WINGS Note: A small group in the UK/Ireland have been in touch with the Pathways to Healing and Bridges & Balm teams, and in a recent call they identified “awareness raising” as a key priority in their part of the world for now. The group put together the message below, which they are circulating through direct messages to workers and friends in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe and by posting on social media. They want to demonstrate that there are people in their part of the world who believe survivors and want to provide support, and also are in touch across the continents and generally of the same mind that this massive problem needs to be addressed. Some feedback on the message has been that people welcome the open communication, find it helpful to understand the goals and distinctions of the three groups named, and also notice that it is “nice to see people both former and still continuing [in the fellowship] working together.”
Over the Last two years there have been many connected to the fellowship who have disclosed sexual abuse – some still attend meetings; some no longer do. This abuse spans many decades. It is very likely there are many more who have yet to disclose their abuse, whatever form this took. It takes courage to come forward, and there are many barriers that make this particularly difficult for those associated with this fellowship.
Several groups of people in North America, comprising both current and former members of the fellowship, have worked together to set up dedicated channels of support and resources for survivors and those who are seeking to support them. These resources are for survivors at all stages of their journey, from those who are yet to come forward, to those who have disclosed and those who are healing. These resources are being shared globally and are available for anyone in Ireland, the UK and beyond. Confidentiality is assured.
We are sharing this information as a group of individuals who are concerned for the welfare of victims and survivors. You may know someone who could benefit from it and if it can be of help to just one person it will be worthwhile.
Pathways to Healing Network is staffed by licensed counsellors and therapists who provide safety, support, and personalised care for those healing from abuse, trauma, and betrayal in the home church fellowship. https://www.pathways2healing.org
Bridges and Balm is a charity whose focus is supporting the financial and emotional well- being of resting and transitioning workers as well as survivors of sexual and emotional abuse in the home church fellowship. https://bridgesandbalm.org
2×2 Church Accountability is staffed by a professional investigator and retired criminal justice agents. To report abuse you may contact the 2×2 Church Accountability hotline at +1 503-386-4634 or via WhatsApp at +1 503-334-6866
A Safeguarding Policy has been developed for each of the regions within Ireland and the UK and is available from any of the local workers. The resources listed above are independent of and separate from the Safeguarding Policies and are specially aimed at supporting those associated with the fellowship. We would encourage victims/survivors to reach out to the Pathways to Healing Network. If criminal behaviour has occurred, you may need support in reporting to local law enforcement. You may be aware that the FBI has an ongoing investigation into child sexual abuse in the fellowship. To report abuse to the FBI go to https://tips.fbi.gov and quote 2×2 church or call +1 800-225-5324.
We hope this information will be of help.
From a group of concerned current and former members from Ireland and the UK.
WINGS has recently been provided with a Court record which discloses a lot of unpleasant detail which we won’t repeat. The extracts below are published so we can acknowledge and learn from the case.
The numerous positive character references from church members, friends, family and co-workers lodged on the court docket show that we cannot assess guilt or innocence based on our personal interaction with the alleged perpetrator. The victim’s testimony may be shocking and surprising but should not be disbelieved because of our personal relationship with the alleged perpetrator.
In this case, the perpetrator admitted his guilt, but if he hadn’t, the character references could have significantly affected the apparent credibility of the victim’s claims.
This case highlights that it is essential for all of us to actively prevent abuse, and to stop and identify perpetrators instead of passively waiting for God to do what is our responsibility.
In 1988 Steven Phillip Morta of Tacoma, WA, (born January 14, 1949) was charged with two counts of Statutory Rape in the Second Degree of a child aged 11-14, a crime based on the same conduct or series of acts connected together, and/or so closely connected in respect to time, place and occasion that it would be difficult to separate proof of one charge from proof of the others. He pleaded guilty to one count and the other was dismissed by agreement with the State.
He had been an elder in “The Way” but was no longer allowed to hold the Church meetings in his home after he was charged.
The family and friends described Mr Morta as a “loving, caring parent”; “trying to raise his children the best he could”; “tried hard to guide them and teach them good values and involve them in Church and sports.”
He was described by co-workers as an “honest, trustworthy, hard-working” individual. They described him as being helpful, highly intelligent, analytical and cooperative. They saw him as having exemplary character who is mindful of his children and an example of upstanding moral character.
His upbringing as a child was difficult which resulted in his being placed In a foster home at a young age, where he didn’t receive the nurturing and emotional support he needed, and then being in a seminary after high school for some years where his life was restricted and concepts were initiated which negatively affected his personal life. His emotional problems caused him to be hospitalized for several months when he was age nineteen.
Mr Morta reported an extensive pattern of abuse of the victim, stating that he has been abusing the child for approximately three years. He estimated somewhere around fifty to 100 different occasions with approximately ten to twelve of those occasions consisting of full intercourse.
Mr Morta was reportedly acknowledged being quite guilty and remorseful about his behavior. He recognized his errors in his thinking process as well as the damage he had done to [name redacted].
He stated that he was aware of the wrongfulness of his behavior, but “I prayed that God would forgive me for this and that I would never do it again.” He also reports that he rationalized his behavior by telling himself that it wouldn’t hurt [name redacted]. physically. Now he can identify this as a rationalization.
“I read the Bible, I want to do right, I’d go to church, it wasn’t enough to change my sexual drive”.
After willingly acknowledging his guilt and being willing to undergo therapy, Morta was sentenced in March 1988 to sixty days imprisonment, sex offender treatment, 24 months supervision, and no contact with minor females except in the presence of an adult aware of his offence. His employment with a major Seattle company was terminated.
The news reports below show that Forrest Stobbe pleaded no contest to several CSA counts in 2011, but WINGS was only made aware of the details recently. Stobbe was born and raised in meetings but WINGS understands that he was not attending meetings when he was charged. WINGS has been told that Stobbe’s name and background information is in the workers’ folder for the local field with instructions that he is not allowed to come back to meetings ever. This information has been in that folder for years, and the instructions have not changed. WINGS has been advised that he has tried to come back multiple times and been told not to repeatedly.
WINGS Observations:
The precedent of blocking of this perpetrator does not seem to be followed for more recent cases, where every attempt seems to be taken for convicted perpetrators to be allowed and even encouraged to attend after completing any sentence, and for alleged perpetrators to continue fellowship until convicted.
The award of damages against the school shows that overseers and other workers could be held liable where they have failed to act properly after initial reports of abuse, especially where the perpetrator has gone on to abuse other people.
