Mitch Weiss – Religious Cults Info ~ Resources, Answers and Hope

Audio Resource Round-up – John Cooper, Mitch Weiss, John Huddle

Admin — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 04:55:37 +0000

Everyone is busy and may not have the time to experience all the different resources on the unfolding drama surrounding Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Also, I know there are folks who just recently started following this story. 2017 has been a year full of new information from the Associated Press, updates on the Matthew Fenner case; including some survivors sharing their individual stories through different media channels.

This post includes three audio resources which you may have missed. First, we have a two-part podcast featuring John Cooper’s story. Even after living inside WOFF for years, I was captivated by John’s narrative. Within the first two minutes of Part 1, he describes a confession session where he is thrown to the floor and “…it all becomes a blur…” “…this guy is sitting on my legs and punching me in the chest…”

Part 2: within the first minute includes a recording of Jane Whaley saying, “Why didn’t you throw him to the ground and get his devils out??!!!” Gripping even for those of us who have survived and left her clutches… John’s description of the exit drama has many twists and turns.

Our next resource is a WUNC 91.5 North Carolina Public Radio interview with Mitch Weiss which is about 20 minutes. He gives background of how he first learned about WOFF. Originally broadcast March 9, 2017 just after the second AP article about the meetings in Jane’s office where members were taught how to answer questions from investigators. During this interview Mitch gives some background of how WOFF started. For this resource- click here

The last resource is a longer interview hosted by Vennie Kocsis of the Survivor Voices Show. She interviews me as we touch a wide array of subjects surrounding WOFF. She also compares my experience to hers growing up in a cult in Alaska.

Hope these resources are able to give background and fill in some gaps when learning about the ongoing saga of Word of Faith Fellowship in Spindale, NC. I will provide additional audio resources as they become available. If you know of any which you believe other followers of this blog would enjoy – please, let me know by email- author@religiouscults info.com. Thank you.

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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.

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.

AP Investigation –Broken Faith –Audio Clips Released

Admin — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 17:11:09 +0000

The AP Investigation- Broken Faith has now posted audio clips under – “Voice from the Church.” The investigation revolves around testimonies of ex-members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The content of these testimonies has resulted in two Assistant District Attorneys- Frank Webster and Chris Back being “no longer employed.” Also, Lori Cornelius, Cleveland County Department of Social Services employee “resigning” as of March 17, 2017. Link also includes 14 stories from the Broken Faith Investigation.

List of clips include:

Jeffrey Cooper: talking about a meeting with Frank Webster’s comments included. Second clip about the roles played during the mock trials.

Jane Whaley: explaining her perspective on not reporting sexual abuse. A second clip of her casting dispersions on a 13- year old young girl who was molested during her time inside WOFF. Third clip of her loudly encouraging David Caulder.

Jamey Anderson: explaining a meeting with Jane, a second clip about the fear in daily life of WOFF.

Jay Plummer: explaining the abuse he experienced.

Tiago Cherubino: talking about an attack he witnessed.

Rick Cooper: explain how WOFF worked to shape its reputation.

John Cooper: he describes the consequences of speaking out at the church. Second clip about the restrictions on marital sex.

Danielle Cordez: recounting a failed attempt to run away from home. (gripping) Second clip explaining what is needed to end the abuse at WOFF.

Tim Cornelius: he describes a 7 year-old retelling the experience of being beaten in the classroom for daydreaming.

Thank you, to each and every ex-member who was willing to be interviewed by Mitch Weiss and the AP Investigative team. We have shared experiences which have shocked this nation and the international community. Not everyone experienced the same level of abuse; however, in some way, each member of WOFF goes through some type of abuse whether socially, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, physically or destruction of relationships with friends or family who decide not to join or express some contrary opinion about Jane Whaley, church practices or any aspect of this dangerous closed sub-CULTure.

Telling the secrets is one of the first steps to healing. I encourage all ex-members to continue on this journey of recovery. There is hope; it is a new day in the saga called Word of Faith Fellowship.

