So, I double checked the length of the WOFF version and the WCAB version– well, what do you know? The WOFF version is about 16 seconds shorter. What could they be hiding as they “give truth” about what Jim Bishop of WCAB characterizes as the “nasty” reports in the media? So, I used a split screen and allowed the two different versions to play alternately until I found the edit.

In the WCAB version, when the on screen timer shows 1:47.44, you hear Sandra Norris say this: “… responsible before God and I have seen I you know even another court case that was going on with the Fenner case, I was there, I know truth. I’m just appalled because my students can tell you Revelation 21:8, there will be no liars in heaven. And I all I want to do is be a blessing to people…” The timer shows 1:48.00 as she says this.

Go over to the WOFF version and their timer is different, but we can do the math. Picking up the timer at 15:23 with “…responsible before God and all I want to do is be a blessing to people…” The reference to the Fenner case is cut out. What does this say about Sandra’s words? More accurately; what does this say about what Jane Whaley thought about Sandra’s words?

John, you already wrote about Sandra’s mention of the Fenner case. Yes, and now we know WOFF has hidden the reference which makes it all the more of a curiosity. Is it an admission that Sandra may have crossed the line? As Jim Bishop leaves his unedited version for the whole world to view, has WOFF asked him to edit his upload of the show?

On a more serious note, reports are getting back to me that Jane is back to her demeaning, destructive and caustic ways when it comes to the children. Sources liken Jane’s actions during a recent service to the way she behaved five years ago. I fear for the children which includes my grandson.

For those who read this and are still inside the WOFF web, act now and courageously face the pain of separation. Jane uses the fear of what will happen once you leave her making the pain of separation from family and friends the chain that keeps you there in the confines of WOFF. She touts the consequences of leaving her as leaving God Himself. You need to know that if someone has to use fear to keep you a part of their group then the foundation of that group is not love as is portrayed. There is definitely a struggle for many to leave the only place they have known. So, if you stay will things get better? What consequences will come for staying in such a volatile group? Do you believe the way Jane treated the children in the recent service is God’s love? Was your child one of the ones berated and shamed and forced to leave the sanctuary?

I will write more on the power of the pain of separation as I believe it is one of the keys to Jane’s power over so many members.

Yes, for certain, 2017 was a banner year to use a biblical term- “lifting the skirt” of WOFF. I am not sure the revelations have stopped. 2018 could add more understanding to the true nature of the WOFF closed subculture.

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 627.

Brooke Covington was standing trial based on indictments handed down in January 2015. The charges of simple assault and second degree kidnapping stem from events inside the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) sanctuary on January 27, 2013 in which Matthew Fenner alleges he was beaten and held against his will. Four other defendants in the case include Sarah Anderson, Justin Covington, Robert Louis Walker, Jr. and Adam Bartley. Ms. Covington is the only defendant to stand trial so far in this drawn out case.

The gag order was modified in October of 2017 to allow the State Bureau of Investigation access to the sealed documents and set March 31, 2018 as an expiration date for the entire order.

Wednesday, Sandra Norris spoke on the WOFF radio show on WCAB 590 AM. WOFF takes to the air waves Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 8:30AM. For those not in the immediate listening area, WCAB uploads their streamed version of the show- most days.

During the Wednesday morning broadcast, Sandra spoke for several minutes extolling the happy life she has lived and continues to live as a member of WOFF. “Miss Norris” went into detail about her education background and teaching career; her students who love her and her parents who attend WOFF. Sandra’s father is the brother to Jane Whaley’s mother. Sandra made it very clear she has been a faithful Word of Faith Fellowship member from “the very beginning days of the church.”

Miss Norris makes a point to mention her observations about Jane Whaley which include characterizing Jane as a Proverbs 31 woman. She says Jane never takes money from people, she gives it. Adding to her discourse, she explains during her teaching days, she always wrote “Revelation 21:8” on her board, explaining to her students- there are no liars in heaven. While explaining her experience at the school run by WOFF, she exclaims, “I would never be a part of a cult or abuse… I am appalled…”

After mentioning her knowledge of the Coopers and saying they were “never abused”, she explains the support she has received during family crisis situations. Mark Morris interjects some background on the Cooper family and that a few of them have been mentioned in the Associated Press articles. Sandra says of the Coopers, “…they have so attacked…”

Again, she declares there never has been abuse in the (WOFF) school. Adding she is on the Board there…

Then she mentions “… the Fenner case, I was there, I know truth. And I’m just appalled. My students can tell you, Revelation 21:8. There will be no liars in heaven….”

Here is where things become dicey. Anyone listening can tell she is not calling the five defendants in the Fenner case – liars. She is calling Matthew Fenner (by inference) and the Coopers directly- liars.

The gag order does not prohibit anyone from calling the Coopers – liars. What it does prohibit is anyone named “from discussing this (Fenner) case with any member of the press.”

Sandra Norris establishes herself as an authority to be believed when it comes to life at WOFF and then declares as far as the Fenner case, “I was there, I know truth…” Abuse is not part of our lifestyle.

