The Associated Press has released its extensive report centering on the abuses suffered by ex-members of the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, North Carolina. There are two main articles released so far and a video containing testimony of ex-members. More media will be released in a few hours. Below is the full video which now includes the WOFF response.
The first article titled “Ex-congregants reveal years of ungodly abuse”.
The lead picture is of the Cooper baby dedication showing Jane Whaley holding the baby and praying. Sam Whaley is shown touching the baby’s head. The parents are to Jane’s right.
I will not presume to add to the tragic testimonies of the many victims portrayed through these reports. Much of what is relayed happened after my exit in July of 2008. Looking back to my first efforts to bring attention to the dangers of this group in 2010 through this blog and later by active protests; I had no real idea the magnitude, frequency and intensity which the abuses were occurring. Survivors leaving after 2008 confirmed the abuse became more intense over the years.
At this point, I want to personally thank every survivor who agreed to be interviewed by Mitch Weiss. I know it was courageous to go against the hours and hours of preaching from Jane warning of “turning your backs on God.” This was WOFF-speak for daring to tell the truth about the happenings inside WOFF to outsiders who lived “without God or God’s people.” Those people could not understand God’s ways and would certainly be used to attack the move of God and the people of God.
Thank you, for considering someone else’s future- those children still left behind. Also, this investigation seeks to help those who have yet to be born to WOFF members. What failed in 1995 and 2005 will have a larger platform and more power to correct that which has been allowed to affect hundreds of people over the years. We can hope and pray that those in authority will step up and listen to the brave survivors in this investigation.
Former disciples describe storage annex for “worst sinners.”
The second article outlines the living conditions and horrors of the lower building. November 21, 2011 was my first introduction to the lower building lifestyle. Michael Lowry told of the sufferings he experience there. On some level, this piece vindicates him. I believed his story and now understand more how he lived during those weeks and months. Thank you, to all the men who told about their life during their stay in the Lower Building.
The next article released – “Who is Jane Whaley?”
I have nothing to add except the picture of Jane is foreboding.
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(Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 588.