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults and
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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.

Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted.

Frank Webster and Chris Back- “… no longer employed.”

Admin — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 16:43:53 +0000

District Attorney for the 25th District, David Learner announced today that Assistant District Attorney Frank Webster and Assistant District Attorney Chris Back are no longer employed. The announcement came shortly after 10:00AM. AP reports confirm.

“I, along with my staff, have worked very hard in the past two years to rebuild the reputation of the DA’s Office, and I cannot allow the integrity of the office to be called into question.”

Thank you, DA Learner for stepping up and doing the right thing. Now, we can move forward with a serious and comprehensive investigation into all of the accusations uncovered in the AP investigation.

Thank you, Mitch Weiss for the many hours of digging through documents and interviewing survivors. The dedication of you and your team is paving the way for many survivors to share their story and begin the process of healing.

Survivor’s Community Forum March 11th 2:00PM

The Spindale House meeting room on the second floor will serve as the location for this forum. Survivors from Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) will be sharing information about their time inside WOFF and written questions will be taken from those in attendance. While some may come seeking the sensational, our purpose is to not lose sensitivity to the plight of each ex-member participating. Ex-members may attend and not be required to answer questions or reveal their personal information. A few have already agreed to be transparent about their experience.

For many in the area, questions about WOFF have been answered by rumor and misinformation. Many of the questions will be answered on Saturday by members who lived inside the mysterious group. I have declared openly in the last few days that recent reports have brought to light behaviors which warrant further investigation by local, State and Federal authorities. My hopes include tearing down the veil of secrecy which has surrounded this group for years and indeed decades.

Be aware that by attending the event, you give permission to be photographed, and recorded by video or audio devices. Email questions to author@religiouscultsinfo.com

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

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

Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted.

AP Investigation – Broken Faith (main video)

Admin — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 08:50:56 +0000

The Associated Press has released its extensive report centering on the abuses suffered by ex-members of the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, North Carolina. There are two main articles released so far and a video containing testimony of ex-members. More media will be released in a few hours. Below is the full video which now includes the WOFF response.

The first article titled “Ex-congregants reveal years of ungodly abuse”.

The lead picture is of the Cooper baby dedication showing Jane Whaley holding the baby and praying. Sam Whaley is shown touching the baby’s head. The parents are to Jane’s right.

I will not presume to add to the tragic testimonies of the many victims portrayed through these reports. Much of what is relayed happened after my exit in July of 2008. Looking back to my first efforts to bring attention to the dangers of this group in 2010 through this blog and later by active protests; I had no real idea the magnitude, frequency and intensity which the abuses were occurring. Survivors leaving after 2008 confirmed the abuse became more intense over the years.

At this point, I want to personally thank every survivor who agreed to be interviewed by Mitch Weiss. I know it was courageous to go against the hours and hours of preaching from Jane warning of “turning your backs on God.” This was WOFF-speak for daring to tell the truth about the happenings inside WOFF to outsiders who lived “without God or God’s people.” Those people could not understand God’s ways and would certainly be used to attack the move of God and the people of God.

Thank you, for considering someone else’s future- those children still left behind. Also, this investigation seeks to help those who have yet to be born to WOFF members. What failed in 1995 and 2005 will have a larger platform and more power to correct that which has been allowed to affect hundreds of people over the years. We can hope and pray that those in authority will step up and listen to the brave survivors in this investigation.

Former disciples describe storage annex for “worst sinners.”

The second article outlines the living conditions and horrors of the lower building. November 21, 2011 was my first introduction to the lower building lifestyle. Michael Lowry told of the sufferings he experience there. On some level, this piece vindicates him. I believed his story and now understand more how he lived during those weeks and months. Thank you, to all the men who told about their life during their stay in the Lower Building.

The next article released – “Who is Jane Whaley?”

I have nothing to add except the picture of Jane is foreboding.

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

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.