WINGS Note: The CSA crisis has led many people to search scripture and reconsider foundational traditions of the fellowship. Some proposed paths forward include more open communication between friends and workers via newsletters and forum discussions, and involvement of younger workers, sister workers, and friends in all levels of decision making in the church. Advocates for the Truth, a group formed in March 2023 by former members and survivors of abuse and a private investigator, has been collecting details of accused CSA perpetrators. Advocates for the Truth has issued the following letter calling for current overseers to step down.
WINGS does not take any position on general issues that have been raised recently regarding doctrine, rules, except to the extent that they foster or hide CSA.
Jun 2
To All Overseers Worldwide,
On March 24, 2023, we established a hotline on behalf of Dean Bruer victims. In just ten weeks, our hotline has revealed over 400 perpetrators in the Truth: Overseers, Workers, Elders and Friends. We continue to receive new allegations each day. The volume is utterly shocking to us. However, the allegations should not be shocking to you and many of the Workers. You are already well aware – and in most instances have been aware for decades – of the pedophiles and perpetrators in your midst. Almost ALL of the pedophiles and perpetrators brought to our attention are already known to you. For ten weeks, we have reached out and communicated the massive crisis and path of destruction in your community. We have been met with silence, complicity, stonewalling, gaslighting, and outright refusal to listen to the pleas of decades of survivors.
This is completely unacceptable to us, the members of your community, and society as a whole. We ask you to do the right thing and step down from your places of authority and leadership.
There is no hiding or turning back from what we now know. The system that you, the Overseers, have been using for decades to mitigate criminal child sex abuse and sex crime cases is deceitful, complicit, illegal, and autocratic. For generations upon generations, countless lives have been ravaged emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically by the failure of your system and your lack of leadership and integrity. Trust in your authority has been completely broken. This is not hyperbole; this is real, this is palpable. This is the outcry we are hearing from survivors, families, and Friends in the Truth.
Each of you has participated in coverups, minimized crimes, or committed criminal acts yourself. Many of you are legally culpable. Your behavior has harmed survivors and continues to put children and adults in the fellowship in the presence of sexual criminals to this day. For years, your system has coddled, enabled, and promoted perpetrators while repeatedly victim shaming and victim blaming. The perpetrators and pedophiles have received therapy paid for by you, the Overseers, and you have done nothing for the countless survivors of those perpetrators. To this day, you are not exercising a system to hold child sex abusers and sex criminals accountable in the Truth. We have learned in the last ten weeks that the devastation of child sex abuse and sex crimes in the Truth is worldwide and systemic – a fact that each of you have obviously been aware of.
Instead, offending Workers and Friends are shielded by your leadership. Workers with allegations have been sent to other geographical areas, enabling them to continue their behavior at will. Many of the Friends who have committed sex crimes have been given the privilege and status of Eldership with meetings in their homes. Notably, the offenses of predators and perpetrators have been described by the Overseers as “immoral” instead of “criminal.”
Some Friends and Workers that have spoken out about abuse—their own or that of others—have, as a result, been sent to other countries, asked to leave the Work, or even put out of the Fellowship . This corrupt and neglectful response that has been sanctioned by each of you for so many years has never been acceptable and will no longer be tolerated by uncompromising Workers, Friends, concerned citizens and law enforcement. Your complicity, deceit, and behavior for the past ten weeks has shown you are either unable or unwilling to change. It is vital for the safety and rebuilding of the community for each and every one of you to step down.
Matthew 16:6 states: “Beware of the leaven of the pharisees.” You, as the Overseers, have preached virtues, high morals, and honesty while practicing the opposite and asking for the community’s utter and complete trust in return. That trust has been irreparably broken.
As perpetrators and their victims have been uncovered, the sheer numbers of which have been a deluge on our community, you’ve each been given the opportunity to take accountability for your actions and your contribution to such suffering. Instead, we have seen letter after letter skirting responsibility, sweeping the pain of those whose trust you’ve conscripted under the rug. You’ve repeatedly asked for patience from a community you continue to betray and deceive. We fully expect more of the same after the publication of this letter.
