Category Archives: WOFF Updates

Former Word of Faith Church Member Alleges Abuse – WLOS – Asheville Top Stories – ABC

December 5, 2014 Admin Leave a comment

Matthew Fenner talks to reporter for WLOS via Skype. (see story here) (hit “back tab” to return here) There is a heated battle in the background over these allegations. Josh Farmer is quoted as saying these allegations are “ludicrous and false.” This same attorney is quoted as saying we have “nothing to hide.” 25 witnesses to refute the story? Does WOFF coach witnesses? Let the past speak for the present. How do they already know Matthew’s version of the story? Or is their defense based on their version of his story?

I continue to be amazed at the lengths certain folks will go to in order to keep this façade intact. These denials are the same types of denials from the past. No substance, just blanket denials as if they are afraid to discuss details.

There is more to come in this drama. Let’s hope the Truth comes out and the abuses stop. We hope that those who want to leave will be allowed to leave. Several have left already. 2015 promises to be an exciting year in Spindale, NC.
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Behavior Control, Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Emotional Control, Information control, Thought Reform, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Mind Control Forum Review – “This is what I want to see!”

May 25, 2014 Admin 12 Comments

Saturday, May 24th a forum was held at the Spindale House and the subjects included information about mind control and testimonies from Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) survivors. The lead up to the meeting was intense for many of those involved. Materials were put together, videos were reviewed, meetings were held and in the end the general consensus was that it was a success. Admittedly, there is no way to recap all of what was said since I do not have a recording. The pictures taken will be added here at a later date. My goal for this post is to just hit what few highlights I remember and to give enough for those who did not attend to get the flavor and direction of the meeting.

There were no decorations, but we placed information and candy in the seats for the guests. We had waters for the taking on a table to the side. There were three tables up front for the panel and the large screen television. The attendees filed in and in that group were two WOFF members, Greg and Rita Burgeson. Several other WOFF members were spotted circling through the parking area, some waving and blowing their horns. We were prepared for more WOFF members, but they only sent two inside.

We began the forum a little late after experiencing technical difficulties with the PowerPoint® we were given from another advocacy group. This was just “warfare”, right? We had a back-up plan and were able to use printouts of the presentation. Mr. Rape began the session in prayer encouraging all that it was possible to be deceived and we would learn how that could happen through the material revealed tonight. He delivered an encouraging prayer as well.

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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Outburst at the Child Abuse Prevention Vigil

April 22, 2014 Admin Leave a comment

This is the video clip from the gathering on April 12, 2014 in Rutherfordton. About 1:20 into the clip you can hear and barely see to the bottom right of the screen the two sisters of the speaker screaming out. Is it fair to say that this type of display is normal to the sisters? Would it also follow that since the first sister was on the phone just previous to this outburst, that she probably had the approval of their leader? So, if that holds true, then it would be logical to say that this was the Word of Faith Fellowship’s (WOFF) chosen way to make their thoughts on child abuse known to the community? Rutherford County– Are you listening? If my assumptions are correct, then this public display is the preferred method of WOFF to deal with survivors who tell of the abuses inside their group. The standard WOFF response- anything negative about them is a lie. The video goes on to document Jeanna Powell’s remarks as referenced in a previous post. Whew! Below the video, I share more on this tactic.

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Emotional Control, Information control, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Abuse is Abuse is Abuse….There is No Excuse

April 13, 2014 Admin 1 Comment

The rccatalyst.com write up on the event on Saturday said this… “The crowd waited quietly even as they stood divided into two camps…” After I read that, I pondered- What were the two camps? Was it those who were against abuse and those who were for it? No, I am sure that would not be admitted. In a simplified explanation, it was those who had left Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and those who were still there. There was a third camp of concerned citizens who may or may not have been aware of the drama that surrounded them. If the ensuing outburst of flailing arms and shouts at the speaker did not pique their curiosity then, okay. But, there were at least two “camps” and a third group of supporters.

It is the group of WOFF members who attended the event to whom I address this post. Many of you either soon will be or are already of child bearing age. Some were carrying unborn babies at the event. It is to that group this post is focused. In order to make my case, let me share a series of events relayed to me by a former WOFF member concerning a child who attends Word of Faith Christian School (WFCS).

