Recently, I received a copy of a letter written many years ago to a couple outside of North Carolina and signed by Jane Whaley as “Superintendent of Word of Faith Christian School”. I am including a redacted copy in this post as evidence to my point. The identity of the recipients and the former Word of Faith Christian School (WFCS) students are not critical to this post. The text of the letter is my purpose. The date of the letter is September 7, 1994. John, why even use this letter? As we go through the letter, that will become more obvious.

   My first meeting at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) was in May of 1992. Honestly, as a commuter from the Greenville church, much of what went on at WOFF did not get relayed to us. We attended meetings when everyone was on their best behavior- if that was possible. As the months and years passed, many of the quirks and family secrets of WOFF were played out before the Greenville members. We were exhorted to be like “family” and encouraged to participate as much as possible during the times we were there. All that being said; as “regular members”, we did not see certain events which played out behind Jane’s closed doors. Also, I must admit I did not and do not know the former members referenced in the letter.

   To see letter click here:   Letter from Jane Whaley  (you may need to use the back arrow in your browser to retun to this post)

   The scenario is common at WFCS. Not every student stays “submitted” and totally enthralled with Jane, KR, JC or the other teachers at the school. Students do leave before they finish. Has there ever been a student or family that left without some drama- either immediate or delayed? If there was, I never knew it. When ANYONE leaves WOFF, there were/are emotions and some sort of drama to “walk through”. Okay, if a person leaves at all, that is an accomplishment.

  

   During my years there, I cannot remember the number of times it was said outright and other times insinuated that if a student leaves before graduating and personally being handed a copy of their diploma- Jane would hold the diploma and/or transcripts to make sure the person who left “did not attack”. So, just as with Morgan Sample’s personal property, the subject of this post is not new. As the date of the letter confirms- Jane has exercised her power in this area for YEARS! She feels she has every right to withhold whatever she wants and why not? She is “god” at WOFF and WFCS.

   The text of the letter follows this path. First, Jane acknowledges the two written requests for “release of school records” from the parents and the school where the students were transferring to in another state. Next, “It is the Word of Faith Christian School policy not to release school records until all past tuitions have been paid in full. Also under state laws we are not obligated to release school records until all fees have been paid. However, we are willing to work with you provided a few situations are cleared up.”  I am no expert on state laws for “non-public” schools, but, when a school does not charge tuition how can they keep records “until all past tuitions have been paid”? During all the years that I was aware of WFCS school policies, never was there a mention of required tuition. Maybe there was in 1994 and that changed?  Year after year, KR and Jane Whaley would repeatedly tell folks at graduation after graduation that the WFCS did not charge “tuition”. What am I missing? They spoke English and I heard it every year. The WOFF website proudly states there is no tuition charged….

  Now concerning fees, that was a different matter; WFCS could create a fee for whatever they wanted. Yes, I know there is nothing for free. But, to say there was no tuition and then have a long list of fees and not at least acknowledge that the fees served as tuition in many respects – was that totally honest? But, “However, we are willing to work with you provided a few situations are cleared up.”  This is when you can see this is not a collection letter for fees or tuition. Never in this letter is a monetary figure mentioned. This is a collection letter– but, not for money. We move on.

“First, we have heard from several people that since you left, you have made slanderous statements against the church spreading gossip and rumors and sowed seeds of strife among your brothers and sisters in Christ. If what we have heard is true, God would not allow us to release the girl’s records until all matters of contention are resolved.”  Remember, this was before easy access to the Internet and the large supply of forums and blogs such as this one. Some questions come to mind. Who the “several people” mentioned here? What were the “slanderous statements”, “gossip and rumors”? Why be so vague? Maybe it was not gossip or rumors- but maybe it was just someone telling what they saw and heard? How would we know from this letter?  

   Next, “If what we have heard is true, God would not allow us to release the girl’s records until all matters of contention are resolved.”  This statement I find fascinating. “If what we have heard is true”… If what was true? – The things that were said were “true” or the accusation that the couple that left actually said something? I do not know that statements that the couple was accused of saying… But, God withholds school records because someone may have said something that may have been gossip? I think God already knew what was said and if it was true. It was Jane who thought she would act as a god, on God’s behalf to withhold school records.  Honestly, this letter was so full of WOFF-speak, it was hard to read and retype it in this post. It does show that Jane has been developing WOFF-speak for years!

