Workers expose perpetrator’s lies and provide support to the survivor

It is with deep concern that we are moved to send this letter to all of you. We understand that an email in which Ira and Joan Hobbs misrepresent key information about Katie’s special meeting visit at their home has been circulating privately, though it has not yet been posted publicly.

Katie is our dear sister, and we are worried about the additional harm she may experience due to Ira’s email. We do not want Ira’s letter with misinformation to cause division between us.

We believe and support victim-survivors, and we believe and support Katie. Because the majority of SA and CSA cases go unreported due to shame, fear, and lack of support, we feel it is our responsibility as shepherds to support those who cry out for help.

We would like to directly address the misinformation in Ira’s email.

  • Ira has a long history of sexual assault allegations, some of which he has admitted to. In 2008, Ira was removed from the work because of credible allegations that he committed CSA. One of the victims was only eight years old at the time that she was abused: she is now 71 years old.
  • Mona Reece was not present at the Hobbs’ home during Katie’s visit. Although our special meeting rounds had scheduled Mona and Katie to visit the Hobbs on that date. Mona attended a funeral and stayed in a different home on that date instead. This change of plans left our sister Katie alone in their home.
  • After staying at the Hobbs’ home, Katie experienced complications and sought medical help. The medical professionals who looked after her confirmed that she had been assaulted. They also discovered that she had been drugged with a ‘date-rape drug’ that rendered her helpless against Ira’s assault. This drug is known to have amnesiac effects, meaning (hat the drug prevented our sister from remembering exactly what was done to her during the time that she was drugged.
  • Law enforcement continues to investigate the case against Ira. We, along with Ray Hoffmann, support Katie’s legal team in their efforts to find justice for her and the other numerous victim-survivors of Ira’s assaults.

As friends and workers, we want to be united in our compassion for victim-survivors and to take appropriate steps that will bring an end to this shameful history of abuse. We pray that all victim-survivors would find comfort and peace.

Your brothers and sisters,

Craig Winquist, Daniel Farris, Steve Marshall, Diane Harper, and Jennifer Horton


Comments from Abbi Prussack:

I’d like to take this opportunity to point out a very common defense strategy used by perpetrators of abuse. As we know, abusers “groom” potential victims by establishing trust, and building an image of themselves that makes the victim less likely to resist their behavior and less likely to report it. Abusers also use this tactic with parents, in order to get closer to child victims and create a buffer of doubt, should the child ever try to speak up about the abuse. This letter is an example of someone who is “grooming the public.” By loudly presenting their fabricated version of events alongside vivid details, empathetic statements, and pitiful feelings, they are able to plant a seed of doubt in observers’ minds. If they can convince enough of the public that they are humble and trustworthy, the public will be more willing to doubt, dismiss, and blame the victim-survivors who they have harmed.

———————————-

There is ample evidence of this assault, and there is an ongoing legal investigation. Most survivors aren’t afforded these privileges, and many abusers’ attempts at grooming the public end up to be successful. Please keep this survivor in your thoughts as attempts to retraumatize and silence her continue. We will always stand with survivors, and we are grateful to you all for doing the same.


TRIGGER WARNING

The following letter from Ira and Joan Hobbs is posted to demonstrate how sex offenders operate, often successfully. WINGS strongly supports the response from Craig etc (above) which is a proper response to this type of letter from a perpetrator.


From: “Ira Hobbs” [email redacted]
To: redacted
Sent: Sat, Nov 4, 2023 at 8:48 PM
Subject: false report corrected

Our dear Ones,

Due to the internet publishing of false allegations that we heard of this spring, we want to share with you the account of the visit to our home by Mona Reese and Katie Keim 4 years ago.  It was the only time either of them were in our home.

Four years ago, the first week of April (our special meeting time each year), Mona Reese and Katie Keim came to our home in late evening,  Joan and I greeted them, shaking their hands in welcome.  After a very pleasant visit in the living room, we all retired to our bedrooms for the night at 8 p.m.  Each of the visitors got a glass for water as they went.  Our guest rooms are located at the west end of our house, with a private bathroom.  and our bedroom and bath is at the east end.  So, it offers totally privacy for all.  We did not know whether both slept in the one bedroom or used both rooms.

At 7:30 a.m., we served breakfast at the agreed time,  Both Katie and Mona were cheerful and ready for breakfast.  We asked Katie if she would like to offer thanks at the table.  She gave thanks for the food, for the restful night, and for the fellowship we  share together.  She asked for God’s blessing on our day together.  After breakfast, we asked Katie to share how she heard the gospel, and she responded eagerly.  Mona also shared of her experiences.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship.

