In 2012, Leroy Lerwick wrote to the survivor and her family, advocating for Marais’ return to the work in South America. He admitted the international transfer of workers who are prohibited from being on staff in their home countries.
Lerwick’s letter is posted below.
The yellow highlights in Lerwick’s letter have been added by WINGS.
August 17, 2012
leroylerwick@Redacted
Dear Friends, the ____ family;
I was in South Africa for conventions this year but did not have the privilege to meet you, or be in the meetings where you attended. I labor in South America, in Ecuador. Interest is very good in this country. We are unable to reach all who would like to listen, due to our limited number of workers. This is true in several countries in South America. We are glad there were enough workers to reach our families when they first heard the message that gave them a hope for eternity and could make that hope available to us. We would like to believe that every seeking sinner would find the Lord, but our experience makes it very clear that many will go to their grave without hearing this precious gospel, even though they earnestly desire to, for lack of messengers. Jesus made this clear, too, saying that those he sent forth would not be able to cover all the places in Israel. The harvest is great and laborers are few.
Recently we read Paul’s letter to Philemon. We do not know all the details of the situation, but can understand that Philemon had a servant, probably a slave which was his property, who had escaped from him and somehow made contact with Paul who was in prison in Rome or perhaps Caesarea. From some of the details of his letter and similar details of his letter to the Colossians it is thought that Philemon lived in that place. Paul says he had not been to Colossae, but had heard of their faith and was moved to write to them to encourage them. He does appear to know some who were from Colossae, perhaps those who labored in the ministry who were from there. We admire his interest in this runaway slave. What had he done, what harm had he caused his master, we do not know. Paul spoke to him about forgiveness, salvation, and he received a hope for his soul, as Paul states that he had become his father in the gospel. Now he sends him back to his master with this letter. Paul appeals to Philemon in a very humble manner, pleading that he would receive him, not just as his slave, but as his brother in Christ, and as a repentant slave who is willing to serve him now as if he were Christ himself. We can see Onesimus arriving with his letter, trembling, with fear, lest his master would not even allow him to present the letter, maybe he would not read it, but he does, and he watches his countenance as his master reads Paul’s plea, watches the softening of his countenance, and hope wells up in his heart, he is prepared to confirm what Paul has written, that he has changed, and now he hopes to prove it by serving his master as if he were Christ himself. We do not know the outcome, but what a lesson for us all, of the importance of reconciliation, how it can heal, how it can produce a rich fellowship. It is the reason Jesus came, to reconcile us to His father, not to condemn us, not to punish us for our sin, for sure to bring us to repentance first, but to reconcile us. None of our efforts towards righteousness or justice would be of value without reconciliation.
There have been some wonderful missions in Latin America in the past 30 or 40 years. Some countries were not given the opportunity until the 70’s and 80’s. When I arrived to Ecuador in 1983 there were only 7 people professing in the country, and now there are about 30 churches. The first pair of brothers arrived in Peru in 1969, in Ecuador in 1975, in Venezuela in 1980, in Colombia in 1988. There are many rejoicing in these countries now for the hope they have received. Where did these workers come from? USA, Europe, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Korea. Who were they? They were fragile human vessels that God was able to use. Some of them were very appreciated and loved in their home countries and went only because they insisted, though the responsible brothers in their countries would have preferred to keep them home for the need there. A few had not done well, and their testimony was such that they were not free to continue in the work in their home country. Many would have thought they should not have a place in the work anywhere. One such brother from Switzerland was given the opportunity to go to Peru, and we now can see that God’s hand was in that arrangement, as he was the man with the courage and strength that was required to go to the high mountains to an area known for its violence, where even the police did not venture. Now there are many churches in that area, and many workers have gone forth from those churches. I asked this brother when visiting there if he had ever dreamed he would see such a response when he went there. He did not answer me, but bowed his head into his arms on the table and wept. I did not know what was behind those tears at the time, as no one spoke of his past and few in South America knew. He had committed a serious error and it had been undisclosed for years. Eventually it came to light and it was decided and correctly so that he should not be in the work in his country. However he pled for an opportunity to go to some country to pioneer, anywhere, no matter how difficult, and it was arranged for him to go to Peru. We wonder if and when the work would have ever begun in that country if this had not been arranged. God is merciful, and it is His victory when there is forgiveness and restoration, and reconciliation. It is our enemy’s victory when there is none. Another brother who did not manage to maintain a good testimony was the first to go to a country in the Caribbean, a very poor country where none had ventured to go. The response there has been wonderful. None of us would have any hope of salvation without His mercy.
