WINGS note: this letter did not receive a response.
June 19, 2025
Dear Ray,
I hope this note finds you feeling better. I heard you have been experiencing pain in your spine, and I just wanted to let you know you have been on my mind and in my prayers.
One morning recently, I woke up thinking of you and felt moved to write. Though this is outside my comfort zone, I’m reaching out because of the deep respect others have shared about you and because you have the heart and strength to help in a meaningful way.
There have been many conversations lately surrounding the very serious matters of child sexual abuse, as well as emotional and spiritual harm within our fellowship. I know many who hold you in high esteem. I only met you briefly—while serving at the workers’ table at the Carsonville, Michigan convention—but I’ve followed the journey of this fellowship closely. I am part of the fourth generation in the fellowship and we have hosted Sunday morning and Wednesday evening meetings for 25 years. My husband and I are now in our seventies, still attending, still enjoying fellowship, and celebrating 54 years of marriage.
Over time, I’ve heard from individuals who have spoken very highly of your kindness, empathy, and support during their most vulnerable times—names like [redacted, redacted, redacted, and redacted] Each of them described you as thoughtful and compassionate. I believe those same characteristics still live in you, and I hope that, even now, you’re being led by that same heart.
What compels me to write is not judgment, but a deep longing for integrity in leadership and for the Spirit of Jesus to be visible in those called to care for His people. Sadly, what I’ve observed—and heard from others—has raised heavy concerns. While many begin with humility and sincerity, something often changes once they become leaders, part of what some have called the “good old boys club.” Access to “trust funds,” lack of accountability, and a shift in spirit often follow. Men who were once grounded and tender seem to grow distant, arrogant, and hardened.
We’ve seen examples: leaders insisting on taking the pulpit at funerals, ignoring letters from concerned individuals, excusing serious misconduct quietly without warning others, and failing to visit and know the people they serve. It leaves us wondering:
- Do they genuinely care for the flock?
- Have they studied what the Bible expects of elders?
- Are they walking in the humility, honesty, and compassion Jesus modeled?
- Why is the well-being of vulnerable individuals overlooked?
- Why are the concerns of women, victims, and even fellow workers dismissed?
We’ve also noticed a concerning trend of leaders insulating themselves—delegating hard conversations to others, allowing rudeness and dismissiveness toward women, while at the same time spending extended one-on-one time with favored “sisters” in ways that raise questions. These patterns hurt people deeply. Many have been cast out or left behind, not because of wrongdoing, but because the system broke them.
I’m not writing out of bitterness, but from a broken heart. Jesus is our example—He is the Shepherd, the Truth, the Advocate, the Deliverer, and the Friend of the outcast. I believe you still hold the key to being a leader like Him, one who reflects His spirit of humility, courage, and love.
Forget the Overseer Meeting notes. Speak from your heart. Write a letter of apology. Acknowledge the harm that has been done and take a bold step.
I encourage you to ask each state to donate to Bridges & Balm—a grassroots effort to care for those hurt or cast aside by the fellowship.
https://www.bridgesandbalm.org/resting-transitioning-workers-fund
Let each state write public letters of acknowledgment. Stand against the evil behavior in the ministry that has gone unchecked for too long.
We need more friends like:
- Ruth, loyal
- Hannah, prayerful
- Elizabeth, encouraging
- Deborah, bold and courageous
- Mary, quiet yet full of faith
And we need to follow Jesus, who is:
- The Lamb and the Lion,
- The Bread and the Vine,
- The Morning Star and our Foundation,
- The Redeemer and the Good Shepherd.
I have heard that some overseers are now discussing how to respond to growing questions from the churches.
But what if, instead of a formal statement, you became the voice of comfort for those hurt and discarded? What if you reached out to those who were told, “There’s no place for you,” and reminded them that they are precious to God?
Ray, you can still be that man—the one who sees the need, listens with compassion, and acts with courage. I am asking, from my heart and before God’s throne, that you return to your first love and calling. Let your words, your actions, and your leadership reflect Jesus.
You can help bring healing to those who have suffered so much. I believe in the testimony you had 20–25 years ago, and that is why I am pleading with you now—to stand up boldly, to speak truth in love, and to help restore what has been broken.
Thank you for reading this. I do not have all the answers, but I’ve written what’s been laid on my heart. I trust God will lead you to understand what is needed—and to act with grace and conviction.
With sincere hope and prayers,
Sally VanSickle
(Clinton)
Bay City, MI
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Thanks for sending your letter I am sure by now it has been erased. Any letter in over a year I have sent to Barry or Ray has no response. That is why Ray ran ” Down Under” they want no accountability or responsibility As a survivor I can tell you all they want is your money and to worship them with a picture on the wall!.