LOS ANGELES (CBS)—A man who taught at a Los Angeles elementary school was sentenced Thursday to 16 years in prison for molesting a 10-year-old male student.
Forrest Miles Stobbe, 41, of North Hollywood pleaded no contest last month to two counts of lewd act on a child and an amended count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, Deputy District Attorney Bradley McCartt said.
Stobbe – formerly a fifth-grade teacher at Queen Anne Elementary School — sexually molested the boy during the 2008-2009 school year, according to the prosecutor.
He was arrested on Aug. 4, 2009, near his home following an investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Sexually Exploited Child Unit and remained jailed since then on nearly $4 million bail.
Jury awards $6.9 million to boy molested by L.A. Unified teacher BY HOWARD BLUME LOS ANGELES TIMES, DEC. 19, 2012 12 AM PT
A jury has awarded $6.9 million to a 14-year-old boy who was molested by a Los Angeles Unified School District teacher when he was a fifth-grade student.
The judgment, among the largest ever awarded in a district molestation case, comes at a time when L.A. Unified faces close to 200 pending molestation and lewd conduct claims arising from another teacher’s alleged conduct at Miramonte Elementary School.
Tuesday’s jury award stems from acts committed by Forrest Stobbe, a veteran teacher at Queen Anne Place Elementary School in the Mid-Wilshire area. In September 2011, Stobbe pleaded no contest to two counts of a lewd act on a child and to continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14. He is currently serving a 16-year sentence in prison.
The case turned on how much responsibility the school system bore, and whether district employees should have recognized warning signs that Stobbe posed a threat to the boy. Attorneys for the school system insisted that district staff acted in a professional and appropriate manner and could not have known what Stobbe was doing.
Stobbe molested the boy beginning in October 2008, when the 10-year-old was his student, and continued to abuse him through the following July, when he was arrested.
Early in the school year, Stobbe befriended the boy, earning his trust, then began to molest him in his classroom in episodes that became more brazen and invasive. He also gave the boy numerous gifts.
Stobbe also ingratiated himself with the victim’s family, buying the boy season passes to amusement parks, where he would take the boy, then molest him before dropping him off at home.
The family appreciated the teacher’s interest so much that the boy’s father asked his son if Stobbe should become his godfather. It was then that the boy told his father of the abuse, the father testified.
The evidence against Stobbe included a jar of petroleum jelly in his school desk that tested positive for the boy’s DNA. The boy told police that Stobbe used the jelly as a lubricant for sex acts.
The plaintiffs argued that there were abundant warning signs that should have alerted Stobbe’s supervisors.
More than two years before his arrest, Stobbe was observed alone with a girl in his car. He allegedly told the principal that he had parental permission to give the student a ride, but that was never verified. He also had private lunches with students in his classroom, which was against school rules.
In another incident, an angry student pushed Stobbe down a flight of stairs, injuring the teacher. The student later declined to talk to police, who consider him another possible victim.
In November 2008, a girl in Stobbe’s class complained that the teacher was making her feel uncomfortable. Stobbe, she said, was stroking her hair, putting it into a ponytail and had once touched her buttocks.
Principal Mary Ann Hall testified that she called the police department, which advised her to handle the matter on her own — a claim the Los Angeles Police Department disputes. If police had been alerted to allegations of such contact, the department would have launched an investigation, said Det. Moses Castillo, who supervised the investigation after Stobbe’s arrest.
Hall, who has since retired, testified that she properly notified her supervisors. Attorneys for the family asserted that Hall either failed to do so, or that her supervisors failed to act on the information.
In the end, the panel of six men and six women found that L.A. Unified was 30% responsible for total damages, which they calculated at $23 million. The other 70% of the liability was assigned to Forrest Stobbe, but attorneys said they had no plans to collect from the imprisoned former educator.
Responding to the verdict, a district spokesman emphasized the district’s commitment to the safety of children.
“We take our duty to protect our students seriously and are continually looking for ways that we can strengthen our screening and reporting processes to ensure that no child is ever hurt in this way,” general counsel David Holmquist said. “Although we can’t change what happened in this case, we remain committed to doing everything in our power to promote healing and improve trust with those impacted.”
Why We Must Expose the Language That Enables Abuse in the 2×2 Church
This Substack article was written by Alissa Klenk and is posted with her permission. WINGS found it to be instructive and valuable, particularly because it is directly connected to the F&W church and related to CSA and other abuses.
With every evasive letter released by overseers (and nearly every worker), I am disgusted by the lack of transparency and the use of carefully sanitized and vague language. This was one of the first things that I began to notice when the crisis began to unfold, and I have paid special attention to it since then.
I would say that these letters are carefully worded to avoid accountability, but I don’t think it takes much effort to write in this style because it’s so embedded in the 2×2 church culture. I don’t think anyone even realizes what they’re doing. It has become “group speak,” if you will. These language phenomena are not restricted to letter writing. It’s the preaching style of most 2×2 church workers, too.
So what exactly is wrong with the language used in these communications? And why does it matter?
Let’s break it down.
Passive Word Choice
The first red flag for me was the use of passive language in letters from overseers. As a quick overview, passive language (or passive voice) is a grammatical construction where the sentence’s subject receives the action rather than doing the action.
Here’s a simple example of passive vs. active language:
Passive: The letter was written by Larry.
Active: Larry wrote the letter.
Sometimes passive language is okay, like when we don’t know who did something. But in serious situations, like the crisis we’re in, passive language hides essential information. The language is neutral, obscures responsibility, and is insincere when discussing accountability. It makes problems seem less urgent or smaller, and can unintentionally (or intentionally) silence victims to protect the system.
Here are a few examples taken out of actual letters from the ministry:
1. “…it has been decided that…”
Let’s Analyze:
Who decided it? It’s hiding relevant information and leaves readers guessing. Not naming the decision-makers makes it seem like no one is accountable.
Active Voice Rewrite Idea:
Barry and Ray have [insert action here], in consultation with [relevant group or authority].
2. “…CSA and SA cases that have surfaced…”
Let’s Analyze:
The word choice of “have surfaced” makes it sound like these cases just randomly appeared. Abuse cases don’t just surface. The truth is, overseers have known about abuse for decades. This also downplays the courage it takes for victims to come forward and minimizes institutional responsibility.
Active Voice Rewrite Idea:
Brave survivors have come forward to report the perpetrators of child sexual abuse.