They returned to their room for continued meditation and prayer in preparation for the special meeting that evening at Edgar Wilson’s home.  At some time in the morning, Katie went outside and gathered early spring flowers and boughs that were budding and arranged them in a vase to present them for the dining table.  Joan was elated, and asked Katie if she had worked as a florist since it was such a nice arrangement.  At lunch, Mona offered thanks, and again we had such pleasant and refreshing sharing.  It was a very memorable visit, so similar to our visits with other workers and friends before then and after that.  They went to another home for supper, and then to the meeting that night.  All the visitors spoke helpfully, giving fresh inspiration and comfort.

So, you might understand why we were shocked beyond measure when we had a visitor to our home this spring – an investigating officer (a lady) from the state police.  She asked if we sometimes had visitors and meetings in our home, and how the visits went.  We spoke of the wonderful fellowship that meant so much to us and to our friends.  Then she asked if we knew Katie Keim and Mona Reese.  Yes, we said they had been to our home a few years ago, and we had such good memories of  the time together.  Then she mentioned that it was reported that Katie might have been abused when they were here.  I said, “What?  Has Katie totally lost her mind?”  We shared memories of the day they were at our home.  The officer examined the layout of our home before she departed.  Joan and I wondered what has happened anyway!

Unfortunately, Katie has been in a field where some relatives of saints have been very active in following the internet opposition to our fellowship in Christ, and have been very critical of workers and saints with accusations both true and false.  They have had their effect on Katie, causing her to be very restive and with loss of interest in the mission work this year.  When Katie was questioned about her accusation of abuse, she said that she had no knowledge of abuse from any man, but others had advised her that it might have been possible without her knowing it.  So, it was obvious her thinking had been controlled by evil advisors who search for ways to reproach believers. Workers and saints were alarmed that Katie was having such a difficult time.

Fortunately, it was arranged for Katie to have a change of fields, to get away from the influence that had troubled her.  She spoke at Rogers, AR convention from Psalm 137, saying she had experienced something like Israel did when they were in Babylon, when she had lost her song in the confusion, and she was thankful for deliverance.  She said, “I never want to experience that situation again ever!”  We are glad that she is in a new field and with fresh prospects of usefulness.

The report from civil authorities this summer was that there was no evidence of any abuse at our home, and there was no reason to justify litigation in the matter.  That was determined after extensive and thorough investigation.

We pray God will forgive those who have published such a devastating accusation that was totally false, and would hope that they will publicize their apology for such lack of discretion.

In spite of all that has taken place, Joan and I have found peace and comfort, knowing that God the Judge of all understands and has given grace to bear the reproach cast upon us.  All in the church here have been great comfort to us.  We thank God for such rich fellowship with them.

Joan joins in loving greetings to each of you.  She wants to add a note to this.  All good wishes, Ira

Dear Hobbs family,

I cannot understand how such a report was published on the internet!  It was totally false, and without any attempt at confirmation of facts.  It has caused us to pray for those who have been so thoughtless and unkind, hoping God will be merciful to forgive them and make them wiser and merciful to others.

We are comforted in that God understands and cares.

We love you and hope that all goes well for you.  Thank you for praying for us.  Love, Joan


WINGS Note: Due to the potential impact on victims of Ira and other perpetrators, comments are blocked for this post.

Power and Abuse in Canada

My name is Marg Meyer.  I was in the Work in Saskatchewan from 1986 to 2001 when I was put out of the Work for visiting folks who were upset with decisions that older brother workers had taken. I was given the decision to stop visiting these folks and stay in the Work or keep visiting them and be no longer in the Work.  Since when does ANYONE have the right in North America to tell anyone else who they can and cannot visit??

Dale Shultz, Merlin Affleck, Jim Atcheson and Mary Roper were the 4 workers who were involved in this action.

This took place 22 years ago.  My name was Marg Magowan.  I believe the letter that I wrote to all workers in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba is still on the internet somewhere.

My experience with these brother workers is minor (although it still qualifies as abuse) compared to SA and CSA but it demonstrates the disfunction in thinking that is endemic in this Way.  Do not expect them to change their thinking… they have not changed in 22 years.  I do not trust Dale Shultz, Merlin Affleck, Jim Atcheson or Mary Roper still.

As for Mike Hassett:  I once wrote to him after he spoke at convention, taking exception to something he said at convention.  Instead of confronting me about the letter which would have been the appropriate thing to do, he sent the letter to Dale Shultz, and I never heard anything about said letter from either man!

So I do not trust Mike Hassett either.

I am reporting this to this site because when there is so much power awarded to a few men, it leads to a situation where CSA and SA can incubate.  THE SITUATION IS RIPE FOR ALL KINDS OF ABUSE AND ALL OF THESE PERSONS ARE CULPABLE.