A beautifully written that says it all .. and the reply was ?!! I guss we now the answer
Oh, Sally, this is so heartfelt and sincere. You had so much hope in your heart. I’m sorry he didn’t respond as so many haven’t responded to Brad and I and others. We can still hope and pray that God can change their hearts. Heartbreaking the lack of love and concern we’ve seen and felt. I’m thankful we’ve found such immense joy in our personal relationship with God since separating ourselves from something so unlike Him.
One thing that has become increasingly clear to me since leaving the 2×2 system is why there is so little genuine spiritual fruit or lasting change within it. Scripture teaches that true transformation comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit—something given to believers in Christ, not produced through adherence to a religious system.
Romans 8:9 says:
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him.”
Jesus also gives a clear warning in Matthew 7:15–20:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits… Every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit… Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
A system rooted in works cannot produce new life in Christ, and because of that, real change within it is not possible. I understand the impulse to look for good within the structure—I did the same myself not long ago, in 2023. But stepping outside of it has made the truth much clearer.
My prayer for you, Sally, and for others still inside, is that your eyes would be opened to see the freedom and life that come from Christ alone—and to recognize that this is not a ministry worth building a “church” around.
Thanks for sharing this, it is well written. I especially agree with the questions that you mentioned about the system and the ministry in it. Are they genuinely interested in the good care of the people, the victims who have been abused, do they really care what God wants and says by the Holy scriptures that has been preserved down through the ages of time to our own day. Or do they rather want to be honored, uplifted and highly esteemed by the people over whom they rule as lords and masters.???
It is beginning to appear that in order to achieve the higher echelons of the ministry, you need to be somewhere on the sociopathic spectrum. That would explain why there is little “care” from the top. They don’t, and they can’t. It is rare to find an overseer who is an empath, let alone capable of sympathy. This has to be very difficult for compassionate workers trying to do the right thing and caring for people.
Interesting thought BGM. Which I happen to agree with. I do not really think they start on this spectrum, but somehow they permit themselves the luxury of letting their people push them to these extreme heights.
I am beginning to view this as a symbiotic relationship between leaders of the churches climbing higher because there is no room on the ladder for them to back down…and the people continually pushing them to that place. That place at the top grows into their refuge. Their safety is their power, the power the people provided them.
Then one day when the ones at the top are given a little insight and ample opportunity to realize what has transpired, then they are forced to decide. Either ‘jump’, or continue to let ego have its perfect way.
Now they are dealing with two different groups of people that are finding it hard to back down. On the one hand, the group pushing the dark triad higher trying to retain its relevance, and on the other hand, another group gathered around and pointing to the two feet of the ladder. In their investigative spidey sense with some care thrown in for good measure, they are only pointing out that the water is beginning to freeze under the feet of the ladder.
The last two Sunday morning meeting that I attended, two people made the remark, “Though the people aren’t perfect, the way is.” I knew in my heart that this is not true. IF the way WAS perfect, those who raped the little children and others would have been dealt with according to the Word and Will of God! I cannot and will not ever attend any of those meetings again as long as I live. This religion has dealt me the most devastating emotional distress that I have ever experienced, in betrayal of my trust in the ministry and others. I am nobody’s fool, they can betray me once, if I let them betray me again it is my own fault, and that’s not going to happen again. If I want to be a fool, I’ll be a fool for God alone, nobody else’s. I have no respect for anyone who doesn’t have the wisdom of the Holy Spirit of God and Christ in order to make a right judgment of how to deal with those kind of people. It’s beyond my comprehension how ignorant these people are. Oh, just close your eyes and let God take care of it. Really, do they really want to wait til God takes care of it? God did not cause this corruption, people did, and God expects people to take care of it. If the people don’t take care of it, then God will take care of it and when He does it will not be easy for any of them. I really have to pity them.
Aden, you’re so right. God will deal with evilness. Just try to be grateful that you are no longer blind. Your eyes have been opened like mine. Do we love the innocent followers? I do. But as I shake my head, I just don’t have words for the damage that being raised in the truth has done to me. I try every day to find some kind of humor and happiness and I fail many days but then there are those moments where I can laugh. We must keep moving onward. Dwelling on the past gets us nowhere but stuck in the past. xo
….this letter is so good. It is exactly how I feel. There is so much to reckon with. I hope every person in the ministry can see the hurt and pain behind these words, and the longing for restoration rather than rejection.
David R Serra
I also, like Sally have empathy towards the workers in general, and toward Ray in particular. Because Ray really had the key. It seemed like a key that would bring peace to the people, but quite naturally the people meaning only those of the 2×2 house. Peace on earth (earth where the 2×2 house stood), and good will toward men (men inside that particular house).
