This post will cover experiences on overnight “watch” at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The methods and people participating may have changed over the years, but the stated purpose has been the same.  It was explained to the members by Sam Whaley on more than one occasion, that the property insurance was discounted if we had 24/7 security or a “watch” on the property. There were three shifts at first, but that changed to two shifts of two folks on each shift. First shift started at 10:00PM and ended at 2:45AM. The second crew would come then and watch until 7:00AM. Many times folks would need to leave early to be at their jobs on time. So, the time between 6:00AM and 7:00AM – sometimes was not covered. There really was no coverage until the first office worker for the church showed up at 7:45AM or so. Some nights, second shift was not covered at all.

Many times, the person who was in charge of getting folks to sign up for watch would come in at the end of the Sunday evening service and announce how many spots were still open for watch. He would ask folks to volunteer. When that did not fill the schedule, he would start calling names and asking folks in front of everyone, which slot they could do. Occasionally,  he would ask why certain folks could not do watch? There may be the question – When were you last on watch?  This was definitely one of the most undesired tasks at WOFF. The young folks would be used the most. Married men with children or physical issues would often not be required to do watch every week. Some men NEVER did watch – for whatever reason. Many times the same core group of folks did the watch every week. Jane Whaley would sometimes stand up and “help” get folks for the slots still open. Funny, when she stepped up to get help filling the schedule, it did not take near as long. She had the “touch“. After all, who wanted Jane to single them out for not helping with watch? There could be “fallout” from that–right?

As mentioned, when I first came in 2002, I started volunteering for watch. At that time,  the second shift was required to sleep at the church in the school building. There would be mats or mattresses available to move to the classroom. Sometimes, it was hard to sleep in the school and that meant a long second shift. At some point, people were allowed to go home and sleep before second shift.  It was in later years, that married couples were allowed to do watch together. That actually was a pretty good chance to catch-up and talk to each other. A few couples would use this time slot for that purpose. Life at WOFF did not provide much time for adult conversation- including talking to your spouse. In more recent years, two ladies could do watch on first shift. (Occasionally, second..)  Some folks on watch would study for their classes. It was depending on the weather, for the position of the watch folks. Some would be in the school building in years past. Others would move to the breezeway between the sanctuary and office/fellowship building. Still others park in the church parking lot, on the road or across the street at a WOFF owned house.

Each shift would start with a check of the building doors. Many times, the school doors leading out of the classrooms,  would be left open and first shift would lock them. At some point, the first shift would put up the chains at the front entrances and check the back entrance- which only folks who lived on the church property, were supposed to use. People coming in late would often leave that chain down and second shift may have to put it back up.

There have been some strange things seen on watch. Anything from deer, foxes, skunks and opossums. Yes, some folks would take a drive down Old Flynn Road and shout out the windows, scream, spin tires, play loud music and blow horns. Most times, it seemed to be young folks out for a ride. Some folks actually looked like they were lost and just turned around at the end of the road. Other behaviors were mentioned, but I was not a witness to it all. However, no matter the apparent reason for non-WOFF members driving down Old Flynn Road, folks on watch were instructed to do everything to get the license plate number and write it down.  Watch folks were not to approach the cars, but making their presence known was needed and some times certain folks would follow the strange vehicle back out the main road.

The next day,  you were to give that information on the car, license plate number and the whole scenario to one certain church secretary. It was well known that the plate numbers would be run for identification. How WOFF had access to that information, I am not really sure. But, the private detective was always up to speed on the license plate info as well as who was in the car. He was definitely intense about knowing who came down Old Flynn Road.

One night while on watch, a fellow came to the trailers down below the main building and opened and slammed a door. This person ran back out through woods. Another time, a backpack was reported as missing from the school. The door was left unlocked and someone was supposed to have come in and taken it. Other events may have been reported, but who can remember them all. WOFF folks who lived on the street, were to keep watch and call the detective at any time, day or night. He had several cars and you were never quite sure which would he would be driving. This man would also made random checks during the night to see if watch guys were watching or sleeping. He sometimes would come sit on the road where I lived and watch others on the street. “On call, off-site” security–? What benefit!

My experience was that certain folks would open up and talk freely on watch. Things you never would hear during the day time would be discussed. One man would tell his thoughts on certain sensitive issues. That kept things cooking and before you knew it watch time was over. Adult conversation at such an hour could get funny and informative. More on my experience on watch with another post…

Does this sound like the norm for other Protestant, Non-denominational churches with “Traditional, Evangelical” doctrines? Yes, other churches have been attacked in other parts of the country over the years. But, why does WOFF seem to be continually in the middle of such intense disputes, court cases and seemingly strange events? Why have so many families been broken up by this “church”? Does anyone else have any comments to share on these questions?

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 all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

(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 90.