When you have a winning strategy- why change? Today, at the U.S. Federal District Courthouse in Courtroom 1, Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) members packed the gallery in support of another member facing a felony charge and a possible prison term. Diane McKinny was scheduled for sentencing resulting from a guilty plea to one count of making a False Statement. She was the fourth member charged in a scheme to defraud State and Federal coffers related to unemployment benefits.

The three others, who likewise pleaded guilty, include Dr. Jerry Gross, his son, Jason Gross and Marion Kent Covington. The Grosses each received probation sentences and Covington was awarded a 34 month term in Federal prison, which he began serving earlier this year.

My plan was to arrive early enough to not be denied a seat as I expected a gallery of supporters. I approached the courtroom doors about 45 minutes before the 3:15PM start time, only to find WOFF members waiting in the hall. They were waiting until Diane’s case was called. I went in to pick my seat and listen.

Sure enough, just as the 2:45PM case concluded, the courtroom doors parted and the sea of members flooded in, soon settling on both sides of the gallery. U.S. Attorney Bradley sitting at his table, turned around to witness the flood. His expression of awe was not to be missed.

Continue reading Judge Reidinger makes insightful observations… →

Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) member, Diane McKinny, faces her sentencing hearing on Thursday in Asheville. In March of this year, she pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The next few months were filled with motions and hearings which apparently were a big waste of the Court’s resources. May 10th of this year, she pleaded guilty to one count of making a False Statement in relation to the Unemployment Benefits scheme in which three other defendants were sentenced. The other three; Dr. Jerry Gross, his son, Jason Gross and Marion Kent Covington were also WOFF members.

September 16th, McKinny’s attorney, Amos G. Tyndall filed his Sentencing Memorandum in which he named McKinny as an “extraordinary citizen.” He asked the Judge for “home confinement or probation.” He cites the (11) character letters submitted on her behalf.

Tyndall declares, “…her father’s abuse and her mother’s message that she was unwanted had a profound impact on her sense self-worth, her willingness to trust others and her ability to form relationships. For much of her life, Ms. McKinny isolated herself, avoided social interactions, and formed poor health habits that resulted in serious medical conditions.

… At some point, Ms. McKinny moved to Rutherford County, N.C. where she joined a community, particularly her community of faith, that accepted her, appreciated her gifts, and helped her leave her life of isolation.”

“…leave her life of isolation.”? Not by a long shot, Mr. Tyndall. But, how would you know that?

Continue reading U.S. Attorney asks for 18-24 months for WOFF member, Diane McKinny →

Earlier today, I watched the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) video response to the People magazine article and the documentary published last month. My first impression was discomfort when members use the terms “never” and “total lies” and “no one made us do anything…” when denying abuse claims. This occurs less than four minutes into the video. My hope is the defensive members will come to realize, as I did, no one person is able to be present at all confrontations inside such a large group. The closest anyone comes to being aware of all events, happens when members call Jane to ask her counsel or permission. Even then, there are time and space limitations to that practice.  

In previous posts, I have explained “WOFF-think” and “WOFF-speak”, my attempt to understand how professionals and long-time members can deny years and years of very similar abuse claims by many ex-members who lived inside the group at different times.  

Continue reading Why WOFF Members Must Deny Abuses… →

Monday, July 8th- 8:00PM, Investigation Discovery Channel

When ex-members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) tell anything about their time in this group, WOFF views as “persecution.” Several ex-members have spoken out in recent years. Monday is the next chapter in this sad ongoing saga.

WOFF leadership and members become energized by “persecution.” It feeds the “us vs. them” position and many times rallies wavering members.

The magazine article in People magazine on July 5th (dated July 15, 2019) and the program airing Monday night may not directly cause folks to leave. But the WOFF effort to spin-it and interpret it for members- might.

My experience in WOFF was over a 16 year time frame. We did not see ourselves as impaired, but empowered. No one joins a cult. No one joins a group to become less of a person. People join WOFF and groups like them because they pursue touted benefits such heaven, favor with God, peace, love and prosperity. Many join with family and friends.

We were not focused on loss of personal freedoms, but the perceived gains. We believed we were living the ways of God. To think otherwise made for some hard days and long nights.
Continue reading People Magazine Investigates: Cults – Word of Faith Fellowship →

Are the practices of any group to which you belong- portable? If you move to another group of the same type, will these practices be accepted and embraced as beneficial? The answer to this question can determine if your group is helpful or harmful. Let’s apply this to different examples.

Keith Raniere, leader of Nxivm has been convicted in New York of seven felonies involving unique practices of his group. The guilty verdict involved charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation of a child and human trafficking. He billed his group as ‘self-help and empowerment’ and yet, the closer one became to the leader, the less true ‘help or empowerment’ you received. Some victims were actually physically branded with the leaders initials.

In closing arguments of Rainere’s recent trial (link below), federal prosecutor, Moira Penza said, “The whys of this case are as old as time… sex, money, power.”

Rainere “used tactics that destroyed victims ‘sense of self,’ created financial dependence and isolated them from their friends and family…”

There are several “self-help” groups one can be a part of in this country. Many center on a leader and espouse methods and techniques which they claim are the keys to improvement. Self-discipline, reading, habit cultivation, physical exercise and meditation are just a few of techniques which these groups advocate.

Yet, in the end, the unique practices of Nxivm were not transferable to similar self-help or empowerment groups. The sexual exploitation and trafficking were illegal. The leader used common techniques listed above by Penza, to fashion a cult-like dynamic supported by his top leaders. Raniere did not promote his followers to be free to join other “self-help” groups in seeking additional help. Why? I believe because he never was about truly helping his followers. He was after “sex, money (and) power…” To many of his followers, he had it all. He was “Master.”
Continue reading Are the practices of your group portable? →