3. “There is ongoing work to continue to help in these matters.”
Let’s Analyze:
Who is doing the work? What work is being done? What does help mean? How are they helping? How long has this work/help been going on? It’s extremely vague and offers no accountability. It sounds nice, but says nothing.
Active Voice Rewrite Idea:
The ministry is working with the GRACE organization to develop clear policies that protect children and support survivors of abuse.
4. “It is being dealt with.”
Let’s Analyze:
What is being dealt with? And who is dealing with it? In situations involving harm or abuse, clarity is essential. Who is taking action and how?
Active Voice Rewrite Idea:
The ministry takes child sexual abuse allegations seriously and reports them immediately to law enforcement.
How to Identify Passive Language:
1. Look for a form of the verb “to be” + past participle
Examples of “to be”: is, was, were, has been, is being, had been, etc.
Examples of past participles: written, known, made, taken, reported, seen, etc.
The policy was created last year. → Passive
The ministry created the policy last year. → Active
Ask: Who is doing the action?
2. If it’s unclear or missing, it’s probably passive.
Mistakes were made. ← Who made them?
The overseer made mistakes. ← Active and clear
3. Try the “by zombies” test
If you can add “by zombies” after the verb and it still makes sense, it’s passive.
The cookies were eaten (by zombies). → Passive
Grandma ate the cookies (by zombies). → Not passive
How often do you read a letter from a worker and think, “What did that just say?” and then have to go back and read it again? This is likely the result of their use of vague, unclear, or ambiguous Language.
Unclear and Ambiguous Language
This kind of language allows for wildly different interpretations since it avoids specifics. And that’s exactly the point.
Have you ever noticed how some people will never directly address the child sexual abuse within the church, but will instead refer to it as “concerns” or “these matters”?
Even using the words CSA or SA softens the blow of a topic that’s incredibly horrible. Ambiguous language leaves the subject up to interpretation without revealing any facts. It creates the illusion of action, empathy, or leadership without creating any accountability.
Let’s look at some examples.
1. “We are trying to listen, show we care, and comfort those with concerns.”
Let’s Analyze:
On the surface, this language sounds warm and caring, but it doesn’t reveal anything. What are they listening to? How are they showing they care? What is care? What does comfort look like? And what concerns are they speaking of?
Rewrite Idea:
“We are meeting with survivors and connecting them with support through counseling referrals. We are setting up accountability processes and are working with grace to create a policy that protects children from abuse.”
2. “The ministry is united in standing against wrongdoing.”
Let’s Analyze:
Wrongdoing is an awfully sanitized word. What wrongdoing? Child sexual abuse? Coverups? Misconduct? If the language used could be applied equally to lying, theft, or child sexual abuse, it’s too vague to be useful. It mutes the seriousness of the harm.
Rewrite Idea:
“The ministry condemns all forms of child sexual abuse and has implemented a zero-tolerance policy for those who cover it up or fail to report it. The policy outlines accountability processes.”
How to Identify Ambiguous Language:
1. Look for Undefined Words or Concepts
Words like: “support,” “concern,” “wrongdoing,” “help,” “safety,” “steps,” “care”. These all sound good, but without definitions or examples, they can mean anything or nothing.
Example: “We’re offering support to those affected.”
Ask: What kind of support? Emotional? Legal? Financial? Counseling?
2. Look for Phrases That Could Apply to Anything
If a phrase could be copied and pasted into 100 different situations and still “fit,” it’s probably ambiguous.
“The matter is being addressed.” What matter? How? By whom? When?
“We’re committed to doing what’s right.” What is “right”? Who decides that?
3. Ask: Could Two People Read This and Understand It Differently?
Ambiguous language allows different audiences to walk away with very different interpretations, which is often the goal when leaders want to appease everyone without offending anyone.
“We continue to stand with victims.”
One reader may think this means financial or legal action. Another may think it just means feeling bad for them.
If it’s not clarified, both interpretations “work”—and that’s the problem.
4. Look for Emotionally Soothing Words Without Substance
Words like: “deeply grieved,” “working tirelessly,” “feeling with you,” “striving together,” “from the depths of our heart”.
These phrases sound heartfelt, but if they aren’t connected to real details or actions, they can be emotional filler, meant to calm without informing.
The ministry’s use of vague language has continued to erode trust and cause confusion. Read communications twice, maybe even three times, and ask yourself what’s actually being said and what are you assuming. This takes practice, especially for those of us who are so used to this vague language.
When leaders speak in euphemistic terms, they are protecting themselves and the system, not the people who have been harmed. This is especially dangerous in spiritual communities.
Spiritual Bypassing
When spiritual language is used, it deflects responsibility, minimizes harm, and allows those in leadership to avoid difficult conversations under the guise of faith, peace, or God’s will. This is called spiritual bypassing.
Here are some examples pulled straight from letters from the ministry:
1. “God is cleansing His Kingdom….the falling away must come.”
Let’s Analyze:
This is one of the worst statements being made repeatedly from the platform and throughout the friends. This statement takes a horrific situation involving real victims and reframes it as something God is doing to purify the church. The real truth? It’s shifting the focus away from the abuse coverups, placing blame on God instead as if it is His divine plan. It’s deflection.
Fix:
I don’t even think rewrites are necessary in this case, because statements like this shouldn’t even be said. Instead, the focus should be on caring for the victims.
2. “I just pray that your heart can find peace again, my dear.”
Let’s Analyze:
This was written to me directly after I wrote a letter to sister workers early on, imploring them to speak up for survivors. My concerns for survivors and for the safety of my own child were turned back on me as if I didn’t have peace in my heart. It suggests I should move on without addressing the real grief I was feeling and the reasons for it.
Fix:
Don’t use thought-stopping cliches that shame people. Instead, acknowledge the depth of pain and think analytically about what has caused these problems and how they can be fixed, rather than attributing it to spiritual failure.
3. “We are praying about guidelines.”
Let’s Analyze:
Do we really need to pray about whether or not to protect our children? The statement sounds holy, but prayer should not replace action when it comes to safety.
Fix:
Identify the specific steps to take, such as working with professionals to create safety guidelines.
How to Identify Spiritual Bypassing:
1. Watch for Scripture or God-Talk Replacing Action.
Examples: “We’re praying about it.” “God is in control.” “The Lord knows the heart.”
These may be sincere, but if they’re used instead of naming abuse, addressing harm, or pursuing justice, it’s spiritual bypassing.
