Category: News

This article was published today by VICE Media

Known to outsiders as the “Two by Twos,” a little-known community is reckoning with a far-reaching scandal over sexual abuse, accountability, and power. 

See:

https://www.vice.com/en/article/k7zpvm/an-nameless-insular-religious-sect-is-being-rocked-by-a-massive-sexual-abuse-scandal

My journey from fear of worker retribution to a deeper trust in God 

By Ashley (Williams) Hom  

Months ago, after reading the Canadian Elder’s beautifully expressed letter on Wings For Truth, I was moved to share my own story.  It’s taken some time to pull my thoughts together and have the courage to share my story. But that Canadian Letter has stayed with me, I have lived that letter, it echoes my own heart and thoughts. The ending of his letter, the part about not sharing his name for fear of retribution, triggered something within me and inspired me to share my own journey. My journey from fear of the perceived power of workers, to God’s help and guidance to not fear workers and their ability to “take away privileges” or abuse me (spiritually or physically).  

For context, my husband and I have a regular Sunday meeting in our home and several of the union meetings per year in our home here in Colorado. We love our fellowship meetings and the sweet friends and workers here in Colorado. 

This is my story, my journey from fear to a deeper trust in God:  

My parents had a family cabin in Northern Montana. Beginning in the early 90s, we spent most of my childhood vacation time there, and my husband and I were married there. I moved from Minnesota to Montana to attend college full-time in the early 2000s. I knew the overseer Dean Bruer fairly well; we overlapped in a lot of different places (Wyoming and Montana meetings/gospel meetings/conventions) and I admired him and respected him. I decided to schedule a meeting with him in 2009 because my heart was hurting around an issue that felt wrong. I felt a need for understanding and mercy around an issue Dean ruled very harshly on. I drove from Missoula (where I owned a home) to Bozeman in October of 2009 to meet with Dean at the Manhattan Convention grounds. I was welcomed to the house by the woman who lived there. She was the only one home besides Dean and Scott Rauscher. I came with a tender heart and an open mind. I was originally only going to meet with Dean, but these verses came to me, Matthew 18:6 “But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.”  

I knew Scott Rauscher was in the area as well, so I invited him to join our meeting, or he was already at the house, I don’t remember that detail exactly. I thought it would be helpful to have Scott in the room to hear what was on my heart. I met the men in the kitchen and then they led me to another room, they said they wanted to talk in private. When we got into the room, they shut the door behind us, and I remember the room being dark, especially given it was in the middle of the day.  

There were only two chairs in the room, the two men sat down and then looked at me and pointed to the floor. They said I should kneel or sit before them. I was feeling so humble and grateful they would meet with me, I didn’t think twice about kneeling before them, so I did. Through a broken heart and tears I tried to explain how my heart was hurting that my dad and many other faithful Godly people couldn’t take part in meetings. I’m not going to dive into the divorce and remarriage issue here, because no matter where you land on the topic, workers should not treat anyone the way they treated me. 

I was on my knees pouring out my heart before these two workers, asking for help and understanding of their thinking. I respected these two workers so much and looked up to them as leaders in our church. I asked why a man in the Bozeman meeting who was convicted of sexually molesting his three children was allowed to take part in a meeting with young adults, but people like my dad, who had been faithfully married for 30 years, a Godly man and a wonderful dad, couldn’t? My dad had been silenced in the meetings for 30 years. Then in Minnesota the workers “pardoned” him, and he could take part again after 30 years of silence in MN. However, in Montana divorced and remarried people are not allowed to ever take part in a meeting. Elders in Montana even made it a point to be sure my dad wasn’t allowed to touch or pass the emblems on Sunday.   

After asking Dean and Scott for some mercy and explanation of their thoughts on the matter, to my surprise, the two men just laughed at me, made fun of me, belittled me and asked some very odd questions, such as if my brother and I were biological siblings, which we are. But what an odd detail to ask about, given my brother lives in MN and I didn’t even know the workers knew I had a brother, it felt creepy. I remember Dean looking at Scott and saying, “can you even imagine getting remarried?!” and then they both laughed really hard, a very cold mean laugh. (Interesting how sometimes the most self-righteous have the most to hide) 

They thought the whole thing was so funny. What felt so off at the time was how the two men were in full lockstep in their thinking and words. Everything Dean said and did, Scott would agree and mimic Dean’s behavior. I remember thinking, I shouldn’t have invited Scott, now these two men are easily ganging up on me and it felt horrible and scary. Whatever I was expecting out of that meeting, this wasn’t it. There was a harsh ruthlessness to their demeanor.  

