Recently, I was contacted by Don & Angela Tumioli. They are survivors of a controlling religious group which many ex-members call a cult. The group is the New Testament Churches of America or NTCC for short. Their blog containing their story can be found here http://tinyurl.com/4lsoqkd . After doing some basic research, I have decided to post some findings and compare them to my experience at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). I found a series of articles from The Dispatch – The Independent Voice of South Pierce County, Washington. The first of four articles written by Bruce Smith was posted March 31, 2010 is titled, “A look within the “church behind the fence” and can be found here –  http://tinyurl.com/488fa2p . There is a search feature on this site which is very handy.

   This group was started by a former Pentecostal Church of God missionary, Rodger W. Davis (b. 1929) in October of 1969, in St Louis, Missouri. Two other men are listed on the Articles of Incorporation, Rev. C.O. Sensabaugh and Rev. R. L. Herrera. Davis is given credit for the founding. (here is the link http://tinyurl.com/4z8fg47 ) I found a site originated by another survivor with some quotes from the founder. I view these quotes as credible as this survivor; Deborah Shunk was a leader/teacher in the group for over 30 years. The founder said, “I can’t remember the last time I sinned.” • “All I do is by the Holy Ghost.” • “I have never missed God. “…if you have a problem with me, you have a problem with God.” (link- http://tinyurl.com/4zuaoa8 )   In my opinion, this reflects the same attitude of Jane Whaley, leader of WOFF. Do others agree or disagree?

   From the first article in The Dispatch- “Embracing an old-fashioned style of religion that follows strict Biblical interpretations, the members of NTCC tend to keep to themselves, and are mostly known to Graham residents as members of the “church behind the fence.” In comparison, WOFF is not surrounded by a fence. But, is it really? Since WOFF owns all but two houses on their street, is it easy to get on the property? Drive down the road and find out how many folks come to meet you or look you over. In most cases, you tag number will be recorded and somehow they will find out the registered vehicle owner’s name. So, is there a “fence” around WOFF? They advertise a 24/7 security team on their website.

    Also from the first article, “We believe that Christ is the only way,” said Kinson, “although the NTCC is not the only church.” Given these beliefs, both pastors clearly see NTCC as evangelical, with a mission to spread their religious message to the world.” Well, this is different from WOFF. In practice, WOFF members act like theirs is the only way yet, they are not as “evangelical” as this group. NTCC has a direct outreach to the military. as well as knocking on doors. Jane Whaley has spoken out against any of her youth even serving in the military.

   From the second article posted April 7, 2010, titled, “Life and worship in the New Testament Christian Church”- found here –http://tinyurl.com/4llsduj .  “Soon, the members of NTCC grow to feel their relationship with God is the most important aspect of their life. As a result, most of them travel to NTCC four or five times a week to reinvigorate that relationship. The services follow a familiar format: first a lively song session that has grown men jumping in ecstasy, and everyone waving their hands and singing along. A monetary collection then follows, and the service concludes with a biblical teaching.” While I was in WOFF, the format of the services was very similar, singing, offering and then teaching. From reports I am getting, there is more running during the praise and worship than what there used to be. The chairs on the end of the rows in the back are often removed so folks can round the corners easier. And more from the article, “Adding to that virulent tone, Kekel  (the speaker) uses a great deal of shouting, along with a percussive delivery, all of which feeds the view that NTCC has of the world as a hostile place that seeks to subvert the pure of heart, and one that the NTCC must defend against.” At times, Jane would get loud. Who can deny that? She seemed to ebb and flow in volume and at times; she would shout and then see how many would be startled. It seemed to coincide with her need for power. And for sure, Jane portrays the outside world as a hostile place – full of demons.

    The third installment attempted to answer the question is NTCC a cult? ( link –http://tinyurl.com/4vporcd ) An excerpt is very interesting, “Ex-members, such as Nicole Brown, say the NTCC clergy present themselves as the “actual spokesmen for God, and if you do not do everything they tell you, you will go to hell.” Need I say it? Jane portrays the exact same position. Do ex-members disagree? Additionally, “What the preachers tell their congregations can be disarming: women must wear dresses, cannot wear makeup, and must let their hair grow long. If they are married, women are prohibited from working.” No, here is a major difference. Jane helps her female members to dress nice, wear make-up and cut their hair as she sees fit. Could this be because WOFF is matriarchal?