I kind of wish that others that feel they are strong, like Ray, would understand they may have spinal issues. It could be some symptom caused from a lack of core strength? But I am no athletic coach nor physiotherapist to expertly comment.
But, from my 55 years of paying for instruction and teaching and lectures of the church that I should not wish for anything, I should rather pray and stay away from wishing, especially stay clear of wishing upon falling stars. My writing is free, but the church says it is too costly for the people and most certainly diabolical they think. What do the leaders want me to do, discount it another 100% or 200%?
But when I was to pray, I was to close my eyes, recognize that God was holy, then because our church was the greatest of all time (meaning I should get abundantly clear to love myself abundantly more than my neighbor), make certain that I would be diligent in kneeling on other people while I prayed. Their neck was a logical place to kneel. Logically it was part of the territory. If I was better than someone else, then it was logically a logical pose to kneel on all those others out there ‘drifting on the sea’. And we are now encouraged to keep pushing the victims out into the sea of forgetfulness…but the sea is unforgiving now in bringing their little boats back to shore.
So who is next in line to Ray, to get the 2×2 house in order if Ray is not feeling well and maybe not getting his chores done around the house? Because from what I am understanding, company is coming. Is it ready to receive the guests into their house? Who is going to take responsibility now for making sure it is spic and span and look welcoming?
Ray! Here is a ‘what if’. ‘What ifs’ are never employed much in religious organizations, because many of them believe the ‘what ifs’ were all worked out for them many moons ago. But ‘what ifs’ are a fundamental jump off point of doing risk assessments and failure mode analysis.
What if the bondholders (elders and statesmen), though thankful they be that they were all washed because they were a member of the church, begin to realize they may be getting hung out to dry?
This will be a wonky thought to the church I know. But I only wish the church had been more inclined to explore the word of the dark one so they could now be in a position to make a truthful and honest comparison between the two sons. You don’t need to make a deal with the devil, you just need to learn how he deals. After all, the church forced the victims to explore the word of the dark one, and now they see the difference. If the church had of been more curious to explore that word of the dark one, then I think they would be more in a position to understand that there would come a time when the dark one with a spine and a plan (not sure the dark one understands the details of the plan though) would turn the light on himself, and also start to turn the light on the churches that took refuge in a cocoon of greatness and glory.
Ray! Strengthen and straighten your back, and pop out of that cocoon you have been in. It will be painful, but you never know what you can become unless you do. And try to limit yourself on how many people you are trying to unsave in the world. You sanctioned the victims and prophets to keep a secret from you.
The benefits of core strength. A scary topic for the members, so scary and fearful in fact…that the church left it out of their teachings. Lecturing about secrecy was fairly tasty bread for the people however. But the shroud of secrecy is now beginning to turn and eat itself from the inside out. And the church had the audacity to sell secrecy as light. Surprised it made sense to me for so long.
Now the church can wish upon a falling star that the dark one would not set about breaking open the cocoons. Sorry, looks like that wish is not going to come true. He is going about completing the work he was given to do. Not many religious people I think believed that the two sons would be able to labor together for a while.
Hi Ray,
It is just me.
I suppose you have heard of a guy by the name of Churchill. Winston Churchill. Many liked him, otherwise others preferred their own likeness.
I visit with Churchill now and then. He had to deal with some things as you likely know. I could rhyme off a few of Churchill’s saying, but please don’t ask me for chapter and verse. I think he found he needed to refrain from the chapter and verse stuff in order to get some real work done.
There is one saying of his…actually there is debate whether this saying could actually be attributed to him or not. So since I found no copyright or license on this saying, I will take the liberty to tweak it a little bit.
He said, with a little tweak “You should be able to count on the 2×2 church to do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else.”
With best regards,
Mark
Ray – what does it feel like after all these years in the wheelhouse, watching the wheel slowly turn this way and that by itself, thinking God was at the controls steering the 2×2 cargo ship, and now come to find out that 1/3 of the crew were down in the engine room manipulating the rudder? I am sure it must bring some feeling of unfairness to the realization.
Likely this will sound like some crow squawking in unknown tongue about some fool thing from the crow’s nest.
Mark, PLEASE – try to keep your commentary shorter. I know you’re in some kind of pain but give others a chance to post and keep comments to a few short paragraphs. I’m sorry but this is the first time I’ve posted on here in several months because you monopolize this site.
Okay – sorry amphisbaenasparkly9a09bf2d42. I will give everyone else a chance now.
I just thought no one else wanted to speak up. Or the story maybe has just grown old. It was not my intention to try to control people.
My bad.