After they continued berating and laughing at me for most of an hour, I decided I’d heard enough, and the Lord put it on my heart to leave.  When I stood up to leave, they both reached out to touch me (I can’t remember who, but someone touched my shoulder and knee) and both said “don’t leave. I said “Oh, I’m leaving”. That’s when the hair on the back of my neck stood up and I thought, “Oh I need to get out of here quick!”  So, I left in a hurry! I was absolutely devastated by the experience!! 

Over the next few days, I called my family and a few close friends to share my experience. To this day those friends and family remember me calling them in despair. I’d never been disappointed by a worker before, not like that, so I was crushed. I still thought they were right, and I was somehow off the narrow way; that I was missing something. It was one of the few times I’ve had suicidal thoughts. I was just hurting so much myself, and hurting for all the people I knew Dean and Scott were affecting with their hard ruling on re-marriage.  

Then, a few months later, I didn’t get any sister workers for special meeting rounds in Missoula. (I had a room for workers and had sisters come stay all the previous years I lived there).   

So, I asked Scott at a special meeting, “Why no sister workers this year?” He said, “sometimes we lose privileges”.  

I was too naive at the time, and it took me some time to understand what he meant. I now understand that because I went to him and Dean with a different opinion and asking questions on a matter, that I would “lose privileges”.  

 It was very hurtful at the time and one of the hardest emotional things I’ve had to overcome in my life; I truly feel for those who were also physically harmed by Dean. But in God’s wisdom and help our entire family sold our beautiful home in the mountains of West Glacier Montana and moved. In the same week, my brother, Mom, Dad, and I all had on our heart that God said, “Montana is not a healthy spiritual place for you.” 

I feel so thankful that God led us out of Montana and to healthier spiritual places. We absolutely loved our home and friends in Montana and to this day I have to pray hard to not look back in remorse at our loss there, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62. It’s wild that two men could have such an influence over the meetings and where we choose to live. Many years later Dean was at Juneau Convention and when I heard him speak in a Sunday meeting before the convention, I broke down in sobs and had to quickly leave the meeting and sobbed for the better part of an hour. His voice was a trigger I had no idea I had; I’d never had anything like that happen before. I can’t even imagine the emotional trauma it must have been for people who were physically abused by Dean and then having to see him again.  

I have since become stronger in myself and in my trust in God. Workers and overseers no longer have that power over me, I won’t let them. Workers only have power over our lives and meetings, if we allow them to. We the friends can pray and ask God how to operate our meetings and who should be allowed to share in our meetings and who should be allowed or not at a convention. The workers do not have jurisdiction over our private property or how we choose to encourage and show our love for those we meet with. Do we answer to God or workers? That’s a question I’ve been asking myself, whose approval am I looking for? God’s, I hope.  

Workers can’t take away what matters most, our relationship with God and Christ. The workers are not our avenue to our relationship with God, therefore not going to this church does not mean someone has “lost out”, it just means they don’t go to our church. We should pray they continue to seek God, but I hope we move away from judging people’s relationship with God based on whether they attend our church or not, that does not feel like our place. 

As my husband helpfully says, “our form is not our faith”. Our church form is intended to inspire our relationship with God and his son and bring joy to us with fellowship, if it is no longer doing that for us, when we need to find another avenue for fellowship.  

I no longer feel fear of worker retribution. If a worker takes away a ‘privilege’ because I’ve posted my experience or have spoken up, then I’ll just know that worker is self-righteous, lacks empathy and most likely is dangerous to be around. Learning which workers will take away privileges to those who speak up is an excellent filter for what workers you can or can’t trust. I learned this when everything about Dean came out. I finally understand Dean was the one off the path, not me. I shouldn’t have doubted myself all these years and should have followed my instincts and feelings about Dean. Once I had children, God put on my heart to keep myself and my kids far away from Dean. It was a very strong warning in my heart, and I shared with others to be careful around him. I will work on not doubting my instincts anymore; God has given us these instincts to know who’s safe to be around, both spiritually and naturally. 

If we fear retribution for sharing our thoughts and concerns, isn’t that the very culture that leads to the abuse that has been covered up? I feel we need to break free from the fear of overseers/workers, and ask that overseers respect our opinions and experiences, and not punish us for speaking up. Breaking free of this fear could lead to a cultural shift of abuse being appropriately dealt with. 

I feel we, the friends, need to take some accountability in all that is going on. I feel we, the friends, have given too much power to the workers, power over our emotions, power over how we operate our meetings on our private property, and power over our lives. I want to put my trust in God more than my trust in workers. 
 

On a more positive note, we are truly grateful for so many of the workers. Most of the workers have been such an encouragement to our family and have fed us tremendously! I personally know many workers who have stood up for what is right and are doing the right thing when they see or hear of bad behavior. I know workers who have reported child abuse to the authorities. I know many workers who have listened with open, loving hearts to people and their concerns. So, my hope is that we, the friends, continue to support the workers who are trying to make our church safer.  

