Letters From Those Impacted by WCG, HWA & Offshoots

Thought I Was One of the "Un-chosen":

January 5, 2005

I got on the computer tonight to look up one of HWA's old books. I found instead this website. I want to cry, because all this time I thought something was wrong with me. I thought I couldn't hang on to the "teachings" of my childhood because "Many are called, but few are chosen." I thought I was one of the unfortunate "un-chosen." The worst thing is that I didn't even know I felt this way until I began to read what others were saying on this site. The more I read, the more I felt I was looking into a mirror, seeing my spirit. It was the image of a little girl filled with terror. Though I am 50 years old and thought I had found my way out to at least some extent, I saw in that mirror the truth. I've only been trying to cover it up. I also know now the meaning of what truly happened to me during a near death experience in 2002. And I wonder if my spirit can truly be healed. Sadly, I doubt it. But as I think that it comes to me..."Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord." And "Nothing is impossible for the Lord." And "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

Strange, even as I write this I wonder if there's really anyone there. It seems unreal that there are others who might have the same kinds of memories I have. And so very sad.
God bless you. --Child survivor of WCG

WCG Leaders Wanted to Throw Us Into Confusion With their Changes:

February 19, 2005

I believe the leadership was up to something with all the "Paradigm shift" propaganda they tried to pawn off on us in the early 90's. It didn't make sense to me at the time, but now it does. I think the Earl Williams story blew their cover. Tkach Sr.'s message in Atlanta was very clear that he wanted to throw everyone into some kind of confusion so we would all come up with different conclusions. For those who wanted to continue to believe in Armstrongism, Tkach Sr. would say, "We're not abolishing the Law." And to the grace group, he would say, "We're just relaxing some of our overly strict standards."

Can you imagine if Tkach Sr. had really been converted, and really concerned about the well-being and salvation of the members? He would have clearly preached Jesus and freedom from the Mosaic Law. He would have told the truth about HWA and the mind control. But that's not what happened. When they started blaming us, and shifting focus away from HWA, something started to stink in Denmark. All those hurting people would not have fled into GCG and the UCG (which were just waiting for them). At least they would have been given information that would have prevented them from walking into another cultic situation. That's what truth is all about. When you know the complete truth, then you have the power to make changes and avoid making the same mistakes. But the WCG obviously didn't want that. --M., Former WCG member

Comment: Confusion is one of the tactics used in mind control.

WCG Leaders Not Who They Pretend to Be:

February 21, 2005

I read that Bernie Schnippert during the California fires had to tow his boat, and move his fancy cars away from his home so they wouldn't burn up. It was mentioned that Schnippert lived in a very exclusive, high-cost area--all at the tithe-payers expense, of course. Also, Mike Feazell spent $2,500,000 to remodel his home at tithe-payers expense! Tkach Jr. promised raises and bonuses for "loyal members" that stood with him during the tumultuous years. He never followed through on it, and now he is laying these "loyal people" off (minus bonuses, of course).

I know Joe Jr. isn't who he tries to pretend to be either. My friend, a long time member in the "church," told me how Jr. would hang out with Jack [name changed] whenever he stopped in their state. Once Jr. became the "big cheese" he acted like he never even knew who Jack was!

How can anyone believe these men are "converted" when their actions show otherwise? They are liars and abusers. --Former WCG member

Members Exiting WCG and UCG-AIA in Kenya:

March 7, 2005

Greetings to you with a hope that you are fine over there and doing the work of God to help other people know the truth in this end time.

I was in the Worldwide church of God from 1983 to1996 when the split occurred. I join UCG and I was mistreated then after UCG split which led to the formation of Church of God an International Community. I joined them in 2001. I was disfellowshipped without any course; without investigation, I was not given chance to defend myself. I join a certain ministry which also came from WCG. This also was a terrible place to be. The man there says he is a prophet from God and you don't challenge whatever he says. The same thing happened to me. Now I have read from this your web that you are helping people from the WCG and those. How do you do this? Let me know more about you...

