Has it been that long? For many reasons, some known and some unknown; the months and years that have passed since March 13, 1995 seem as a blur. As the song says; “Don’t Blink!” Where were you? What do you remember about that time period? For me, it is filled with loving joyful memories as my son was born at the St. Francis Women’s and Family Hospital in Greenville, SC on that wonderful day. (The hospital is now called – St Francis eastside.) We referred to it as the hospital with the green roof! It was a very exciting day amidst a series of events that would change the lives of many in Greenville, SC and Spindale, NC.

First, let me share what I remember about that day for our family. We lived on Central Ave. in Mauldin, SC with another member of Grace and Truth Fellowship. We had moved to Greenville in March of 1992 from Summerville, SC. When we moved, our daughter was sixteen months old. During the three years since we arrived, we had integrated into the Fellowship and settled into the routine of attending services several times a week, while my wife taught in the church run school that my daughter attended. During those years, I worked several part-time jobs in order to attend the “Training Center” at Grace and Truth. That subject is for another day.

If my memory serves me correctly, when we checked into the hospital,we were on the second floor in the maternity ward in a spacious delivery room. Several ladies from the church surrounded us as we witnessed the miracle of birth of our son. Medically, the process seemed to go smoothly, as smoothly as it does, I reckon. (Easy for me to say, I was a coach and supporter, my wife did all the hard work …) Our son was healthy and had no apparent medical alarms. We both stayed the night as I remember. I slept on a chair that pulled out into a sleeper. Before the evening was done, the lady we lived with brought our daughter to the hospital to see her new brother. Many smiles were on everyone that night!

One thing did stick out as strange and I did not know the ramifications for many months or years later. About the time the news was to come on television, the pastors of the church, Gerald and Linda Southerland made it a point to turn on the television in our hospital room. That seemed odd, but, honestly as I was caught up in the euphoric bliss, I did not catch the purpose until we saw them in a news clip on the screen! Apparently, a news reporter had filmed them and recorded audio of them walking the property where the church house was located. As you face the church house, they were in the front right hand corner near the edge along Blacks Drive. If I remember right, the recording was of the bewilderment as to the location of the reporter and some strange vehicle or van. I still remember the look on Linda’s face as she turned after seeing the clip, she smiled as if to say –“Oh, well.” I think Gerald was on the phone with his son, Greg, giving a play by play.  Gerald seemed the more upset than Linda.

This news report stemmed from the investigations that had started in Spindale with Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Though Jane and Sam Whaley had denied any wrongdoing, SBI and RC DSS were moving ahead with their investigation. Who would have thought that many years later and millions of dollars having been spent by several different parties, that eventually, WOFF would bring suit against Rutherford County DSS and there would be a settlement or “Injunction” entered into the court records in June of 2005. Apparently, SC officials were being asked by former members to investigate Grace and Truth Fellowship for similar allegations of abuse. Many of the details were cloudy – if you lived on the inside of either church. Why? Because you were expected to allow leadership to filter the news and tell you what you needed to know. Reading the newspapers for yourself was discouraged as being “out from under authority.”

The Inside Edition expose’ has been aired about this time and there was also what would become a common thread; a mother was seeking to regain custody of her child from within the church. These events along with some others would trigger an extensive investigation which in my opinion was mishandled- by both sides. In celebration of the beginning of the 18 year circus of events called WOFF-life; I have dug up some of the original newspaper articles from that time and provided links to view them. These links are ones I located through a “Google®” search. You may need to use your “back” button to return to this post. After these links, I will provide some closing remarks.

Sunday, March 12, 1995, from the Star News- Mother wins custody to take child from Church – here

Tuesday, March 14, 1995, from the Wilmington Star- Social services agency pursues probe of church- here

Wednesday, March 15, 1995- from the Herald Journal- Ex-Grace and Truth faithful urge investigation of church- front page – here and page 4 – here  quotes from Gerald Southerland

Sunday, March 19, 1995- from the Robesonian – Girl removed from Word of Faith in wake of more abuse allegations – see article here

Monday, March 20, 1995- Associated Press in the Wilmington Morning Star- Ex-Members: Church separates families, assigns jobs – found here. What is new? This STILL happens at WOFF, same dog, same trick.

Wow. This was the beginning of a very sad legacy of abuse allegations and court battles- one after another; broken lives, destroyed families, people shipwrecked on the rocky shores of the tumultuous sea of WOFF-life.  After reading all of these articles, what has really changed inside of WOFF? Jane and Sam Whaley have brought more negative publicity to Rutherford County than any other church that I know of. For those that live there, do you know of a more controversial group?

One resident of the county recently mentioned the old saying, “Where there is smoke, there is fire.”  There seems to be both on Old Flynn Road.  Does WOFF seem like a safe place to live? I mean physically, emotionally, or spiritually- does it seem beneficial in the long term? Oh, by the way, the “We love all people” sign is gone. I am told when Michael Lowry went back in, the sign came down. Now, was the sign a publicity stunt? Was that sign a diversion meant to distract folks from the real issues surrounding the group? Shall we ask the obvious questions that many do not wish to consider? What will Jane do next to placate her deluded faithful supporters? Where does she get all of her “wisdom”? (click to enlarge..)

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. Jane told me. 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 434.