I especially feel for sister workers.  They are expected to do WHATEVER they are told by the brothers.  They quite literally have NO autonomy over their own lives… they have NO power whatsoever…. especially the ones who follow around continuously the ones who have been appointed so called “responsibility “.

I truly wish everyone all of the VERY VERY best in finding your way through all of this mess.

Sincerely,

Marg Meyer  (Marg Magowan)

New Zealand Gospel Workers’ Code of Conduct

New Zealand Gospel Workers’ Code of Conduct

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4. 12.

“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5.22.

Children (Under 18) are a vital part of our fellowship; all Workers are responsible for promoting their safety, protection and well-being. Children under 16 years of age cannot even voluntarily engage in any form of sexual contact.

I will:

  • Adhere to the Guidelines for Child-Safety and this Code of Conduct at all times.
  • Be a positive role model to children and follow accepted guidelines relating to physical contact.
  • Set clear boundaries about appropriate behaviour between children and myself and respect a child’s boundaries and personal space.
  • Listen and respond appropriately to the views and concerns of children.
  • Be transparent in my actions and whereabouts in relation to contact with children.
  • Apply the “rule of two” – avoid spending time alone with children, ensuring parents know and support this boundary, and have educated their children about it.
  • Wear publicly appropriate clothes in common areas during visits with families.
  • Address inappropriate behaviour towards children.
  • Ask for help if I am uncertain about child safety, or this Code of Conduct, or believe I have breached this Code.

I will not:

  • Engage in behaviour or communication that causes children to feel uncomfortable, afraid or disempowered.
  • Use language that is inappropriate, offensive, harassing, abusive, or sexually suggestive or provocative when speaking around children.
  • Use any computer, mobile phone, video, camera or other electronic device to exploit or harass children.
  • Do things for children of a personal nature that they or their parents can do for themselves, such as assisting with toileting.
  • Hit or physically assault children. This includes refraining from physical punishment or engaging in discipline.
  • Display favouritism, develop inappropriate or sexual relationships, or indulge in any form of sexual contact with children.
  • Engage in the grooming of children and/or families.
  • Rely on my position or my reputation and that of the fellowship to protect me.
  • Minimise or cover up a suspicion or allegation of abuse.
  • Investigate a suspicion or allegation of abuse by questioning a child or individuals involved, but rather encourage the parents to refer the matter to authorities. Whenever it is appropriate that I myself should do the reporting, I will certainly do so.
  • Dismiss a child’s concerns or discourage disclosure.
  • Allow any child to enter a bedroom where I am staying in the company of myself and/or co-worker.

Some examples of appropriate and/or acceptable behaviour:

  • Handshakes, pats on the shoulder or back and shoulder-to-shoulder hugs.
  • Holding hands while walking with small children.
  • Sitting beside small children.
  • Having discussions one-on-one with older children in publicly accessible areas.
  • Encouraging children to respect personal spaces, i.e. knock on doors before entering.

Some examples of inappropriate and/or unacceptable behaviour:

  • Developing intimate or special relationships with children.
  • Advising children to keep communications or interactions secret.
  • Holding a small child on the lap except in the presence of an adult member of the family. Lifting or placing a school age or older child on your lap.
  • Wrestling, tickling, piggy-back rides or massaging.
  • Remarks that relate to sexual attractiveness or development.
  • Showing physical displays of affection in isolated areas of the premises such as bedrooms, bathrooms, private areas of the home or cars.
  • Sharing a bedroom with a child.
  • Inappropriate or lengthy hugs or kisses on the mouth.
  • Touching buttocks, genital areas, chest, knees, thighs or legs.

Some examples of environments where additional caution should be used:

  • Camping environment
  • Convention grounds
  • Swimming areas
  • Physical sporting events
  • Workers staying with families without a co-worker

In Conclusion:

  • I recognise that children have the right to feel safe at all times.
  • I recognise that child abuse has ongoing impacts and that the first step in healing for survivors starts with the telling of their experience. 
  • Should a child disclose to me that it has suffered abuse from some person, I will respond with compassion and care. I will not make promises to the child I cannot keep e.g. in relation to a child asking to keep matters confidential. Instead I will advise the child, “I will do everything I can to keep you safe.” 
  • I will do all I can to make the child feel heard and supported.

Developed and endorsed for New Zealand October 2023.

Guidelines for Child Safety in New Zealand

Guidelines for Child Safety in New Zealand

Definitions for these Guidelines:

“We” means the inclusion of both Workers (members of the Ministry) and Friends (members of this fellowship) who are part of this voluntary fellowship. 