Consider the enormity of the consequences of your abuse and complicity:
- Religious and psychological trauma by asking the survivor to be re-traumatized by the perpetrator at Meetings and Conventions.
- Loss of family for the survivor by taking a stand and not having community or family support.
- Monetary loss due to financial hardship from c-PTSD.
- Life in a mental health facility
- Comorbidity in conjunction to diminishing mental health.
- Social isolation
- Psychological disturbances
- Nightmares
- Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Hyperarousal
- Hypoarousal
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Addiction
- Eating disorders
- Relationship loss
- Intergenerational trauma
- Suicide
It is our belief that no recourse could adequately restore the community’s trust in you. Each of you, as is evident by your past and present actions and abuse of power, have proven that you are unfit to be Overseers.
In the past ten weeks, countless cases of child sex abuse have been reported to law enforcement in multiple countries. Those reports include numerous instances of you, as mandatory reporters, failing to report sex crimes against children.
Thus, at this time, we formally ask that you publicly submit your resignation to all of the Workers, Elders and Friends across your respective area, with first and last name, by June 8, 2023.
In Transparency,
Cynthia Liles, Sheri Autrey, and Lauren Rohs
(503) 386-4634 in the US/+1 (503) 334-6866 internationally advocatesforthetruth@gmail.com
Advocatesforthetruth.com
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So let’s just name the area that has the problem. We’ll figure out who the overseer is.
Not all overseers are in the group of men who have proven their lack of judgment repeatedly.
Overseers didn’t get their title without proving that they will toe the line. over and over again over many years. They all have to go.
Thats my opinion.
So let’s just assume that all area have problems. All areas should be addressed equally in the event they could have a problem
The last 120 plus years has lead us to this mess. What have we got to lose if we clean house and start over? Titles and power leads to the friends being more afraid of the workers than God.
Absolute power, corrupts absolutely.
Time for a change.
A hopeful brother,
Skip Thompson
Clean the ministry by asking overseers to step down? That’s the minimum that should be done. The right thing is that ALL workers face reality.
Any worker that knows of a child abuse case, they are guilty for covering up and this is criminal and definitely is reporting to the wrong God. God protects children NOT predators. We ALL expect more of these workers.
Any worker that believes in exclusivity, that they are judge and creates and enforces rules for association, that they control anybodies salvation, that salvation is by lifestyle and not by grace and mercy. They are reporting to the wrong God. God is the judge. Let him be such! Focus on Jesus. Not traditions and not man’s doctrine. We ALL expect more of these workers.
So not just the overseer also those that support coverup, that are preachers of a lifestyle for salvation, that is not accepting reality. Regardless how wonderful they are. They should stop ignoring the issues.
Everybody in the ministry should step down. Right or wrong. I don’t think any worker can be in the work and not be part of the coverup. Therefore they should all step to the side and think seriously how they can serve God instead of man. And when they are ready to serve God, not an overseer, not themselves, and not lead with authority they should make a public pledge to be one of Gods servants (not an overseer approval) and start preaching Jesus.
This can take place now!
There is a reason this was addressed to ALL overseers.
Stick to the CSA. We need out workers and yes overseers. It’s not up to you to tell all to step down. Some have failed. The majority are doing what they are supposed to do. To those who want great change….the Baptists are right down the street…or the Methodists chose your method. CSA is being delt with. I am a survivor of CSA. I don’t blame workers. I blame the people.
There are a lot of CSA victims of WORKERS on this forum. CSA is not being dealt with in any meaningful way when it comes to the VICTIMS of these crimes. Perpetrators have been moved around to different fields (states, provinces or countries) to offend again and again. Some overseers have colluded to hide these crimes. Some of us came from the Baptist and Methodist churches, so it is very strange that you think we should go back to those churches simply because we are asking for ethical, moral, legal and spiritual changes to keep children and other vulnerable members of our fellowship safe.
A very HARSH and UNCOMPROMISING POST.
I’m sorry you are a victim of CSA. I’m glad you can call yourself a survivor.
How ever that doesn’t give you license to dismiss a group who are working hard to help possibly 1000s of victims who don’t see themselves as survivors yet. I trust their strategy – they give me more hope than anything else that justice will prevail.
