Tag: sexual immorality

I’m sorry for the length of this when everyone is already weary from a lot of reading.
TLDR version: I’m not going to be a worker or come to meetings anymore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoco1CQ7qU0&ab_channel=PaperHorses

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To all,

I am sending this to let everyone know that I don’t intend to continue being in the work or to keep attending meetings. In making this decision I have no desire to do harm to anyone’s faith in God and Jesus, only to take my life out of the hands of overseers and place it entirely in God’s hands. I am not campaigning for people to leave the church but I fully support the ones who have and it is dead wrong to refer to them as “lost out”, being a part of the “falling away” or any of the other categories that they are often lightly thrown into when their decision was not made lightly. The church must take hold of its liberty in Christ and learn how to operate independently from the overseers before it can ever be healthy.

It sounds so inadequate to say, but I want to say thank you to Sheri Autrey, Lauren Rohs, and Cynthia Liles. I know hardly a fraction of what they have done over the past eight months and more, trying to help a church that refuses to help itself.

There is no end to what could be written, but many other exit letters have already said it far better than I could. Instead, I will paste some things that I have already written in emails to the NC/VA/MD/DE workers and some notes from things I said in NC and VA listening sessions.

Your friend and brother, Jared Snyder

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June 3, 2023 email to NC/VA/MD/DE workers:

“I think some of us have gotten too self-righteous about “not reading stuff on the internet” because it’s “not good feeding ground” and it has rendered us clueless in the current situation. The Bible itself gives a n unblinking, realistic account of some horrible things, including the failings of God’s own people. We all need to be aware simultaneously of what is going on and discussions that are happening so that we can face reality together. The cluelessness that I’m trying to call out is something I have been guilty of for a long time. I have “not gotten it” in every way there is to “not get it”, but there’s no need to stay that way.”

“Who is really happy and healthy among us, or do we feel we have to act that way, and that everyone else should too? I had a horrific nervous breakdown several years ago, simply from being a worker and trying to do what workers do and I often worry about the daily misery that my co-workers, especially the young ones, might be experiencing for reasons they can’t sort out. But there’s never time to really stop and think without the pounding drum of the next upcoming worker duty overtaking your thoughts. For many it has been far worse:”

“Eli’s sons were so despicable that the people abhorred the offering of the Lord. We should also acknowledge God’s displeasure that many have been robbed of the ability to enjoy fellowship among us. We have lived to the drumbeat of the gospel meeting, special meeting, convention routine for so long that we are hypnotized. We can’t tear ourselves away from this religious routine long enough to get together and address a very obvious crisis as the family that we supposedly are.”

June 5, 2023 email to NC/VA/MD/DE workers:

Are any of us interested in having a discussion about how we’ll communicate with our young families about keeping their children safe at convention this year?

Hodgie Holgerson molested a child in Hawaii before eventually moving to Virginia. We didn’t know this but it was whispered about among our friends for years that “something happened” with a hushed fearfulness that they might be gossiping or too judgmental. Hodgie has been attending Virginia conventions for years and using his beekeeping hobby to groom and gain access to children. There is now another allegation, from more recent years, that has surfaced since the one that prompted our letter. This game of “who can be the most spiritual” can be a dangerous one when we can’t say what we know or feel for fear of being considered not spiritual enough.

If being spiritual means never getting upset about anything, ever, then I have started to lose the game badly. When Jesus was turning over tables there was probably someone reminding him that it was a house of prayer and to calm down. (Written before Ron Thomke spoke this very thing at Downings this year)

This is the Lord’s war with Amalek in OUR generation, why is it so upsetting that some want to blot out his remembrance from under heaven, instead of sparing him for another generation?

It is hard to give yourself to evangelism when you’re unsure of how a vulnerable new babe might be treated, or what old and dead traditions might be thrust on them, like a yoke that neither we nor our fathers were able to bear.

The next time there is a septic problem during a convention I’ll remind everyone that God is on the throne, to not let their heart be troubled, and assure them that I’m going to go pray about it. If it’s really bad we’ll call in the help of the older brothers, who apparently have more access to the Holy Spirit than the rest of us, based on what we’re hearing back from some. If I live another twenty or thirty years, I look forward to the benefits of this extra dispensation.

Can anyone offer a starting point for coming together and having conversations and considering questions that are not the least bit new among our friends, who open their homes to us?

Jun 24, 2023 Holly Springs, NC listening session

Jared shared that he felt that this was an initially slow and personal process that began for him when the information was shared about Dean Brue r and became more intense with the news of more overseers having to step aside due to allegations. He felt very much that the Lord is purging His ministry and this began for him a process of self examination and then opening himself to God’s examination that He would reveal if there was anyone he had not listened to or not been there for in their time of need. More broadly, we should be asking, as a ministry, who have we failed and what can we do for them?”