“Child” or “Children” refers to any person or persons under the age of eighteen (18) years. 

“Parent” or “Parental” is meant to be inclusive of both the parents as well as legal or appointed guardians of any children. 

“Abuse” means any sexual contact of any kind with a child under the age of eighteen (18) years, without the child’s consent, or even with consent for a child aged under sixteen (16) years, because under the law of NZ no child under 16 years can give consent to sexual contact. 

‘Sexual contact’ includes sexual intercourse and also any indecent touching, including when the victim indecently touches the offender, following force or encouragement by the offender.

Statement:

As a fellowship we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children. All children have a right to feel and be safe. We are committed to the safety and well being of all children. We will ensure that a caring and appropriate response is initiated should abuse or suspicion of abuse occur. 

These guidelines are written with a focus on children who come into contact with or are part of our fellowship. 

The testimony of our fellowship is supported and maintained by being open and transparent.

Purpose:

The safety, welfare and well being of children is paramount; we believe children should never experience abuse of any kind. 

  • We are committed to conduct ourselves in a way that protects and safeguards children from any possible harm.
  • We are committed to support and respect the healing of survivors of abuse within, or who were once part of, the fellowship.
  • We have zero tolerance of abuse and will comply with reporting requirements of any suspicion of abuse, on reasonable grounds, to the authorities.
  • We encourage reporting by a parent to the authorities of any suspected abuse, on reasonable grounds. Whenever it is appropriate that the gospel worker who has been informed of such abuse should be the one who reports, he/she should do so.
  • We will never make any attempt to manage the legal implications of abuse within our fellowship.
  • We will fully collaborate with law enforcement authorities in any cases of abuse within our fellowship.

Reporting:

• If a child is at risk or in danger call 111.

• To make a report of concern: Call Ministry of Children on 0508 326 459

We encourage parental responsibility for providing education and boundaries to maintain child safety. We will respect any boundaries parents have in place. We encourage open conversation and education in families around child safety.

We expect members of our fellowship to keep children safe.

These guidelines are to be shared with all persons over the age of 16 years within our fellowship.

Any person under legal investigation, or convicted of an offence against a child, will not be permitted to attend any activity in our fellowship that provides access to children, nor any activity in our fellowship where known survivors of abuse are present.

We support a ministry that is itinerant and relies on the support of the fellowship to enable the Gospel to be shared.

All Workers and Elders have a responsibility to be aware of and support all aspects of a child-safe environment.

All Gospel Workers will undertake the following:

  • Complete child-safe training every 2 years.
  • Adhere to these Guidelines and the Workers’ Code of Conduct.
  • Ensure they are respectful of and acknowledge the rights of children, at all times.

Governance:

We will ensure biennial review of these Guidelines or as required.

All Workers will, before commencing in the Gospel work be provided with these Guidelines and the Gospel Workers’ Code of Conduct.

Gospel Workers from overseas visiting New Zealand will be provided with a copy of these Guidelines and the Workers’ Code of Conduct.

Developed and endorsed for New Zealand October 2023.

Worker Comments

Date: Thu, Oct 26, 2023
Subject: A month of visits

Dear workers and friends,

Some of you have been wondering how my travels have gone since leaving my field a month ago. During this time I’ve had more than thirty in-person visits with people who are concerned about the state of our fellowship. Every day there are additional phone communications from concerned people. I would like to share with you some of what I have learned.

Many, many people are still hurting. This hurt comes from numerous places—abuse, grief, betrayal, broken trust—the list goes on. I don’t claim to understand all the root causes. What I do know is this is not a time to say, “It’s not my problem” or “There’s nothing I can do.” We don’t have to be a therapist to reach out to people, sit together with them, listen with heart and learn from their experiences. Justifying, defending, or rationalizing to others how they “should” feel negates any benefit.

Compassionate listening can be accompanied by a willingness to help. A survivor friend recently said, “I wish they would just ask–What can I do to help?” This is the fruit Jesus said would mark a true prophet, the works James told us would prove our faith is not dead.

Along the way I’ve also had opportunity to visit with people who have other concerns. They fear that people are talking too much about negative things, or that doctrine is changing, or that people are losing their salvation. These are times to ask ourselves, “What am I afraid of?” Is the great God who we have put our trust in not able to preserve what is truly of him? Could he, in fact, be helping us see some ways in which we didn’t get it right?

Isaiah’s plea rings clear again, “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell my people their transgression.” We need to acknowledge and turn from evil and complicity to evil. After seven months, it seems we still have not come to this place of collective repentance. It’s not for us to tell people to ‘move on’ after two months, or five months, or any number of months, because they and God alone will decide when that time is.