2. Look for Redirects to “Unity,” “Peace,” or “Faithfulness.”
Examples: “Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus.” “We don’t want to focus on the negative.” “Let’s move forward in love.”
These phrases shut down hard conversations by making it seem unspiritual to talk about abuse, injustice, or leadership failure. They frame speaking up as a problem, rather than the harm itself.
3. Check if Victims Are Being Silenced in the Name of God.
Examples: “The Lord is cleansing His people.” “This is all in God’s plan.” “Only God can judge.”
These statements minimize abuse, blame victims for “bitterness,” and excuse leaders from accountability.
4. Notice If Emotion Is Framed as Lack of Faith
Examples: “Don’t be troubled.” “Just trust God.” “Bitterness is a sign your heart isn’t right.”
These kinds of phrases can make people feel ashamed for feeling hurt, angry, or betrayed. They twist real pain into spiritual failure, which is cruel and harmful.
I want to be clear that spiritual language is not the problem. Faith, scripture, and prayer are not the enemy—they are powerful tools of healing and hope. But when they are used to avoid truth, accountability, or justice, they become weapons of silence.
Spiritual bypassing sounds faithful, but it protects the system instead of the people harmed by it. It shifts the conversation away from truth and justice, and back onto obedience, loyalty, or “God’s plan.” When faith is used as a shield from responsibility, it stops being faith—it becomes spiritual manipulation.
Thought-Terminating Cliches
Thought-terminating cliches sound meaningful on the surface, but are actually used to shut down questions, critical thinking, or emotional responses. They’re often vague, create the illusion of wisdom or spiritual insight, but really, they half the conversation right where it should begin.
Here are a few examples in letters from the ministry:
1. “We care deeply.”
Let’s Analyze:
Statements like these got really old, really quickly for me. I am tired of hearing how much the ministry cares for us. I’d like to see some actions that prove it. “We care deeply,” sounds comforting, but it’s very vague. Why are they using “we” in a letter from an individual? If they say they care, but won’t acknowledge harm, name abusers, or take visible action to support victims, then it’s just a statement with no substance. Statements like these often appear in place of accountability. It’s a blanket statement that prevents follow-up questions.
Rewrite Idea:
“We care deeply—and here’s what we’re doing to show that care: meeting with survivors, funding counseling services, and working with abuse prevention experts.”
2. “Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus.”
Let’s Analyze:
This is a classic spiritual redirect. Of course, we want to focus on Jesus, but when this is said in response to concerns about abuse, it becomes a way to dismiss uncomfortable truths. It implies that addressing harm is a distraction from faith rather than a core part of living it. It pressures people to stay silent “for the sake of unity” or spirituality.
Rewrite Idea:
“As we look to Jesus, the embodiment of truth and justice, we are committed to confronting wrongdoing honestly and caring for the wounded among us by taking the following steps…”
3. “We’re all grieving.”
Let’s Analyze:
This phrase is sometimes used to flatten the emotional experience. Yes, many are grieving—but not all grief is the same. Survivors are grieving betrayal and trauma. Others are grieving the loss of comfort or image. Pretending these are equal creates false unity and silences people who are in deeper pain. It dismisses survivor-specific grief and replaces it with general emotional fog.
Rewrite Idea:
“While many are grieving, we recognize that the grief of survivors is uniquely deep—and we will honor that with action and change.”
Thought-terminating cliches make people feel wrong for asking questions, selfish for wanting clarity, or divisive for expecting justice. They’re a verbal smoke screen—sounding good while obscuring the truth.
If it sounds final, but says nothing, that’s your clue: it’s probably a thought-terminating cliche.
How to Identify Thought-Terminating Cliches:
1. They Shut Down Questions or Disagreement
These phrases are often used when someone raises a valid concern—but instead of engaging, the speaker ends the conversation with a “final” statement.
These aren’t always wrong, but in the wrong context, they function as conversation stoppers. They suggest that asking questions or expressing pain is unfaithful, divisive, or unnecessary.
More Examples: “God is in control.” “It’s in His hands.” “We’re all doing our best.” “Let’s not dwell on the negative.”
2. They Redirect Attention Away From the Issue
These can be used to shame people who bring up hard truths, and redirect the conversation back to spiritual performance, unity, or obedience.
More Examples: “Keep your eyes on Jesus.” “Only God can judge.” “Let’s focus on moving forward.”
3. They Flatten Complex Emotions or Experiences
These blur the distinction between survivor and abuser, bystanders and enablers, or leaders and victims. They oversimplify what needs to be confronted with nuance and care.
More Examples: “We’re all hurting right now.” “We’re all just human.” “Mistakes were made.”
4. They Make the Listener Feel Like the Problem
Instead of focusing on the harm done, these clichés shift the burden to the one speaking up—turning their valid concern into a spiritual flaw.
More examples: “You just need to forgive.” “Don’t be bitter.” “Be careful not to gossip.”
When I received several letters in response to my letter to sister workers, I found some common themes amongst them. They relied heavily on personal intentions over institutional transparency, framed internal dialogue and private care as adequate responses to public harm, and implied quiet care was morally superior to visible advocacy.
There’s a tendency for the 2×2 church to frame anything done publicly as attention-seeking. This is problematic when we’re dealing with child sexual abuse. Institutional change only comes from public and group advocacy, which is probably one of the reasons no real change has been implemented—there’s just not enough public support within the group to influence change.
So while the ministry relies on language tactics that are manipulative and unclear, the congregation remains silent. Language is powerful. Recognize how it’s being used and call it out. But also, use your voice to effect change and stand for the vulnerable amongst us.
Silence is too costly, especially in the face of language being used harmfully in a situation influenced by spiritual authority, emotional manipulation, and institutional self-protection. Words shape belief. They shape loyalty. They shape what we think we’re allowed to question. Don’t let vague or spiritualized language silence truth.
Speak clearly. Speak bravely. Speak up.
Author’s Note:
For the sake of transparency, I used AI fairly heavily while writing this piece—especially in the sections that define and explain different types of language. It helped with efficiency and structure, but the experiences, observations, and outrage are entirely my own.
On a related note, if you ever find yourself unsure about how a particular phrase or sentence feels or functions, try asking AI! It’s surprisingly helpful at analyzing tone, identifying vagueness, and pointing out language that dodges responsibility. Just be sure to ask thoughtful follow-up questions—and trust your gut, too.
And honestly? A few overseers might benefit from running their letters through AI before hitting “send.” It won’t fix the theology, but at least it might flag the passive voice.
