Tag Archives: Matthew Fenner

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

I dared to read the comments…

Leave a comment

The last few days have passed quickly. Since the indictments came down in the Matthew Fenner case, between work duties and the WOFF-drama, things have been a whirl. Late on Thursday evening, I fell asleep for an unexpected nap in the clothes I had worn all day. Two hours later, I woke up overrun with gym-guilt. This was the second night in a row that I did not go work out. Somehow, I got over it and began looking at my phone.

Searching minds want to know, so I searched ‘Brooke Covington jail.’ As I viewed the results, one article title caught my eye. “Anti-Gay NC Church Members Indicted for Felony Kidnapping and Assault if Gay Man…” link here.
(click “back” button to return here)

The article did not have much original material, mainly content from other sites. When I came to the end, I decided to read the comments. No, I don’t normally read the comments since those who write them are usually the most vocal and opinionated. And since, I have left comments before on other sites; I decided to read a few.
Continue reading I dared to read the comments… →

Books, Resources, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

So, have you strangled someone… lately? Did it help? (video)

2 Comments

WSPA.com

The names, ages and charges were released today in the Fenner case. Here is the list:
“Indicted were Sarah Covington Anderson, 27, Adam Christopher Bartley, 25, Brooke McFadden Covington, 56, Justin Brock Covington, 20, all of Breeze Hill in Rutherfordton and Robert Louis Walker, Jr., 26, of New Flynn Drive in Spindale.

Five true bills of indictments were handed down for second degree kidnapping and simple assault. Anderson was also charged with assault inflicting personal injury by strangulation.”
(source link- http://www.thedigitalcourier.com/news/x1736887346/Five-Word-of-Faith-members-indicted-for-assault )

In a separate source, the church attorney is quoted,

“They are innocent of the charges leveled against them and we look forward to proving their innocence and to their complete vindication before a trial court. Please remember that the law declares them innocent until they are proven guilty beyond all reasonable doubt.” (source link- http://www.wlos.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/victim-alleged-word-faith-abuse-grateful-indictments-18829.shtml#.VIen28nb3Eb )
Continue reading So, have you strangled someone… lately? Did it help? (video) →

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Alleged Word of Faith Abusers Indicted – WLOS 12/8/2014

Leave a comment

This blip showed up on the WLOS website on December 8, 2014. Five WOFF members have been indicted. Name and the specific charges will be posted here, once they are made public. The picture below the article is of a sign I carried down Oakland Road a couple of years ago. At the time, I did not know Matthew Fenner or how the abuses had evolved within this group.

Inside, the phrase- “Better to bruise than burn” pretty much sums up their philosophy.

My theory- “Outside pressures change inside dynamics, but not inside beliefs.” The physical abuses will stop for a time, but not the emotional destruction. After a while, the physical abuses will start again, once they don’t feel any outside pressures. Keeping the pressures on allows for more time for members to wake up and LEAVE!
__________________________________________
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. — Five members of the Rutherford County Word of Faith Church were indicted by a grand jury, Monday.

The indictment relates to a 2013 alleged assault on a gay member of the word of faith fellowship in Spindale.

The accuser, Matthew Fenner, says he was beaten and strangled by members of the church because he was gay.

The names and official charges of the accused will be released by the Rutherford County clerk of court Tuesday.

http://www.wlos.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/alleged-word-faith-abusers-indicted-18823.shtml#.VIanjGcrI65
____________________________________________

WOFF is UNSAFE
Near the End of the Walk

Continue reading Alleged Word of Faith Abusers Indicted – WLOS 12/8/2014 →

Books, Resources, Uncategorized

…assault by strangulation within the church complex.…

Leave a comment
Hands for Hope
Hands for Hope and Action

RC Catalyst has an editorial posted on October 21, 2014 found here. It is about Matthew Fenner’s struggle to have someone listen to his claims and then file charges with the appropriate authorities. He did finally accomplish his goal. The editorial outlined the barriers he encountered and the parties who contributed to his uphill climb. The accusations/crimes listed in the article, “assault, second degree kidnapping and assault by strangulation within the church complex.”

For those readers who may not have seen this, January 27th of this year – this was on Matthew’s Facebook page:

“A year ago, tonight, I was being cornered and assaulted by a local religious group that all too many are familiar with. It was probably one of the worst events to ever take place in my lifetime; one that left me feeling hopeless, degraded, and in fear for my life. I am so grateful to have been able to leave the environment I was in. After being slapped, choked, punched in the chest, excessively shaken, and degraded through caustic statements and threats such as “You’re a pervert,” “You disgust me,” “I hate being around you,” “You’ll sit here for the next two days if you have to,” and “If you don’t change, I will beat this out of you,” all because of the sexual orientation I was viewed as being (and born with), I have been able to grow and successfully become a grateful and empowered young man…”
(last viewed October 27,2014)
Continue reading …assault by strangulation within the church complex.… →

Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Hands Up!

3 Comments
Three survivors of WOFF Speak out
Three speak out in silence.

 

This picture has an impact that greatly overshadows any words I could write. Survivors of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) tell their message this time without saying a word. Often it is the hands that bring the abuse- today; it is the hands imploring abusers to stop! This sign language speaks louder than the voices of agreement or sympathy to the ways of WOFF. The abuses of children and adults alike must stop. This week, if you shake hands with a WOFF member or see them wave…ask yourself if that hand has abused anyone?

Congratulations to these three for speaking out to the community.  

See here for more survivors with their Hands Up!

And with that, let us remember:

“It is never too late to wake up and leave and reclaim your life!” Steve Hassan

Continue reading Hands Up! →

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Two Events from Monday…

3 Comments

As I sit here reflecting over the events of the last 24 hours, I must say there has not been so much to write since the initial few months of this blog. Actually, I had planned a totally different post for this slot. I planned to bring you “the rest of the story” about Michael Lowry. He has provided a narrative of the events surrounding his recapture, forced recant and second exit. Yes, we will bring that to you, soon. Today, I feel compelled to give you the overview of what I first considered two totally unrelated events. However, after pondering the content of these events, I see they are related. Hopefully, by sharing them we will shed some light where darkness has prevailed.  

First, I received an email on Monday from Josh Farmer of Tomblin, Farmer and Morris. He was questioning some material in a previous post about The Best of Rutherford 2011 and the first post presented about The Best of Rutherford 2013. I read his email filled with questions and took a while to answer. I wrote my answer and then slept on it a night. Tuesday morning, I sent it and have not heard back from him. The following is the text excerpt from his email.

 “I have seen your recent blog post from Saturday.  I am confused.  Your February 6, 2012 post regarding the 2011 Best of Rutherford County poll results indicated that “…the rules don’t seem to be broken [by WFF practices]”.  However, your January 25, 2014 post accuses Jane, the church and me of “vote rigging”.  So which is it?  Can you identify any impropriety here?

I have talked with Matt Clark about my involvement in the Best of Rutherford contest and candidly discussed the matter.  He couldn’t identify any problems with my activities or those of others you have accused.

You accuse me of impropriety by referencing the “Oath of Office as an Attorney at Law”.  So let’s be clear here, do you contend I violated any Rule of Professional Conduct, did anything illegal or even violated a rule of the Daily Courier’s contest?  I would like some clarification because your current post would tend to mislead all of your 10 readers.”

Continue reading Two Events from Monday… →