Friday afternoon, a co-worker caught my attention with her eyes wide open, “John, come here…” She asked if I watched the interview with the former Word of Life Christian Church member Thursday morning, on television. I had not. She quickly found the link and asked me to sit down at her desk and watch it. As the interview played, she exclaimed, “That’s what you describe in your book. He used the same words you used in your book.” (Locked in)
It is at this point, I have mixed emotions about my printing and publishing projects. I am naturally glad the similarities between the destructive group in New York and Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) are not difficult for readers of my blog and book to see. At the same time, I have deep, unspeakable pangs of regret and remorse for the small daily decisions which led to my involvement with Jane Whaley and her crowd. On the one hand, I like to think there may have been some way to stop the progression of involvement in the web of WOFF. On the other, I cannot change the past. We can only move on from here and help those who want help.
More than this one co-worker pointed out to me the similarities. It makes me shudder at the natural conclusion and questions these observations launch in the minds of onlookers. Will WOFF one day be the center of a murder investigation? I cannot say. However, from Nathan Ames’ account, allow me point out a few of the most glaring similarities between Word of Life Christian Church in NY (WOLCC) and WOFF in NC.
First, WOLCC was “…not affiliated with any larger group.” WOFF is NOT a part of any larger group. Both leaders have been free to develop their own practices not under any internal or external checks and balances. What is the saying about absolute power? Does it tend to corrupt absolutely?
Next, both WOLCC and WOFF had/have requirements for the children to attend schools run by church members. In years past, I did not see this as a trouble spot or alarm. I do now. Not only can the quality of the education process become weak as the requirements of the spiritual leader(s) become absolute; the children can suffer deficits which are not fully met by the limited resources of such closed subcultures. This brings long term consequences in many areas.
In addition, the allegations surrounding the beatings of the Leonard brothers, which led to the death of Lucas; these events reportedly occurred in the sanctuary. The same is said of the allegations in the Matthew Fenner case. The events of January 27, 2013 happened in the WOFF sanctuary. What conclusion can be drawn from this observation? From my years of church involvement, I believe the activities occurring in the sanctuary were considered righteous, normal, acceptable and approved of by the spiritual leader(s). Heavy-handed physical correction appears acceptable in each group.
From the video and other reports, investigators in New York believe the teenagers wanted to leave the WOLCC church. No doubt, the desire that incurs the most severe and quickest wrath from Jane is expressing a desire to leave WOFF. This wrath is especially visited upon the younger members since it is this segment of which she is the most proud and yet, also the most possessive. Every member to a degree is her property. She launches the highest priority control over the youth who “have walked with Jesus….”
During the interview, the reporter asks, “Were they afraid to leave…”
Ames’ reply, “Some people were… if you are not under God’s will you are going to hell.”
It is this comment which brought the look of shock from my coworker. She said, “John that is exactly what your said in your book…” So, the penalty for leaving each group is a one way hell-slide ticket.
In WOLCC, Ames tells of the whoopings he suffered for not completing school work. It is here, I must expound on a difference. WOFF does incorporate spanking in their subculture. However, the dynamics have evolved further. Children in WOFF have been allowed to correct their classmates with strong prayer, slapping, hitting, screaming and holding them down, according the reports of survivors. These practices are not new to WOFF. They would be denied vehemently.
The CBS reporter, “When did you realize it?” (that it was a cult)
Ames, “Well, see I was young, and I thought that was normal.” (the practices) “It took me many, many years to get out of that mindset.”
When asked about the Leonard parents’ involvement in the beatings of their sons; he says it is part of the church culture. The reporter, “So, do you think the parents were so afraid themselves that they had to do…”
Ames, “Um hum, they did whatever was told to them…”
Reporter, “…to their own kids…?”
Ames, “Um hum… These are people who got misled…”
Reporter, “And it went too far…”
Ames, “…went too far…”
Is it relevant to say both WOLCC and WOFF motivate members with fear? Has this fear ever motivated WOFF members to go too far? How would we know? How would they know? Would “god” tell them? Who would tell those of us on the outside?
Survivors of both groups take differing periods of time to “get out of the mindset” of their respective groups. It takes time for many to accurately see the dangers, abuses and trauma of such high-demand religious subcultures. Is this an excuse for the abuses which occur inside each group? No. Each participant in the beatings of the Leonard brothers will face the standards of the laws of the State of New York. As reported previously, these defendants could face gang assault charges.
Could similar things happen inside of WOFF? I cannot predict the future, but if the trends hold true, there is no limit to the damage zealot followers of Jane Whaley could inflict on those who deny her the supreme loyalty she requires. They would be conditioned to believe their actions are “the will of God.”
It will be interesting to see what the counsel for those indicted in the Leonard case throws up as a plausible reason for anyone’s involvement in such beatings. Will they claim the parents suffered as victims along with the teens? Will the Pastor of WOLCC be charged? We shall see.
Ames wrote an open letter to fellow survivors of WOLCC- see it here.
Season of Changes is upon us. Will this be a cold winter in Spindale?
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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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.
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Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 549.