Ones who step away or take a pause from meetings are frequently labeled as ‘the falling away.’ I have personally met with many of these friends, and I encourage you to do the same. The reality is that many people have left or have been driven out over the years for doing and saying what is right. Our operations have not been acceptably safe for women and children, despite leadership being previously warned of certain sexual predators. As someone recently wrote, “Stepping away from taking direction from someone who is showing questionable integrity is not the same thing as turning your back on God.”

For many, confidence in the ministry is still non-existent. Hearing words like, “Trust us, we are Spirit-led” doesn’t work, because those were the same words spoken before when wolves roamed freely in the sheep pen. I invite you to show humility and call together your ‘adversaries’ to know their concerns and how God’s Spirit is speaking through them. It helps greatly to listen introspectively and with self-reflection. Communicate regularly so that others know where you stand and what you are learning.

As a final note, it is unfortunately a pattern in these times of crisis for a church to discredit the character of victim-survivors and those who advocate for change. We are being presented with difficult information that challenges our perceived beliefs, and this may reflect poorly on our previous decision-making. I’ll share a few additional thoughts here in response to questions that have been asked:

1. My coworker and I made it clear in many conversations this year that we don’t desire to be ‘overseer.’ The alarming number of ‘bad apples’ who have been found in the overseer position through decades should cause all of us to stop and question the nature of a role that can foster poor behavior and unchecked spiritual authority. As it says in 2 Corinthians 1:24, ministers are not to have dominion over your faith, but are to be “helpers of your joy.” Many are asking how we can move in the direction of sharing burdens with others, as we read of in the book of Acts, so there can be better safety, accountability, and addressing of needs.

2. Listening to victims-survivors and having conversations about scripture-based changes to reverse a culture of abuse is not ‘making a following.’ I’ve seen peers also accused of creating a following simply for being a listening ear. Is this not a work for many to be doing? Jesus made it clear that the shepherd’s heart would be moved to leave the ninety-nine and go after the one. There are many ‘ones’ right now. There’s no need to bring an agenda, just a love for fellow humans, like Jesus. We will find that this kind of openness fosters good relations, and causes us to come away feeling that we received more than we gave.

3. Jesus said, “Whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Paul wrote, “No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” I firmly believe in and have taught this foundation of Christ. We know the storm will wash away what is sand, and the fire will burn up what is wood, hay or stubble. If anything of our own words and actions has been such, we should invite God’s cleansing, that only what is firm and secure will remain.

Your brother,
Greg Swenson
630-[redacted]
[email redacted but available from WINGS] @gmail.com


WINGS Note: For Greg’s explanation that he was stepping aside from the ministry see https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/08/22/worker-greg-swenson-steps-aside/

Convention Arrangements for Australia and New Zealand

25 October 2023

Dear NSW friends,

To ensure preparations and conventions are safe places for all there will be some changes implemented this year.

These are highlighted in the attached document.

Please submit your names through your elder with any additional requests you may have. For families who have already provided your elder with convention attendance details you may wish to provide more information, we are happy to receive any updates from you.

The coordinating workers for each convention are as follows – please let them know if you are attending a convention from another state or have any requests:

Should you wish to have further information, access to the Child Safe Policy, Workers Code of Conduct or any other information please let us know conv.feedback@gmail.com

We appreciate your patience and support as we work through these changes and look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming conventions.


2023/2024 Australian and New Zealand Conventions

We are all looking forward to the privilege of convention this year. The consideration and respect we show to each other and to the owners of the convention grounds will add to our time together.

The focus of convention is the refreshing of our soul. At the same time, we would like to acknowledge that convention has been a challenging time for some in the fellowship, including those impacted by child sexual abuse or who have been harmed within our fellowship.

We want convention to be a safer place, and some changes are being introduced this year to enhance the safety of our convention environment.

Preparations and Conventions

  • We appreciate those who help prepare for conventions and look forward to your help again this year.
  • It is important you let either your elder or the worker coordinating convention know if you are coming for a meeting, a day or the whole convention. In addition, we would like you to confirm arrival and departure on the grounds and this process may look different for each convention. The process will be communicated on arrival.
  • Any person with a history of, or an allegation of, harm to children is not to attend preparations or conventions.
  • Attention is drawn to the potential hazards associated with convention preparations, and any child or young person attending preparations must be accompanied by an adult and supervised.
  • Children are always welcome at conventions and their safety is the primary responsibility of parents or a designated responsible adult.
  • Anyone wishing to bring guests from outside the fellowship (eg. evening mission meetings) is requested to check with the coordinating workers for that convention in advance. Guests on convention grounds should be always accompanied.
  • We would encourage parents to educate school age and older children regarding appropriate behaviour by other people and where to seek help if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
  • Children and young people are encouraged to be with a friend or sibling when not with their parents or responsible adult. Children and young people should check in with an adult regularly and remain with their friend or sibling.
  • Every attempt will be made for job allocations to fit around parental commitments. For children under 12, we encourage one parent to be always available for child contact.
  • Accommodation arrangements will be more flexible to allow families to make specific requests or bring their own accommodation. Family groupings are encouraged. The time children are left in tents alone should be minimised. It is requested that children not be left sleeping alone for extended periods, especially during meetings.

