A couple of weeks ago, Stephen Cordes called to tell me about his recent experience in Rutherford County. He is an ex-member of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) while his parents and two of his siblings remain in the church.
Stephen has had limited contact with his parents since leaving, more with his dad than his mom. While making plans to attend school, he needed some items which were still with his parents who share a home with his brother, Brent, and the brother’s wife, Mariana. His dad said he could come get these items.
Stephen arrived at the brother’s home and knocked on the door. Through a window in the playroom, his dad motioned for him to come in. Stephen entered the same four-digit code he had used when he lived in the house and opened the door. When he walked in the room, his dad pointed to the agreed upon items, except he wanted to finish cleaning off the computer before he gave it to Stephen.
At this moment, Brent and Mariana entered the opposite end of the room screaming for Stephen to get out of the house!
Stephen immediately agreed, “Okay, I’m leaving.”
As Stephen was getting in his car, Marianna took pictures adding to the emotional drama. He moved his car to the road pausing to gather his thoughts.
In a few minutes, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s department arrived in response to a call reporting trespassing, burglary and breaking and entering. Jamie Dunn and another officer answered the distress call.
Stephen admits at this point he was in tears. This outcome was totally unexpected. He came to pick-up the agreed upon items and to see his dad.
The officers took statements from both parties. In the end, the officers concluded no crime had been committed. Neither party concluded the visit was criminally motivated. The deputies on scene reminded everyone involved that in the end, they were still family and encouraged them to talk it out — like family.
Somewhere during this lengthy drama scene, the church members called Josh Farmer and Jane Whaley for the counsel of god. These calls lasted about twenty minutes, according to Stephen. The pattern was not new.
Stephen believed since his dad resides there, he had the right to invite him in. Six months previous, Mariana sent Stephen a text and advised him he was not welcome on their property. Stephen summarized his beliefs, “Whether or not my Dad invited me in or not is basically what this is all about…. my Dad is the one who said I could come get what I wanted…”
On one level, I agree. On another level, this speaks to a much deeper issue. Let me explain as the events continue to unfold.
Late that night or in the wee hours of the morning, after apparently counseling with Josh Farmer and Jane Whaley, Mariana, Brent and Stephen’s father paid a visit to the Rutherford County Magistrate. They secured a criminal summons against Stephen stating he “unlawfully and willfully did attempt to break and enter a building of Mariana Cordes located at ….”
According to Stephen, the Sheriff’s office had spoken to the magistrate about the incident giving their conclusion that no crime had been committed. Magistrate J.R. Green issued the summons on January 27th . It lists only Mariana Cordes as the Complainant. No witnesses are listed.
Since being served, Stephen has hired Paul Ditz as his attorney. First appearance is March 29th in the morning session. Stephen states he has Officer Dunn’s agreement to testify that on scene, it was determined no crime was committed.
During this conversation with Stephen, I could feel the anguish, the deep emotion and the hurt. He added that in previous text or conversations with his dad, he was told not to bring the police to the house. His dad preferred to not have the police involved.
Stephen felt conflicted. He wanted to believe this exchange could go well, but considering what has happened to other former members, he realizes should have been more cautious. There was no guaranty with a police escort that he would have secured his items.
This incident indicates the lengths to which WOFF leadership will go to divide, destroy and subvert families to continue its control over members. Stephen parents are long time members who have stayed in the church despite several family members leaving. Did Jane not agree with the peaceful transfer of Stephen’s property to him? We may never know.
Stephen concluded, “I think (even) if it doesn’t go anywhere, people need to know…”
Rutherford county residents, you have a group pretending to be a normal Christian church that destroys families. Period. Which other “church” in your county files breaking and entering charges against a family member believing he could peacefully obtain his belongings?
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(Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 653.