Recently, I learned about a former member being charged with trespassing, resulting from a visit to Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). He went for a meeting with Jane Whaley. The events took place in the fall of 2009. The person charged with the trespassing said that he had called ahead of time to tell one of the leadership that he was coming. Since she did not tell him not to come; he pursued his plans.
These next few paragraphs are from an email sent by Jerry Cooper, the former member at the center of these events. The paragraphs been edited to give the sequence of events and not reveal exact identities of those involved – other than Jerry, Jane Whaley and Sam Whaley.
Jerry begins, “I called a couple weeks prior and talked with with B_____ and told her that I would like to come and visit in a couple of weeks. (I don’t remember the exact month). Though I never got “permission”, B_____ never said I couldn’t. A side note: the Lord had been speaking to me for months that it was time for me to do my part take a chunk out of that stone wall. I’m in the ministry and did what I do best…I went with a word for the Lord. I heard God say, “Let My people go so they can worship me.” Sounds a little crazy. That’s what I had to do.
“A friend and I, with our two dogs in the backseat, pulled right in behind the “vans” near Jane’s office. We got out. Walked in the door and stood there. Silence. Not a soul in site. I remember kinda chuckling to myself thinking; “Whoever is on watch is gonna get it”. Out of the main office appeared R_______. (Big smile…soft voice.) He said, and I quote, “Hey Jerry, (hugged me) we were wondering if ya’ll were gonna make it or not.” He said “hello” to my friend and then walked us down the long pink hall towards the auditorium. Only one person (a lady I didn’t recognize) passed us. She staired straight at the floor. Never looked up. Never spoke.
R_____ said, ” I think they’ve already started. Jane may be over there”. Through the atrium we went and bam…I was standing in the very front of WOFF in full praise and worship. It was so strange. Not one person looked at us. From all over the entire auditorium not one person was looking to see what was going on at the front door. They were singing, “I will sing praises to the Lord with all my heart…” R____ looked around. He said to me (yelling so I could hear over the noise), “Jane must still be next door. I’ll let her know you are here.” He walked out the door and left me and my friend standing there. Well, I know when opportunity knocks. I looked at my friend and said, “Pray.” I squirmed my way through several people congregated at the front, all singing loudly, hands raised, smiles, looking directly at the stage…” I stood right it front of where Jane usually sits and bent over beside me was Sam Whaley. He stood up. Looked at me. I yelled, “Hey Sam.” (had to yell to be heard). He said, “Jerry, I don’t think Jane would want you in the sanctuary without meeting with her first.” I said, “R____ brought me over.” Instantly, I was floating. Two guys had come in behind me, lifted me off the floor and walked toward the door. Insanely enough, not one person moved, stopped singing, took there eyes off the stage…strange.
In the atrium, I discovered one of the bouncers was R_______. I didn’t know the other guy. R______’s lips were quivering, as though he was nervous or upset. I said, “Hey, R_____.” He never looked me in the eye. Just stood there.
Then, out of no where, the auditorium doors opened and out came J_____. She was angry and yelling leave. Leave! I asked why was everyong so upset. I called, R—-had ushered me in. Now your kicking me out? I was somewhat confused. My friend, in the meantime was standing off in the distance, watching. Nobody said a word to him.
J______ kept pointing her finger in my face yelling “Leave. Get out.” I said I would leave after I talked to Jane Whaley. By that time a crowd of around 20 had surrounded me telling me to leave…but I couldn’t leave cause they were blocking the door. Faces I remember….K______, B______, W______, J_____, D_____, J____, K_____ and a few other guys. They had me pinned between the glass doors leading into the educational building (fellowship hall).
