In two previous posts, we have reviewed some excerpts from the work by Tim Reiterman- “Raven”. Reiterman co-authored with John Jacobs (copyright ©1982 Tim Reiterman, Introduction copyright 2008 by Tim Reiterman, ISBN 978-1-58542-678-2); the authors tell “The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People”. “Tim Reiterman is a prizewinning journalist who extensively covered Jonestown for the San Francisco Examiner. He was wounded in the jungle airstrip attack that killed a U.S. Congressman, plus three reporters, and a Peoples Temple defector.” (from the back cover)  The link to the most recent post is here… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3281 . There are more similarities in the story of Jim Jones and Peoples Temple when comparing them to Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF).

    In following our theme of questions, we must ask a few more on the subject of this post. Why are there similarities in the practices that Jim Jones used and those of Jane Whaley and her leadership at WOFF? We will list more similarities in this post. Do the similarities speak of the same goals or just the same methods used in governing and/or controlling the members of each group? The two leaders had very few similarities in their message; but in their methods, we find likenesses- why? What was the goal of Jim Jones and was that goal the same or similar to Jane Whaley’s goal(s)? Regardless of the differences in the messages of the two leaders, what were the outcomes of the control methods used in each case? What was the key ingredient that allowed Peoples Temple members to sacrifice their own life for Jim Jones- some willingly, some not…? Is that same ingredient found in the lives of WOFF members today? Hopefully, we will find some answers to these questions. If the answers cannot be found here, we will keep searching and asking more questions. I believe the key to understanding WOFF and groups like WOFF is in learning about the practices that are used on the members and also between the members.

  

    We ended the last post sharing that WOFF-life was by definition all-consuming. This was the same way Reiterman characterized life inside the People Temple. As a review, my weekly at schedule at WOFF could/would include the following activities. Sunday, there was a morning service from 9:30AM until about 12:30PM. If your household did not have church clean-up duties, then you could leave when the service was over. Otherwise, it would be between 1:30PM and 2:00PM when you could leave for lunch. Generally, members rested on Sunday afternoon as Jane encouraged that in the later years. We were back at the church by 6:00PM for prayer before the evening service at 6:30PM. This service lasted until at least 8:30PM or later. After Sunday evening service, there were usually meetings to attend of one nature or another. When I worked for the property management company owned by a family in the church; we had meetings after the service MANY times. A few times, these meetings were begun with no break and no opportunity to eat. Many times, I would feel the effects of not eating as the meetings could last to 11:00PM or later. When you worked for that company, you were subject to the call of duty- 24/7- 365. To balk at such a requirement would be construed as “ungrateful for the job God had provided”. There were many times I would go from an “after-meeting”, home to change and then back to a shift on the overnight watch at the church. The week at WOFF was just getting started.

    Monday and Tuesday were usually filled with work from 8:30AM or so until after 6:00PM. A couple nights a week, I would go work a part-time job in Marion, NC. This was not because I was paid too much money from the day-time job. There was a season of time that I would see other WOFFers going to Marion at night to work in a furniture making shop owned by a WOFF member. We were all just going to the second shift to keep working.

    Wednesday, maybe work was cut a little short to be to the church on time. Rarely did I make it to church by 6:00PM for prayer, but I was usually on time for the 6:30PM meeting. After a Wednesday meeting, there could be—that is right—more work related meetings! Do you see a pattern here? When you worked for a company owned by a church-member, there was little to no definition between “job-time” and your time. Just work 40 hours a week? You are joking—right?

     Thursday was another long work day. Again, you would/could see other WOFFers going up the road at night time to other jobs. Friday, after work, you may cut off a little early because there was usually a “fellowship” meeting at the church. This usually consisted of some type meal at the church (if you got there soon enough and the food did not run out…) with “play time” afterwards. Some meals, you brought food from home and then paid to eat it. That was a “donation” of course. WOFF had/has many creative ways to “raise funds”. After eating, there was usually time for parents to enjoy watching their children play games and the singles having relationship class or some other activity. This ended about 9PM and then there was clean-up. You might get home about 10:00PM unless you had another meeting or “work project” to go to.

