I write this only to put it on the record. I’m posting under my own name only to more legitimize this as it happened so long ago. I feel like we need to put all perpetrators on the record whether they are still alive or not. The more we know about each and all cases helps us grasp the extent of the problem(s) that still exist, and how far back these problems have gone.
This has to do with one of the quite early Workers, Herbert Vitzthum, who was head over the Spanish Speaking in the United States from mid 1930s until 1969. He was a good friend of our family as my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and parents were Spanish speaking. He stayed at all of our homes often. That was until my oldest sister finally complained to my parents that Herbert had cornered her in her bedroom, forced himself on top of her and (in her words) “wet all over himself”. I’m guessing that she was around 9 years old at the time.
He later tried to force himself on my twin sister, but she was able to push him away and run outside. She stayed outside and she remembers hiding under our lemon tree until our parents got home. Of course, none of this ever got reported as he was a very respected Elder Worker.
Before this happened, my grandmother attempted to report an incident that she witnessed. When staying at their home, she walked in on him in their living room. He had a neighbour kid on his lap and was fondling the kid’s genitals. When she brought this to the other workers, everyone thought my grandmother was crazy. Herbert vehemently denied it, and reprimanded her and said, “do you realize you are talking about a man of God?!” No one believed my grandmother until the later incidents happened.
I have an Aunt who was also molested by him, but she has only talked about it to certain, very few people.
I can guarantee that Herbert Vitzhum has left a large trail of more incidents with others that we don’t know about. This guy was a predator, and waited until he had children alone to do his thing.
WINGS Note: Andrew Otero requested that this be posted by WINGS so it is on record. His oldest sister (mentioned above) died in an auto accident a few years ago.
Herbert Vitzthum was a pioneering worker in Argentina in1919.
Front Row: Jack Jackson (Ireland and US), Glenn Smith (Nebraska US),
Back Row Herbert Vitzthum (Minnesota US), Maurice Hawkins (Maryland US)
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Thank you for posting what actually happened, hard that it might be to do so. The pattern needs to be exposed from the furthest in the past up thru the most current perpetrators.
Such a cesspool, yet many just simply do not want to accept that fact. It truly opens up the examination of a lot of other unbiblical actions or teaching, and it all needs exposed.
Definitely so sorry for past experiences for yourself and every other person preyed upon.
…and daily, the list grows~ Disgusting!
Andrew Otero, thanks for adding this information. I completely agree that we need to put all perpetrators on the record whether they are still alive or not, in order to grasp the extent of the problem(s) that still exist, and how far back these problems have gone. it makes my blood boil to think of your grandma being called crazy when she tried to make his acts known, and him, daring to rebuke her, claiming to be a man of God. A horrifying experience for your sisters, as well. I think your letter is going to encourage others to reveal more history that is as yet unknown. I believe the floodgates are just opening.
Andrew, I am so sorry that so many years ago we misunderstood when you were trying to tell us what was happening in the ministry. With an honest heart I tell you that we did not believe what was being written. Little did I realize the grooming that I was getting when I was 14 years old Until I was 18 years old Was for a later purpose. We were so naïve in our generation, and our parents were so dead set on putting the workers on a pedestal. I am sorry that we failed you.
What we are looking at now is something we never dreamed would ever happen in our lifetime or in anyone else’s for that matter. Thank you for posting this. Anyone else that reads this I want you to understand that what Andrew has said is absolutely true.
It is hard to read, but then those innocent children went through it!!!! Thanks for sharing,even though it is not easy I am sure, even after so long.What did your parents do when your sister told them?
I whish “sorry” could have been there to prevent all these atrocities…..it should NEVER have happend! I am heart broken it did, may God help me to keep my faith.
Thanks for speaking up Andrew.
Thank you for sharing the ugly truth. It’s unfortunate that so many of these men who people trusted (because they were in a ‘called ministry’, but we aren’t sure that all ARE called – some may just see it as a way to further their delinquent thoughts). However, I wish the workers would require EVERY criminal to go visit a Forensic Psychologist. They are able to understand what type of criminal (it’s not just as simple as saying “they are pedophiles”) these people truly are. Is being the ministry creating a whole bunch of the same type of offenders, or is there a whole realm of various types of offenders. It would even help the criminal understand more about themselves and it’s the only way to have a solid basis for getting the proper help.