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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

“The Light” Shines Bright at the Candlelight Vigil in Rutherfordton!

April 13, 2014 Admin 2 Comments

First, allow me to acknowledge those who put in the many hours of preparation for this event. You know who you are and my most heartfelt appreciation goes out to you. Thank you. Also, I want to thank the supporters who showed up early to lend a hand with balloons and pinwheels and bows and everything else. Next, let me thank the speakers who took time from their weekend to tread uncharted waters and take their message to the steps of the courthouse. There were many unknowns going into the event, but it came together and the outcome was one none had predicted. Oh, there is more… It is the wee hours of Sunday morning, but I feel pressed to post this before things heat-up again on Sunday. Oh, yes… there will be heat in many places. Let me explain.

Upon arrival early Saturday evening, I found a bee hive of activity with balloons, bows, a banner and a sign posted in memory of Robynn Spence. The weather could not have been better. We were on the east side of the courthouse in the shade. The breezes were brisk at times, but that kept the pinwheels spinning and temperatures down to some degree. As the last preparations were completed and the speaker system in place; folks began to meander into the courthouse area. Many had expressions of wonder and for sure we hoped each was greeted with a smile as we were all truly glad folks made the choice to come and support the efforts on Saturday.

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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

The Federal Injunction: The Cure Becomes the Disease (1)

March 31, 2014 Admin 2 Comments

About a year ago, I hinted at a post which would include a review of the ominous “Federal Injunction.” Time passes quickly and this seems to be the time to bring to you a short background and review of the results of the lawsuit Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) brought against the Rutherford County Department of Social Services (RCDSS). The basis for the legal action was the investigative techniques taken by RCDSS workers during their investigation of WOFF. Let me say I am no legal scholar. At this moment, I do not have a copy of the entire case file. I only have the document from which the new guidelines were put forth. I have no intentions of reviewing the entire case file in this post. That review is for another time and another venue. Today, we will take an overview of the “Stipulation for Compromised Settlement Thereon” filed June 21, 2005 in the United States District Court for the Western Division of North Carolina Asheville Division pertaining to Case File No. 1:03CV298. From the case file number- we can learn that this case started in 2003.

The perspective I bring to this discussion is unique in several ways. First, I was inside WOFF during the investigation. At the very beginning of the whole ruckus, I lived in Greenville, SC and was a part of Word of Life Church – otherwise known as Grace and Truth Fellowship. During the frenzy around the Inside Edition investigation, we felt the pressure in Greenville. Looking back, I know we were not privileged to the entire scoop, but we heard enough and saw enough to feel the same pressures and fears even though we lived several miles away. The news investigators came to Greenville and attempted to interview Gerald and Linda Southerland during 1995. During the years between 1995 and 2002, we were becoming more and more part of the WOFF drama. Looking back, I understand we were only told what was okay for those at our level of the WOFF pyramid to know. I am sure I do not have complete knowledge of the inside drama during those years, but I was aware of the main steps and what DSS did to investigate the children inside certain of WOFF. As mentioned previously, in 2002, we moved inside the group into a WOFF household. We were in the meeting where Jane introduced the idea to the congregation asking the question if we felt that suing DSS was the right thing to do. There was apparent agreement expressed. Jane then announced we would do just that…

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Behavior Control, Information control, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Three WOFF Survivors Speak Out!

March 26, 2014 Admin 7 Comments

This has been another busy 48 hours on certain social media outlets. During this period three Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) survivors have put short versions of their plight inside the group. Each left at different times, but you will see certain commonalities in their stories. You may ask John, why would you repost here? The answer is simple. Not everyone is on Facebook® nor does everyone care to be socially connected in that way. In light of that, I have asked for and received permission to repost these short stories here. I have been in contact off and on with Morgan Sample for longer than any of them. She told me this part of her story when we first connected and yet, she did not feel comfortable to share it here on this blog or other social media outlets. Now, she has let others know what she had already told in private. Continue reading for the survivor stories…

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