CSA is NOT being dealt with in most cases. It might be NOW with new current reporting, however there is a lot of regret to be expressed and apologies to make before years of historical damage is corrected.
I would doubt your claim that most Overseers have done good. Eventually it will all be made known – only through the hard-work of three ladies with generosity and kindness.
We are all to blame in different degrees. The perpetrators of CSA have a lot to answer for and their enablers.
Time will show the truth, that’s been hidden.
Thank you that is the way I see it I love the truth and will not leave because of this
To clarify: This letter has been put into the hands of the overseer of each state, correct?
Are they being forced to respond publicly in some way?
The problem with the overseer positions as they are currently constructed is that they are not accountable to anyone.
All healthy institutions have an accountability component for all members.
History has shown the current oversee role is a problem. Trust and accountability can coexist. Trust alone is a recipe for disaster.
What a revealing letter! Truly shows that these women are all about having a crack at the workers, desperate to dredge up something scandalising that can given them some twisted revenge on the little fellowship that they so despise.
1 Samuel 15 says that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry”. In Romans 13, Paul wrote that “there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
Our overseers are among those powers ordained by God, and anyone who participates in this insurrection will face hellfire. So many in past weeks are now tragically leading their families away from God’s only true way and off the cliff to a lost eternity.
How would you like it if we came into your church and started investigating everyone who went there? You are of your father the Devil, but God is much stronger and his narrow way in this world will prevail.
So you would like overseers left in power that have sexually assaulted children, and have participated in cover ups of others that have sexually assaulted children?
So you’d rather keep an overseer in power who has sexually abused a child? Do you also want to keep an overseer in power who has covered up the crimes of another child molester?
Dear Alabamgal,
You are part of the issue. This thinking is disturbing! I pity you. It’s sad to think you actually believe this is rebellion, when CSA is one form of abuse that is the most destructive to the human soul.
Do you also praise the UPS man for what’s inside the package? Of course not! Workers are the messengers – It’s really that simple.
Abuse in the ministry must be felt with immediately. This call to action should be praised but it is ppl like you that keep dark deeds kept in closets for decades.
Transparency is a must. Accountability is a must.
Your Post is appalling.
If you had read more and knew the good these ladies are doing freely you would realize differently. They have been fair and respectful despite the horror and betrayal 2 of them have experienced in their own lives. I will stand behind their actions, with no hesitation and stand before CHRIST with no doubt in my soul if they continue to show the current integrity and professionalism.
All you have done is be abusive.
They don’t have to dredge anything up. They have the evidence on 600 odd perpetrators.
Are you aware on a conservative estimate how many victims are out there?
3000 plus.
For a Worker to abuse Gods appointed authority is to surely sin and anger God.
Nadab and Abihu did what they thought best, rather than what God commanded. Hophni and Phineas took advantage of their position, and of their Jewish brethren. They abused their position to steal from sacrifices. I Samuel 2:12 refers to Hophni and Phinehas as “worthless.” In addition to plundering extra food, these brothers were using their power for sexual gratification.
Exactly the actions that has been discovered, what shame to behold such evil in the Church we love.
So you would like the evil to stay in our church and not be exposed. When we discover evil in our midst we sit back and say God will deal with it. We will leave it to him. We don’t have to show spiritual integrity. Why do you think he gave us a conscience and a brain?
So Gods people don’t stand up and cry out at the injustice of their Overseers?
It’s attitudes like yours which has allowed it to continue unhindered. Now we stand before the World in utter shame.
Christ brought us the power of self determination spiritually through the Holy Spirit and Prayer. He changed the authority of the Priests ( Workers) to be under Christ, the carrier’s of the gospel message. Not spending all their time administering judgement and punishment to the Saints. That’s for the Elders and Church (Saints) to deal with. Why do you think Stephen and the others were appointed?
Either this post is a parody or alabamagal is drunk on the coolaid.
Are you serious???? Wow!