At least one member of the press was present for her discussion and who knows how many others heard her or will hear her strong opinions surrounding the Fenner case? Does her dogmatic assertion of no abuse at WOFF while directly referencing the Fenner case qualify as a violation of the Court imposed gag order? Is there any way to measure how such reckless comments will hinder future jury selection? What will this action, no matter how well intended, do to “the integrity of the trial(s)”?

I believe it is time for the Honorable Judge Gary Gavenus to be informed so he can weigh in on the matter. If we are to believe Mark Morris’ declaration that the listeners are now hearing truth(!) – then, the negative effects on the integrity of the whole legal process surrounding the Fenner case should be a great concern.

Which is it, Mark? Are the listeners far and wide being greatly swayed by your truth-filled programs or are you over-stating your effectiveness? Your listeners are potential jurors. Your good name, reputation and maybe your legal career all rest on your answer. If Sandra’s testimony has a great effect on Rutherford County and wherever the Internet reaches – which includes other members of the press, then has she violated the Court order? What is truth? Judge Gavenus issued the order and I hope he answers the question for us.

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 626.

During 2017, many new people became aware of the ongoing, complex and often surreal drama which surrounds Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). This is a good reason to recap several important events which happened that brought much more attention to the often secretive and closed “church” in Spindale NC.

Starting February 27th, the Associated Press released the first of several articles which detailed abuses inside of WOFF. “Ex-congregants reveal years of ungodly abuse…” These accounts came from 43 survivors who lived inside WOFF and subsequently left at different times. The testimonials covered by this release and the subsequent articles throughout the year, resulted in a proverbial ongoing “indictment hearing” for the WOFF leadership as well as several local and State officials. The AP’s site (here) serves as the central hub for the many articles, videos and audio files unveiled after almost two years of investigation. The information gleaned from survivor accounts, court documents, recordings and intense research served to alert government officials and thus open several investigations into possible abuses, instances of fraud and wrong doings by WOFF in the United States and Brazil.

March 6th – “Ex-sect members tell AP: Prosecutors obstructed abuse cases“- was the next release which told of meetings inside Jane Whaley’s office where two members who served as Assistant District Attorneys in Burke County were involved in coaching members how to answer questions posed by various investigators. Also, present in these sessions was a church member who served as a social worker in Cleveland County. Not long after the AP release, Frank Webster and Chris Back were no longer employed as Assistant District Attorneys and Lori Cornelius decided to leave her position as a social worker for Cleveland County.

March11th – a Survivor’s Forum was held at the Spindale House. It was standing room only as several survivors told of their time inside WOFF. Several media outlets covered the event. The live stream recording received thousands of views on Facebook.

June 6th- A mistrial was declared in the State vs. Brooke Covington after the jury foreman introduced unauthorized documents into the jury room. The documents were judged as “tainting” any outcome. The jury foreman, Perry Slade was fined $500 and spent 30 days in jail. Mrs. Covington was the first of five WOFF defendants tried in the long running Matthew Fenner case. Judge Gavenus issued a gag order simultaneously with the mistrial. The gag order has been modified to allow an investigation by State officials into the events. As of March 31, 2018, the gag order will expire.

Later, a motion filed by Judge Marvin Pope moved four trials to Buncombe County. Also, in a more recent Motion filed by District Attorney Ted Bell, he requested an indefinite continuance. This Motion has yet to be heard. The reason for the delay includes the ongoing investigations by several State and Federal agencies into WOFF. (link here)

June 26th- AP released an article documenting local officials in Rutherford County delaying their initial investigation of Matthew Fenner’s abuse claims. Secret recordings of then District Attorney Brad Greenway and Sheriff Chris Francis document the confusion and delay.

July 24th, The AP released “They kept us as slaves…” an account of ex-members from Brazil telling of a “human pipeline” of young folks who labored in church-leaders homes and church-member owned companies for little to no pay. This account attracted the interest of a large news outlet in Brazil- Globo.com. This news outlet sent reporters to North Carolina to find out more. The resulting news release added fuel to the fire already started by the Brazilian and American AP. Later news reports told that officials in Brazil were taking the allegations seriously and were in touch with the U.S. Department of Justice.

August 21st- Congressman Patrick McHenry held a town hall meeting at Isothermal Community College. In answer to questions about his knowledge of the ongoing investigations into WOFF; he claimed to be ONLY able to make speeches and introduce legislation. He said he was a private citizen and not briefed about the situation. All of these comments were made in conjunction with reports of how he strives to help his constituents who seek help from several governmental agencies. He did not see the obvious conflict in his statements because his political life is based on “helping” those who vote for him. It was also noted his warm and personal greetings to each WOFF member who approached him after the meeting. (post)

September 25th- “…Church stoked tithing with unemployment scam…” As if the surreal religious subculture could hold no more secrets, the AP reported accounts of former members outlining what the leader, Jane Whaley, called “God’s plan.” The church-member owned businesses were told by the person claiming to be the voice of God, to file fraudulent unemployment claims in order for the tithes to continue and the businesses to survive. This caused many to shake their head in disbelief.