We are aware of the offense your family suffered and do not wish to give the impression that we do not consider it a serious matter. We hope and pray that such matters can be dealt with fairly and justly, and the final result can be healing, forgiveness and reconciliation. There are cases where one has a weakness and becomes a serial offender. There is no doubt that in such cases it is not possible to continue in the ministry or in any capacity that allows further offenses to occur. However, we in South America can say that Johan Marais has a good testimony during his years in Bolivia and Peru. There are many in those two countries that will be eternally grateful for the help received from his ministry. We have a sister from Bolivia on our staff in Ecuador, who has great appreciation for Johan, as he was in her home when her mother passed away, a terrible time for her and her sisters who were all young at the time, and in primary school. There was never any incorrect behavior towards her and her sisters. Her eyes fill with tears whenever his name is mentioned. The need is so great for laborers; all of us are so extended trying to reach needy souls. We pray that Johan could be restored to a useful place in South America even if he cannot and should not be active on the staff in his home country. Nothing matters but salvation, and the salvation of many is at stake. God can forgive, as we sing, “not a sin so great but he’ll forgive it.” Repentance is turning and not continuing in the same error. Forgiveness is possible when there is repentance. Forgiven sinners do not have a past. Offenses we have suffered do not continue to harm us when there is forgiveness, as we also no longer have that past. When we do not set a brother free, we keep ourselves in bondage. Our humble plea is that there can be reconciliation, forgiveness, and all can be set free, so that this great kingdom does not suffer loss. Forgiving does not mean we forget, but it changes the way we remember, as it frees us from the bitterness of the memory and replaces those feelings with thankfulness and peace. David was forgiven by God, but not by Ahitophel, Bathseba’s grandfather. His end could have been so different, had he forgiven as God did.
We respect and appreciate the efforts of all on the behalf of the kingdom and the salvation of all and I have felt moved to write this letter in support of those efforts. I hope it may be received in the same spirit. Finally, our humble plea is that in the interest of souls crying out who can help us, in these needy fields in South America, would you consider assuring the responsible brothers in South Africa that you would not object to Johan Marais helping in a field in South America, though he not be on the staff in South Africa. I am sure he is willing to spend the rest of his life in South America in the work and never return to his homeland if that were the conditions required of him. This is not a plea specifically in favor of Johan Marais, rather it is a plea on the behalf of souls that are destined to perish for lack of laborers. Your response will be appreciated.
A brother, LeRoy Lerwick
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….will there ever be a fulsome, full-throated apology issued for this ridiculous, unspiritual, deaf, dumb and blind type of administration? So far there has been none. I would suggest committing one to writing, laminate it, and send it out to everyone still reachable and/or attending, with instructions to replace the ubiquitous worker photos in every home.
Ahh, the old “End justifies the means”. These reprehensible scum just keep descending to new depths of depravity. In the darkest of ways, the gift that keeps on giving.
To writr a letter like this, Leroy Lerwick must have believed two false things: 1, that “souls… are destined to perish” if they don’t hear the gospel from a worker, regardless of that worker’s unrepented sins and crimes (i.e. exclusivity doctrine), and 2, that child sex predators can be rehabilitated and trusted around children and families.
What a tragic mess has been perpetuated, globally and over decades, by these false beliefs.
The survivor wrote such a clear-eyed and forceful response. She showed amazing emotional strength, strength of conviction, and scriptural understanding. I hope that she finds, or has found, peace and healing.
Amen. Well said.
“…rather it is a plea on the behalf of souls that are destined to perish for lack of laborers.”It’s a good thing that God does not depend on the workers to draw people to himself because so many people would miss out! This line is not aligned with the heart of God at all!
This is a very sad problem it has not changed in many years the story hits home for me. In 1972 Don Reynolds molested me as a child, Barry Barkley was in the same room when it happened. Don was moved first from state to state then moved to Peru and Bolivia as overseer. Don has been removed as a worker however it don’t fix all the children he has damaged. Within the last year Don has even attended a special meeting with 19 workers present. They don’t care about the victim’s only money and demand to be worshiped. A survivor named Cliff
Don Reynolds sounds familiar; a very quiet worker; in the Dayton, Ohio area in the 70’s.
He is a pedophile and a monster he needs at the least, charged so he can never be around children.
Why HASN’T Don been charged, is the question, unless you still profess in the cult and the workers have scared you into silence.
Law enforcement I am sure will do the right thing at the right time. They will not make a arrest too soon because of double jeopardy and their job is to insure all the charges stick!
As the days go by, the entrenchment seems like it is irreversible. This is getting battier and battier.