I believe parents, survivors, professionals and advocates are much better suited than the ministry generally (having no children) with the appropriate background, balance and determination to handle all CSA/SA issues going forward. In light of that, I am advocating for regional teams of 6-8 men & women (W, MW, E, NE, S, other countries divided as needed) to be set up in similar way to Acts 6, that would handle all CSA/SA issues going forward to include buy-in at a minimum, if not at least 1 worker attached to each of the teams. The regional teams would have the responsibility of gathering information on incidents, collaborating, reporting to authorities, clearing people moving between regions, making decisions when there are issues, communicating, maintaining the blacklist of perpetrators, transferring that information when perps move, finding help for victims, and ensuring perpetrators don’t return, etc.
I have professed over 30 years, and believe God is using many people of different backgrounds (inside & outside) to implement the needed changes. I also believe this time of significant change is Spirit led, even though the work to be done is not peaceful, joyful, or to be done in a lot of patience or meekness. I feel unsettled, even fiercely defensive for children who are our future, and I believe that response is appropriate given the 400+ perpetrators and growing.
I believe accountability is crucial – the first-hand survivor stories I have read and heard of the things covered up (forcefully at times) are unfathomably wicked, and I will NOT accept that “it was just the way things were done then”. I believe a zero tolerance policy for CSA/SA per 1Cor5 is vital, as is eliminating the culture of cover-up which is so vile and often criminal. As an informed parent, I do NOT trust ANYONE who has that history of either offense or cover-up especially on CSA, to lead us going forward into a better future. I think most businesses with this level of scandal would likely sack leadership, not only for liability reasons, but to give meaningful change a chance, and to rebuild trust. In this case, what is being asked for is for them to resign from leadership roles. I appreciate my elder worker who is working hard on this issue, but I also see evidence in this forum of many other overseers that people don’t trust, and who are not cooperating. I trust that this investigator has the many years of experience from 3 other national level scandals, and the visibility (more than any of us individuals) to support this conclusion. Per the letter and the one posted days before to Merlin A and Michael H, this team has already tried the approach of working directly with the many overseers who haven’t yet cooperated or changed.
I have to join my voice with you and all the victims.
This is a case that took place recently outside of USA .
I confronted a “professing man ” that sexual abuse his own family members .
All children .
The workers in charged allowed this
” professing man ” to have meeting in his home and partake of the emblems despite what he did .
I spoke with the overseer of all the overseers and I asked him why the workers in that area allowed this man to have meetings in his home and partake of the emblems for 2 years since this was first known by the workers in the field ?
I feel hopeless with his answer .
He told me something that put me down and I lost hope for myself but I didn’t lose my Faith for what he said to me . He didn’t wanted for me to get involved with this situation.
But I did because all these crimes were minimized by the workers in charge and I put my boots on the ground defending the children that were abused.
One worker told me that they are going to be consequences If I speak up .
I did, I spoke up .
I was excommunicated by 2 elders with the support and approval of the workers .
I was called crazy just because I spoke up against evil by 2 workers .
I confronted this ” professing man ” and he denied everything. Then I read a letter that was written by his own wife exposing him and all that he did .
After I confronted him he didn’t have sundays mornings meetings at his home anymore BUT
It is a shame that the workers in charge of that field allowed this “professing man ” to continue coming to meetings in another home were there are children present.
I wrote a email to all the workers in my country and sent my email to the overseer in charge telling them if this “professing man ” sexual abuse another child , all of you are going to be guilty and responsible .
I quickly learn that if someone dare to speak up against evil among us there are going to be consequences.
The consequences are set and approved by the servants and this abuse has got to STOP.
The purpose of this message is to express my concern about the abuse of power and control that the workers exercise against a person that expose evil among us.
Is this another case that will be swept under the many layers of this dirty rug ?
Is this another case of covering up abusive crimes ?
May God do right and justice to all that suffer from the abuse of power from overseers, and workers in charge , that abuse their position to put fear in the hearts of those that speaks up against what is WRONG and what is EVIL among us.
There is much more to say but it is so overwhelming to me that I have to finished here . Thank you for reading it . Thank you for your comfort and your prayers.
You and I remain brothers regardless. On judgement day, I would rather stand with those persecuted for righteousness’ sake, than those unholy men doing the persecuting. Was D.Schultz involved in your excommunication? Your experience fits the pattern of men like him. There are unholy personal reasons for persecuting those who speak up for what is right. God given gifts and power should be used for healing, to bless others, to protect and sometimes for correction. If it is used to harm and abuse unjustly it is not of God.