Hope to read from you soon.

Yours in Him. --Adumu Kakembo, Kenya, Africa

Comment: ESN has been in contact with two pastors who (along with their congregations) have exited WCG and UCG in Uganda and Kenya within the last few months--much to the displeasure of WCG/UCG "headquarters."

Tkach Sr. Video Sermon Mysteriously Misplaced From Church Library:

March 25, 2005

Tkach Sr.'s sermon concerning the changes rocked the Worldwide Church of God. I recently requested a copy from Pasadena, but never received one. The Video has been mysteriously "misplaced" from the local church library. Convenient. I've had a couple of people who were at the 1st sermon in Pasadena tell me the video was doctored before the local congregations viewed it, because when the audience was shown, they weren't in it! I am no longer a member. --Louisiana

Comment: The transcript that most members received was in January 1995 and can be read here. See following letter to show at least one thing that was removed.

Armstrong Churches Cannot Grasp that Good Cannot Come From Evil:

March 28, 2005

For those who have left any of the churches of Armstrong, the truth of what Herbert Armstrong was is so apparent. But those who remain in them cannot seem to grasp the biblical teaching that good, righteous works cannot come from evil, unrighteous acts. Why are HWA's actions ignored or excused? When those in the various Armstrong churches read the same revelations about outside church leaders, the head is shaken in disbelief that any so called Christian leader could do such a thing and remain as the head of the church, but when it is revealed that Armstrong did the same things (and worse), the mind is closed to accepting it as being evil. Isn't there something in the Bible that says "woe to those who call evil good and good evil"? --Former UCG member

WCG Received Millions for Sale of Pasadena Campus:

March 29, 2005

According to my information, Worldwide Church of God received at least $64 million for the sale of the campus. Who is auditing them and will it be published? That's a lot of money for the leaders to be unaccountable for. This amount was mentioned on TBN TV when they were discussing the offer of Mott Auditorium by Pastor Ché Ahn of Harvest Rock Church, the purchaser of Ambassador Campus. I am sending you the taped program. --Former WCG member

Update: Certain ones have told us the amount they received is much more than $64 million; one insider stated it was around $117 million! While it will be almost impossible to find out the exact amount, we don't doubt it was a very high figure. See letter below: WCG Leaders Sharing the Millions From Sale of Pasadena Campus.

Few know WCG was busy selling their real estate holdings years ago. (See the OIU Vol. 4, pt. 1 and OIU Vol. 6, pt. 2 and parts in: Honey We Shrunk the Church and A Cult in Transition.

Read 2004 letter: WCG Sells Part of AC Campus to Radically Charismatic Church (tells how Ché Ahn is tied in with the Toronto Blessing)

Joseph Tkach Jr. Still Hasn't Published His Salary:

March 29, 2005

Tkach Jr. still has not published his salary to this day (and it's been 10 years since they became "mainstream"). What makes anyone believe, if this group were audited, that the reports will be truthful? I'm not going to hold my breath. I'm sure they will write the reports so they are so confusing that nobody will be able to discern them (like all the Arthur Anderson reports they used to publish in the WWN). --Former WCG member

You've Answered Questions We Had For Some Time:

April 6, 2005

Dear Folks,

I just came out of UCG-AIA after being a part of WWCG for 28 years and UCG for 9 years. You've answered questions I and my husband had thought on for some time. Right now we are just part way done with your website, and need to do some research. It is difficult for myself as I came into WWCG when I was 14, without parents, so the "mind control" has been difficult to fully shake. I knew there was something, but I must say we all feel better since we have been out (9 months) from UCG. Our boys tell us to write a book.

Thanks for the website! It hurts, but I (we) need to prove what you say, although "gut feeling," we know it's right. --Former members of UCG

I Proved WCG a Lie and Left:

April 13, 2005

Wow! I stumbled upon your website while looking at the articles about the shootings in LCG in March.