WINGS recently published another post regarding Leslie White and is now providing further documentation prepared by Cynthia Liles of 2×2 Church Accountability, to shine additional light on the mishandling of alleged serial predator Leslie White. WINGS focus is on the abuse of children, but these adult-abuse matters are also being posted because they show the propensity of overseers to retain abusing workers, disbelieve allegations, and generally fail to act.
Beginning in 2009, Beth and Tim Boelter began advocating on behalf of victims of Leslie White and pleading with overseers to address his predatory behavior. During their advocacy, they learned that in Colorado, around the year 2000, a victim reported White to the workers for sexual assault. She pleaded with them to remove him from the ministry, so he did not eventually rape someone.
In 2012, a sister worker accused White of raping her in 2003. She reported it to the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado. The handling of the allegation by the workers was covered in the WINGS post about the fraudulent psychiatrist.
In 2013, Beth was in conversation with another couple who were concerned about the lack of action taken by the ministry regarding Leslie White and were preparing a letter to overseers. Attached is Beth’s memo to that couple regarding known facts about White.
On November 1, 2013, that couple wrote the attached letter to Barry, Ray, and Lyle regarding Leslie White which states in part, “We are pleading with you to apologize to all who have been harmed or knowingly put in harm’s way by having been sent wolves in sheep’s clothing into their homes. We are pleading with you to apologize to all the victims and their advocates who have been silenced, marginalized and even vilified for their concerns. We are pleading with you to do this publicly and openly, so that the trust in those in places of authority and responsibility can be confirmed and renewed.”
It is now 2025, and even more is known about alleged abuses by White and the minimization and coverup by the workers. As asked of the workers in 2013, people are pleading with them to publicly apologize to the victims, their advocates, and now the entire community for what is believed to be gross negligence.
Gross negligence, as defined by Cornell’s Law School Legal Information Institute’s Wex Definitions Team, is : “A lack of care that demonstrates reckless disregard for the safety or lives of others, which is so great it appears to be a conscious violation of other people’s rights to safety. Gross negligence is a heightened degree of negligence representing an extreme departure from the ordinary standard of care . Falling between intent to do wrongful harm and ordinary negligence, gross negligence is defined as willful , wanton , and reckless conduct affecting the life or property or another. Gross negligence is considered more harmful than ordinary negligence because it implies a thoughtless disregard of the consequences and the failure to use even slight care to avoid harming the life or property of another. As such, someone who is found liable for gross negligence can be responsible for higher damages than ordinary negligence.”
Cynthia Liles
2×2 Church Accountability
May 30, 2025
More information from Beth and Tim Boelter about the Leslie White allegations is available here.
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.
WINGS has published numerous reports about Leslie White, even back to 2013. Other people had reported Leslie to overseers by at least 2009.
Misrepresenting the status of the so-called “professing psychiatrist” is fraudulent. Equally abhorrent is for the interviewer to allow the woman of the home and three overseers to be present in what should have been a professional, caring environment.
Then, using the fraudulent professional’s opinion to support the widely denigrated claims of Leslie White, rather than the victim’s account, is an abject failure of integrity.
It has been reported that Jim Price and Jeremy Baseman were notified in approximately 2015 that the “professing psychiatrist” was a fraud.
In 2012, a sister worker reported her experience of being raped by overseer Leslie White, as well as being subjected to repeated sexual abuse by Ruthie Topinka. The reports were made to Lyle Schober and soon thereafter a meeting was scheduled for the sister worker to meet with Ray Hoffmann and Lyle Schober in person, with several other witnesses present. During the meeting, the sister worker shared her accounts of abuse at the hands of Leslie White and Ruthie Topinka.
A few months later, Hoffmann suggested the sister worker visit with a “professing psychiatrist” in Denver. The “professing psychiatrist” had told Jim Price (then the overseer of Colorado) that she would be glad to talk to the sister worker – and that she also wondered if Lyle Schober and Ray Hoffmann would like to be present as well. Reportedly, the brother workers were interested in hearing what a professional had to say since these were “new waters” for them and to help them understand. The meeting was scheduled for the following week. Keep in mind, by 2012, various overseers had received reports of White’s sexually predatory behavior and he was reportedly “put on probation” on October 23, 2009, after a meeting in Texas.
The sister worker, along with her sister, traveled to Colorado to the home of some of the friends for the meeting. She was brought into the living room and placed in a chair across from the “professing psychiatrist” with Ray Hoffmann, Lyle Schober and Jim Price sitting to the side observing. The “professing psychiatrist” proceeded to question the sister worker about being raped – the most devastating, humiliating, and soul-crushing experience of her life. At the end of the inquisition, the sister worker was dismissed. At that point, she realized the woman of the home was also in the room observing.
Months later, the sister worker learned that the workers were telling some of the friends and each other that the “professing psychiatrist” had determined the sister worker was lying about her experience based on her observation of the sister worker’s eye movements. Never mind the fact the correlation between eye movement and deception has been widely debunked as junk science, the bigger revelation is that the “professing psychiatrist” was not a psychiatrist at all. In fact, she did not have any type of college degree or license. She was a fraud. At some point in time, friends and workers became aware the “doctor” was a fraud.
The reality that brother workers sat, watched, and listened while a sister worker was questioned about the worst thing that had ever happened in her life is disturbing in itself — especially in light of the fact they had already heard the survivor’s account first hand in person. To then learn the “professing psychiatrist” who determined the sister worker was lying had no credentials at all and was a fraud is astonishing.
The reason this story continues to be important today is because Ruthie Topinka is still in the work. The now former sister worker has repeatedly pleaded with certain overseers to address her abuse allegations. Just last year, I contacted an overseer to ask for his assistance in getting the issue addressed. He informed me that it had been determined the sister worker who made the allegations had been lying.
The “professing psychiatrist” was the lie. She did not go to college to obtain a degree. She was not licensed in any capacity as counselor, therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. To this day, the workers are spreading the narrative that the former sister worker is lying based on a fraudster’s assessment. Ray Hoffmann, Lyle Schober and Jim Price owe the former sister worker a personal apology, and they need to very publicly issue an apology and correction to the former sister worker and the entire 2×2 community.
Report prepared by Cynthia Liles 2×2 Church Accountability
WINGS is focused on protecting children from CSA and on helping victims. WINGS has no intention of undermining the fellowship, but we are concerned when we read an overseer’s letter that places blame on others and does not recognise the harm done to victims.