I hope our fellowship will continue into the future, become safer and more scriptural. I pray that we, the friends, will search our hearts to help with this effort.  

WINGS Note: Posted with permission from the author

I hardly know where to begin.

Perhaps the best place is this; I am filled with grief for the people who have been abused. I am so sorry that you experienced evil. I have been doing what I can to try to be a help to the people I know. I want to do all I can to help healing. My efforts feel weak, far from enough. Words seem so empty.

For me, there has been comfort that while I am very limited, God is not. I know that hasn’t been comfort to some who have been hurt, and I’m saddened how severely faith has been damaged. I have admired the strength of survivors. I’m thankful for every one who has done what they can to help and heal.

I finally feel able to reach out beyond the ones that I know closely. I’m sorry if it seems too late, I simply haven’t been emotionally well enough myself. I’m repairing a broken heart, as many of you are. It’s been slow, because it keeps taking a beating.

There is a lot of emphasis on help, and I very much, unequivocally support anything that will help those who have been hurt. Yet I know that won’t change what has happened, and the many people who have been hurt by the ones that they should have been able to trust. Far better that it had never happened, even once. Child sexual assault (CSA), sexual assault (SA), or any kind of abuse is wrong, and shouldn’t happen. It has. Much too much, much too often. While I’m glad it’s been brought into the light, it fills me with grief and sorrow as well.

I have been dealing with so many of my own questions, and I still don’t have very many answers. I have no intention or desire to defend a system, or to justify evil. I have not, and will not, cover up CSA, SA, or other abuse. There have been so many things brought to light that I had no idea about, and each one has made me feel more sickened. It’s made me want to walk away from it all.

Rob Newman is my uncle. One grandmother spent 2 years in the work, the other grandmother had 2 sisters who were workers. Glen Yung was a cousin to my grandfather. My sister is in the work. I’m 3rd generation on the shortest “professing” branch of the family tree, with the other branches going farther. I also understand how the very fact that I have been a brother worker, and because of family connections, you may have no trust towards me.

Why do I bring up my family connections?

None of that gives me salvation. None of that makes me right with God. Being a worker doesn’t get me any closer to heaven. Being a disciple of Jesus is my hope. He is the way, not “us.” I will stand alone before God. When I die, the thing I will be most thankful for is the blood of Christ, given for me in love. And what will matter about my life is what I have done… Not what I have said, or what people think of me, or who my family is. What God knows. I have no interest in lies.

I have been in the work for the past 17 years. Mark Huddle has been my overseer for most of my time in the work. I stood behind Dean Bruer in a worker picture just weeks before his death. I’ve tried to serve with my whole heart, as honestly and best as I’ve known how. I’ve been shocked to learn of the things my fellow workers have done, and then shocked more deeply by reactions of other fellow workers. It’s made me feel conflicted, dirty by association. I have hoped to see the Love of God. It’s been hard to see.

Yet, while knowing that those sins are not mine, I am not without sin. If you look for someone to be perfect, I cannot claim even close to that. I have been quiet when I should have spoken. I’ve felt deep and strong violence inside towards those that hurt who they should have protected. Though I’ve prioritized honor in relationships, I have struggled with my attraction to women. God knows the list of ways that I have been wrong. This isn’t a letter to justify myself, or to come across as if I am on higher ground. I am not.

This is a letter to reach out to those who are hurt and are questioning. I am too.

It is in my heart, more than ever, with greater desire than ever, to follow Jesus. I know I am not alone.

I believe that God is perfect, and Jesus did his will perfectly. So there is no mistake in ANY thing Jesus did, or said, or lived. The Holy Spirit will never contradict Jesus. This has been my anchor.

One thing I feel sure of: our only hope as a faith, is in truly following Jesus. Many of us have searched like never before, and we’re finding that we’ve been wrong. Have accepted what isn’t true or right as if it is. Have not searched scriptures and not been as honest and real in prayer as we could have been. Have stood by quietly when we could have spoken against wrong. Have feared men more than God. Have attributed things to God’s spirit that are not His Spirit. Have done things because “it’s what we do,” rather than seeking what God really wants, what is scriptural. Have been more Pharisee than good Samaritan.

It helps to read the Bible, and the New Testament in particular, as if I don’t know a thing. Having a thought and then searching to justify it isn’t safe. It’s arrogant. Being open and accepting of what God wants, and searching for that, is what has brought me peace. Jesus brought God’s will perfectly. It’s so beautiful.

In a strange way, it’s also been a comfort to see problems throughout the Bible, and to know that God continued to work with his people. Sometimes they were bad at responding. We are the same humankind. He is the same God who is alive and working.

