Tag Archives: Jane Whaley

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Thought Reform, Uncategorized

Join Us – Reflections and Comparisons (2)

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   The opening three minutes of the film “Join Us” is available below. “Join Us”. The film is presented by Interloper Films along with Lusitan and was produced by Ondi Timoner and Vasco Lucas Nunes. (Copyright© Third Floor Productions, LLC 2007). Joaquin Sullivan opens the film giving a brief introduction to his background and experience in Mountain Rock Church in Anderson, SC. He makes a statement that “It is hard to tell from the outside when a church has gone too far”. That is so true. Not until a person can learn the “rules” (verbal and non-verbal) and consequences for breaking the rules; do they know if a church – more specifically the pastor and leadership in the church – have gone too far.

     What is “too far…”?  That is a topic that some would rather ignore. But, as the years have passed, I have some insight into what is “too far”. I spent 16 years under the direct and indirect influence of the teachings of Jane Whaley at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). During my time there and now that I am out, I have more understanding as to what would be “too far…”  When a pastor and/or the leadership of a church begin to control the lives of their members as shown in the film, it is a dangerous environment for anyone- adult or child.

    Joaquin Sullivan also expresses his present doubts and questions about other churches he passes and may nothing about. He shares questions that I fully understand. It is only a natural reaction after coming through an experience like his to question any other church, their beliefs, as well as the pastor/leader. He lists his questions about other churches; is the pastor telling them who can be married, how much money to give or how much of their time is required to make it to heaven?

   This clip reveals the members from Mountain Rock Church arriving at Wellspring retreat center in order to get help with understanding what they had been involved in. The lives of the folks had been affected by the pastor- Raimund Melz and his wife. These are real people, not actors. The counselors are real people, not actors. Actual counseling sessions are shown in the film with real questions and real emotions from the former cult members. Please, take time to view the clip and consider seeing the entire documentary. It will change your ideas about cults, who can be caught in one and where to get help.

   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. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

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      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 228.

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Join Us – Reflections and Comparisons (1)

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     In the previous post, we introduced the movie- Join Us. The film is presented by Interloper Films along with Lusitan and was produced by Ondi Timoner and Vasco Lucas Nunes. (copyright© Third Floor Productions, LLC 2007) This award winning film released in 2007 captures the fear and torment in the lives of four families caught in a religious cult in South Carolina. The families are shown receiving help at the Wellspring Retreat in Ohio. Actual footage of counseling sessions led by the late Dr. Paul Martin show former cult members receiving instruction, asking questions and dealing with the issues facing them as they struggle to find “normal” lives. The emotions are real and the language reflects the intense struggle with guilt, anger and remorse.     

    The clip below is from a radio interview with Ondi Timoner. She talks about how she came to learn about cults and mind control. She also gives some insight into how the group came to light. It is worth the time to listen.

      Continue reading Join Us – Reflections and Comparisons (1) →

Cult Leader News, Uncategorized

Jane Whaley Said…..

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    As we come to the close of this year, it is worth recounting some of the quotes from Jane Whaley. She is the leader of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC. Yes, what she does reflects in truth more of whom she is rather than what she says or believes; however, these jewels of “wisdom” do give us reason to pause and reflect on the questions- Who is the Jane Whaley? How does she command such loyalty from hundreds of folks in this country and hundreds in other countries? After all, she had my attention for about 16 years. The last six years, I lived inside the group and witnessed many of the golden utterances in person.

   “Your sin affects me!” This statement was uttered at a November seminar in reference to learning that an older lady in the church was gathering grocery papers from the local stores and sharing them with other church members. No one bothered to “check it out” with Jane and she exploded in a rage as she left the sanctuary. Just before she left she turned to rebuke this lady who was standing in congregation. After this blast from Jane, the lady crumbled in her seat and cried. The net effect was to warn others that WHATEVER they did, they needed to check it out with Jane since regular members could not determine what was sin and what was not… Jane only knew what sin was. Jane’s reputation in the community was/is precious to her. Does anyone doubt that? Here is the post about this to learn more… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=143 (Bonus- in this post also explains the “sleep devil” that attacks members who can’t stay awake during her preaching!)

    “Some of you parents are saving money for your children, God said to give it.” We mentioned this statement during the post about the $50,000 offering. Wow, some folks must have believed her. Jane cried after announcing that though she was only $25,000 short, God have blessed with $50,000… From such a group, this was sizeable offering. See the post here… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=245

    Continue reading Jane Whaley Said….. →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Unintended Consequences?