November 13th- During the early morning hours the AP released two related stories. One titled: “Ex-members say church uses power, lies to keep grip on kids.” The article outlined the process used by a long-time WOFF member serving as a county court clerk, Laura Bridges to bypass the foster care system and obtain custody of children from three single mothers. This article also included the Shana Muse story. It was a long emotional read, but extremely valid to understanding the WOFF saga.

Also, on November 13th,”Investigators face big hurdles in church child abuse cases...” a story was released outlining the hurdles to prudent child protection which local social workers face when investigating abuse claims involving WOFF children. The Compromised Settlement which was a result of the 2003 civil action filed by WOFF against the Rutherford County Department of Social Services (RCDSS) and three employees has served as a barrier since 2005. This story and the resulting public outcry resulted in calls for the resignation of RCDSS Director John Carroll.

Shortly after this article dropped, I sent an email to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) as they provide oversight for local DSSs. That very afternoon, I received a call from Assistant Secretary of the NC DHHS, Michael Becketts. He requested a face to face meeting to hear what I thought was going on in Rutherford County. This meeting was held on December 18th. In a closed door session with Mr. Becketts and Assistant General Counsel Julie Cronin, I expressed my concerns. They both listened and also expressed their firm position that the NC DHHS is not bound by the Compromised Settlement. Previous to this meeting, a new relationship protocol was put in place for RCDSS as they review complaints of abuse or neglect involving WOFF children. The NC DHHS will now review information and case files of all complaints of abuse involving WOFF children, those acted upon locally and those that are not.

December 14th- The AP released an article outlining the story of former WOFF-member- Jamey Anderson. “No one saved us…” Jamey told of his time on church discipline and the horrors that came with it. His struggles after leaving WOFF were punctuated by recent false trespassing charges filed by his brother who remained a WOFF member. The charges were dismissed, but not before Jamey suffered reputational damage. It was a sad comment on the legal process in Rutherford County.

This story was the appropriate ending to the year-long “indictment hearing” provided by the investigative team of the AP.

December 20th- The RCDSS at the monthly Board meeting heard from some folks during the public comment time who were not happy with John Carroll’s decisions. Also, several WOFF members crooned his praises. If he wore boots that day, I am sure they were shiny when he left.

During 2017, Spindale’s small town sleepy atmosphere was replaced with an ongoing intense cloud of disbelief and shock. Many local residents became aware for the first time of the abuses, misdeeds, and legal shenanigans which have festered and grown pervasive behind the lily white doors of the WOFF sanctuary. The sheen doesn’t always equal clean. The shine doesn’t mean all is fine.

In response to the growing information provided by the AP, Rccatalyst.com, WSPA, WSOC and other media outlets, WOFF teamed up with their radio pal – WCAB 590AM. Jim Bishop and WCAB have run WOFF member-owned business commercials for a while. This radio station has also served as a platform for WOFF-member Gilbert Carmona’s tax show.

WOFF pays for air time 8:30AM to 9:00AM – Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This started in December and except for this past Monday- the show has been live-stream on the WCAB YouTube channel. The shows are archived.

Let me take this opportunity to thank Karel Reynolds, Mark Morris, my ex-wife and my son for being so kind to review my book, “Locked in.” I know that does not mean you read it- freely. Nonetheless, you did tell the radio audience how much you think I “lied” in my book. This will only serve to make regular folks curious to read for themselves. I appreciate you getting the word out to the good folks who listen to radio. That is one media source I had not considered. Thank you!

And yet, the daily drama/trauma of WOFF-life continues…

What does 2018 hold as a follow-up?

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 625.

Rccatalyst.com reported the continuance of the Robert Louis Walker trial earlier in October. A date for the trial to begin was not set. The reason given was “new discovery.” Translated this means new evidence. Assistant District Attorney Garland Byers agreed to the continuance and one has to interpret from that notion that the “new discovery” held some weight and potential effect on the pending trial, possibly a good thing in the long run (longer than ever anticipated).

For background: these ongoing court proceedings stem from incidents on January 27, 2013 in the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) sanctuary in which Matthew Fenner alleges he was assaulted, held against his will and strangled. The indictments handed down in January 2015 were filed against Brooke M. Covington, Sarah Anderson, Justin Covington, Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. and Adam Bartley- all church members at the time of the incidents. After many pre-trial motions during 2015 which included a disqualification of Farmer and Morris as counsel for any of the defendants, Brooke Covington’s trial commenced earlier this year. During the June 6th session, unauthorized documents introduced into the jury room by the jury foreman caused Judge Gavenus to declare a mistrial. In addition, he followed this with a gag order on those involved in that trial either as potential witnesses, attorneys and court officials. The jury foreman, Perry Shade, spent 30 days in jail and was fined $500.00. The Associated Press filed suit to remove the gag order.