What is the consequence if the overseers do not respond by June 8th? Perhaps I am missing it….
Demanding that every single overseer resign with in letter heavy with emotion and light on fact seems a really big ask here. This letter feels full of “just trust us, we are wiser and much better informed than you,” just like a letter we might see from, oh yes, an overseer. I can only assume that overseers are taking appropriate action on concrete allegations you bring to their attention, and if that’s not happening, you need to specifically make that case, with supporting facts. And there is not ONE overseer who hasn’t been complicit in CSA?? There is not ONE overseer who felt like their hands were absolutely tied by decisions made at the very top of the hierarchy?? There is not ONE overseer who feels completely relieved that all this has been exposed?? Yes, this letter is a really big ask, without more facts, at least for me.
I also think Alabama Gal is trolling this site in some sick parody of a hearty fellowship member. What is so disturbing is that many of her (and it is just as likely to be a man) points and objections are cleverly accurate and probably reflect what some of the more gullible and thoughtless fellowship members are thinking.
“…having a crack at the workers…”
“…dredge up…”
“…something scandalizing…”
“…twisted revenge…”
“…resisting power…”
“…participating in insurrection…”
“…facing hellfire…”
“…God’s only true way…”
“…leading to a lost eternity…”
Oh my dear, sweet Alabama Gal, such vitriol against those who have a heart for children and the most vulnerable!! If this isn’t a troll, then it’s someone with a lot to hide.
I don’t think Alabama gal is trolling the site. I spoke to a “sister “ about the CSA and cover up. I let her know my faith is stronger than ever in the Lord BUT my trust in the ministry is very diminished. She yelled, screamed at me said satan was in me . She told me to just go down to the church down the road from me. She was unhinged! Not one mention from her about the victims , she gives the Overseers a pass for the past 15 years because “they don’t know how to handle the situation”!! I’m appalled at this kind of thinking. Needless to say I stand with the ladies who wrote the letter to All The Overseers, they needed to be put on notice then we can see who is honest and wants change. So many have become comfortable worshiping “the way” “the truth” “ the fellowship “. In my meeting I hear this ALL the time instead of being thankful for Jesus.
I’m so sorry about how this sister responded to you, but interesting that they are willing to say these things out loud. And it’s better to know how our “friends and workers” really feel, rather than listen to vague promises that never amount to anything substantive. That’s why I don’t think there will be much response to the suggestion that overseers should resign by June 8. Dead silence will be most likely. No open pushback but probably a behind the scenes character assassination campaign (of anyone who agrees) that may or may not leak out eventually.
Is this said “sister” a worker or a friend? If a worker, it would seem she should be named so her overseer can correct her abusive behavior.
Have you talked to Cynthia Liles on the hotline at (503) 386-4634 regarding the abusive behavior from the “sister”? Our information can be found at http://www.advocatesforthetruth.com
Thank you for your bravery and courage in speaking out!
I was excommunicated by 2 elders with the support and approval of the workers in charge in my country .
I sended 2 emails to Ray Hoffmann and
I told him everything what happened there .
He isn’t answer my emails yet .
He is the overseer of all the overseers that is responsible for my country, Ecuador .
No words can express the enormity of the wrong done by the men in these positions and words are inadequate to express our sorrow for you.
Keep your relationship and love for God alive. Righteousness will prevail, God will not be mocked. Much love and prayers are with you.
As I mentioned , I confronted the man that sexual abuse his own family members .
Since then he won’t have sundays morning meetings in his home .
It is so sad that the workers in charge allowed him to go to another home were children are present .
Again I sended an email to all the workers in charge in my country and told all of them if this professing man sexual abuse another child you are going to be responsible and accountable.
They put him out of meetings because my email .
It is very sad that they minimize what he did.
All this happened recently in Ecuador.
I wrote 2 emails to Ray Hoffmann the overseer responsable of all the overseers in South America and he didn’t answer my emails yet .
I am devastated with this experience.
I lost my song but I didn’t lost my Faith .