   Saturday, we usually spent taking care of things around the house, shopping and getting ready for Sunday. If you did not have to go to work or help with a yard sale, carwash or some other project on Saturday, you could have time with your family. Of course, you were expected to be back home to get ready for Sunday by 9:00PM or so. Then it all started over. This schedule was all subject to change and of course during a seminar week there were 2 meetings a day during the week, at the church plus Friday fellowship plus Sundays. When we first attended seminars in the early 90’s, there were three meetings a day which usually included LONG prayer sessions. There were seminars in November, May, July and August as well as special meetings and of course- weddings. For those members who did not work a regular job, there was prayer every weekday morning at the church from 11:00AM to noon. Does it seem as if WOFF-life could be all consuming? When you are in the middle of it- it seems “normal” since everyone else in WOFF-land is doing it or faking doing it — real well.  

    From the “Raven”, Reiterman writes about Jim Jones and his two year sabbatical in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Jones had certain leadership back in Indiana running his church and required all available church funds to be sent to him in order for him to continue in Brazil. As a coincidence, who else goes to Brazil a lot and stayed there for a while when one of her court cases was in session? What was Jane trying to avoid or say during that time? Anyway, while in Brazil, Jim Jones met Rev. Malmin and his family. This man returned with the Joneses from Brazil to help in the church in Indiana. “The older minister (Malmin) also resumed his role as counselor. Jones asked him to point out any personality flaws or traits indicating mental illness or emotional instability. Yet, every time Malmin did point out something, Jones would rationalize his behavior… He (Jones) deceived and manipulated people; he showed signs of tyranny; he encouraged his congregation’s adoration…Whenever someone took a position contrary to his, Jones would take the extraordinary step of criticizing the person from the pulpit, of accusing the person of going against God. To support his contention, the minister (Jones) would say the Holy Spirit told him this or that.” (page 86)  Honestly, I am not certain that Jane Whaley ever asked someone to point out her personality flaws. But, for sure, I have seen her treat those who oppose her in ANYTHING, the way Jones is reported to have treated those who opposed him. I could name names and subjects that were disputed. But, the outcome was always the same. Jane would “win” and others would be “put in their place”- below her.

    Later, Reiterman writes about the move for Peoples Temple from Indiana to California. “The move to California represented far more than a search or a haven from nuclear holocaust and racism. Jones also envisioned a unifying experience; he was already interrogating members to test their loyalty and squelching dissenters. A change of location would be an acid test. Removing people from their Midwestern roots, having them sell their homes and quit their jobs, would make them more dependent and thus more receptive to total commitment.²¹” (page 94 emphasis added) I have not only seen others move into WOFF from other places and witnessed their total dependency on Jane and WOFF folks; I have been a part of that myself. In 2002, I moved my family from Greenville, SC to Spindale, NC and moved into a WOFF household. The distance was not that great. Others have moved into WOFF from greater distances. But, the effect would be the same. When you move into that area, you only know WOFF members. You get your directions, insights from Jane, Sam and other WOFF leaders. During that time frame in 2002, for Greenville folks, Jane approved the living arrangements and approved of and helped many find their jobs at companies owned by church-members. She was the source that helped new folks come into WOFF and thus the dependency was part of the package. I knew NO other people in the county except WOFFers. At first, my work in property management allowed me to meet other county folks. But, that never overcame or replaced the dependency on Jane Whaley and WOFF. Again, as Jim Jones and People Temple- so like Jane Whaley and WOFF. Both leaders knew how to cause others to depend on them- by design and for their ultimate purposes. We will share more from the “Raven” in future posts.  

    Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog.  Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. 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.

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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. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 212.