This post was supplied by Rev. Cal Sayles from the Faith Freedom Fund.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ and Neighbors in Rutherford County,
I am a member of the Faith Freedom Fund, which over the last several years, has assisted those that wish to leave cultic religious mind control groups. This assistance has taken several forms. As you are likely aware, many people who come out of such groups depart with next to nothing. Therefore the Faith Freedom Fund has met a variety of needs from meeting the most basic of physical requirements to sending individuals to Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center in Albany, Ohio to help with their transition and recovery.
We assist with immediate basic needs such as temporary housing, clothing, and food. We also make provisions for other needs such as communication with relatives, friends and authorities. Since every person who leaves a religious mind control group has unique needs, we look to fill any of a varied assortment of needs to include simply having someone to talk to and pray with.
For those that are leaving religious cults, we ask nothing from them. We do not insist they attend any specific church or denomination, although they are welcome. There are no strings attached. We simply believe in the words of Jesus Christ who said of Himself, Luke 4:18 He has sent me TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, and recovery of sight to the blind, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19 to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.
We desire nothing from those that are leaving cults, but everything for them! We believe that Jesus Christ came to set people free, to remove the need for priest, priestess or any other intermediary, to teach us directly through the Holy Spirit, and to invite us into a loving, joyful relationship with our heavenly Father. It is the hope of the Faith Freedom Fund that our efforts can contribute to this becoming the reality to those that are imprisoned in religious mind control cults.
To those that perhaps have quietly begun to question the teachings and methods of the religious organization they currently attend, may I say just a few things to you? First, I understand the Faith Freedom Fund has been demonized amongst the leadership of cults in this area. May I tell you that we do not feel the same about you? I believe that most people who find themselves in a cult are simply, in the words of the Apostles Paul, doing their best to work out their salvation (Philippians 2:12), perhaps with a greater vigor and sincerity than most.
And yet we know that, according to the Scriptures, there are false teachers (2 Corinthians 11:13, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 John 4:1 and Revelation 2:20 ‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray…) that take advantage of those that truly seek to grow in their faith, only to manipulate for power and selfish gain.
We have seen the results of such false teaching that have nothing to do with the perfect plan God has articulated for us through the Scriptures. We have seen families broken apart, children not honoring their parents, and the inability to trust fellow believers and worship honestly and openly as the body of Christ. We have seen those so torn that they have eating disorders, as well as many other emotional difficulties.
And yet there is always hope and freedom in Christ Jesus. We have also seen people who have left cults, worship freely, serve freely led by the Spirit, growing freely in their faith as a disciple of Jesus. There is always the hope of wholeness and an entire world to enjoy outside of a cult.
And so if you find your self questioning your current teaching, I encourage you to continue to prayerfully question. The Holy Word of God instructs us to do this very thing. 1 JN 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Our Father is not a God of confusion and there is no inconsistency in Him. Therefore, if the teachings of a leader do not align with the God breathed Scriptures, or the urging of the Spirit, then it is good and right to question them.
Be guided by His word and by His Spirit. 1 John 2:27 says, As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
Through Jesus Christ, the veil separating God from His people has been torn from the top down – He has done this! We need no priest or priestess or intercessor other than the Holy Spirit. If you begin to see the truth in this, please contact us. We know you have been manipulated to the point you find it hard to trust anyone, but be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9). We want nothing from you but everything for you. We will not press and if you only want someone to talk with, then we are here to listen. The contact will be completely confidential. We can be contacted at (828) 286-2361.
May God, according to His plan and perfect love, set you free. John 8:36- So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
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Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from present or former members.
(Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. )