    Here is an area that these two groups are definitely similar, “Coupled with this is a rigid control of relations between men and women, especially courtship. Many ex-members describe a system whereby a young man wanting to date a woman would first have to ask permission of Rev. Davis during a public fellowship service. If Davis approved, he would then move to the women’s section and ask the young woman if she would like to court the man. If she concurred, then the couple could “sit along the wall” in pre-arranged chairs and chat. In addition, they would be forbidden to meet outside of this time, although they eventually would be permitted to go on dates with a chaperone.” We have posted about this several times on this blog. Jane Whaley controls relationships. She is in reality a “relationship engineer”. Can it be denied? It is eerie to read of these similarities.

    Some more reports by ex-members, “Pelfrey also said that she had to ask Davis for permission to visit a sick relative, and she described the negotiation as nerve-wracking. Even the simple joys of life are restricted. For a long period of time, watching television was banned and called the Devil-vision, and the Internet was forbidden and labeled the “sinner-net.” As a WOFF member, I asked for permission to visit relatives. At WOFF, television is still banned and the Internet is still heavily monitored. I also realize the NTCC celebrates birthdays and Christmas. So, unless there have been major changes inside of WOFF; WOFF is MORE STRICT than NTCC.

    Yet, more areas of similarities between these two groups, “Intense financial pressures are exerted as members are expected to tithe ten percent of their income to the church, along with “giving ’til it hurts,” as one ex-er described, in special collections for construction projects and missionary programs. More troubling, though, is bullying from the pulpit. Any perceived transgressions in members’ behavior can be cited during services, which many report as humiliating. Further, when individuals leave the church they are shunned by the fellowship, losing lifetimes of friends and relationships. We have covered these three areas before and they are present in many cults. Financial pressures are real at WOFF. We will need to spend one post and just list the fundraisers I personally witnessed while I at WOFF. Bullying from the pulpit at WOFF? What do you think? I have posted about several cases of public rebuke of young and old alike. Jane publically rebukes her husband, Sam, other “leaders” and regular members- all alike. And yes, former members are shunned, as with NTCC so with WOFF.

   The next article goes into NTCC finances and how much is raised and shared with those in ht emission field. The link is here –http://tinyurl.com/4e9g49g . This quote from an ex-member of NTCC is worth repeating…  “Perhaps this organization can be best described as “ex-er” Mark Gloer stated: “The NTCC is a real estate company masquerading as a church.” Does that fit with WOFF?

   The last of the articles was titled –A deeper look: Sexual and marital relationships in the NTCC posted April 28, 2010 and can be found here – http://tinyurl.com/4d9av9s .  “Of all the allegations leveled by ex-members against the New Testament Christian Churches of America, Inc., perhaps the most serious are those concerning sexual improprieties and destructive marital practices, such as the encouragement of teen brides, church-sanctioned marriage-busting when a spouse leaves the faith, and numerous charges of sexual misconduct against some members of the ministerial leadership. Specifically, “ex-ers” cast harsh judgment on the practice of the leadership betrothing their young teenage daughters to much older ministerial students, many of whom are in their twenties.”

    In all my years at WOFF, I knew of two cases of sexual misconduct. The first case was brought out in the local papers when a man was convicted of sexual misconduct with minor female. Eventually, he left the church. Second, there was a case of a married lady running off with a single, younger guy, both were members. She eventually returned and was restored to her husband. The young guy never returned as far as I remember. The lady and her husband eventually left WOFF all together. The husband was a relative of Jane Whaley. I must also add that I was not part of “leadership” and never had privy to the discussions behind closed doors.

    As for the last part, “church-sanctioned marriage-busting when a spouse leaves the faith”; let’s just add this… WOFF is full of women whose husband left and they stayed. The marriages eventually ended in divorce. One case I remember where the wife ran off, but, eventually came back. Another case I learned about where the husband left his wife and moved into the church. For the majority of cases, when one spouse leaves WOFF, life becomes very difficult to say the least and the marriage ends in divorce. This is sad, as in WOFF-land there is no grace or ability for a spouse, who has been a member and left to live at peace with the spouse who is still in WOFF. Church-sanctioned marriage-busting? You tell me.

    So, yes, we have found numerous similarities between WOFF and NTCC. Though there are some differences, there are not enough to escape calling both groups – cults. Both groups exhibit the unhealthy attributes outlined in previous posts that experts say make the groups dangerous and emotionally destructive. I would not want to be a part of either group. A quick check of the main website for NTCC reveals five of their churches in North Carolina and one in South Carolina.

       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 254.