I’m not active in the work. It wasn’t my choice… I simply wasn’t able. No one asked me to step away. The future is unknown to me. I feel that too is in God’s hands, me being where I am. Since being “inactive,” I’ve felt Gods help and leading in very real ways. I have told Kent Williston and Darryl Doland that I’ll be needing a year at least out of the work. (I have been on  the California staff, on loan from Washington.) I’m in Bakersfield, California, and plan at this time to get a job and routine for my health.

If it would be of any help, reach out. I have withdrawn from social media, though still have Instagram… so kelsayung [@] gmail.com is probably best to get in touch if you’d like. If you are reeling, but want to truly follow Jesus, know that you have a kindred spirit in me.

This is an open letter. Share it to who you will. I will forewarn you that I’m not in the best state to be your strength… I’m weak myself. Please, know that you’re not alone.

With love and care,

Kelsay Yung

WINGS Note: Posted at the request of Kelsay Yung

From: Carson Wallace [email redacted]

Date: October 2, 2023 at 12:25:46 PM

Subject: Clarification

Just want to clarify: the message that I sent this morning concerning Hazel could be sent to the Church or kept until anyone asks. By the way, this allegation was not CSA.

Your brother,

Carson

See Hazel Williams steps aside

Good morning everyone.

This morning, it’s with a very heavy heart that I send this message to you all.

We need to pass on a little note to everyone. to say that Hazel feels that it’s time for her to step aside from the work, partly because there has been an allegation brought against her. from many years ago, so in this time of stress, it seems that, this is the best decision to make. We’re very sorry that she has had to come to this decision, but we do agree that it’s probably the best choice for her right now.

Your brother, Carson

WINGS Note: Issued by oveseer Carson Wallace.

Hazel has been assigned to various fields in Ontario, Canada since 1970s.

Note: Carson subsequently advised that the allegation was not CSA. See Carson Wallace – additional information re Hazel Williams

Sacramento, California
95821-3432
September 21, 2023

As fellow-soldiers,
They fought and served with honor.
And they fought to save each other.

Dear Field,

We would like to say one more time to all of you, “thank you for the summer of encouragement.”

Besides the gospel meetings, the baptisms we attended in four northern California fields also added personal, soul-searching times as we witnessed our brethren taking another step to follow Jesus who gave His all for us.

For those who have felt uncomfortable to be in our gospel meetings, we would like say that we miss you, we love you, and consider you part of our spiritual family.

We want to encourage everyone to please come to special meetings, where, at the throne of grace, there is help and strength to overcome the daily strife.

He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. Psalms 55:18.

And so we onward go.

Your brothers on the same battlefield,
Scott & Harold

Dear friends and fellow workers in CA, NV, AZ, Hl, and Guam,

As our special meeting days approach it seems good to send out an update regarding a number of changes on the staff.

Brian Buckingham, Kelsay Yung and Robyn Hill are currently resting from the work.

Rob Newman is presently in a mental health facility in central California where he is receiving good care and continuing to make progress. It is hopeful that in a week or so he can be transitioned to an in home setting where he can continue to care for his health until his strength is restored.

We feel that we must ask Neil Evans to step aside from the work for the present. Neil admits to having written a letter and having made a couple online posts anonymously that were distressing to many of us. We don’t believe that they were done maliciously, but nevertheless have caused concern and hurt and our earnest hope is that there can be healing and that with time our confidence in Neil can be restored again.

This week Teri Foster moved into a nice little apartment in Chico where Esther Layman will be with her for the next while as Teri gets settled In there closer to doctoring and to her family.

Andrea Gronley is spending more time with her family now as her strength is more limited and she won’t be with us for the full special meeting route.

Brett Major has asked for a few weeks rest between Tanama preps and convention which is going on this weekend and La Paz preps and convention in mid October, so he won’t be attending the special meetings this season.

Karleen McDowell who has been in California for a few months as an exchange for Lauren Morton won’t be able to be with us for special meetings unfortunately. She hopes to be able to return mid November and spend about 6 months here after that.

Robin Layman and Heather Boyd left for conventions in Central America a few days ago and will be there through the end of October. Tamara Wagner and Pam Conrad also returned from mainland Mexico conventions earlier this week.

Following special meetings plans are for Kent Williston, Ted Foster, Cortney Blanchard, Lisa VanDenBerg and Nhu Ma to join the Pacific Island workers for Hawaii preps and convention.

Plans are for Richard DenHerder to return to Asia the beginning of October and for Ronda Visser to return to Asia the end of October.

There will be a few field worker changes needed following special meeting time which aren’t completely settled yet, but we will let you know when we get them figured out.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you and we long for the wisdom and care of our Father to know how help you all with the many needs there are these days.

Many thanks to all of you for your help and prayers.

Your brother,
Kent Williston