Rccatalyst.com also reported Judge Gary Gavenus finally ruled on the gag order he imposed in June. In court documents provided on the Rccatalytst.com website, Judge Gavenus modifies the order to allow the jurors to talk freely to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). He orders the sealed documents surrounding the trial and the documents introduced to the jury held and viewed only by the SBI. He states he never intended the gag order to be permanent and set it to expire on March 31, 2018. Included in the documents is a line by line account of the conversations during the session on June 6th. I found this very satisfying and was glad to know the public could get some understanding for how this all evolved in court. The AP’s motion to immediately lift the gag order was unsuccessful.

The concern of Judge Gavenus that somehow the publicity would be controlled by a gag order has been thwarted by the very presence of the long running gag order. It served as a boost to the heightened curiosity and raised doubts as to the desire of the responsible authorities to delve into events which preceded the mistrial. What would they find? How did the jury foreman walk past the bailiff and the judge in open court carrying these documents? The possibility that he was aided in some fashion by another individual cannot be dismissed without proper investigation. After all, who gained the most by the declaration of a mistrial? If memory serves me right, the jurors were allowed to exit and enter the side entrance of the courthouse during their breaks. Were there cameras in that area?

At a very minimum, the obvious presence of a “hands-off” unspoken understanding in the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department headed by the WOFF-friendly Chris Francis has to be explored by the SBI. Why have the survivors of WOFF had such a difficult time obtaining at least an introduction to the process of justice for their claims of abuse? The timeline of Matthew Fenner’s journey to justice begins with much delay and lingers on as the weeks, months and years pass. Has the process been hindered in anyway by the obvious support and coalescing behaviors of WOFF members and the local Republican Party?

Oh, John, there you go! You are mixing two subjects which people should stay away from- religion and politics. Friends, when religion and politics are relentlessly feeding and festering off each other – we all lose. Somehow the aggrandizement of WOFF’s subculture and signature practices supported by our elected officials, many in the Republican Party; makes me ill and leaves a huge distaste for all involved. Looking away from the physical and emotional damages caused by WOFF in light of the volunteer hours and cash supplied by WOFF-members is reprehensible. Agree?

Will the SBI be able to disentangle the personal friendships fostered by many in local government with WOFF leaders and find the truth about not only the events during the Covington trial, but the other areas brought to light earlier this year by the Associated Press? Areas of concern reported this year by the AP include:

1. The treatment of WOFF survivors (adults and children) during their time in the group.
2. Meetings held on WOFF grounds specifically design to change the testimony of church members during legal proceedings and/or investigations.
3. Treatment of Brazilians and other foreign nationals surrounding work-related visa violations.
4. Long running unemployment fraud orchestrated by leader Jane Whaley and others in leadership roles.
5. Questions of improper sharing of sensitive information between a former district attorney and church lawyers.

This ongoing saga does not promise a quick resolution. This list only summarizes the investigation into WOFF in North Carolina. WOFF affiliated churches in Brazil are facing their own scrutiny as also reported by the AP.

Earlier this year, I characterized WOFF as a stain on North Carolina. Let me go onto explain there are many good-hearted, caring folks living as members inside the WOFF subculture. I have known many of them for years. However, to the degree that the physically and emotionally damaging practices along with the potentially illegal activities go unchecked, unchanged and ignored; then we as citizens of North Carolina deserve the rewards thereof. In my opinion, the leader and her leadership must be held accountable, fully investigated and the findings fully processed according to the laws of our State and Nation. Otherwise, what hope is there for the children caught inside the WOFF-maze? What hope is there for the integrity of our State and our social fabric to be purged from this blight? Our hopes remain for now that justice will prevail and the truths about WOFF will be brought into the light.

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 620.

Following the predictably unpredictable theme, on Wednesday of this week, Brian Oglesby filed a Motion to Withdraw as counsel for Adam Bartley. Attorney Thomas Amburgey filed a Notice of Appearance to represent Bartley and a Motion for Continuance. Judge Marvin Pope scheduled a hearing on the Motion for Continuance for Friday at 2:00PM, in the Buncombe County courtroom on the ninth floor.

This development came less than two weeks before the trial for Adam Bartley was set to start on October 23rd. The Rccatalyst.com reported this update on Thursday with several documents provided in the article to show the steps leading up to Friday’s hearing.

These proceedings stem from incidents on January 27, 2013 in the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) sanctuary in which Matthew Fenner alleges he was assaulted, held against his will and strangled. The indictments handed down in January 2015 were against Brooke M. Covington, Sarah Anderson, Justin Covington, Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. and Adam Bartley. After many pre-trial motions which included a disqualification of Farmer and Morris as counsel for any of the defendants, Brooke Covington’s trial commenced earlier this year. Unauthorized documents introduced into the jury room by the jury foreman caused Judge Gavenus to declare a mistrial followed by a gag order on those involved in that trial. The jury foreman also spent 30 days in jail and was fined $500.00. The Associated Press filed suit to remove the gag order. To date, the gag order remains in place and blocking investigators from performing any inquiries into the jury foreman’s actions.