Anyone requiring additional support is encouraged to speak with the workers coordinating each convention or a trusted friend who can advocate on their behalf. If anyone has concerns about attending conventions this year, please reach out to your elder or one of the workers so we can assist in making alternate arrangements.

Feedback

Considerable input has been received on improving the safety of our children and young people at conventions. We welcome further feedback, either via suggestion boxes at convention or via email to conv.feedback@gmail.com


2023/24 Parents Information Sheet

We are eagerly looking forward to convention, and we understand that much of the information we’re sharing may already be familiar to you. The purpose of this communication is to provide helpful suggestions that will assist all parents in maintaining the care and supervision of children and young people while still enjoying the spiritual benefits of the convention.

We acknowledge that written clarifications like these can sometimes be a bit daunting. However, our primary goal is to address any concerns you may have regarding attending the convention.

We are pleased to have visiting workers at this year’s conventions. Our visiting workers have been confirmed by their home country as having no current allegations or concerns related to child sexual abuse or misconduct. They will undergo Ministry Safe training and adhere to the Workers’ Code of Conduct, just as our local workers do.

Visiting workers will be accommodated with friends or families who do not have children under the age of 18, unless a specific family makes a request and provides their consent to accommodate them. This practice also extends to visiting workers travelling by car within Australia or New Zealand.

This year marks the introduction of convention attendees designated as Child Safe Contacts to address any child safety concerns. For each convention, some people with “Working with Children Checks” and/or “Police Checks” and child safety training will be identified. Those who work in childcare, healthcare settings, police, social work or schools may already have valid certification. If you possess these checks, please inform your elder when submitting names for the convention. The contact details for Child Safe Contacts, workers coordinating convention, local emergency information, and reporting lines will be prominently displayed.

In case of any concerns related to child safety, we encourage you to report them directly to one of the designated Child Safe Contact individuals, the workers coordinating for the convention, or the appropriate emergency authorities.

Any person under the age of 18 planning to attend the convention must be accompanied by a parent or an adult designated as the responsible contact person for that child. This parent or adult will always have primary responsibility for the well-being of the child or young person during the convention.

Accommodations in tents with children will include only immediate family members unless specifically requested by parents/guardians. Children are encouraged to stay out of empty tents or other empty buildings on the convention ground.

In the case of dormitories, it is encouraged that parents or designated responsible adults be assigned to the same dormitory area as the child or children under their care.

For visits to shower and toilet facilities, children should be accompanied by a parent, sibling, or a responsible adult.

Parents, please take the time to acquaint your children with the convention grounds. Safe areas, restricted zones, play areas, common spaces for socialising, walking paths, and well-lit evening socialising areas for young people will all be clearly designated. It is also advisable to establish an agreed meeting point.

We trust that these measures will contribute to a safe and enjoyable convention experience for all participants. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated, and we eagerly anticipate seeing you at the convention.

Scott Rauscher letter to Montana and Wyoming Friends

Great Falls, MT 59403
October 20, 2023

Dear Friends in Montana & Wyoming,

Thank you for being patient with my lapses in communicating over the last several months as we are learning how to navigate important changes and safety measures with CSA and SA. We agree it is imperative that CSA and SA be dealt with directly and legally while focusing on the victim. We are very thankful for each one of you and we appreciate your patience and your support in many ways. We are truly mindful of those who are a victim of any form of abuse and every one of you that has suffered pain and loss. The ministry seeks to help and support each and every soul, and we apologize for any way that we have failed victims in the past.

It is necessary to make it absolutely clear that Robert Corfield has no part in the ministry. Anything that he has done in the past to help us workers is being taken over by others. Our hearts go out to his known victim. We also want to apologize for the very inappropriate comments that were made in a recent visit regarding Dean Bruer. We recognize how these comments continue to harm people who have already been directly and indirectly victimized.

Our staff’s desire is to be approachable and communicate openly, while using discretion where it is needed as we work in a quiet, confidential way with victims. We intend to hold each other accountable while in this growth and learning space, by open communication with the staff and you folks.