I know it’s hard not to hate people that are this demented…but, we MUST forgive the human. Not to allow them back into fellowship, but to keep our own souls free. However, we CAN hate the sick behavior…just as God does. This mess is the result of these men not praying as they should have been on a daily basis…which leads any non-praying individual to be free to be lead by satan and human nature into making horrific decisions, that not only put their soul in jeopardy, but destroy the futures of those they choose as victims. It’s a HUGE warning to all of us! Someone asked me a while back, “why does the Bible say, “Pray without ceasing? There’s no way someone can pray 24/7!” Well, 24/7 isn’t what it means. It’s simply meaning, turning to God in prayer in every situation we face. Like say, you jump in your car and are heading to the grocery store when you get a phone call that someone has passed away that was close to you…it’s okay to reach out to God in that moment for comfort (yes, with your eyes wide open and while driving a car). Or you just walked into a terrible situation and can see that this problem is out of control…take a deep breath…and while doing so, ask for God’s help in that moment. It’s just simply keeping God in every situation, and remembering Him morning and Night too…I always ask Him to keep my thoughts even through the night. He’s faithful too…no more terrifying nightmares.
I know a Global Network is being worked on, to have a list of all the predators names from around the world, that will be accessible to anyone that needs access to it (Elders, Workers, People who own farms where Conventions are held, People in charge of Special Meeting locations, etc.)…there’s over 550 names listed the last time I checked. This way they can’t just move to another state or country to attend meetings or offer for the work…without the people there having the ability to check to see if they are escaping to a different place where they are unknown and can start their ugly deeds again. It’s something I’m keeping the pressure on…not ONE of these perverts should be allowed in fellowhip with ANY of God’s people. That’s not to say they can’t seek forgiveness from God, and God is well able to help them…but, it’s doubtful any of these minded people will actually seek Him. They aren’t willing to be honest, which one has to be to move the heart of God. It IS okay (and the law) to call the police and report someone who comes to meeting. If you are being told “no”, call the police anyway and report the pervert AND the overseer/headworker/elder that told you not to as well. If these workers & elders aren’t going to take this seriously, then perhaps some time behind bars will do them good, by giving them time with nothing but four walls and their Bible.
Henoffour- I needed that spiritual encouragement as much as I needed air, thanks🌷
I am so upset but realize Satan wants me and other’s to loose our faith, I thank God that He is able to keep us in His hand, even through tears and anger of not understanding.
Louise: You are so very aware and realize the extreme damage which leads to broken living lives. You are so aware who caused this Damage: are wolves in sheep clothing. You realize the “fellowship” has and continues to enable and protect even the worst offenders. Those who have been “outed” were only the result of extreme knowledge and pressure. It is NOT the ‘norm’. There are many, many more guilty in vile actions and in cover-ups.
Wings has goal to inform, support, and guide those who have been abused.
Wings has gone beyond that to to inform and try to help guide those who are in control. This has been met with rejection, disdain and then, when they could not control it and it did not go away as they had been successful with for over 100 years: they decided to pretend to listen and “dance to their tune” in the day light.. AND even as we speak: ‘forward as usual’ – ‘all is well’.
BUT the cry of the silenced, from deep in their tortured days and nights are finding the courage and need to be heard. It will NOT stop.
The scary part of your post is you feel this is Satan trying to make you loose your Faith. Faith in what? We feel Satan is involved but not that way.
Be NOT deceived; “God is NOT mocked”: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7 Context, Context, Context. Pick this up in chpt 5: and read to the end of 6:18. ((However you will NOT understand this because, this is the Gospel of Grace given by the “Risen Christ” to Paul.))
What you have been led to believe and follow is: what has been “billed as the ministry of Jesus”.
Jesus in his human flesh as he came to bring the government of God’s Chosen Nation of Israel back to God. That Nation would NOT! Israel demanded Jesus “crucifixion”; and Jesus sent his 12 to be his witnesses to Israel with the same Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Believe in your King, your messiah and Judge: Believe in Jesus NAME! And worship in the Temple as Jesus did and as the 12 did = Luke 24:53, Acts 2:42- ;46; Acts 3:1 and 5:41 – :42. Of, course they did: THIS was the very children of Israel of Exodus 25 to whom God gave the command to :8 let them make me a “sanctuary; THAT I may dwell among them. Is this what your faith is in?
