A recent gander at the website for Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) revealed a new header on the home page. The purpose was to direct visitors to the article recently released by Charisma Magazine® posted online October 1, 2013. The article titled-“The Art of Remembering” features Nahum Burgeson and the story behind his art work as well as extolling the “multilayered miracle taking place in tiny Spindale, NC.”  Before we review some information about the article, let me give the link and some of my own reflections on Charisma Magazine®.

The article can be found here. Oh, reading this article and perusing the website brought back fond memories of years gone by as well as some very disturbing questions. First off, I so enjoyed the memories of actually receiving the magazine in the mail for many years and devouring the content of every page… I cannot deny I was an avid fan before the magazine even went digital. Then as we moved to Greenville in 1992 and began to attend Grace and Truth Fellowship, our hunger for the magazine began to wane. Certainly by the time we moved to Spindale in 2002- the magazine was off limits and held no content which was meaningful to those “walking with God” and serving the Lord at WOFF.

Let me just say, that if there is a doubt about what happened to WOFF members caught reading magazines- ask Steve S. He was caught reading a magazine at the hospital and put out of the church and has had many years of tough going- to “get back in the will of God”.. or more accurately Jane’s graces. Did Jane Whaley or Karel Reynolds tell the writer of the article- Marcus Yoars that reading his magazine was off limits for the members of WOFF? Did Karel tell Yoars the story of catching Steve and how she exposed him and it was a whole big deal in front of the entire congregation? Is it odd that WOFF now trumpets the praises from a source using a medium that has been forbidden for their members to enjoy?

Next, let me address Mr. Yoars. Your bio on the website found here says you have been in publishing for over fifteen years and were in ministry as a “worship leader for almost twenty years.” What kind of investigation did you do prior to printing the praises of WOFF? Did you investigate any of the attacks or stories or survivors and note the similarity even though many have exited years apart? Did anyone from WOFF tell you that the worship you led was “not of God” because God did not speak to Jane that it was of Him nor did she write the songs? Did they tell you about the ruckus caused by their practices in the lower or fourth building? Did you research the court records for the custody battles that have been frequently spawned when someone desires to leave WOFF or even comes in contact with Laura Bridges? Were you allowed “beyond the veil” of pretense and allowed to survey and witness the inner dealings and strong discipline from Jane to those in her group? Though she can appear as a harmless grandma type, Jane Whaley is good at her “craft” and has been around for years building her kingdom.

The article points out that “Word of Faith Christian School (WFCS) has no art department, no art teacher and has never even brought in a professional artist to help. Instead, students rely on the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer.”  First, off having no “art department” yet having manufactured over 600 pieces of art seems contradictory. There is an area somewhere which serves as an area to put together and create these artifacts or paintings. When it is said there is “no art teacher”, it may be more accurate to say there is no certified or degreed art teacher. Someone is sharing some sort of direction for the students just beginning, right Ann? The supposed hidden meaning is an attempt to borrow an endorsement from the account of the disciples in Scriptures. Many were unlearned, but, it was noted “they had been with Jesus…”

We should also note the same attempt has been made to covertly borrow the credibility from the disciples when you admit that neither Sam Whaley or Jane Whaley have been trained at any seminary or school of divinity. Yet, many follow them or more accurately- follow Jane- believing she has a direct line to God.  A more pinpointed assessment of the issue leads me to conclude that the hidden danger in all this “credibility game” is that Jane is accountable to no one for the lives of the people she leads and the finances she gathers and dispenses. She makes her decisions about finances totally free from any restraint and purposely keeps from those in her group that could not afford the same luxuries- the extent of her lavish choices. I am specifically speaking of her vacation choices.

Mr. Yoars, did Jane tell you she is NOT a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability? Are you shocked? Would it be worth asking her why?

Another downside the lack of accountability to any another group is the constant temptation to internally rationalize the decisions made as always being “of God.” Case in point, earlier this year a painting from the Holocaust exhibit was entered into an art contest in Lake City, SC. The article explaining the plight of WFCS graduate, John David Cooper is found here. Mr. Cooper was originally awarded the People’s Choice Award which carried with a $25,000 prize!

From the article: “The Lake City Partnership Council suspended the original prize, awarded to the oil on canvas piece titled “Warsaw Ghetto 1943” by John Cooper, of Rutherfordton, N.C., on April 27, saying it did not meet eligibility requirements.”  From what I have determined by reading the comments of others, it seems that the copyright for the work did not belong to Mr. Cooper though he changed the size and the delivered medium of the photograph. Sadly, if he had not tried to win money with the painting, no one would have cared. But, once you try to financially gain from someone else’s work, it becomes a big deal. So was the project ordained of Jane? Anyone who has spent time in WOFF knows that Jane keeps her fingers in anything that may affect her reputation. So, yes, I would say Jane knew about it. Did it reflect the highest insight or revelation from the Holy Spirit? Well, what do you think? Five others entered the contest from WOFF were listed as finalists. See the list here. Why did one of them not win?

How original are the other works in the Holocaust exhibit? Should this question be investigated? Are others from WOFF attempting to financially gain from another person’s work? In my opinion, it could be said that WFCS and WOFF are attempting to deflect rightful criticism and scrutiny of their practices by building a façade containing Holocaust artwork that creates an illusion of righteousness and deep concern. What say ye?

There are other things in this article which are worth remembering and actually bring up golden WOFF memories. However, I must close and write again another day.

 And with that, let us remember:

“It is never too late to wake up and leave and reclaim your life!” Steve Hassan

(Oh, I am told this is Jane’s birthday- Happy Birthday – Jane!)

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 443.