I hope and trust that our Lord will do JUSTICE soon .
I am asking Ray Hoffmann to remove from the work those who are covering up this situation .
We read of a calling to be saints, and a calling of apostleship, and an appointment of elders. I don’t know that there ever was a “calling” or “appointment” of overseer or similar position of leadership in the NT (I would love to see verses showing me differently, I want to learn).
Yes, in the NT church there were a few apostles doing much of what our current “overseers” are doing today (Peter/James/John/Paul). And as has been helpfully pointed out they often included elders in decisions. I don’t see a special title, and it seems they shared responsibilities (not just one at a time?). When they were with Jesus they asked who would be greatest and he said him that serves, and He also brought to them a child. In many ways He demonstrated that He didn’t want “leaders” but only followers of Him. I don’t know that he wanted a hierarchical structure, but rather a ministry and people led by the Spirit. It was a spiritual family, feeding on spiritual things. I love that spiritual bread for our soul is the focus of our fellowship. And even worker’s meetings are more of the same… feeding and sharing spiritual things. It also means that many haven’t always excelled at making decisions about natural affairs, or how to handle things outside of “repent and forgive”, which are truths, but there is much more, such that the expertise and understanding needed to handle things correctly is outside the scope of the ministry (praying, studying the word, and preaching)… similar to mental health, we can’t just say “pray it away”.
No doubt the necessities of a ministry group need some organization/administrative functions. “Overseers” seem to be promoted based mostly(?) on managerial/organizational/communication skills. Could administrative tasks within the ministry be done by rotating “brother/sister/younger workers” in 1-2 year stints (i.e. worker lists, speaking lists, special mtg/convention plans)? With no title, just “coordinator”. Could we get rid of the term “overseer”? Could there just be workers who emerge as “feeders” without any title, like seemed to happen in the NT (“feed my lambs and feed my sheep” and “who is that faithful and wise steward whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times?”). What could the elders and others take off their plate, so they can be free to study the word and preach the gospel and feed (encourage) others in the word?
There are many ideas I’ve heard and seen. I’m sure many of the overseers would be humble enough to step aside and be willing to somehow restructure/reform things in an effort to get back to the basics. And to help heal wounds and signal an honest and fresh start (just like leadership in a corporation would be shaken up, along with an apology, for any scandal or mishandling of affairs). It would help with unity.
Also, I hear some wanting accountability for $$ (fine), but what about no (or very little) money or accounts? Impractical? I’m not sure if Judas having the bag of money was approved by Jesus or not (He had told them to “go forth without purse or scrip”. When it was revealed that they had swords after being originally told not to take a sword, they were called transgressors). It would have certainly prevented Dean from being able to afford hotels. Back to the basics is a good aim, and something we all love about this way, and we can strive to do more of. More (not less) of the way Jesus instituted for ministry.
I have thoughts and ideas, but obviously not all the answers. The Bible, and Jesus’ pattern is the answer.
Justice4all , you and I remain brother and sister regardless …I am a woman .
Thank you for that .
I am still recovering for what I went through.
Was absolutely devastating and terrible dark experience in my life for what I went through with two brothers workers .
Both of them are complicit for covering up the rape and abuse of many children .
As I mentioned I confronted this man and
I read a letter written by his own wife telling all the evil that he has done.
One of the worker screamed at me because I read the letter .
The other one threaten me saying there is going to be consequences if I speak up .
Also he told me that he is afraid that what I am doing is ” out of order “.
Is this abuse of power ?
Yes it is . But I put my boots on the ground to defend our children and I will do it the rest of my life .
Despite the consequences I speak up and this man denied everything what he has done .
I have more to do because this is not over yet.
I wrote 2 emails to Ray Hoffmann to ask Richard Harbur to step down from the work immediately and he didn’t answer to me .
I wrote couples emails to Darryl Doland to ask Scott Porter to step down from the work and he didn’t answer to me .
Is silence abuse of power ?
Yes it is . But I will keep my boots on the ground because it is not over yet .
We need justice and we need changes ASAP
The number of victims that has been counted so far – where does that put this institution on the list of CSA/SA rings world wide?