Friday was not my first trip to the Buncombe County courthouse. However, the last trip was so long ago, it felt like the first time. I found a metered parking place near the front of the courthouse and deposited change to buy just a little over an hour. The maximum you could buy was two hours. (after the hearing, I noticed a parking garage across the street which may be an option for next time. ) Though I parked at the front of the courthouse, the entrance is around to the left side of the building. Immediately upon entering, I passed through security and asked directions to the ninth floor. Walking through a couple of different hallways, I found the golden elevators. During my stroll through to the elevators, I found it odd to not see anyone I recognized. Was the hearing postponed?

The elevator doors opened just as the doors to the ninth floor courtroom were opened by a uniformed officer. The attorney’s involved walked in ahead of me to take their positions. Adam Bartley promptly took his seat next to his attorney. This court house allowed cell phones; this allowed the two uniformed officers time to play on their phone as we all waited for the Judge to enter the room. I double checked mine to verify it was off. The courtroom had a very small gallery area compared to other courtrooms. There were framed United States and North Carolina flags hanging behind the judge’s chair as well as one of each flag on a pole behind the judge’s elevated podium. The court workers gathered correct spellings of all of the involved parties in a very relaxed atmosphere. I moved up closer so I could see the clock while taking notes. Oddly, no WOFF leadership were in court to support Bartley, not even DeWitt Prince.

Judge Pope entered the courtroom shortly after the top of the hour. After we all were seated, he addressed Adam Bartley’s attorney, Mr. Amburgey for him to begin his argument. Attorney Amburgey began by outlining his initial contact with Adam Bartley and his then attorney Brian Oglesby. Mr. Oglesby was appointed as a public defender earlier this year after Mr. Bartley was declared an indigent. Amburgey outlined in detail his efforts over this past week to contact District Attorney Ted Bell’s office in order to start a dialogue about the case. His comments noted Mr. Oglesby was not ready for trial and that Mr. Bartley had a right to choose his counsel. Once he had access to the discovery, he would be ready “as soon as possible.”

Judge Pope then turned to Assistant District Attorney Garland Byers for his reply. Byers pointed out this would be Bartley’s fifth attorney and after several discussions with Oglesby, he believed Oglesby was ready for trial. Byers said the right to counsel is a “qualified right”, not “an absolute right”, adding the State of North Carolina makes this very clear. He went on to say he would abide by the court’s decision reminding the Judge this was the oldest case on his list, five years this coming January since the incident occurred.

Judge Pope turned to Amburgey asking when he might be ready to go to trial. “I have no real idea,”he replied, adding – six weeks was ambitious, possibly (ready) by the end of the year. Pope clarified some matters with Byers and threw out December 4th as a possible date to begin. Byers pointed out he had a pending murder trial set for December 11th. December dates did not seem like a good fit for the case’s already set for his office.

Judge Pope suggested January 2, 2018 to which both attorneys agreed. Adam Bartley’s trial will start the first Tuesday of 2018. I saw no discernable reaction positive or negative from Bartley over this entire series of events.

Next, there was some discussion about which trial would called for October 23rd. Byers assured the Judge that Attorney Cates representing Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. was ready and this seemed to please the Judge. He was glad that this case could move forward this month.

Judge Marvin Pope earlier filed a Change of Venue for four of the trials, all except Brooke Covington’s. Today’s hearing could be the first of many sessions in Buncombe County in order for these cases to be tried. It Is not clear if today’s courtroom will serve for the rest of the trials, if so, the gallery space will be limited.

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 618.

This case stems from incidents on January 27, 2013 in which Fenner alleges he was beaten and strangled during a blasting deliverance prayer session inside the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) sanctuary. Five indictments against former and present members have been the subject of a rolling sea of pretrial motions, appeals, a disqualification of counsel and a mistrial. The mistrial occurred this past June in the trial of Brooke Covington. Presiding Judge Gavenous placed a gag order which still impedes the investigation into the mechanics on how unauthorized documents were delivered into the jury room and subsequently lead to the declaration of a mistrial. The jury foreman spent 30 days in jail and was fined $500 for the conduct.

The list of defendants includes Brooke Covington, Justin Covington, Sarah Anderson, Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. and Adam Bartley. The charges include first degree assault and second degree kidnapping for all, as well as the charge of inflicting injury by strangulation against Sarah Anderson.

Today’s hearing was short and to the point. I learned that Judge Pope requested Assistant District Attorney Garland Byers to draw up and order which moves four of the cases to Buncombe County. Brooke Covington’s case was not moved at this time, though her counsel, David Teddy was in court today. Byers will coordinate with the District Attorney’s office in Buncombe County to obtain court dates. Judge Pope was very deliberate and forthright after hearing statements from a few of the counselors in this case.

There are several advantages to moving the trials. Judge Pope will preside over the session in December. There is a larger jury pool with theoretically a more diverse perspective. In my opinion, moving the trial will not hinder local, state, national or international coverage of this saga. Considering the correlating investigations and plot lines already unearthed by the Associated Press since February, the attention will be magnified regardless of the location of the trials. You can count on it.