Working together is very important and essential (Ephesians 4:3 – unity of God’s Spirit). As individuals – walking in His Spirit – we make up the Fellowship, which is His Body. Each one of us either adds or diminishes to His Spirit in every meeting. This is a great privilege and also a great responsibility. We are aware that God in His mercy is calling our attention to our need to take our salvation seriously.

We are thankful that we have the Bible as our map, Jesus as the Way, and the Spirit as our guide as we travel through life together.

As the Convention season begins to wind down – and Special Meetings begin – we are looking forward to and anticipating some very helpful days ahead.

Please feel free to communicate your concerns with me or any of our staff, or with those that you feel closer to. We do wish to hear your concerns and feelings. We will also include an updated list for trauma resources.

Every good wish in Christ,
Scott R.

Call for Assistance re Ira Hobbs

There is a current and ongoing effort to take ex worker Ira Hobbs to court to convict him of his 2019 rape of a sister worker. He used a date rape drug, while his ex-sister-worker wife was away from their house. The raped sister worker was staying in the home for special meeting rounds. The hospital found the date rape drug in her blood test. They repaired the life-threatening damage that Ira did to her from the rape. It is known by many that Ira has raped and had sex with sister workers and wives for the past 60 years, as well as documented horrible molestation of children.

Ira Hobbs molested my young daughter in our home. My daughter and I have agreed to testify against him. The advocate, investigator and prosecutor are gathering evidence for prosecution. More victims, and those with knowledge of these crimes, would be very valuable as they establish the case, and show his long practice of so horribly damaging so many.

If you are willing to help in this effort, please contact me at dwgardner46@gmail.com and I will connect you with the effort.

Ira practiced this horror for much of his lifetime, and was hidden, protected, and moved from place to place repeatedly by the senior overseers while in the ministry. Fortunately he was finally put out of the work after his life time of fornication and child molestation. He was very clever on how to enjoy his horrid fornication without leaving evidence that could convict him. That is why it important to gather more evidence, victims and witnesses to firmly establish his decades long pattern of fornication, rape and child molestation. He continues it, even after being put out of the work.

Any assistance in this effort would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me.

Thank you,

Sincerely
Dale Gardner
dwgardner46@gmail.com


WINGS Note: Posted at the specific request of Dale Gardner

Call for Honesty and Truth

Good morning to you all,

There have been some issues weighing heavily on my heart for a long time, so I feel I must write to you.

It concerns, firstly, the continuing abuse of women, children and men in this fellowship, particularly spiritual, sexual emotional and mental abuse which has been brought to your notice many times, with minimal effect. It’s shocking how you’ve simply allowed multiple sex offenders to continue in the work and/or leave the work covered by lies and deceptions, watched them get married and have even given them the place of ‘elder’ uplifting and endorsing them as good, worthy, godly men instead of declaring them ungodly and dangerous to our community.

Secondly, it is despicable the way you have covered the guilty and blamed, shamed and continually intimidated the victims, to keep the truth hidden. Do you have any idea of the trauma and shame these victims and their families go through for their lifetimes afterwards? Not to mention the exorbitant medical expenses.

We opened our hearts and homes to you all, as celibate servants of God, sharing everything we had and giving you our full trust, only to discover decades later the shocking extent to which our families have been abused and blackmailed into keeping quiet. This is absolutely devastating!  The betrayal of trust, the abuse of your authority, the lies and deceit that took place to cover up these sins committed under our very noses, whilst caretaking the Harare Conv grounds, is horrific and defies belief! 

Please don’t accuse me of having a hard, bitter and unforgiving spirit, because this is not so!  I am not looking for retribution for past offenses. I have a grave concern for the present and future safety of everyone in the fellowship, especially the young, innocent children, vulnerable adults and unsuspecting new workers. I feel I cannot stand by without voicing my concern, disillusionment and disgust!  Even if you yourselves are not guilty of these atrocities/crimes, covering and/or condoning these shameful deeds of others makes you guilty!

I, therefore, can no longer listen to you preach God’s precious gospel whilst these matters are not dealt with, so I am withdrawing from the meetings until such time as this situation is rectified. 

This does not mean I have abandoned God. I am standing for honesty and truth and will continue serving Him.

Greetings

Gwen Bartlett


WINGS Note: Written by a 92 year old lady who lived on convention grounds in Zimbabwe for 30 years.