Then, I could see Jane Whaley coming down the hall. She had a little toddler by the hand. She opened the glass door and said, “Jerry, I don’t think God wants you here.” I said, “Hi Jane, how are you?” She said “I’m great” and opened her arms wide so I could look at her. I said, “Jane, I will leave, but I really need to tell you something.” She said, “Alright, come on.” The entire mob…now probably over 30 people pushed me into what used to be the nursery…first door on the right. (left?) I kept saying, “Where is my friend?” I couldn’t see him. I was getting a little nervous. Finally, half of the mob was in the room the other half still in the hall (door opened).
Everything got quiet. Jane looked up at me said, “Alright. What do you want to tell me?” I said, “Jane, IT IS OVER! GOD SAYS TO LET HIS CHILDREN GO SO THEY WORSHIP HIM.” She poked my chest and yelled, “Get him out of here!” That was the cue they were waiting for. All of a sudden I had hands all over me…pushing, punching…somebody said, “Call the police”…I said, “Yes, call the police and take your hands off of me. Who are you people.?” I have to admit I was getting a little scared. W_____ got his knuckle up against my throat and I couldn’t breathe. I literally thought I was gonna pass out. I heard someone whisper, “Not so hard”.
By the time they got me out the atrium door, I had lost a ring, broke a bracelet, my glasses were missing…I was pretty freaked. I fell to the ground, then suddenly…all hands let go. I found my glasses and stood up. Seconds later, in roll the Calvary (police). (Jerry and his friend were allowed to leave at this point.) Jerry continues, “I pulled into the church there (Adaville Baptist Church) …crying like a baby…the pastor and people were so kind.”
Yes, I went back about a month later and walked down the street (Old Flynn Rd.) . Just praying. Police approached and took me to the court house. Everyone was so polite. I didn’t feel like a criminal. No one treated me as if I had done anything wrong.
(Later during the court hearing..) Jerry continues, “I told the judge in a packed courtroom, that as the accusation read; J _______ told me to leave the property and I did not. So, I was “guilty”. Then I added: “But, right after J_______ told me to leave, Jane Whaley asked to go into another room to talk to her”. I turned and looked at Jane Whaley, B_____, K____, R____, ..all of them. I said out loud in the court room, “I forgive you. And may God have mercy on you for what you are doing.” (Jerry was sentenced to hours of community service..)
Again, the above paragraphs are edited from an email submitted by Jerry Cooper. I did speak to a courthouse official and verified the main points of the courtroom events. I also spoke to Cal Sayles, from Adaville Baptist Church, to verify Jerry’s visit after the episode at WOFF; and the events there at Adaville Baptist Church. Why post this account? One reason is that it shows the intense emotions that surround former members when they attempt to reach Jane Whaley. It is also evidence of how serious WOFF take their private property rights. Jerry Cooper came with what he believed was a Word from God. It was not received. The events speak for themselves.
Any comment from WOFF will be reviewed and considered for approval. Is there a different side of the events that someone who was directly involved, would like to share?
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(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. ) This is post number 75.
This is so sad, but I can totally believe it happened. When I left I was told I could have contact with the couple my son was living with (only because my son was still living with them) I was not to contact anyone else or there would be consequences !! ( I wonderwhat they meant) I had no desire to really talk with any one there other than my son. I later found out that he was told that I had been told quite the opposite. That I could come back if I wanted and have contact with the church but I choose not to. I was never invited to any school functions, weddings or special services. I went to seemy son frequently and mentioned that I would have loved to have come to a school function, but had known nothing about it. He had been told that I REFUSED to come!! Needless to say I was invited to the next special history seminar that was held. People did “show themselves friendly” My son told me that whenever I visited or called he went thru a “third-degree” type interogation about what we talked about to make sure nothing happened or was said that wasn’t “pleasing to God” I was never allowed, or rather he was never allowed to be alone with me. ( In case I asked “wrong” questions, which could just be how are you doing?I have a lot of guillt about letting him stay there without me. It still haunts me to this day. He says he habors no bad feelings about it but I do. I feel like I failed hem. I hope that God forgives me for that. It is the single biggest regret I have and the hardest thing I have to live with,