In other news surrounding the WOFF drama, President Trump nominated District Attorney for Mecklenburg County, Andrew Murray, for the U.S. Attorney position in Western North Carolina. Upon Senate confirmation, he could assume the post immediately. The future of Jill Rose having served as acting U.S. Attorney since October 2015 is unclear. We would hope in order to continue the consistency of the ongoing investigation that she would stay on as an assistant. This remains to be seen.

The entire scene surrounding WOFF has been and remains predictably unpredictable. Jane Whaley was in court today and escorted from the grounds by Attorney Mark Morris. Adam Bartley with his shaved head and nice suit was escorted from the courthouse by prison ministry ministers and faithful WOFF-operatives, DeWitt and Andra Prince. Just how much Bartley has been readmitted into the WOFF sub-culture is not known. For now, he appears very “Woffy”.

Could there be a December to remember for former members of WOFF? Will there be more drama surrounding WOFF practices before the end of year? It is predictably unpredictable, agree?

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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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 616.

Weather predictors do their job with computer models and the circumstances as they unfold, attempting to predict the course and strength of this massive storm which did not followed the earlier predictions. Early predictions had the storm following a similar course as Hurricane Matthew from last year, along the east side of Florida. This did not happen. We hear statements now saying parts of the predictions came true while others did not. Weather prognostications are just that- best guesses.

In January 2015, if a legal prognosticator had attempted to predict the course and time frame that the Matthew Fenner case would take to complete, how accurate would they have been? There have been twists, turns and flips in the course of the prosecution of five defendants from Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) which I doubt anyone could have foreseen.

The Rccatalyst.com recently published a updated timeline of the events surrounding this case. This case involves events from January 27, 2013 in the sanctuary of WOFF where in Matthew Fenner alleges he was beaten and held against his will because he was gay. Indictments for first degree assault and second degree kidnapping were handed down in January 2015 against Brooke Covington, Justin Covington, Sarah Anderson, Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. and Adam Bartley. An additional charge of inflicting injury by strangulation was filed against Sarah Anderson.

The pre-trial motions were numerous. The original counsel for the five defendants, Farmer and Morris, led by Joshua Farmer and Mark Morris was disqualified in August 2015. The appeal of that disqualification was eventually withdrawn in 2016 after Sarah Anderson left WOFF and secured her own counsel. Brooke Covington stood trial earlier this year and the outcome of a mistrial were predictably unpredictable, right?

This is September 2017. Today there is a status conference to , hear a motion allowing Robert Denton to withdraw as counsel to Adam Bartley. The change of venue motion will also be heard and who knows what else? The outcome for this hearing is like others before it. Unpredictable. Will Judge Pope allow Robert Denton to drop this case and Adam Bartley to obtain a public defender? My sources are not certain.The new defender would predictably ask for months to prepare his/her case. The change of venue motion entered by Judge Pope is almost a sure thing, right? Really?

Having believed earlier predictions about Irma which turned out to be inaccurate, I will not be in the Rutherford County courtroom today. Once the outcome is known, I will share it here.

In other matters, the Charlotte Observer earlier reported comments by U. S. Attorney Jill Rose indicating progress in the investigation into the treatment of Brazilians inside the WOFF subculture. This investigation comes after the Associated Press released and article detailing Brazilian ex-members involved in potential visa violations by working for little to no pay during their time with WOFF.

While we know the investigation into WOFF and their doings continues, when anything will be made public or indictments for Jane Whaley or any of her leadership is predictably unpredictable. This is a waiting game.

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 615.

-Motion for Continuance
-Motion for Fenner to produce recordings
-Motion for Change of Venue by Teddy

In a related matter, Judge Gavenus as the originator of the gag order set in place after the mistrial on June 6th in the State versus Brooke Covington trial – has agreed to review the pending motion to lift the order filed by the Associated Press and the Charlotte Observer. He will also review the motion filed by the State to partially lift the gag order so the investigation into the introduction of unauthorized documents into the jury room by the jury foreman can proceed. Judge Gavenus is asking for the supporting documents to be submitted on or before August 1st.

The court calendar lists the State versus Adam Bartley for September 11th. Bartley is one of the Famous Five defendants who all were members of the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) on January 27, 2013, the date Matthew Fenner alleges he was assaulted and held against his will in a deliverance session in the WOFF sanctuary. The other four include: Brooke Covington, Justin Covington, Sarah Anderson, and Robert Louis Walker, Jr. Since the incident date, Bartley and Sarah Anderson have left WOFF.

In an email from ADA Garland Byers to Bartley’s defense attorney Robert Denton, Byers says the “…it now appears unlikely the State will be able to call Brooke Covington’s case for trial due to Mr. Teddy’s medical situation.” The medical situation is not explained, but has now prompted Byers to alert Denton that Adam Bartley’s case will be called in September. Denton asks for a continuance and Byers explains his reasoning for not agreeing but allowing the court to decide if a continuance in Bartley’s case is warranted.

