for themselves. When I left my cult called the New Testament Christian Churches of America, I felt like I had a brand new brain in a box that had never been opened or used. It felt so good learning to make decisions for myself without being controlled by someone that was using me for their own purposes and financial benefits.
A free mind becomes a threat to cult leaders because freedom is in direct conflict with slavery. Cult leaders become successful when they can convince you that their rules are God’s rules. When you look at the rules and policies that are being imposed on you by the leaders of your church or cult, you should use the same amount of scrutiny that your cult leaders use on you to keep you drinking their Koolaid. If you see double standards in your cult leaders, question them and if they take offense, it’s a huge red flag. Escape from such, for they are not sincere and the sooner you find freedom from this kind of tyranny, the quicker your mind will heal.
Don and Ange
Don and Ange,
Thank you for sharing your experiences. Your words are a blessing. I appreciate your help here on this blog.
John
Remember when the WOFF school had a big fund raising via Leigh Valentine’s make-up line? Women could no longer wear eye make-up (harlotry), except for some mascara. Yet, during this “fund raising”, Leigh’s whole line of eye make-up was for sale. The women manning the phones for the big sales had to watch Leigh on some Christian television show selling her make-up. Again, no TVs, no videos, but the women had to watch this show. Leigh would go and make appearances all the time on the Christian television shows and also have commercials made for her make-up. She claimed on her website that she was a card carrying member of the Screen Actor’s Guild. So, I wonder if she votes for all the acting awards?? After that fund raising was a flop, it became clear, they were trying to get Leigh out of some type of financial trouble. BiBi was her bookkeeper and had to appear in court with Leigh. The judge mentioned something about Leigh’s jewelry at one court hearing, then after that when she went to court she never wore her jewelry again and said most of her jewelry had been stolen!!
Then, the whole incident with Joe English….that made me sick. He left the church and left the church and would come back. Jane said from the pulpit, he would never be allowed back in. Then, after that, Jane reported that Joe would start to receive royalties from his recordings with the band Wings, from years ago. I remember Jane saying, “oh just think of the tithes from that”!! She was absolutely jumping up and down that day. So, Joe has stayed in the church!!
We all know the story about Dr. Lowry and his decisions to stay in WOFF. The decision all came from his wife’s insistence. It is odd about the time he was having different thoughts about the church, they get pregnant. That always happened in the church. When one of the spouses wanted to leave, they would get pregnant and they are all back in the church as one big happy family!