My intention is most definitely not trying to insult you. You definitely have a lot of good points but maybe keep it to a few paragraphs and then ask others to comment on what you’ve said. In my experience, it’s a good way to get others’ stories to come out which could help them too. Thanks.
I know that you are not trying to insult me amphisbaenasparkly9a09bf2d42. And I know you mean well. And I appreciate you questioning me.
And I am no stranger to comments from spending time in the trenches of the world, where corporations wanted to extract their pound of flesh from me and the company I represented. Commentary from big boys that asked me what I had been smoking when they did not get answers that they were wanting.
This is where I say to Ray, do not make yourself so frightfully shy of the controversy around the CSA revelation in the 2×2 church organization. If you don’t respond for yourself, or for the company sake to the big guy, there is always one guy or girl bigger in what you think is the adversary that comes along and will hack off a little more flesh from the bone.
…..can you please come on Wings for Truth here @amphisbaenasparkly9a09bf2d42 and suggest that the 2×2 slavic people wrestle themselves out of their dark ages? And ask them to snap out of their stupor. Quick like a bunny. Because the abused children are getting the muscles to reveal the flesh is hanging off the biceps of religious enterprise. Where they are getting these muscles I do not know. Or am I a liar one more time in my life and I actually know the answer.
You can do it amphisbaenasparkly9a09bf2d42. Time to tell the people their pretty white wedding dresses will be a mess after they are done crawling under the tractor and doing an oil change.
Happy Family Day everyone. I suppose that is just Canada that has a stat holiday today – it is called Family Day. But the ministry is wondering what rerun of the vanilla waffer gospel they can spring on the people on Wednesday. Everyday is family day for this ministry. Where was their travail in bringing it forth though? I haven’t the foggiest. They said to the people “Ya gotta buy this, or we will freight forward you to hell.” Since the people did not want to go to hell, they said “Where do I sign?”
Ministry! I happen to be with you. Bereave it or not! But if you are not brave enough to have me with you, then by all means, all means possible that has been given to you by the Merchants of Venice.
Shifting gears to Ray again. Ray, here is a question for you. Be brave and courageous now and start ruminating on the questions that are being thrown at you now from all directions and all angles. Why Ray, why do you think that your handy book, the handy book that has told you how to get around a few obstacles to perform your miracles, why in heaven or on earth does it hardly say anything about any dialogues with the risen Christ that the Christian world says they know so well. If you can answer that question Ray, it will not only give you some idea of where the children are getting their strength from, I will also give you the bronze medal. And if you stay with me, and learn of the people that don’t want to be called the Truth in name only, you will graduate to silver, and then God willing, you will achieve gold.
Why Ray may I ask? Why are your people, the ones that you asked god to let them go, that they would not need to endure the slavery of reality and truth, and the fire of the furnace…why? Why? Did you think the King of Babylon would feed and save you forever…and not give occasion to have the children poke you in the eye after all is said and done? Let go of momma’s apron strings Ray.
I apologize for the gadzillionth time aamphisbaenasparkly9a09bf2d42. I tried to make it only a couple paragraphs…but my emotions and mind kept flooding back to me that it sounded like some high falutin’ kingpin from the platform at convention telling me to make it short because I was eating into his time allotted for his posturing.
Ewwwww! Things are getting interesting Ray. Quite interesting. I hope you agree with me Ray.
So just a little recap Ray. I may not have my timelines quite right, but somewhere around the year 2000, the root of the 2×2 church started getting pulled on. Naturally, hardly any of the people noticed. Then about 36 months ago now, a nodule on that root popped to surface. That nodule I call the hidden church CSA nodule.
So, what I am finding interesting is, whoever is in power that is pulling on this root, seems to be getting a little more speedy about things. Or actually, what it could be is the root is pulling easier and easier as it comes out of the dirt. I hate to say it, but the one in power pulling, it almost appears like he is enjoying pulling on the root.
I suppose my question Ray for meeting this morning is, what might be at the tip of the root?
And so we all have a remembrance of what @Observer brought to the table with the link he provided, which I found quite helpful for my meditations for meeting this morning (me being in meeting though as you likely guessed is a little figure of speech), this is a wonderful link to some informational meetings of minds….and brave and strong hearts to backup the minds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIXexjXiyfE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E24LCo1_jRw
I think you will have to agree with me Ray, that there are many mysteries that have been kept secret from the foundation of the 2×2 world. And glad you agree with me that it is kept secret from many other religious worlds also. I do think those worlds are rupturing, or at a minimum, a little dismantling going on.
You know what I really find interesting Ray? What I find interesting is I no longer can tell the difference between the roots of religious businesses like the 2×2 church and the root of political business being pulled at the same time, at about the same rate. Phew it is interesting Ray! Golly, were those two flowers growing in the same flower bed and we did not realize?