So, what do we know for sure? The journey for justice is long and has many curves, hills and valleys. We have no idea where it leads or how long it will take to arrive. We have learned to expect the unexpected. What may happen before July 28th? We shall see.

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 609.

Attorney David Teddy filed a Motion for Continuance citing his preplanned vacation to Ireland during July and the necessity of reviewing transcripts from the first trial adding the expedited costs would run around $5,000. Assistant District Attorney Garland Byers said the Rule for such declaring reasons for a Continuance had not been properly met.

The result so far includes the latest date for trial in the State of North Carolina versus Brooke Covington is now set for September 11, 2017. I don’t know yet who the judge is for that judicial session. It will be interesting to learn and watch the events unfold through the summer.

As an observer, I understand the time and expense for obtaining a transcription of the first trial. My caution is that in an effort to expedite, that the assigned court reporter, Leanna Lynch, does not ask anyone affiliated with Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) to help in the completion of the request- for obvious reasons. Bridges Court Reporting is owned by Laura R. Bridges. She is a faithful WOFF member at last count having previously worked inside the Rutherford County Courthouse. There may be guidelines already in place to prevent such a mistake. I am not sure, but just wanted to make known my concerns.

The case stems from incidents on January 27, 2013 in the sanctuary and foyer of WOFF. Matthew Fenner alleges he was assaulted and moved against his will from which in January 2015 indictments for simple assault, second-degree kidnapping were filed against Brooke Covington, Sarah Anderson, Justin Covington, Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. and Adam Bartley. An additional count of inflicting injury through strangulation was filed against Sarah Anderson.

After many months of pre-trial motions, attorney disqualification and appeals, the first trial of Brooke Covington earlier this spring ended in a mistrial after a juror delivered unapproved documents into the jury room. The juror, Perry Shade, was sentenced to thirty days in jail and a $500 fine for his actions. Today’s post is giving details of the ongoing events after the mistrial.

Also, with a heavy heart, I share the sad news of the passing of Rev. Robert “Bobby” Rape, Matthew’s grandfather. I count it an honor and joy to have known Bobby. In every encounter with him, he was a soft spoken, caring and loving man; a gentle soul. The online obituary is here. The gathering will be Tuesday at Harrelson’s Funeral Home with visitation at 6:00PM and the service to follow at 7:00PM.

Life is too short no matter the number of days. Hug your family and friends, tell them you love them and count each day as a gift. For those who pray- remember Matthew’s family during the days and weeks ahead.

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 607.

Will Matthew Fenner return to his life in college with some satisfaction knowing the legal system in North Carolina has meted out justice in response to the five indictments surrounding the events of January 27, 2013 occurring inside the sanctuary of WOFF? Brooke Covington is the first trial as four others; Sarah Anderson, Justin Covington, Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. and Adam Bartley were also charged and await their fate. Who could have predicted the events that would unfold?

The jury assembled at 9:00AM and returned to deliberations shortly thereafter. When I entered to courtroom, the atmosphere was different from days previous. The witness sequestration was over and more people were in the room including media, supporters of Matthew and a crowd from WOFF. The number of media representatives was larger than days past. I took a seat and began speaking with an investigative reporter from another city.

Soon, I learned of an incident from earlier in the morning. A young man had made some negative comments to a jury member in the hallway, and after the bailiff consulted with the Judge, the man was arrested. The man was to be charged with harassment of a juror and Judge Gavenus had requested the young man appear before him for arraignment and bond. This was only a foretaste of things to come.

Just before 10:30AM, the jury sent out a note to the Judge saying “We need a break. We cannot reach a verdict.” The Judge required them to enter the courtroom and so he proceeded with his customary warnings and cautions for the jury members. He was again very deliberate and thorough with his delivery. They were given a 15 minute break.

After the jury left, others in the gallery made their way out to make calls or walk and stretch. Before I could leave, a young man was brought in and stood near the defense table his head down and hands cuffed behind him. Judge Gavenus addressed him asking his name, “Chad Metcalf.” The Judge explained that he was being charged with harassment of a juror which is a class H felony and carries a maximum sentence of 39 months. The young man was put under oath and asked if he had counsel. He said he could not afford a lawyer. After having the cuffs removed, he was allowed to complete some forms. He was then appointed a public defender and the hearing for probable cause was set for June 14th. Judge Gavenus told the young man he took the matter very seriously and set the bond at $100,000. Mr. Metcalf was escorted out and further processed.

As this scene played out before us, there was a solemn hush over those who remained the gallery. I don’t remember the chairs squeaking during this time. Everyone appeared frozen while just taking in the drama which was unfolding. As the young man left the room the folks began to stir some and begin making eye contact with each other. Soon, the noise of conversations resumed its previous pitch, but at any sign or sound of the jury room door opening- folks stopped talking and sat down expecting a verdict.