July 11, 2023 Huntersville, NC listening session

• If I love someone’s soul, I want them to believe in Jesus. If they believe in Jesus, that will get them to heaven and eternal life. They don’t have to believe in a homeless, celibate, 2 x2 ministry. They just need to believe in Jesus.
• God knows who and where people are. God can keep them alive and feed them. That’s the kind of servant I want to be, to feed that faith. I don’t know what my future will look like, but that’s what faith is, isn’t it? Does it require more faith to do the same thing you’ve always done, or to do what you’ve never done before when God is asking for it?

Aug 3, 2023 Bolivia, NC listening session

I also think about realizing the experience of a survivor of abuse and how we have failed to understand the long term trauma they experience. We’ve had a goal of getting people in meetings, but now I can understand why they couldn’t bring themselves to come to meeting. Jeremiah 6:  4-16 NIV “They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush.”

I feel like this is something we have done. People who have been wounded in the worst kind of way, just had their wound not taken seriously and we do need to feel ashamed of that. I wish I could take a walk back through my 21 years in the work and change things I may have said or thought about people who stopped coming to meetings in the past. As these meetings have been going on, things have been changing and one thing I have been thinking about recently is there is a strong possibility of a split and people pulling back from coming to meetings. That is not a choice that anyone is making lightly and it is quite agonizing for them.

Aug 8, 2023 Fredericksburg, VA listening session

Collectively we have not entered this process of repentance as a ministry. The reaction of some will be “I haven’t done anything.” Ask God what HAVE I done? Who have I harmed? Experience of a victim: not just what was done but years later processing, speaking up but not being believed, seeing nothing done to the offender, can’t go to meeting so others say they “lost out” or have gotten offended. This is an agonizing struggle. So we’ve all done harm at times by not understanding people and what they’ve gone through.

At recent sessions it has been pointed out that we ask, who is being brought into the fellowship? But should we be asking how many have we driven away? We’ve driven many away. So what does God want? God has given no guarantee that this ministry will continue like it is, but He and His Son will be there. Also there’s no guarantee what this fellowship will be. But put your faith in Him.

Referring to ourselves as the “kingdom” – it’s actually whoever is serving the king. Who’s submitted to the king. Can we say that we are the only ones on the earth that are right while all of this is going on? Seems foolish. The Lord knows who are his. Shameful that we have said our form is the truth, not Jesus. God has been very merciful to us as a people. Makes you wonder what he wants next. Maybe interact with others in our community who are also trying to be Christians.

Sept 2023 Greensboro, NC convention

I want to add my witness to Greg’s [Greg Swenson], I have also had visits with people who have decided to stop coming to meetings for the time being and they are not losing out or falling away from God. A friend that I grew up with testified in court about a criminal act of abuse done to a child by an elder that she witnessed and the overseer made it known that she was not to be in meeting if she testified – that overseer is still in the work, and where does that leave her? It goes beyond that. We have brothers and sisters in Christ that have a relationship with God, believe in Jesus, are born again, are seeking to be led by the Holy Spirit, and will inherit eternal life who have never met or heard a worker. They don’t know this ministry or fellowship exists and they are alive to God. Something we need to chew on. Why aren’t we having fellowship with those people.

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WINGS Note: Jared Snyder and Greg Swenson are two brother workers in North Carolina who took a “leave of absence” after the NC/VA conventions this year and began traveling around US listening to/supporting others. The NC/VA/MD/DE workers list shows a blank by both their names–no field, no explanation, just phone and address. 

Jared’s letter was sent November 16, 2023.

November 8th, 2023 Letter: Deacons & Advocates

To our friends in Texas & New Mexico,

The deacon/advocate project has been quite the process, and although we still have more to learn, we feel that the system currently in place will promote a safe environment for our fellowship. Our main objective is to protect the vulnerable, be in compliance with the law, and to have an internal record of any predatory and/or red flag behaviors by anyone in our fellowship.

This process is intended to:

• Keep an internal record of information in any cases of CSA/SA and Red Flag Behaviors
• Operate separate from the ministry which prevents the consolidation of information and power
• Protect the most vulnerable among us

We are thankful for those who have willingly accepted this responsibility.

Deacons

We feel it is beneficial to use a scriptural structure and office to ensure integrity and accountability of our ministry in the event that a case of CSA or SA occurs in our fellowship. The office of a Deacon is a scriptural office (Acts 6, 1 Tim. 3:8-13). Deacons are assigned to deal with administrative responsibilities within the fellowship. The office is separate from the ministry in order to ensure that there can be no collusion or cover-ups.