An Alarm and Call for Action

This message is addressed to the dear, godly friends and workers of the fellowship that has been called the truth for about 125 years. It is also a message that the corrupted and perverted friends and workers, and those who have hidden the perverts, should consider. It is written by me, ex member Dale Gardner, who was put out of the fellowship, more than 35 years ago, by the head overseers of the eastern United States, because I had exposed the fornicating, raping, child molesting senior worker, Ira Hobbs. I long to again be in fellowship with the Godly workers and friends. I still consider them my people. But only if and after they totally separate from the horrid sexually perverted and corrupted friends and workers, and the concealers, that are presently so deeply ingrained in the fellowship. The leaven that Paul described, has worked very deeply in our fellowship.

Have you read the account, in the book of the Judges chapters 19- 21, from thousands of years ago, of the horror of the death of the Israelite concubine, raped to death by the Benjaminite sodomites? I plead to you dear and Godly friends and workers of the fellowship  that you would read and consider that horrific account that God has chosen to leave, as direction, for how to respond when sexual immorality is present among His people. As you consider this horrific account, please remember the words of our Saviour to two of the churches in Asia. His statement was directed to the churches, not the fornicators in those two churches. He said, “I am against you, because you allow fornicators among you”. Do you understand that our Lord and Savior is against us, the fellowship that calls ourselves the Truth, because this fellowship has allowed fornicators to remain among us for the 125 years of its existence? It is reported that William Irvine declared that he started this fellowship as an experiment. He was a fornicator himself, fathering an illegitimate child, with some reports that he continued in sexual perversion. How can it be that a corrupted and fornicating overseeing ministry has been able to so control the fellowship, hiding the fornicators, and freely raping and molesting wives, sister workers and children in this fellowship that calls itself the truth? It is so obvious that the time is long past that the friends should have been awake, and put out the fornicators as quickly as they were discovered. God gave directions through Paul and John as to how to separate fornicators from the church. Have we thought seriously about why we did not do this? We need to start thinking and then take action. The action must be much more than just talk and words. What a horrific mess we are in because we have been sick and sleeping for 125 years, allowing evil fornicators and overseers to control and put us to sleep.

It is long past time to take action! What is the action we should take? There are many thoughts and ideas on this question, and a number of actions are happening. This is very good. However, to date, it appears that there are extremely limited results as far as forcing out the corruption, including the leaders of the corruption. It is now very difficult, and maybe impossible, because of how long and deeply the leaven has corrupted so many in the fellowship, both workers and friends.

It is so important to remember and understand that God has always taught to separate good from evil. That separation began as recorded in Genesis, when he destroyed all the evil people of the earth in the great flood. The Bible gives us a number of accounts of how God Himself, at times, separated good from evil. Other times God gave His help as His people took action to separate from evil. Then there are times when God left it up to His people to choose to separate themselves from evil. But He has made it plain that He is against the church if they do not keep separated from evil.

Some in the fellowship believe that this can be accomplished by forcing the perverted workers and friends out of this fellowship. Others believe this is now impossible because of the depth and breath of the leaven. Some understand that all of those, including both friends and workers, who have concealed and hid the fornicators are also guilty and responsible for the horrid damage to thousands of women and children in the fellowship. Oh what a mess we have allowed, and it will continue until the separation is made. Once this separation is made, the evil workers and friends will continue in their perversion, but no longer able to molest and rape the godly friends, workers, and children of this separated fellowship. Some believe this is the only long term effective answer to the horror presently allowed by the fellowship.

A very important but difficult consideration is the matter of our history of believing and calling our fellowship the truth. Jesus has made it clear, as previously referenced, that He is against us because we have allowed fornicators among us. It is very obvious that our group is far from being the truth. We can never be the truth, but we can become the Church of God as Paul called the Corinthians. Jesus is the Truth. We can become a healthy body of Christ. If we do our part, He will help us with what only He can do. So please do not think that by separating from the present corrupt, fornicating, concealing ministry, that we would be separating from the truth. Instead we would be separating from an evil that God despises. We can then become a church of believers that Christ will rejoice in, The Church of God, as Paul so beautifully called the Corinthian church.

I had thought that I would compare and contrast the horrific account of the wake up call and response, found in Judges, to the wake up call and response, to date, that God orchestrated with the death of Dean Bruer. It now seems this should be saved for another time, as this present effort has become so lengthy. If anyone thinks such a contrast and comparison would be helpful, please let me know and I will try to present a helpful account.

May God move our Godly friends and workers to understand the necessity, and be willing to take the actions, to separate from this horrid evil, and then continue in fellowship as a Church of God, no longer calling ourselves the truth, but followers of Jesus, who is the truth.


WINGS Note: Dale’s letters from 1988 and 2008 are available at https://wingsfortruth.info/2023/07/08/35-years-ago-to-taylor-wood-and-the-church/

The letters exposed long-standing abuse within the fellowship, but there was insufficient response from the ministry.