At 11:45AM, there was a knock heard from the jury room door and the bailiff opened the door and gave the note to the Judge. He leaves and returns, drawing Garland Byers and District Attorney Ted Bell into the room. I rushed to my seat thinking this could be THE VERDICT. It was not. The Judge read the note aloud after spending time peering at his computer screen. The note said (paraphrased) Did Brooke Covington give Matthew Fenner the opportunity to leave the church and live with his grandparents before or after prayer? The Judge inquired of Byers and defense attorney David Teddy to make sure his answer to the jury suited them. In brief, after bringing the jury out, he told them they had been given all the evidence and it was their duty to decide the questions from the facts they remember.

Judge Gavenus excused them for lunch telling them to be sure to wear the juror badges in public and not to discuss the case outside the jury room. He added they were not to visit any places mentioned in the trial and stay away from newspapers, media outlets, the Internet or social media. He warned them not to research questions about the case, but to rely on the evidence provided in the courtroom. After the jury left the room, the ones in the gallery were excused as well.

At 1:38PM, the jury was in their box and the Judge was seated, but clearly he was disturbed. He announced that it had come to his attention that a juror had handed out papers to the rest of the jury. He instructed them to return to the jury room and gather the papers and write down the name of the juror or jurors who had handed out the documents. The atmosphere in the room suddenly became very quiet in reflection of the possibility of what may be discovered. What could or should a juror handout unless it was already a court approved document of which the Judge would be aware of beforehand?

The jury reassembled in their room and soon a knock on the door attracted all eyes to see someone hand the bailiff the documents in question. The entire room was fixated on this new unfolding drama. The longer the Judge spent reviewing the documents the more visibly distraught he became. I leaned up to a reporter in front of me and whispered, “This is not good.” He nodded in reply.

After what seemed like hours, but was only a few minutes, the Judge handed copies of the documents in question to the Garland Byers and David Teddy. Each sat down to review this new material. After another brief period, the Judge asked them to comment. Byers began by saying he was deeply concerned and Teddy added similar statements. Byers was the first one to utter aloud the term “mistrial.” Teddy added the “Integrity of (any) verdict has been tainted.” To which Judge Gavenus declared there is no remedy but a mistrial.

By this time, the reality was settling on the others in the courtroom. The rogue actions of a juror would derail years of preparation and thousands of dollars spent to reach this point.

Garland Byers suggested the next trial could begin next week, to which there was no agreement. Teddy pointed out that the whole matter was “disturbing” and after all of the resources which had been allocated for this trial, he had to consider acquiring more resources. Yes, no attorney or his staff should work all the time for free. He pointed out the need for a transcript from this trial, which I know takes months unless there is a plan to expedite the process.

During the discussion of how to proceed, the Judge said it was juror number three. I searched my notes and found his name- incorrectly recorded as Terry Shade. It was Perry Lee Shade, Jr.

By 2:07PM the unwanted reality of a mistrial was sending shock waves through the gallery as the questions mounted higher than the ceiling. Who? How? Why? What now? When? How will a second version of these past few days differ?

The jury was called back in court room to review the infraction and announce the consequences of a mistrial. He went to ask the responsible juror to stand. At this moment, he declared to the juror he had violated his oath he was guilty of criminal contempt of court to which he would serve 30 days in jail and have a $500 fine. Judge Gavenus declared, “Get him out of here.” Mr. Shade made no reply; he left the box, walked toward the waiting deputies and was escorted out of the room. Never before had I witnessed such in open court. The looks of shock and amazement were on everyone, at least those in the gallery.

Next, the Judge commended the one juror who pointed out the infraction, lamenting his wish that all eleven others had not joined in to tell on Mr. Shade. He thanks them for their service and in response to Teddy’s request; he ordered them to not talk about the case to the press or any one at all. He included in this gag order court officials, attorneys and witnesses. Anyone violating this order just witnessed what happens to the offender. The cameras waiting outside were not as important to the Judge as preserving the integrity of the evidence for the future of this case.

And with the dismissal of the jury, the State versus Brooke Covington case is in need of future direction. Of course, Garland Byers was not allowed to immediately talk to the press about options going forward. A date has to be set and Mr. Teddy’s question about a transcript settled, at a minimum.

Will Mr. Shade under go any investigation by authorities since during the jury selection process he admitted to being a client of David Teddy’s about 15 years ago? Though he is serving 30 days, will any other charges be explored? The disappointment surrounding these turn of events outweigh any temporary satisfaction obtained during the trial from the disclosure of WOFF-practices.

Outside the court room the scene was frantic as news reporters desperately searched for someone to comment either on or off camera. Many were heard figuring out if they were included in the gag order.

Standing among a group of survivors, I said, “The wounds are still open…” To which another said, “They always will be…”While another survivor pointed out that every time you confront WOFF, you are risking your career and indeed your personal safety. Several took that risk during the past few months and now, there is no immediate reward save the inner satisfaction of knowing you did what you knew was best at the time. The waiting game continues. I can only imagine the inner turmoil of angst and despair which Matthew may be fighting. When will justice be served in Rutherford County not just for Matthew Fenner, but for the hundreds of others near and far damaged by the practices of WOFF?

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults and
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/johnhuddleauthor

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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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

Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 606.