Wednesday afternoon, the Associated Press reported that David Learner, the District Attorney for Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties has asked the State Bureau of Investigations to look into the allegations against his employees, Frank Webster and Chris Back, who are members of Word of faith Fellowship (WOFF). This stems from Monday’s AP article – here.
The most recent AP release went on: “Nathan Key, a spokesman for Learner, said in an email that Webster and Back will keep working during the investigation but did not say if they would continue to prosecute cases. He did not respond to follow-up questions.”
So is there “light duty” for an Assistant District Attorney? What exactly Webster and Back will be doing exactly during any investigation? It is not clear right now. How prudent is it to allow them to prosecute on behalf of the State when the allegations include betrayal of their duties?
How much of Webster’s annual salary of $93,600* will he be paid during any investigation of these allegations?
Likewise, for Mr. Back and his $72,800* annual salary? How much of that will the taxpayers of North Carolina have to pay while this matter gets settled? What is an ADA supposed to be doing at the office while his professional conduct and judgment are being investigated? What can the citizens of North Carolina trust Webster or Back to do? Please, let’s think of something if both of them remain working. This is a question for Learner. Or is it really?
(* latest figures for 2016)
A follow-up question is how many times, if any, has Learner visited Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? Has he ever been drawn into Jane’s aura? Did he have any idea of the intense loyalty required of Webster and Back to their leader, Jane Whaley, as members of WOFF?
There is no question in my mind of Webster’s and Back’s quality of work in their professional duties. From time to time, I have picked up the local paper in Morganton and read of their successes. However, this question goes to their conduct under the compunction to serve the “will of God” in deference to their duties to serve the citizens of their district. If these allegations are proven true, I credit it to the delusion which permeates the sub-culture of WOFF.
Jane explains it like this. There are facts and there is “Truth.” Truth is what she hears from God and facts are what non-spiritual people see. In WOFF world, Truth supersedes the facts. If a person was hit or pushed of shoved, that is a fact. In Jane’s world the facts are not relevant to her version of Truth which may be totally opposite of the facts. Frank, Chris and Cleveland County Department of Social Services employee, Lori Cornelius; from the accounts I read were helping children and adults see “Truth.” It sounds like this time, the facts did not agree with Jane’s version of what “she heard from God,” which in WOFF is the only “Truth” that matters.
In the understanding of the sub-culture, one must accept the above WOFF-logic and know the consequences if Frank, Chris or Lori had refused to obey Jane and helped the children see “Truth.” Jane would have turned on each one of them and at a minimum excused them from the whole charade as being full of devils and rebellious or worse, out of the will of God.
The key point in this whole scene, the blind loyalty to Jane blinded Frank, Chris and Lori and others involved in the process to seeing that they could ever be doing anything wrong. In fact, within WOFF, they were hailed as ministers of “Truth” helping others “walk in the will of God.” There is no ability to admit wrong when deep down they cannot recognize the convoluted logic of WOFF.
This WOFF-think also helps explain why in the answer to the AP Investigation- Broken Faith, WOFF issued this response, “We do not allow or condone abuse- in any form- at our church. Period.” They do not see their activities as abuse. The signature practice of loud, deliverance prayer and all that it has included in recent years; within that subculture cannot be labeled as abuse. In many cases, the prayer is abusive is a fact, but it is not the (WOFF) “Truth.” The leader of WOFF defines “Truth” regardless of the facts. Each member must accept it as so in order to continue living inside.
Understanding this conundrum will be a hurdle for any investigator on any level looking into any aspect of WOFF.
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(Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 593.
One of the cases in question was mine. Four members of the cult were charged with stalking, wrongful imprisonment, etc…because of the allegations of there possibly not being a fair trial on my behalf in Rutherford County, then DA Brad Greenway called in a special prosecutor and judge…from where? From the county where Frank Webster is an Assistant DA. My case was a sham from start to finish where my credibility was attacked, I was not allowed to sit at the prosecutors table, media was not permit edge on to photograph or film, I was never allowed to meet alone with the special prosecutor as a deputy was always present in the room, an obviously edited video was used in open court to my discredit (there is video footage of Jane Whaley speaking to the WOFF congregation about the trial quoting things the judge said in closed chambers about the video). And this is America? Not the America I grew up in…and not the America I love. Every case ever heard should be re tried with a fair judge and in a fair courtroom where Assistant DA’s have no “behind the scene influence.” I lived in the same house with Frank Webster for four years…and I’m to believe he played no role in my case being a circus?
Respectfully,
Jerry Cooper
Our family broke down and cried when we saw the very first AP investigative article that just came out. Will authorities please listen – does someone have to die inside WOFF for them to take notice? Our hearts are breaking for our family members in WOFF. Thanks for all you are doing. I am re-posting the below from your blog – I agree – THIS MUST BE UNDERSTOOD: “This WOFF-think also helps explain why in the answer to the AP Investigation- Broken Faith, WOFF issued this response, “We do not allow or condone abuse- in any form- at our church. Period.” They do not see their activities as abuse. The signature practice of loud, deliverance prayer and all that it has included in recent years; within that subculture cannot be labeled as abuse. In many cases, the prayer is abusive is a fact, but it is not the (WOFF) “Truth.” The leader of WOFF defines “Truth” regardless of the facts. Each member must accept it as so in order to continue living inside.
Understanding this conundrum will be a hurdle for any investigator on any level looking into any aspect of WOFF.”
What has been going on at WOFF is long and deeply imbedded in the authorities in Rutherfordton county. A former Sheriff was a member and I remember his sweet daughter fighting to get away from the cult’s hold. For people not familiar with WOFF I must say some amazing people are members and it is difficult to fathom these people abused or agreed with physical abuse that occurred. Maybe they were abused and brainwashed to the point that if it was determined necessary by demonic-Jane then it had to be done. The Truth according to WOFF contradicts the teachings of the Bible. It separates families, knows nothing of Jesus’s devine grace and forgiveness or honoring your mother and father. WOFF legalistically controls the lives, minds, free-will and destroys the conscience imbedded in the hearts of its members. so , so sad. It must be stopped and it’s members de programmed to know they have a mind that does not need to be controlled by the lady who claims to have the 1 and only direct line to God. God loves each member and will speak to each of them and show true love and forgiveness greater than they have ever experienced while a captive of WOFF.
God bless you John and so many others who have had the strength to step up and speak out. You will be blessed.