Following the letter from Lyle Shultz, we have posted some comments posted on a fellowship member’s public blog, that provide a useful analysis of Lyle’s letter.
February 19, 2025
Dear Fellow Labourers in India;
I am sorry for the long silence on my part since I left the shores of your country on October 30 last year. I have been in touch with several of you individually but this is the first general letter that I have directed your way since that time. You may be aware that I flew direct from Bangalore to Canada via Paris landing in Deer Lake, Newfoundland 34 hours after taking off from Bangalore. Newfoundland is where my brother, Dale and nephew, Steve are stationed. Steve Shultz, as you likely know, is a brother of Rob Shultz who visited India two years ago. Their field consists of the western side of Newfoundland and the territory of Labrador. There are only three friends in Labrador although it is a vast rugged country. I arrived in Newfoundland two weeks before they closed their mission to participate in the special meetings in that part, so got in on their final round of visiting and the last two gospel meetings there. Then I had the privilege of attending four special meetings in Newfoundland, one in New Brunswick and one in Nova Scotia. It was special to spend that time with Dale and Steve and others on that staff. I had never before visited Newfoundland and had only very briefly been in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick once before for conventions during one of my previous home visits.
After finishing the special meeting tour in Eastern Canada, I returned to Saskatchewan which is my home province. It was arranged for me to rejoin Larry Greenaway in Regina and that is where we have been since then. I was with Larry in this field the first part of last year before I left in mid March to come to India, and it has been good to get back to this area and these people that I am familiar with. We have several young professing families in this field so we always have children in every meeting to labour for and hope for. Besides them, there is a young Chinese couple who have been coming regularly recently. —– and ——– are obviously very interested in what they are hearing and told one of our friends recently that they so much appreciate listening to truth. Other messages have been confusing to them. It is very special to have genuine interest to labour for, and I trust that there will be even better things than this to report about them as they continue to listen. It is arranged for Larry and me to attend special meetings in Minnesota and Iowa during the month of April this year. We will leave here on March 29 and expect to return on April 28. Iowa is the State where both my father and mother were born so we do have some relatives down there but have more or less lost touch with them over the years.
It was good to hear reports of your convention season passing without any serious interference from dissident people. There is a movement that is sweeping the whole world to undermine the confidence of the Lord’s people in the ministry and fellowship that Jesus established while he was here. The people at the center of that movement pretend to be interested in cleansing the Kingdom, but in reality their principle aim is to destroy it. Many others get innocently caught up in that movement not realizing that most of the information provided to them on the Internet is untrue or only partly true. Unfortunately, there have been some disappointing and unwholesome things happen amongst us. There always has been and always will be as long as human nature is part of the equation. Each of us does need to be on guard against the many subtle forms that self takes to try to get its own way. Prabhakar and Saju and their helpers are under a lot of pressure as they guide the staff through these perilous times and I urge each one of you to stand by them and give them your wholehearted support. That is the right and godly thing to do.
I am sorry that I cannot write individually to each of you but do invite you to get in touch if you have concerns that I may be able to help you with. May the Lord be with each of you and and give you the grace to accept the things you cannot change and to change the things that He shows you need to be changed in your service, attitude and spirit so that each pair of workers will be displaying the fruit of the gospel as well as preaching the word of the gospel.
Thoughts and prayers are with you all,
Brotherly Greetings,
Lyle.
The Letter of the Unrepentant: A Public Response to Lyle Shultz
When abuse is minimized, victims ignored, and loyalty demanded… what remains is not Christ, but control.
My first response when reading this was: “Are you kidding me?”
But that quickly faded into something more sobering: “Of course that’s what he’d write.”
Lyle Shultz is a senior overseer in the Two by Two church. Decades in the ministry. Countless meetings and conventions. And now, in the middle of the largest abuse scandal our fellowship has ever seen, so bad that the FBI is investigating…
And he writes this letter.
He’s not just speaking for himself. He’s speaking the language of the system: defensive, dismissive, and cloaked in spiritual platitudes.
This is the language of spiritual insulation. This reads like someone writing from the safety of unchecked authority.
It sounds so rehearsed that it no longer even registers as tone-deaf within its own walls.
He speaks like a man who has never had to answer hard questions, never had to account for his stewardship, never had to consider whether his comfortable circuit of meetings, flights, and hosted meals (all funded by others) might carry a sacred responsibility.
I don’t know if I’m beyond outrage… but I am beyond expecting these men to change.
So let’s take his letter line by line. Not to nitpick, but to shine light on a deeper issue.
And more importantly, let’s contrast each part with what Spirit-led, Scripture-rooted leadership might actually look like.
I’m not writing this because I enjoy being critical or because I want to stir up controversy. I’m writing this because silence has failed us.
Because the ministry won’t self-correct. Because if we don’t name what’s broken and contrast it with what is holy and Christlike, we leave the next generation to inherit the same disease.
1. The Grand Travelogue
Excerpt from the Letter:
“I flew direct from Bangalore to Canada via Paris… landing in Deer Lake, Newfoundland… It was special to spend time with Dale and Steve… I had never before visited Newfoundland… I had only very briefly been in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick once before… It was arranged for me to rejoin Larry Greenaway in Regina…”
What This Reveals: There’s not a single note of humility in the way this is presented, just a casual retelling of international travel and multi-region ministry tours, funded by donations.
There is no acknowledgment that these trips are paid for by the sacrificial offerings of others. No mention of the scandal. No shared grief.
Just personal updates and praise for fellow workers, while the fellowship burns behind them.
This reads more like a retiree’s newsletter than a letter from a spiritual leader shepherding people through crisis. Enjoying all the perks with none of the accountability.
What a Spirit-Led Response Might Look Like:
“Since returning from India, my heart has been burdened. I’ve had many sleepless nights thinking about the pain that has surfaced within our fellowship.
Before I speak of my travels, I want to say this clearly: I grieve for the victims. I grieve that we, as ministers, failed to protect them.
Wherever I’ve been, whether Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Regina, I’ve carried the weight of that sorrow with me, and I know I must own part of it.”
True shepherds don’t gloss over crisis. They stop and tend to the bleeding.
2. Defensive Framing of “Dissidents”
Excerpt from the Letter:
“It was good to hear reports of your convention season passing without any serious interference from dissident people… There is a movement sweeping the world to undermine confidence in the ministry and fellowship that Jesus established…”
What This Reveals: This isn’t just tone-deaf. It’s spiritually abusive.