   “Second, if what we heard was true, repentance would need to come so that God’s grace would be available for us to take the next step in working with you. As it stands, we can do nothing until we hear directly from you and have these matters cleared up. We need and want to know truth so righteousness can be established in every area.”  If we look at this phrase, “repentance would need to come so that God’s grace would be available for us to take the next step in working with you.” It shows the assumed stance of this letter is that those who left have to repent to Jane and not that Jane or WOFF/WFCS did anything wrong and would need to repent for anything!  “…we can do nothing until we hear directly from you and have these matters cleared up.” Again, the stance is clear; there is never a mention of anyone at WOFF/WFCS possibly doing anything wrong to cause someone to leave. “We need and want to know truth so righteousness can be established in every area.” Really? EVERY AREA? Can we start with the finances of the church and how the money given by the member was/is spent? Or shall we move on to the mind control techniques documented on this blog that were/are used on members under the cloak of Jane “hearing God’s will”? Remember, this letter from Jane was before the skirt of WOFF was lifted with the Inside Edition investigation.

   Last paragraph, “We are willing to waive our policy to withhold school records until fees are paid, and forward the girls records to you immediately if you are willing to comply with what God would require in order to resolve this. Please, let us hear from you as soon as possible.”  Now we see what Jane was really after- “if you are willing to comply with what God would require in order to resolve this.” – in Jane’s world she hears God at the highest level and no matter what others say, things will be according to what she is hearing God say… Jane is truly the center of her universe. If you doubt, you have not been in her church for years and years or even a week.

    For sure, I have no knowledge how this matter was resolved in 1994 and if indeed Jane was “willing to work with” the folks in question. That phrase is so non-committal! It means NOTHING! The point of providing the letter is to say things have not changed. Three former members much more recent than 1994 have relayed in detail to me their own personal struggles to obtain their school records. One recent former member resorted to having a college official threatening WFCS with a lawsuit to get the school records in question. I think Jane was “willing to work with them”.

   This brings me to my next set of questions. The WOFF website, as of this date, lists an “Advisory Board”. There is a picture made in the church sanctuary with the “Board” including the names and degrees listed for each person. The names are as follows: Lori Cornelius, BA, Rita Burgeson B.S., Marisa Sudano, MBA., Sandra Norris, M. Ed., Diane McKinney, Ph.D., Gloria King, M.A., Larry King, Sr. M Ed., Jeff Boyle, M.A. Five in this group work in the public school system; whether in a local school district or at the local community college. One is a principal of a local high school, a solid situation, if I may say so. Another is in the guidance department of a local high school or middle school. At least one in this group holds a Masters degree in counseling.  If their jobs have changed, I am not aware.  

   What is the function of this group? Are they consulted on WFCS decisions and policies?  Do they approve of keeping school records from those who leave the school and church on not so friendly terms? (monetary issues notwithstanding)  Is this how school records are handled at their job in the public school systems where they work? I suspect not. If not, why the double standard? Do they have one standard for their work responsibilities and one at WOFF/WFCS? Does Jane even ask them about keeping school records and/or how that matter should be handled? I doubt it, but, I don’t know. If they were asked and agreed that Jane’s methods were kosher – how does that look and reflect on their professional careers? What does that say about their priorities? If these folks were never asked how to handle such situations, what does that make them? Are they being used for Jane’s personal gain at the cost of their own professional reputations? I believe these questions are fair since many in this group have obtained a much higher level of education than Jane Whaley. If you disagree, please, take time to email me or comment. If you have some insight into the function of this group, please, let me know. It would be good to know “truth”, verified, of course.  

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After I originally posted this information, I learned that there may have been tuition during the 1990’s at WFCS. The figure of $300 has come up, but it is not confirmed if that was for a month or a semester or for a year for each student. In the interest of accuracy, I needed to add this information.

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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, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 351.