The deacons have been chosen based on recommendations made by our friends and workers. In order to protect the privacy of those who are filling the role we will be listing the deacons by their gender, age range, and language spoken. We are assigning them Google numbers that will be forwarded to their cell phones. By indicating which deacons are bilingual (Spanish and English) it will allow for someone to reach outside of the deacons in their region if they need to communicate in Spanish.

We have created a chat forum on our Fellowship Resources & Communications platform where the deacons will be able to communicate and support one another. Our thought is that the current deacons would stay in the position for 5 years and then someone else would assume the office; however, if any personal need arises the deacons are free to step away and someone else will step into the position.

We are thankful that a collaborative process has allowed this structure to be established. Our hope is that it will never need to be used, but in the event that new allegations come forward we want to have a system in place that ensures compliance with the law and accountability within our fellowship. We purpose to provide the safest environment possible.

Responsibilities of the Deacons concerning CSA/SA allegations:

• Confirm that the allegation has been reported to proper legal authorities: TXDFPS/NMCYFD and/or Law Enforcement
• Write the Incident Report to maintain an internal record of steps that have been taken. The deacons are not investigators.
  (The purpose of these Incident Reports is to have documentation of steps taken to assure the safety of all in our fellowship. )
• Keep the workers in the field abreast of any accusations in their field.
• Work in conjunction with law enforcement or CPS, contacting them for recommendations when an allegation is brought to their attention.
• Inform the elder/bishop of the meeting, the workers in the field, and the friends involved about the situation, as soon as the professional investigators give them permission to do so.

Red Flag Behaviors

First and foremost the responsibility of reporting falls on the person who observed the questionable behavior. If you see something, say something to the person directly. After communicating with the individual who “raised a Red Flag”, if the person who observed the behavior still feels that there should be a record of the incident, then they must contact the deacon in their region and report it.

For information on Red Flag Behaviors see the Resource document on the FRC platform titled: Red Flag Behaviors under Policies and Guidelines

Responsibilities of the Deacons Concerning Red Flag Behaviors:

• Write the Incident Report to maintain an internal record of the behavior and the steps that have been taken
• If the behavior is repeated then more steps must be taken, and those steps will be determined by the people most familiar with the situation: Bishop/Elder of the meeting, deacons, workers in the field, the person who observed or was the recipient of the behavior
• If the behavior is not repeated then it is considered an incident of ignorance and not a Red Flag.

New Mexico: Deacons

Texas: Deacons

Advocates

We are very thankful for all the people who volunteered to fill the advocate role. We have coordinated with a CASA (Court Appointed Social Advocate) trainer to conduct a Zoom training for all who are interested in becoming advocates. It is scheduled on two separate dates in December. You will receive a certificate once you have completed your training. After you have completed your training, we ask that you email your certificate to [redacted]@gmail.com , and include in the message the region where you live. The information will be compiled and will be made available to the deacons.

Training for Advocates: From Darkness to Light

From Darkness to Light is the name of the training program currently being used by the CASA organization. This will be a live training via Zoom that is being tailored to our specific needs. The session will be 2½-3 hours long.

This is the explanation provided by our training facilitators:

• Darkness to Light is guided by the vision of a world free from child sexual abuse, envisioning a world in which adults form prevention-oriented communities that protect the child’s right to a healthy childhood, which is why our organization uses this curriculum.
• Darkness to Light believes that protecting children is an adult’s responsibility, and that through education and training, adults will be empowered to act. Their trainings are the only evidence-informed, adult-focused child sexual abuse prevention trainings proven to increase knowledge and change behavior, empowering adults and organizations to bring child safety into their own communities.
• Our Community Engagement Team members are all certified facilitators of the “Stewards of Children” training curriculum.
• The link to the Darkness to Light’s ” Stewards of Children” training:
  https://www.d2l.org/education/stewards-of-children/
• The mission of this training is to teach how to recognize, prevent and react responsibly to child sexual abuse, and to teach advocates to be competent and confident in preventing abuse and to respond skillfully if it occurs.

Training Dates:

Those who would like to attend either of these sessions please email A.R. [redacted]@gmail.com, by December 10th and indicate which session you would like to attend. This information must be submitted to our CASA trainers by December 11th in order for them to prepare the training session and email the link to the Zoom Training Session participants.