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    Last night, I watched a report on FOX News® with John Stossel. He recounted laws, programs and moves made by our elected officials during this past year. The ones he highlighted had “unintended consequences”. Some of the people interviewed agreed and others were very unwilling to admit that the effects of these moves had been negative or even worth addressing. It was a very informative report.

   After watching this report, I wondered if this could be how some folks view Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and Jane Whaley. Could some folks be unwilling to acknowledge the negative fallout for members who are in and/or have been inside that group? Would there be some folks who see the broken relationships, emotional torment and social adjustment issues for those that leave WOFF as “unintended consequences” and therefore give Jane a free pass? Could it be possible that like some politicians that deny the harmful consequences of their policies and programs, Jane and her leadership are in denial that their doctrines, methods and practices are harmful to their members?

   Continue reading Unintended Consequences? →

Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

A Dream Reveals A Dream…

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     After being involved at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) for over 16 years, forming relationships and living through dramatic times; it seems likely I would still have dreams reflecting those relationships and scenes from those years, right? Yes, likely, but not often pleasant or even desired. In fact, other survivors of this religious controlling group tell me of the same type dreams. Many of the dreams are non-sense and/or just flat weird even, as dreams go. However, occasionally, there is one scene or verbal exchange within a dream that makes  a mark and one I even remember hours after I wake-up. Two nights ago I had such a dream.

     Now, the details and “how we all got in this mess” explanations are a little fuzzy. But, the scene I remember is this: there were children that were perched in high places and they could not get down to safety. There was obvious panic as many were being told to stay calm… Adults were found around the scene in obvious angst over the whole deal. My view was as one who was detached and just observing from a distance. And you know in dreams the laws of gravity are not often applied consistently. So, one courageous man secures a motorized lift used in construction. This lift was VERY much like the one owned by the real estate management company owned by two families in WOFF. I had worked for that company during WOFF days and had seen the lift being operated many times before. So, no wonder that the solution “appeared” in this dream scene.

    Continue reading A Dream Reveals A Dream… →

Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Broken Relationships at WOFF- Why?

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    For days, I have considered the material for this post. It has been a struggle to actually put this one into words. There is no doubt that life within a group such as Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) is full of broken relationships. You may ask – Why? Why would a group calling themselves a “Protestant, non-denominational church with a Christian school (as defined by classical Christianity) and “Our Beliefs include traditional evangelical doctrines”… have so many broken relationships in the lives of present and former members? What is the cause of so many folks being cut-off or cutting themselves off from either members inside or folks outside of this group?

    Do I even have the ability to write about such things? Have I ever seen relationships torn apart while either inside or outside the group? While on the inside for so many years, what thoughts accompany the witnessing of other members as their family unit breaks apart because of WOFF ways? When I saw other families ravaged by the power of Jane Whaley to split them, what were the thoughts that helped calm what should have been obvious concerns? We will start there.

   From 1992 to 2008, I was under the sway of the teachings of Jane Whaley. The beginning years were spent in the church in Greenville, SC where the leaders were being directed and counseled by Jane Whaley and her leadership team. We could be assured that if Jane taught it at WOFF, eventually, whatever doctrine or practice, it would be brought to Greenville. Sometimes, the source of the doctrines were obvious, other times, the source was not so obvious. Looking back, it is all very obvious.

   Continue reading Broken Relationships at WOFF- Why? →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

More on the Exclusive Brethren

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    In a previous post, I shared information about a group called the Exclusive Brethren. In that post found here… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3198 I made some comparisons between Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and the Exclusive Brethren group. One main point of that post was how similar the folks who leave each group are treated. Here is a quote from the first post on this subject:

    –For the most part, members who have left the Raven/Taylor/Hales group (of Exclusive Brethren) are completely ostracized. Members are not permitted to live with those who have left and this causes families to break up; in fact, remaining members do not even speak, eat or otherwise socialize with those who have left the group’s membership. To leave the group, either voluntarily or to be excommunicated, means to be asked to leave one’s home, and the subsequent breaking of all normal family relationships with those who remain within the group.[7]   

  This sounded so much like what I had seen and been a part of with WOFF; I felt the need to learn more. When the survivor from this group contacted me, I asked him about any similarities and here is a quote from an email he sent: (used by permission- from “Paul”)

    Continue reading More on the Exclusive Brethren →