Oh, our hearts weep as yours does for the destroyed and hurting. And we just want all to be right. We can not say again: as this WAY never was. Math.15:24.
This is very sick stuff about a very demented worker who was part of a twisted group. Nobody would have believed my wife when she was a CSA victim in the 60’s by a fat old professing creep and nobody did anything when I was molested in the 70’s by a greasy old worker pervert. Very thankful that God is destroying this group from within. Anyone that continues to support this group or any worker is just as bad as the perverts that are listed almost daily on Wings. If this is offensive to some – too bad.
Henoffour,
Thank you I couldn’t write it any better my thoughts indeed. You have reminded us in words what we need to be in private, to maintain control of our own nature. You have given us the formula on how to control our own lusts/demons, which is so helpful because we all sin and fall short as we’re reminded continually.
You have mentioned a list of names of the alleged abuses, how do I find the list?
For what it’s worth, I’m 94.7% sure Glen Smith is the man on the far right. No idea about the others.
Thank you for sharing something I did not have the courage to do. I feel there is no shame in sharing our stories and for victims on any level. The shame is solely for the horrible people who perpetrate the evil either by abusing innocent children or adults, or by covering the abuse up. Look up Dr Brene’ Browns Shame is Lethal.
Annette- Absolutely!
Annette and Andrew. I am so sorry this happened to you and your family. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for standing for truth. Light will always reveal what’s in the darkness. Unfortunately too much has been kept hidden so deeply that evilness has had a place to dwell and thrive for generations. Keepers of darkness will find justice. I hope Dale is first in line.
I agree with Jon that there is some error in the names. I have this same picture with 4 names, none of which is Herbert Vitzthum. I am 100% sure that the man on the left is Jack Jackson. I dont believe the man on the back right is Maurice Hawkins because I have a picture of Maurice in his later years and he still has a full head of hair in the front. I have pictures of Vitzthum when he is old–he was not dark haired like the men in back so maybe the man on the front right is Vitzthum?
Andrew, thank you for having the courage to post the above information, on one of the systemic problems within the ministry, “the truth/way”, fellowship. This particular issue has CLEARLY been an ongoing issue for at least 104 years. Which begs the question, WHY? I suspect you will and have experience(d) push back from others, close and far. Speaking the TRUTH has that affect on some who are adverse to change and upsetting the status quo.
Keep in mind, for all the push back, there is an equal amount of support. I am behind you 100% brother! Tim V
Hi Tim,
I think sexual abuse has been ongoing since the beginning of time. You only have to read the old testament to see sexual abuse on a major scale. Women were literally traded and the most beautiful women commanded the most. This was abuse of power.
You can look at most major church groups and see the same abuses of power, from the catholic church right down to the 2x2s. This abuse goes beyond Christianity where you can see it in other major religions right down to the founder of Islam who married a young child and even today the billions of followers of that religion ignore the crime and justify it in their minds.
I personally think the church as a whole is to blame, not only the leadership. I am learning more and more how grandparents, fathers, mothers, cousins, aunts and uncles covered, minimised, ignored or hid abuse. Who knew of crimes and yet didn’t make a fuss when it came to these men being allowed to have meetings, or continue in the work.
This enabled the dots to not be joined up. The dots in the USA weren’t linked up with the dots in Australia, the dots in Canada weren’t linked up with the dots in Ireland and so on.
It is only over the past few months that the dots have been joint up and the picture is being more fully seen. The workers of 2023 are being used as the scapegoats for a culture that has been created over 80+ years, yet is has been enabled by every single member of the group. For example: Those who knew the founders of the church weren’t just the workers. Every single member in Ireland and Scotland and England knew the founders but they didn’t teach their children, they let it slip and ignored it this is the same with the abuse.
Another example, I myself was aware of the abuse in N.Ireland by Noel Tanner. I did not for one moment think this was many other workers – however, this year the abuse of JJ and JG became known and the bigger picture is built – however, many of the friends have known of these cases and they choose to remain silent, the letter issued by Leah and her husband was seen and known by hundreds of the friends and rather than speak up quickly they choose silence – those who speak are seen negatively and ultimately leave the fellowship anyway so the cycle continues.