• December 19th- 10am CST
• December 21st- 5:30pm CST

Our Texas/New Mexico staff has a workshop scheduled on December I9th-21st. Many of our staff would also be interested in this training program, consequently we have scheduled a training in January for our workers who are interested.

If for any reason the two dates in December will not work for those of you interested in becoming an advocate, you would be welcome to attend the session in January.

This process of using deacons and advocates is still new to us, and we know that it will grow and develop as we learn more. We are comforted by scriptural structure being followed. We hope and pray that there will never be a need that calls them into action. However, if the need arises, we feel better prepared to handle it.

Sincerely,

The Texas/New Mexico Staff

On Thursday 2 November 2023, a meeting was convened in Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland at the request of certain of the friends to discuss issues relating to child sexual abuse (CSA) and sexual abuse (SA) within our fellowship in Ireland (both the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI), referred to in this document as Ireland). Two of the Irish brother workers (John Conley and Craig Fulton) together with 24 of the friends were in attendance. Some of those present were victims or family members of victims.

These notes are a summary of the main concerns raised and some of the rationale / discussion in relation to each concern, that were presented to the workers during such meeting. These notes also include suggested solutions / requested outcomes to address the concerns raised in the meeting. These notes are not an exhaustive summary of all matters discussed at the meeting which ran for some 3 hours.

Introduction

The meeting began with an introduction from the meeting organiser. 

Following this, Craig Fulton gave opening remarks during which he (among other things): 

• thanked everyone for coming;
• acknowledged that they (the workers) have received a lot of help and feel a great need of further help (and that is what is desired at the CSA / SA meeting);
• shared a personal anecdote regarding a family member who is a CSA victim (which he said helps him to understand the deep hurt experienced by both victims and families of victims);
• stated that he wishes to make it clear that we want to do all that we can to protect our children so they don’t go through the same experience;
• acknowledged things haven’t always been gotten right in the past and apologised for that and any hurt that has been caused as a result;
• noted that good progress and development has been made in recent times and this CSA / SA meeting will also contribute to the development of our policies;
• acknowledged that they (the workers) feel they must communicate more with friends and want to make all aware of what they can do and how they can help;
• stated that at the beginning of the upcoming special meetings, a document regarding child safety will be read out; and
• stated that there is a workers’ staff meeting in January 2024 to help staff understand what they can do to help and give them appropriate advice.

Following further opening remarks from the meeting organiser and another attendee, the Designated Liaison Person appointed in ROI gave a summary of procedure and practice in relation to CSA / SA in Ireland. This summary included, without limitation, an overview of the following (which are not covered in detail in this summary):

• the basis of the policy / practice (legislation and related guidance documents);
• reporting requirements and some information about reports / disclosures received – for example, that most disclosures aren’t first hand (i.e. they are made by someone other than the alleged victim); and most are in relation to retrospective abuse; 
• consideration of precautionary measures and safeguards; and
• sanctions – the Designated Liaison Person’s role is safeguarding children but any sanctions imposed may also be a response to justice or fellowship issues. It was noted that the issue of sanctions is highly complex. If changes are made in response to CSA / SA allegations, they could be because of child safeguarding issues (within the Designated Liaison Person’s remit), justice issues and / or fellowship issues (and that the overseer and other leaders may factor in other considerations that relate to fellowship before steps are taken / changes are made).

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WINGS Note: The pdf document below has details of concerns raised and ensuing discussion.
The following outcomes were documented:

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Note: The purpose of the CSA / SA meeting was to make the workers aware of / educate them regarding friends’ concerns about CSA / SA issues and the rationale for those concerns. The requested outcomes / next steps as set out below were either raised by friends expressly in the meeting, or (where they were not expressly raised in the meeting), have been included in these notes as suggested paths forward based on the concern and discussion on the relevant point in the CSA / SA meeting. 

A.           Child Safeguarding Statement / Policy and Procedures document (the Child Protection Policy)

The fellowship is required to have the above document pursuant to relevant regulations and guidelines in ROI and NI. It was most recently reviewed in January 2021 and is due for review in December 2023.

1.           That the Child Protection Policy be updated to reflect the role of bishops and other men and women within the church who can assist with managing the CSA / SA crisis.

2.           That additional Designated Liaison Persons or similar people to whom victims can approach (including women) be appointed or identified (and communicated to the friends and directly with children of friends in line with requested outcomes (16) and (17) below). 

3.           That (outside of the Child Protection Policy) consideration be given to an ongoing role that bishops and their wives, and other men and women within the fellowship who are willing to help, might have going forward in relation to handling the CSA / SA issues within our fellowship in Ireland. 

4.           That sister workers be more involved in handling the CSA / SA issues within our fellowship in Ireland (not just attending the mandatory training).