To call survivors and advocates for accountability “dissidents” is to mirror the very tactics of corrupt religious systems throughout history.
Label the wounded as enemies to preserve the power of the unrepentant.
He paints truth-tellers as troublemakers, rather than asking why the truth needed to be told in the first place.
This is deflection and scapegoating. Deflect the betrayal committed by leaders, and place blame on those exposing the truth.
This echoes the spirit of the Pharisees. Protecting power while silencing prophets.
What a Spirit-Led Response Might Look Like:
“There have been voices rising in grief and anger across the world. I’ve heard some of those voices. And while it’s hard to be confronted, I know we must listen.
Some of what’s being shared is painful to hear. But instead of dismissing these voices, we must discern what God might be saying through them.
To stand with the wounded is to stand with Christ, because that’s where we’ll find him.”
Jesus didn’t silence the bleeding woman. He turned toward her.
Spirit-led ministry doesn’t fear hard truth, it leans into it with humility.
3. Casual Acknowledgment of Abuse… then Deflection
Excerpt from the Letter:
“Unfortunately, there have been some disappointing and unwholesome things happen amongst us. There always has been and always will be as long as human nature is part of the equation…”
What This Reveals: This is classic spiritual deflection. “Some bad things happened, but that’s just human nature.”
This kind of language minimizes evil by framing it as inevitable. It doesn’t call sin by name. It offers no confession. No accountability.
Just vague acknowledgment followed by a shrug and “business as usual”.
This is minimization masquerading as spirituality.
To call generational sexual abuse, rape, and cover-up merely “unwholesome things” is to protect the image of the institution instead of speaking the truth.
And it’s not just dishonest… it’s condescending. As if grown adults are too delicate to hear the words that victims had no choice but to live through.
As if shielding our ears is somehow more important than confronting evil.
Jesus never softened the truth to preserve appearances. And He never minimized sin, especially when it harmed the vulnerable.
Imagine saying this to a survivor of abuse. “That’s just human nature.”
What a Spirit-Led Response Might Look Like:
“There has been terrible sin living in our midst. Grievous, deliberate, calculated evil.
Abuse was committed. And we didn’t act to protect the most vulnerable among us.
For that, I’m deeply sorry. I can no longer pretend this is just the reality of a fallen world. The voices of the victims are crying for justice.
It was our silence, our inaction, and our obsession with control that allowed it to flourish.”
Real repentance doesn’t hide behind generalities. It names the wrong, and it kneels in sorrow, broken-hearted and a burning desire to make it right.
4. “Support Your Leaders” (No Matter What)
Excerpt from the Letter:
“Prabhakar and Saju and their helpers are under a lot of pressure as they guide the staff through these perilous times and I urge each one of you to stand by them and give them your wholehearted support. That is the right and godly thing to do.”
What This Reveals: Blind allegiance masquerading as faithfulness.
The implication is clear: if you love God, you will support these men without question, even if they’ve mishandled or minimized abuse.
This is how spiritual institutions shield power… by binding “godliness” to loyalty rather than to righteousness.
It’s also manipulative. It weaponizes spirituality to silence discernment. And it pressures sincere believers into complicity by labeling questioning as rebellion.
What a Spirit-Led Response Might Look Like:
“Our leaders are under pressure, but more importantly, they are under the eye of God. Support does not mean silence. Faithfulness does not mean blind loyalty.
I urge you to stand for truth, even if it means asking hard questions. The most godly thing we can do right now is seek the truth, even if it leads us to uncomfortable places.”
A leader secure in God’s authority invites accountability. They don’t fear it, they welcome it as protection from self-deception and corruption.
A Christlike leader never demands loyalty to men. He calls people to loyalty to Christ.
5. A Call to “Accept What Cannot Be Changed”
Excerpt from the Letter:
“…give you the grace to accept the things you cannot change and to change the things that He shows you need to be changed in your service, attitude and spirit…”
What This Reveals: This might be the most insidious line of the entire letter. On the surface, it sounds gentle. But this isn’t a call to lament injustice or confront sin.
It’s a call to submission.
To compliance. To keeping your head down and your spirit “quiet.”
And to be clear, what is it that he’s subtly telling us cannot be changed?
The structure. The secrecy. The leadership.
What a Spirit-Led Response Might Look Like:
“Some things must be changed. And if we truly follow Christ, we will not be afraid of reform.
We have grown comfortable in our form, and in doing so, we have become complacent and allowed evil to flourish.
Our salvation does NOT reside in our form, but in Christ alone.
We must pray not for the grace to passively accept what is broken, but for the courage to confront what grieves the heart of God.”
Jesus didn’t die so we could preserve traditions. He died so we could be made new creatures in him.
And sometimes, the most faithful act is not acceptance, but holy defiance.
6. Zero Mention of Victims or Repentance
What Lyle didn’t say: There is not one single mention of survivors. No apology. No grief. No call for justice. No invitation to report. No hint of repentance.
Why it’s un-Christlike: This is perhaps the most damning omission. Jesus always moved toward the broken.
He called out wolves. He wept with the grieving.
He said, “Let the little children come.”
When image is guarded but the innocent are not, we’ve wandered far from Christ.
This is a complete inversion of the gospel.
What a Christlike response would look like:
“To every survivor who has been harmed, I am so sorry. I failed you. We failed you. We cannot undo what was done, but we can repent, remove abusers, support healing, and rebuild this fellowship on truth, not appearances.
If we don’t do this, we are no longer serving Christ.”
Closing Reflections: From Broken System to Broken Bread
Let’s be honest: Lyle’s letter is not surprising. It’s disappointing, yes. But not surprising.
It is the product of a man raised in a system that worships form over repentance, loyalty over truth, and silence over integrity.
And while I no longer expect anything different from men so deeply steeped in this culture, I still believe we must name what’s broken if we ever hope to offer anything whole.
So let me say this:
If I’m going to cast my lot with anyone, it won’t be with the Pharisees defending a failed system.
It will be with the wounded in the temple, and at the foot of the cross.
The ones Jesus turned toward after cleansing the temple. The ones the Pharisees left behind.
And as I move forward, writing, wrestling, reconstructing, I want to do more than just critique what was. I want to help point to what could be.
Make no mistake: I’m not trying to portray myself as a hero. I’m simply holding myself to the bare minimum of what should be expected if we dare to call ourselves followers of Jesus.
It should never be considered heroic to stand for truth.