This results in a culture of silence and I assume the workers even see this as what the friends want. The friends don’t want to acknowledge the truth, the reality of the damage. Those who do acknowledge it seem to immediately take the blame to the workers, rather than sitting back and thinking of their own actions and how this culture within the fellowship has enabled the abuse.
My own fathers attitude has always been “don’t get involved”, this is the same attitude of 90%+ of men in the fellowship. Well if we all kept to that way of thinking what would happen?
THANK GOD FOR THOSE WHO HAVE “GOT INVOLVED”, WHO HAVE HELD PEOPLE TO ACCOUNT.
THANK GOD FOR ROBERT KEE, WHO DESPITE LEAVING THE FELLOWSHIP 40 YEARS AGO, CONTINUES TO SHARE HIS EXPERIENCES AND CONTINUES TO COACH THE LIKES OF CRAIG FULTON, WHO WOULD RATHER IGNORE IT.
I think your Father had the right idea. You speak of those who knew who founded the church but remained silent. I’m glad for those who didn’t remain silent but knew through their experience of the one man named Jesus who founded His church. Thankful for those He sent forth in His day to tell others of His church. Thankful He told His disciples the harvest is great but the laborers are few, pray to the Lord of the harvest that He would send laborers into His harvest field. Thankful that He is still answering those prayers. Thankful I can read of my own experience in the Acts and letters of the New Testament, not in the experience of a man born a little over a century ago.
Amen,
Think your father had the right idea, to remain silent? Amen you are disgusting. Remain silent so that you can be part of a church that sacrifices children and other vulnerable people.
And you think you have salvation?
Satan has blinded you.
Repent while you still have breath.
There is a verse you might want to consider. Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Jesus met a woman who He poured out His heart to, gave her new life. She then told her countrymen of Him and they found salvation. Jesus told her you have had 4 husbands and the man you now have is not your husband. Would you allow that woman to have fellowship with you or would you just condemn her for her past?
Andrew:
Your recording of your story, which is horrific, is JUST ONE MORE that marks the reality THAT: “this is not NEW behavior”!
Your recording of this, your story and the affect on You, even NOW-YET!: marks the reality THAT: “this horrific crime”; is not NOT JUST an incident!; this is (are)a Major Criminal Act by a twisted and perverse Human.
This is magnified by the fact of being DONE and COVERED In the Name of our Heavenly God, our Father AND in the Name of Jesus, who left His seat with God to provide Redemption for these unregenerate Frauds- all of them.
Every time, your story is told: it shows the fraudulent, and reality that continues as Wings continues to expose CSA/SA in this sect.
Every time your story IS TOLD it magnifies “Wolves in Sheep clothing” and we shudder; that we, like “Amen” could have written His post on Sept. 15; in complete honesty of Heart, mind and soul. Not in or by God’s Word.
And only our personal experience and the abuse have freed us from their continuing fabrication and deceit.
As we struggled to mentally and emotionally gain some semblance of understanding: we were driven to prove we had NOT lived 7 decades in this sect – in vain. We, sadly proved we HAD lived 7 decades in vain!
Thankfully; we sought what had been our source of comfort; and ‘actually’ tried to read and understand; God’s Word as written. This is a wake-up call for any who are trying to understand How our God and Saviour, Jesus, could be involved; in any way, in this horrific sexual abuse. Jesus is NOT!
Your answer is: 2 Corinthians 11:13 – :15 And also explains how it is possible for you to have been SO deceived. And also explains how “the whole church’s father could have been sooo callous, as demented sheep.
God’s Word exactly as written would have and could have saved any and all this horrific abuse. Ephesians 6:11. God, through Paul gives the remedy to be able to STAND against the ‘wiles of the devil’.
Ephesians 6:11 “”Put on the Whole Armour of God””!
Why? :12 for we wrestle Not against flesh and blood: BUT against…
rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in “High places”
:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God…..:14 – :17
Ephesians 6:17 take the helmet of salvation
and the “sword of the Spirit”: — Hebrews 4:12
“”which IS the “Word of God””! God answers all question.
All of this IS God’s Word :19 is Paul’s prayer for himself.
Thank you Andrew, for your documentation; and hope you know our Real God and father; and Jesus, as God in the flesh, who is the Risen Christ!
,
Amen;
We read your posts with interest. As you string along a conversation in defense of the One Only Right True Way; you negate others horrid experiences and their life lessons as a result.
