Our last post explored an article in Charisma Magazine® about Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and their Holocaust Museum display. It was dated October 1, 2013 and can be found here. The article was written by Marcus Yoars. Here is the contact information for Mr. Yoars: marcus.yoars@charismamedia.com main tel:407.333.0600  

This post will review more material from the article and contain more thoughts on the subject. The Art of Remembering mentions that Word of Faith Christian School (WFCS) has “no art teacher.” It also featured Nahum Burgeson and his insight into how the Holocaust work began. Without a doubt, Nahum is a talented artist. The article also quotes Nahum, “I know without a doubt that God flowed through us to do this, “… When we first started, many times we would have a problem getting the paintings to look right. But, as we cried out to Jesus, you could see fruit. The more and more we cried out, the better we would get.”

A blog reader who was a part of WFCS at the time this project started submitted this as a comment to the article and to my email:

“Their K-12 school would spend months working on the art work. They would use an overhead projector and trace off another piece of art. Then the student(s) would work on it for months. They would not have regular subject work during the day in school, but work on the art. Then they would bring in the talented art people within the church to come help. Suzanne Doyle is a member and is a trained artist, she would help, as well as others. They would work during the day and into the late hours at night finishing art work to present at different exhibits. So, to say they had not professional help is not true.

The art and the exhibits has been a way for the church to move into many meetings and groups in the area including local colleges, where one church member teaches a Holocaust class. The church has kept many works of art by students who left the church and never got them back. The church is using this as a tool to become legitimatized within the church world. I was a member for many years and worked with the students and even with the art work. Everything you read in the paper is true; I have not found anything that was not reported accurately. They separate families, try to keep the children, and once you leave, they never talk to you again. Many of the people there are trapped and are afraid unless you have worked your way up into the upper ranks of “authority” within the church. If anyone tries to help someone get out, you are labeled as “wicked” and used as an example from the pulpit.

So, this is a way to get “good press” and I am really sorry to see this article. Yes, Nahum is a great student and a great artist. He does have incredible natural talent. I am glad that they mentioned him and his gift.”

 During my time at WOFF, there was the regular practice to portray the inner workings and “blessings” as mystical and to a great degree only attainable if you “cried out and heard God.” In that group, hearing God was confirmed through one absolute source- Jane. Looking back, the mysticism developed around the inner dynamics and practices of the group served to build of the aura and control of one person- Jane. Others in WOFF leadership may attempt to use this mystical practice, but, all of them could be set aside if Jane did not agree that they had heard God.

Before I share the certain things that come to mind after remembering the mystical practices within WOFF; I want to say the very foundation of Christianity in my opinion is a mystery and that faith in an unseen God is mystical to a great degree. This should be obvious. But, the main difference in the “mystery of the Christian Faith”, if I may be so bold, and the mysticism which is continually used at WOFF is this: the mystical aspects of true Christianity are meant to build FAITH in the one most Holy God and His plan for His people. The mystical ways of WOFF are used to build a FANTASY which keeps its members bound in servitude to one person- Jane Whaley. The foundational FANTASY that only Jane hears God makes itself evident in the obvious FANATICISM which pervades WOFF-life. This fanaticism causes WOFF members to protect at any cost the perception of the reputation and golden utterings of their leader. The mysticism at WOFF does NOT promote true unbounded FAITH in God. If it did, there would not be such a separation and segregation between WOFF members and other believers. The intense separation they practice from other believers reveals the fantasy that is the foundation of their group.

For those that may point out that displaying this Holocaust exhibit in several locations has required WOFF members to interact with those on the outside, even Jewish people. Does that not attest to their openness? To that point, I will say that putting on a show for a few hours is very different from living inside the group, behind closed doors and under Jane’s watchful control. The comparison is apples and oranges.

So, the beginnings of the Holocaust artwork is added as another item in the long list of mystical messages meant to build up the fantasy of WOFF-life. The reality that some of the students could possess artistic talent is very plausible. Attempting to discredit the sources of help used in the training of the students makes evident the accepted cycle of fantasy needed to support whole charade.

Dr. Robert J. Lifton outlined eight criteria for thought reform. (found here.) The second criterion is what we are speaking of here.

–       Mystical Manipulation.  There is manipulation of experiences that appear spontaneous but in fact were planned and orchestrated by the group or its leaders in order to demonstrate divine authority or spiritual advancement or some special gift or talent that will then allow the leader to reinterpret events, scripture, and experiences as he or she wishes. 

  The daily life of WOFF is filled with mystical interpretations of common place events and the control which proceeds from that. The practice of assigning demonic blame to many things most simply explained attests to the attempt control through mystical manipulation. Does this make sense?  More from the article by Yoars…

 “Since 1979, Word of Faith Fellowship, a vibrant Spirit-filled church about 70 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., has endured its own history of persecution. The tight-knit congregation of 750 people houses WFCS and, for whatever reason, has been a lightning rod for controversy for more than a decade. Death threats. Drive-by shootings. Lawsuits. Investigations. Child abuse allegations. Assault charges. Boycotts.”

From this passage, it is clear to me that the author did not research fully the “tight-knit congregation.. for whatever reason…” Could it be that he was easily caught up in the fantasy which surrounds WOFF? Could he have been enamored with “Grandma Jane” and found it hard to believe that she could have hurt anyone? What do former members say about this? Grandma Jane and her leadership thugs can and do carry out ANYTHING she requests for whatever reason. Those who do her bidding are blinded to the fantasy which they have so easily come to believe and act upon… all for “the will of God” as only Jane can hear.  

In future posts, we will be “remembering” things which can help others understand life inside WOFF and the devastation which is the continual outcome. Please, visit this blog again.

And with that, let us remember:

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

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 444.