It should not be rare or remarkable to advocate for victims.
And it should not be controversial to demand that self-appointed leaders root out corruption, complacency, and evil in their midst.
What’s Next?
If Lyle’s letter shows us anything, it’s that the old guard still thinks they can suppress this reckoning with gentle words and vague warnings.
But they’re wrong.
A new wave has risen up. One that’s not afraid to wrestle with truth.
One that refuses to equate peace with passivity.
One that stands with survivors and fights for righteousness, no matter the cost.
If you’re part of that wave, stay strong.
And if you’re still undecided, still on the fence, still wondering whether to speak up, just know this:
You’re not crazy. You’re not alone. And you never needed their permission to stand for truth.
The Bridges & Balm board consists of 5-10 men and women representing a cross-section of the fellowship. Their focus is supporting the financial and emotional well-being of resting and transitioning workers as well as survivors of sexual and emotional abuse. They have recently posted an activity report for Q1, 2025:
As anticipated, assistance requests from survivors increased dramatically in the first quarter of 2025. We are currently assisting 24 survivors and 16 resting/transitioning workers and disbursing over $23,000 per month in assistance (not including individual inpatient therapy funding campaigns). We are also pleased to report that the survivor for whom we did a special inpatient therapy funding outreach for in late 2024 is now receiving therapy in an inpatient therapy facility. Thank you for your wonderful response to that special funding request!
For a full update on Q1 and operational and fundraising activities, please read the full blog post here:
Dear WingsForTruth Administrators and other Site Administrators,
I’m reaching out regarding the transcript of a private Zoom meeting held on March 25, which has been published on your website. This meeting was intended to be confidential and informal, with access restricted to invited participants using a security code and waiting room.
Unfortunately, the transcript was obtained through unauthorized access to the Zoom call by someone impersonating a known participant. In your posted notes, this individual is referred to as “Jon.” While that name was mentioned during the call, the actual person “Jon” did not call in that day. The impersonator was mistakenly admitted to the call based on claiming to be “Jon”. Additionally, we do not know how this individual obtained the Zoom meeting ID and security code, and it’s possible this information was acquired through illegal means. It was only after the call finished and the actual “Jon” apologized for not attending (he was involved in an important visit), that we then realized our call had an imposter.
This impersonator had no permission to attend and misrepresented their identity as “Jon” in a text message in order to gain access—an act that may constitute criminal impersonation under Washington, California, and possibly federal law. Our policy is to fully report all CSA allegations to authorities, whether historical and current – using unlawful means to misrepresent our intent or concern during private conversation is not appropriate during the current crisis.
The transcript includes sensitive personal information that was shared with the understanding that the setting was private. Even though the impersonator was mistakenly admitted, they were not authorized to record, transcribe, or disseminate the conversation. The public stating of specific names associated with possible CSA-related allegations is also considered “defamation per se” in many jurisdictions. Public posting or sharing of content obtained through deceptive or unlawful methods may also carry legal implications, even if done unintentionally.
We fully recognize that you may not have been aware of how this material was obtained. Out of fairness and respect for those affected, we kindly request that you remove the transcript from your website and facebook page, and consider posting a brief note acknowledging that it was removed due to its unauthorized, deceptive and likely criminal acquisition—rather than as a simple “leak,” as it may have been presented to you. We also request that a copy in full of this letter and attached information be posted in explanation of the situation.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
1. Washington State Laws on Online Impersonation and Eavesdropping (The Zoom call was hosted in WA)
In Washington State, impersonating someone online with the intent to deceive, harass, or defraud is actionable under civil law. According to RCW 4.24.790, a person may be liable in a civil action for invasion of privacy when they intentionally impersonate another actual person on a social networking website or online bulletin board without consent, intending to deceive or mislead for purposes such as harassing or defrauding another.
Regarding eavesdropping, Washington is a two-party consent state. Under RCW 9.73.030, it is unlawful to intercept or record any private communication transmitted by telephone or other device without obtaining the consent of all participants.
RCW 9A.60.045: Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree involves assuming a false identity to commit or aid in committing a crime. If someone impersonated a real person to gain access to private information that they then used for harm, it could qualify under 2nd-degree impersonation if part of a broader criminal act (like unlawful recording, harassment, or defamation).
2. Does Erroneous Admission Grant Rights to Disseminate Call Contents?
No, being mistakenly allowed into a private meeting does not grant the right to record or disseminate its contents. If the individual misrepresented their identity to gain access, any recording or sharing of the meeting could be considered unauthorized and potentially unlawful, especially if it involves private or sensitive information.
3. California Laws on Online Impersonation (It is possible the impersonator is located in California)
California Penal Code § 528.5 makes it a crime to knowingly and without consent impersonate another person through or on an internet website or by other electronic means for purposes such as harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person.
Additionally, Penal Code § 529 addresses false impersonation more broadly, criminalizing acts where someone falsely impersonates another and performs an act that could subject the impersonated person to liability or provide the impersonator with a benefit.
4. Is Online Impersonation a Federal Crime?
Yes, under certain circumstances. The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act (18 U.S.C. § 1028) criminalizes knowingly transferring or using, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any unlawful activity. Penalties can include fines and imprisonment.
Furthermore, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. § 1030) addresses unauthorized access to computers and can apply to cases where someone gains unauthorized access to private communications.
5. Is It Federally Illegal to Post Criminally Obtained Private Material Online?
Yes, under certain conditions. If the material was obtained through unauthorized access or impersonation, its dissemination could violate federal laws such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Additionally, publishing private facts without consent can lead to civil liability for invasion of privacy. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act also prohibits the intentional interception or disclosure of electronic communications without authorization.
Sequence of Impersonation:
Zoom call was started, both waiting room and security code were in use (most attend with video, some with limited bandwidth occasionally call in by phone).
We’ve never had a stranger try to attend, so when the imposter called in (non-video), they were at first admitted. (we have no idea how they obtained the zoom call ID and security number)
The unknown caller number was noticed and questioned by some attendees, and some made the statement “That must be “Jon”, since he hasn’t joined yet” (in this way the imposter would know that they could use this name as an imposter name).
Since it was unclear who owned the number, the imposter was removed to the waiting room again.
A text message was sent to the questionable number, asking “Who are you?”
After a little while the imposter texted back, saying “Oh sorry just saw this. Stumbling with technology today. This is jon”
The host assumed this was the true identity of the caller and admitted the imposter for the remainder of the zoom meeting.
WINGS for Truth 