A very valid lesson of “the whole church”: honestly records his father’s attitude of ‘don’t get involved’! This lesson learned is a hard Lesson and the capitalized Statement indicates the matter of importance for this person. States very forcefully: “Got Involved”! Held people to account! These lessons: the friends don’t want to know reality = the lesson.
Your response makes light of this person’s experience and hard learned Lessons.
Your response, as you try to shine a light on this persons wrong thinking; is ironic. You state: you are glad for those who did not remain silent…
#1. In your effort to negate the experiment and influence of Wm Irvine; you quote almost verbatim the very sworn Testimony of Irvine to a court of Law to explain what you believe. How ironic; that that is possible?
#2. Then you explain: that YOU can read of your own experience in Acts.
Acts 2:5 In Jerusalem – Devout Jews of God’s Chosen Nation of Israel ((means they were learned’=knew the Old Testament and kept the Law of Moses and knew all that the “prophets taught”))
Acts 2:14 – :36 Peter speaks directly to whom? ALL the House of Israel
(Yes, this is exactly to whom Jesus preached : Math 15:24: Romans 15:8)
:37. what must “WE” do
:41 3000 of those Devout Jews gladly received Peter’s word
#3. Acts 2:14 – :36 What did Peter Preach?….
Jesus’ Church?? Just to be an encouragement to you to
really learn what Peter preached; you really must read these verses.
Then ask yourself if this: their experience ; that it is the same as your experience::: of the man named Jesus who founded “His Church”?
#4. Acts 2:41 – :46. You say this is Your experience?
We are taking you at your Word; :44 – :45 That you continued
steadfastly in the “apostles” Doctrine. You and “all that believed”
“sold all and had everything common”.
And you Now, and have had this experience: :46 continuing daily with
one accord in the “temple”; also! ((Of course this was just everyday behavior for God’s Chosen Nation; as Luke 24:53, Acts 3:1, and 5:51-:53)
This is how you Now live? Acts 6? How have you all been able to handle these problems? How many hundreds of thousands believers do you NOW have in your communal in Jerusalem?: who have NOW sold all and live together and have everything common? and are daily in the Temple at the hour of prayer?
Amen; we lived in your shoes; for decades! We know of your mind-set and we shudder as it was our mind-set. Don’t be discouraged! Lift-up your heart and head. All the answers are written very plainly in simple English in each one of your Holy Bibles.
Jesus IS NOT the Founder of a church. This church of Acts 2:47 is the same church of the “one in the wilderness” 1600 years before Jesus was born;;; where God was the cloud by day and the fire by night. Whose purpose was Exodus 19:5, :6! – and still was in 1 Peter 2:5 & :9
Astounded or oops, perhaps I should clarify for you what I meant when I agreed with the fathers advise “don’t get involved”. I am saying that from the viewpoint of one on the outside looking in, one not directly involved in the problem and perhaps most importantly one who has NO direct evidence of the situation. We have all read on this site and elsewhere some extremely terrible things that have been done to others, to innocent children and they tear at out hearts.
Let me put it a different way, if over the past 60 years I had ever experienced, or even known someone in my home, or in the fellowship meeting I have enjoyed that had experienced even the least of the cases we read about, they would have immediately been confronted and everyone in hearing distance would have known about it. The fact is, it hasn’t happened here. At least not to my knowledge.
I hardly know how to address your feelings that you have wasted 7 decades in a religion you no longer believe in. Most of your writings make be afraid for you in that you feel you have found a new gospel. When Peter answered Jesus and said thou art the Christ the Son of the living God. Jesus told him flesh and blood has not revealed that to you but by my Father in heaven. He also told him that it would be on that revelation that His Church would be built. It’s still true today.
Astounded, I should have also addressed your attempt to show me in Acts that the experience of the Jews was not my experience. Well of course not I am a a gentile and the verses in acts that correspond to my experience are those that the gentiles experienced. I thought that would be clear.
I wonder what Herbert looked like in 1969-70? And, could he have been in Southern NM on special meeting rounds?
“The friends don’t want to acknowledge the truth, the reality of the damage”. Very well said. Blending together William Irvine and the religion he started, the 2 x 2s, into what Jesus started, Christianity, and then calling this new religion, God’s way, is blasphemous. Christianity is God’s way.