About Us:
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Our History: Exit & Support Network™ began in 1993 as a complete resource for those individuals exiting from and researching the Worldwide Church of God or its affiliations. The founder of ESN is former WCG member L. A. Stuhlman, with a background in business management and crisis intervention counselor. At the time of WCG's new doctrinal changes many were exiting in mass numbers. From 1993 to 1998 ESN was available full time for phone calls, consulting, exit counseling, and to offer references and referrals to those who were seeking assistance in spiritual or therapeutic matters. Over 180,000 copies of printed material (with important info on WCG and Herbert W. Armstrong) was mailed out at that time to researchers, professionals, ministries and exiters who contacted ESN. (See Research Articles on Worldwide Church of God.) During this time, many first-hand testimonies of psychological, financial and sexual abuses endured at the hands of certain Worldwide Church of God ministers were being relayed to ESN. In February 1997 ESN first website was launched and was named "WCG Exit & Support Network: A Worldwide Church of God Research Page." Our website was one of the first on the net to offer resources and help for members and ex-members of the Worldwide Church of God and splinters. The ESN was offline in 1999 due to restructuring. When it was launched again on February 27, 2000, many more recovery articles for survivors were added and the site soon included sections on Philadelphia Church of God, Children Raised in Worldwide Church of God (now applicable for all child survivors), Questioning Herbert W. Armstrong, and more. We have information on WCG splinter groups that you may have questions about. The site continues to be updated and new articles are added periodically. The ESN has been the only information resource that has written on the reasons behind the Worldwide Church of God events and changes; covered the historical background of the organization, handled reviews on the church developments through the past six decades, offered research and educational material, and posted a personal history of its founder, Herbert W. Armstrong. (See Outsider's Inside Update Newsletters) Information about the WCG has come from a diverse multitude of sources and experts; i. e., attorneys, therapists, theologians, investigators, journalists, authors, prominent former members who held high positions in the WCG, and the National Archives in Washington D. C. Our large archive on the WCG dates from the1930's. Those helping in the ESN are former members and survivors of WCG and PCG who network together. They have willingly donated time to research, write and review articles, and to support and provide assistance* to former survivors and loved ones who have suffered emotionally and spiritually. While we are not composed of professional mental health counselors, several of us attended conferences concerning destructive, abusive groups and/or have familiarized ourselves with the effects of mind control trauma and spiritual abuse. We have networked with researchers, crime investigators, attorneys and former members in order to exchange information and gain input. We are not associated with or funded by any particular church, denomination, organization, nor offshoot group. Instead, the Word of God tells us to expose false teachers and false gospels and to have discernment. We believe in the power of Jesus' love and grace to heal spiritually and emotionally, and that a personal, loving fellowship with Him, based on His grace, is what He desires, not our performance, or striving for perfection. Your prayers for the protection and guidance of this website ministry are needed and greatly appreciated. We hope you will find these pages helpful.
OUR MISSION:
"And
this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus
Christ, whom thou hast sent."
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Provide education on mind control and exploitive, deceptive groups
