During my years at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), I never considered the group “unsafe”. Why? Well, at first glance, it appears to be a “Christian” church group that may take certain beliefs to an extreme application. For most of the beliefs, I went along and did not question. What about the constant drama scenes that occurred? How did that affect the morale or outlook of regular members? From my memory, during my time inside the group, I believed many of the explanations put forth to justify the drama of those inside the group and the major exit dramas of those who left or were put out. Many of the years while inside the group, I was not looking for a way out or alternative explanations for the nagging questions or very repetitive drama scenes.

   But, the drama scenes continued to occur and after a while even a very faithful WOFF member has to wonder – Why? So, what were some of the reasons put forth for the emotional upheavals and seemingly dramatic exits for what some considered as “faithful” WOFF members? Yes, I know we have discussed this here before on the blog, but, I have an additional point to make today.

  

 Let’s describe some of the scenes that I witnessed to get some of the flavor WOFF-life. One of the most dramatic confrontations during a service that resulted in a family leaving happened on a Sunday evening, if I remember correctly. The children were up practicing for some event. The correction for certain behaviors was coming from the front row- as usual. Jane was “helping” one youngster a plentiful amount. The father of one of those being helped jumped up and announced he had had enough. He yelled something to the effect – we are out of here. He motioned for his children to come to him and the drama unfolded. This next part was told to me by another former member who was there. I did not personally see all of this. Jane reported grabbed the two smallest children from this one family and screamed – you can’t have them- they are mine. To which the father advanced and then was grabbed by two younger, but, strong young men. Jane assessed the whole unfolding circus and ordered the father to be released and then she released his children. The family gathered their things and left the sanctuary. The whole congregation was visibly uneasy. I do not remember the explanations that were given for that major drama, but, that family rented a truck and over the next few days, packed their things and went back to the Midwest. I do seem to remember the explanation given later was that the father had been having issues before that Sunday service and things just came to a head. We were all then reminded of the issues he had before he came and that he “never got fully delivered”.

  Then there was the scene where Jane confronted a young black man in the congregation toe to toe. It was DRAMA. She was “backing down his devils”. Tense to say the least. I was in that service and saw it unfold. I have seen other dramas played out in prayer groups that would be too many to tell. Not every drama involved Jane, but, most did. Who can forget Jane’s lengthy confrontation of Ms. F – who was wheelchair bound. That went on for a long time. There also was the service where GC stood up and told a lady to “shut-up”! That was major since WOFFers don’t tell someone to “shut-up”, saying that was akin to cursing! I have seen members run out of the services and be followed by many who would stand around and “blast” and “pray” while the person “got the help they needed”. I have seen and heard of physical confrontations – mostly involving young men. Many of the exit dramas were told to us AFTER the fact. If you were involved in an exit drama, you did not discuss what you saw and it was Jane who shared it with the congregation. That was so “God could be set apart and truth be known”. I personally witnessed the beginning of one exit drama. The member who was leaving was talked about and slandered after she left. “How dare she go to the college and ask for help?” Yes, and then there was the time when demonstrators stood on the road and shouted at us while we turned onto Old Flynn. That goes down as an unforgettable time for sure. We have posted about that one.

    What is the point? Is WOFF the only group that has “drama”? Honestly, I have NEVER been in a Christian church that was supposedly “helping folks” where there was so much confrontation and outright tense and emotional drama. As I am writing this post, scenes from the past are coming back to my memory and honestly there are too many to share here. After I left in 2008, the exit dramas have continued and I do not think it will stop any time soon. I have heard of several dramas since my time ended at WOFF. It seems that where ever Jane takes her “gift” or message, drama follows. And if you take a step back to consider other groups similar to WOFF, it is no secret that other religious cult groups have their dramas and I have read of many while reading survivor blogs and books.

    Here is my main focus today- If WOFF is a “Protestant, Non-Denominational church with a Christian school (as defined by classical Christianity)” -from the WOFF website: would it not follow that there would be taught a “freedom in Christ” for the members? Would that “freedom in Christ” reasonably include the unhindered freedom to leave whenever the member decided that their time was over at WOFF, for whatever reason? That just simply is not the case. Many young people who have no transportation or means of support leave in a runaway fashion. Some are caught and “convinced” to return. Others run to the police or others for help to leave the confines and controls of Jane Whaley and her group. Some leave with only the clothes on their backs! From what I have seen while in the group, those who leave are cast as backsliders, Judases, God-haters, rebellious and so on. Having gone through the emotional turmoil of leaving WOFF, I know the anguish and fears and confusion of someone who leaves. But, why should it be that way if WOFF was an emotionally SAFE place to start with? I have my ideas about the level of emotional torment and drama that accompanies a WOFF membership. There will be more on this in future posts.

   In Steve Hassan’s book, “Releasing the Bonds” (Copyright© by Steven Hassan 2000, Freedom of Mind Press, ISBN-0-9670688-0-0), he reviews the B.I.T.E. model as the foundation or understanding mind control. Under “E” for emotional control, he writes:

   “7. Phobia indoctrination: including irrational fears about ever leaving the group or even questioning the leader’s authority. The person under mind control cannot visualize a positive, fulfilled future without being in the group.  

  a. No happiness or fulfillment outside of the group.

  b. Terrible consequences will take place if you leave: hell, demon possession, incurable diseases, accidents, suicide, insanity, 10,000 reincarnations, etc.

  c. Shunning leave takers; fear of being rejected by friends, peers, and family.

   d. Never a legitimate reason to leave. From the group’s perspective, people who leave are “weak”, “undisciplined”, “unspiritual”, “worldly”, “brainwashed by family or counselor”, or “seduced by money sex, rock and roll.”  (page 45)

  Later he writes, “Phobias often immobilize people and keep them from doing the things they truly want to do. Indeed, phobias can rob people of free choice, and in mind control cults, phobias are methodically implanted to keep members from feeling they can leave the group and be happy.”  (page 53)  

   Hassan was not specifically writing about WOFF. He was writing about mind control cult groups of all types. So what do we conclude? WOFF is not special; they are like other religious cult groups. But, you may ask does this really happen at WOFF? Are members treated to such indoctrination and fears? After all, from the outside, they all seem so sweet and “normal” for the most part. Yes, this happens at WOFF. I know I was there and I left. I have been through it. Others, who have left WOFF, have been through the same or worse. In my opinion, EXIT dramas are the worst part of life at WOFF. Does this sound like a SAFE place to live? If you ever come across a person attempting to leave WOFF- PLEASE, help them.

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  Memorial Serivce held for Judy Hood, a WOFF member who died Friday, July 29, 2011. Here is the link to the obituary:

   http://obitsforlife.com/obituary/387728/Hood-Judith.php

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  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 325.