Tag Archives: Word of Faith Fellowship

Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Cult Survivor Blogs and Other Resources

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   Over the last few months, I have run across several blogs written and sponsored by survivors from other cults. These cults may or may not be religious in nature. The religious cult survivor blogs do catch my eye more than others. Suppose we all have our interests spawned by our own circumstances. Anyway, the list of these types of blogs seems to be growing. It is only one of countless niche blogs that have been started over the last however many years. Most of this growth could be credited to the invention or provision of “free” blog hosts. In this post, I will review methods for finding such free blog hosts and finding cult survivor blogs, as well as listing a few of the blogs I have read and/or enjoy.

    Three of the more common free blog hosts would include wordpress.com, blog.com and blogger.com. A way to find more is to simply search “free blog hosts” in any search engine. The word “blog” is short for weblog– an online journal, usually in date order or chronological order. To blog is simply to write journal entries of personal experiences or other things of interest. Blogs usually center on a theme or topic. The subjects are as varied as the human race. I have a few other blogs around a central theme at wordpress.com. The presentation themes are varied. My main work is done here on this blog. One caution if you begin using a “free” blog host, read their rules of conduct on subject matter, usually included somewhere in the Terms of Use. Just a caution, as any blog that is hosted for “free” can be suspended without warning for violation of their Terms of Use.

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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 →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Peoples Temple vs WOFF, Uncategorized

Questions and Possible Answers About WOFF-life

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      For those who are new to this blog or have read just a few posts, you may know by now that I am a survivor of 16 years under the influence of the teachings and doings of Jane Whaley. She was/is the leader of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC. Over the years, there developed doctrine, teachings and practices that would extend Jane Whaley’s control into many, if not all areas of her member’s lives. At WOFF, the 1990’s and earlier in this decade were filled with court battles over different issues. Some cases would be child custody suits. One case was brought by an ex-member stating Jane had brought physical harm while praying over them. Inside Edition sent in a young man to film meetings and take notes on the conduct, practices and prayer at WOFF. Life at WOFF never seemed to lack drama. Why was that? How did folks get entangled with such a group and yet stay even in the midst of all the drama and controversy?

    In the previous post, I wrote this statement-  “People already in church and familiar with the concept (“…self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline) and even very religious about their religion seem to flow better at WOFF. That must have been me for many years… Right?”  I suggested that I was this person, familiar with self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline. Membership for the faithful at WOFF certainly did require “self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline”. There was self-sacrifice of time working for the church doing various tasks. A sacrifice of money- as Jane would check the records to see if you were tithing and there was always a fund raising project to support or multiple offerings being taken in a service, especially when there were no visitors. Devotion- faithful WOFF members lived out a devotion to Jane and the group that ran deep and cost them dearly. Discipline—the faithful regular WOFF members denied/deny themselves many activities and pleasures.

      Continue reading Questions and Possible Answers About WOFF-life →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Peoples Temple vs WOFF, Uncategorized

“Sheep Stealers”? Jim Jones and Jane Whaley?

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    During the last few weeks, I have been considering some further questions about Peoples Temple and Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF).  Did Jim Jones, leader of Peoples Temple, participate in the recruitment of church members from other congregations? How do we know? (This is commonly referred to as “sheep stealing”.)  Did/does Jane Whaley, leader of WOFF participate in recruitment of church members from other congregations? How do we know? If both leaders did recruit other church members, were the techniques similar or different?    

    From the “Raven” by Tim Reiterman with John Jacobs (copyright ©1982 Tim Reiterman, Introduction copyright 2008 by Tim Reiterman, ISBN 978-1-58542-678-2); the authors tell of several attempts of Jim Jones to recruit members from other churches. Let’s look at a few examples.

    “Jones’s expansion attempts were those of an impatient and aggressive man. While on a quest for new organizational techniques in the late 1950s, he had read extensively about Father Divine, spiritual father of the gigantic Peace Mission movement. In typically direct fashion, Jim Jones drove to Philadelphia to meet the black cult leader in person.” (page 59) Father Divine has been mentioned previously on this blog. Here is another link to read about the sharecropper turned “self-proclaimed “Dean of the Universe,”..(page 58)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine_of_Father_Divine

   Continue reading “Sheep Stealers”? Jim Jones and Jane Whaley? →

Criteria for Cults, Peoples Temple vs WOFF, Uncategorized

WOFF Family Has Mother Jane as the Head

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    One of the first things a new Word of Fellowship (WOFF) member learns is how important it is to cut-off contact and ties with those who “don’t walk in God’s ways” or “do not have the fear of God (god)”. This includes not only co-workers or friends outside the church, but family and relatives that are not in WOFF. These relatives could be neutral on Jane Whaley or be against Jane Whaley, it does not matter. If they are not walking in the Truth that Jane preaches/teaches then they are not worthy of your fellowship or company. This includes family during the holidays or birthdays or any other special family gathering times. Why? Of course, Jane Whaley does not allow her members to celebrate holidays. This is not new information to anyone who is familiar at all with WOFF. 

    As mentioned previously, I went along with the no holiday practices of WOFF. I did not go visit my family for years on any holiday. Now, I see the practice accomplished more than just keeping “WOFFers from sinning”. (Did it really accomplish that?) Keeping WOFF members from contact with family may have been spiritualized as necessary to “protect the gift of God in you” or keep you from the “common ground” that still exists in you and them. See the post about common ground here… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=2356 .  The post “What is Common Ground?” serves as an introduction to this post. I explain the term “spiritual parents” in that post. The concept was a growing one at WOFF. It sounded so spiritual to follow others and set-aside your natural parents that may not be “in the things of God” and “flowing with the revelation” that God had given Jane.  But, really it served to cut you off and substitute Jane Whaley and other WOFF leaders as your family. Many faithful adult members would go further than using the term “spiritual parents” for Jane and Sam. Some would call Jane – Mother Jane and Sam- Father Sam. Many children had begun calling Jane – Grandma Jane by the time I left.  Is WOFF the first group where this practice is found?  Where else can this phenomenon be found?

    Continue reading WOFF Family Has Mother Jane as the Head →