All the people still in the kingdom built on the hill with it’s towers and bulwarks can’t all be thinking the signs are good. Good times…let the entitlements flow.
A little quote:
“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” — Elie Wiesel
Indifference = lukewarm.
Lukewarm? Ring any bells? Either step into the freezer or jump in the fire. For heaven’s sake, why are people paying such a high price for comfort at this time?
Another quote:
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. ~ Jesus talking to someone that could not or would not read the writing while he was in the land of the living.
So now I know after reading this writing of the prophet, as an old saying goes, you can lead a man to a writing, but you can’t make him read and think about it.
Here is the ominous sign to me. Not really unsettling to me, but ominous. The treasury is not being opened to feed the poor nor is any aid flowing in any way (unless maybe secretly there could be some drain plugs being opened) to the victims. If this is not ominous or unsettling in any way to those standing guard over their treasury in their kingdom on the mountain…nothing will unsettle them. They are settled eternally sure in their city set ‘as’ a light on a hill.
I suppose there is something else ominous to me. Since coming down from the city built on a hill and looked around, I kinda wonder why there is little light coming from all the other towers inside the bulwarks of all the other cities built on hills. I grew up and spent my days thinking I was member of a one-piece puzzle. It is one piece for sure…and quite possibly one of the last pieces to be put into place. A special, or should I say unique piece of the puzzle for sure as I see it.
And they all say, all that is in their treasury in the kingdom on the hill is a writing that says ‘True Peace Resides only on this Mountain’.
My question is, will the tin soldier ride away this time? Like in times past? Doan know…tin soldier ain’t sayin’ much. Getting the sense though that some kings are getting a little edgy or interested in what is buried on the hills. I do not know though what they see. Do they detect a treasure they can get their hands on? Or do they hear the voices of the prophets that were buried there? Does anyone inside the bulwarks have the courage to find a shovel and dig around a little? The writings of the prophets are buried there, along with their bones. If you can find them, take up the writing and read. Read it over and over and over…and the spirit of the writing will come to you. The more it comes to you, the more it will dispel the spirit of ‘what’s in it for me and my/our kingdom’.
But I am assured the people will not listen to the voice of the child from a bygone era. Why the Sam Hill would they listen to me their brother? Did anyone wonder why so many did not recognize Christ when he returned? I have my answer. What is yours? Or do you think there is no answer yet for that question?
Interesting times for interested folks. As it says somewhere, disinterested folks wait on their lords. Why does the politics of religion always sell that the bogeyman is ‘out there’ or ‘over there’ somewhere? I would not be so confident that all the kings are baffled at this time. Hallelujah!
And to all those that read but don’t know what the heck the prophets were saying? Don’t ask the porters/moderators of any of the cities set as a light on the hills. They are too busy expanding to be thinking about the prophets that spoke in unknown tongue. For some reason, the prophets did not speak clearly at times.
Might it be a fine time to think about this? “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out”. Then further, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
But whatever… call it all bullocks. You are entitled to it.
Nothing matters but salvation. True but then salvation is not received via man. It is ONLY via Jesus. Call yourself a minister of God and continue to do what you want and you will face the wrath of God. CSA has nothing to do with salvation and has everything to do with the character of the abuser. The abuser mixes salvation into their evil deeds and then imposes blame and shame onto their victims. So not only are they naturally violating another person, they are trampling on their belief system toward God. There will not be a hot enough hole in hell for such abusers. Let us face facts here. People who abuse others regardless of age or gender on both sides are not Godly people. They are animals allowed to roam free among victims. This crap that an abuser should not be in a position of authority in their own country yet somehow they will be a good person in a foreign land among poor and often uneducated people who are unaware they will have a wolf among them IS NOT OKAY. This brainwashed thought process that God HAS to have predators to spread the His word in lands where many other ministers from other faiths have gone, in order for people to find salvation IS the biggest lie on the face of the earth. Talk about putting the workers above God. God is so helpless he needs workers for humans to know salvation. Really? No. If I make myself so big and important in order for the entire earth to hear what I have to say a matter of life and death then I have made myself bigger than God. May God have no mercy on such a person.
This article from a South African news source gives more information about events in that country, and about the abuser that the letter above was written to protect:
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-22-saps-and-fbi-investigate-child-sexual-abuse-by-secretive-two-by-twos-christian-cult/
I hope it is OK to add that the original post on this page included some background information, and a response letter from the survivor, which added context and some very powerful observations. The original post seems to have been edited since it was originally put up, and I understand that might have happened due to survivor preference, to allow a legal case to proceed unimpeded, or some other reason – no explanation needed.