First, for this post, some background to understand how I came to be a part of the Greenville church that became associated with WOFF. Before moving to Greenville, my wife and I were a part of a church in Summerville, SC. While in that church, I had a problem saying “no”. When something needed to be done, many times I would volunteer. It was not a healthy situation. The pastor carried a heavy load and he appreciated the help when it came his way. However, my desire to help outran my maturity level. The pastor tried to correct the situation and I mistook his help as a personal attack. So, after leaving that church, I was in need of some guidance. I had been a part of four churches since 1983. Two of the four were ones in which the leader/founder did not submit to oversight from an association or group of elders. Unfortunately, though this set-up brings with it issues; I did not see that as a danger, at that time.
The pastors of the Greenville church had contact with my wife in years prior to 1992.We visited the church and thus encountered loud prayer, blasting and deliverance. After a few visits to Greenville, we moved to become a part of the church. This church was a small, independent church with no formal ties to WOFF. However, as we began to learn; that was in the process of changing. The Greenville church had formed a growing alliance with Jane Whaley and WOFF. The leaders from Greenville had taken several trips to WOFF and begun to bring back the message taught by Jane Whaley at WOFF. The transition for me into this church occured during the first quarter of 1992. Prior to first visiting the church in Greenville, I did not know anything about Jane Whaley or Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF).
The first experience with loud prayer was the second service at the Greenville church. The first service we were late and missed the prayer. Upon arriving at the second service, immediately the drums and loud noise could be heard in the parking lot. Shrugging off any questions, we went in and there encountered a prayer service like none other I had ever seen. Afterwards, I voiced my questions and was provided with answers about the prayer. As many years have passed since that time; I do not remember my exact questions, but a few scriptures provided during that time stuck with me.
“But if I drive out the demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has [already] come upon you.” Luke 11:20 Amplified
“After the Lord has washed away the [moral] filth of the daughters of Zion [pride, vanity, haughtiness] and has purged the bloodstains of Jerusalem from the midst of it by the spirit and blast of judgment and by the spirit and blast of burning and sifting. “ Isaiah 4:4 Amplified
Hear, oh, hear the roar of His voice and the sound of rumbling that goes out of His mouth! Job 37:2 Amplified
These scriptures and more were used to verify or validate the loud sounds and pointing of the fingers that came forth while praying. Several other scriptures with the word “blast” or “deliverance” and others about the loud sounds of God were put forth as justification for this practice. Because of my background and desire for help, I accepted these scriptures as validation that what was being practiced was from God. The trust placed in the leadership also lent itself to trusting their answers.
During this time, this Greenville group would have Tuesday night prayer/deliverance sessions. When there was not loud prayer as a group; folks would gather in small groups and someone would be targeted for the prayer. Most groups would have a plastic dish pan with paper towels to put down inside the pan and given to members for blowing the nose or coughing. It should not be a surprise that there would be lots of nose blowing or coughing going on during these times. In fact, some folks actually vomited. The video link from YouTube.com® portrays it well. (see here..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPpbmDDRm8M )
Later on, I learned this set-up was the same as what was going on at WOFF, at the time. Generally, things done at WOFF were being transferred or copied at the Greenville church. Many of the rules and “don’ts” would come to Greenville from WOFF. Also, Jane Whaley along with WOFF members would come to Greenville to help with prayer meetings or have teachings of different sorts. Many times, at the end of the teachings session there were times of prayer and deliverance. Folks from WOFF would lead prayer groups for Greenville church members and thus model the correct methods for deliverance and prayer.
Let me clarify; my memories of these times span several years. I may not get the order of events or the changes that occurred correct; but the content of my memories I will stand by as valid. The general picture presented is the most accurate that I can give. The next post will outline my first impressions of visiting WOFF and give other observations about loud prayer, blasting and deliverance. I will also attempt to answer more questions listed in the first post of this series.
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