5.           That the Child Protection Policy be made directly available to all people within the fellowship within Ireland in hard copy in January 2024. Suggested route to achieve this is to give bishops sufficient copies for members of their Sunday morning meeting and to request that all bishops hand same out after the Sunday morning meeting.

6.           That consideration be given to the comments contained in the annotation provided when undertaking the upcoming review of the Child Protection Policy.

B.           Culture Change / Need for a Response

7.           That the fact there are serious CSA / SA issues within our fellowship be openly acknowledged.  

8.           That ‘top-down’, responsive and immediate action be led by the workers (with help and involvement from the friends) in relation the CSA / SA issues, so that the existing culture of acceptance in relation to CSA / SA issues becomes a thing of the past and history (of CSA / SA issues occurring but not being properly dealt with) does not repeat itself. It is suggested that continuing to engage with the friends and implementing the other suggested outcomes in these notes would be a good starting point.

C.           Zero Tolerance

9.           That consistent decisions be made in accordance with a clear set of rules going forward in relation to the attendance of alleged perpetrators at all meetings. In particular, please see requested outcomes (11) and (12) below. 

10.         That the Child Protection Policy (specifically the part that is to be publicly available) be updated to reflect the set of rules implemented in relation to requested outcome (9) above to provide accountability going forward. 

11.         That alleged abusers be prohibited from attending any meetings.

12.         That all members of the fellowship be made aware of the internal policy in relation to alleged perpetrators’ attendance at meetings (in line with requested outcome (16) below) and in particular if the decision made is to allow perpetrators to attend certain meetings (although it is strongly hoped that will not be the case), that members are made aware of an alleged perpetrator’s attendance at meetings.

13.         That no alleged abuser be permitted to have a place in the gospel work.

D.          Education and Training

14.         That the bishops and their wives attend a workers’ staff meeting in January 2024 at which (the meeting was told) training in relation to CSA / SA issues will be provided to workers (as a follow-on from training that has already been provided to workers).  

15.         That the request for open communication (in line with requested outcome (16) below) also factor in the need for the friends (and, directly, their children) to be made aware of who they can approach for help / support as needed. 

E.           Communication

16.         That there be ongoing and open communication with all members of the fellowship in relation to CSA / SA issues and the approach taken to remedy them as well as who can be approached for help. Again, the role of bishops in handing out written information to churches should be considered. 

17.         That going forward bishops (and their wives) be kept directly informed regarding alleged perpetrators and decisions made in relation to CSA / SA issues. 

F.           Victim Statements

18.         That going forward, any victim who approaches a worker, Designated Liaison Person, Designated Officer, Deputy Designated Liaison Person or Deputy Designated Officer (or anyone else appointed within the fellowship) with a statement regarding CSA / SA is believed by the person to whom the statement is made, and that that person takes all required action in relation to that statement. 

Closing remarks

• Many attendees thanked the workers for their attendance and shared words of encouragement to address these issues.
• Many attendees stated that they wished to help with these issues and the spirit of wanting to help was acknowledged by the workers.
• The workers noted that there is a long journey ahead and they want to be sure that what the workers start now is something that workers in the future, if time goes on, can reflect on and say that what was started is something of value. 
• An attendee made the remark that this is something we can unite on and grow stronger from.
• The meeting organiser thanked everyone for their attendance.

Nov, 9, 2023

Dear Concerned Friends,

The time has come for us to emphasize where we are with past issues that have been brought to us by you folks. We have sought professional and responsible council all along and have found profitable help from people like [redacted], who supports our positive direction in going forward.

From today, we will not accept any complaints about the past. If there is anything illegal or criminal in any way, we are asking you to take it to the police. We will only deal with the present and the future.

We are embracing the idea of a support/witness plan for those that need help and restoration for positive recovery in the fellowship, taking into consideration the needs of victims. We are not a part of a persecution/prosecution team, but rather seek restoration for every individual. We are not working against our brother or sister, but rather being our brother’s keeper. This fellowship and ministry doesn’t need big changes, but it does require each of us to be honest and accountable.

We can all be a great help and support through prayer for each other. We all have expressed we want unity, and that means we must work towards that together. Godliness is contagious… let’s go forward in that way.

With care for each, Scott, Tom, Tammy, Heidi & Alexis

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Scott Rauscher (current overseer of Montana and Wyoming), Tom Hinkle, Tammy Carr, Heidi Henderson, and Alexis Carrier.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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

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

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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/

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.

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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

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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.

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.

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

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WINGS Note: Posted at the specific request of Dale Gardner

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

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