Dear AJ,
Thank you, for your question. Before I answer, allow me to tie up some lose ends from the post. First, I am well aware of the Scripture reference saying to accept the Kingdom of God as a little child. (Luke 18:16-17) I believe this is talking about one’s faith and not about the function of daily life as an adult dependent on another adult for every decision or simple direction. It seems ludicrous to even have to mention it, but I did.

Next, in reading the post, I portrayed the “abuse” for WOFF members as having to be an act of discipline for an infraction of a rule. While that is true, the acts of abuse begin much earlier. When Jane first meets someone and begins to “inquire of God if this person has been called to be a part of WOFF”, right then is when the abuse begins. Why do I say that? Because I know that when interacting with the prospective member, Jane will not tell them all of the changes they must go through in order to be a part of her group. She may explain the “attacks” of the past as unfounded and prompted by the devil; but she will not explain to a victim that they will be required to give up many freedoms and activities they consider as normal. As far as I know, Jane does not consider this “worth the knowing.” She sizes up her victims and sees how she can show them how God could bless them if they will just submit to His ways —through her.

Yes, I know she can come on as sweet as honey, but that is all part of the abuse. She is a highly skilled recruiter and knows how to spin the web and catch most of those who allow themselves to be too close to her aura. She does not consider anything she does as abuse. According to her, she is constantly doing the will of God for His people and His Kingdom. She believes her own junk.

Now, to your question- was there time for true relationship with God? I can’t speak for everyone of course. I know that the majority of the members worked or at least were busy from the time they got up until their head hit the pillow. We were told we should not leave time for sin. We went through a time of being required to read our Bibles each night before we went to sleep. Yes, I know, reading your Bible for a few minutes at night and staying busy during the other waking hours “doing the will of God,” does not mean you had true relationship with God. On the one hand, I can say we were extremely busy and that did not leave much time on your own to explore an individual relationship with God. Jane did blast Sam for reading his Bible, too much. She said he gave over to a religious spirit when he did that. I don’t know too many folks who had as much time as Sam to sit and read their Bible. I will also say that God is bigger than Jane’s control and when He draws someone- even Jane can’t stop it. The tricky part was if you felt like God wanted you to do something that Jane did not approve; you had tough decisions to make. Then again, there were many tough decisions to make in that place.

John