I have always wondered if others were feeling as I do. I grew up in the WCG. I attended in Jackson, Tennessee and Clarksville, Tennessee. I believed wholeheartedly what I had been told until 1995 when all heck broke loose and everyone was arguing. [See Video Sermon by Tkach Sr. to WCG in 1995] I set out to prove all the new teachings about grace a lie. Instead I proved WCG a lie. I have been a Christian since 1996, I love to read God's Word now because I understand that it is for me and there is no hidden meaning that only the "called" can understand. I praise Jesus that I did not become bitter as so many have. I surrendered my life to children's ministry. I love teaching children about a God of love and grace, not the harsh hateful God that I was taught about. I never understood that God even wanted a relationship with me as a child. Keep up all the good work you are doing...so many were hurt. So many still are being hurt. My mother is still an active member of UCG. I pray for her daily and know that God will hold accountable the leaders who taught lies to people.

Thank you for what you are doing. Only those who have been there can understand. --Child survivor of WCG

It Seemed Like No One Understood Until I Found ESN's Site:

April 29, 2005

Before I found your site I went to a former member agnostic, atheist site and Tabladillo's. (Is he still around?) I think I found your site linked from David Covington's site way back when, and I know his site doesn't exist anymore. After I found your site, I was amazed. It just didn't seem like anyone in the world understood or existed who led people exiting such a group as the WCG in the right direction. But you do exist and it's awesome. My point partly here is that those who really seek the true God will find what they need one way or another. Even the atheists will not be able to hinder God ultimately. I have to think that God allows people like this and while I know they place stumbling blocks in the path of some people, with the Almighty God at His post, they will not have the last say. I read the stuff at the agnostic, atheist site and realized early on that the "spirit" there wasn't godly, but I figured God led me to it to be informed about WCG, and the same held true for the Tabladillo site. While the last was better than the agnostic atheist site, I was still frustrated at what I saw there. Didn't anybody get it?!?!?!

Then lo and behold there was ESN. I know God will protect you. Your critics will always be there, but you do a great job and I will always be praying for you.

Love, --P. (Former member of WCG)

Comment: Tabladillo Ministries was accepted into Willow Creek Association in 1998. Willow Creek Association is an apostate and compromising organization. Read: Willow Creek Hegelian Dialectic & the New World Order for more info on WCA.

Spared From Living Church of God:

May 1, 2005

Upon finding Living Church of God's website one day, I thought I had found a treasure trove of information! The more I delved into their material, the more I was sure I had been deceived all these years by Sunday worshipping churches. Having been receiving their publications by mail, I recently decided to take the next step and contact them about a local congregation. Before responding to the return email/invitation for a meeting, I held back and did some further research about their past, for something was bothering me, and had been for some time. Today I found your site via the search engine, and was impressed with the amount of information I read. The more I read, the more things clicked. I know God has always looked out for me, as He does all His flock, but this held true even more after praying for guidance about attending the Living Church Of God. Obviously He still works in my life, even when I'm not paying much attention!

Thank you for publishing this information as well as providing help for those who have suffered by their hands. You are doing a great service, not only for past sufferers, but for those who might fall victim to lies.

Sincerely, --Thankful

The Fruits of These Groups Show Them to be Cults:

May 17, 2005

I have just read your site and have had similar experiences with these so-called "churches" and indeed their fruits show them to be cults, of which I was a part of for many wasted years of my life.

The last episode was Restored Church of God and I came to realise from my 22 year old daughter that it was a cult and "Rabbi David Pack" is only interested in taking money from people. Also, I agree with you that Mr. Armstrong was a con man, too, as what holy person would fly around in private jets and tell you not to give to other denominations or charities?

I, too, have been liberated in the last year or so through my daughter, as she was treated despicably by the "church." It is a disgrace. We have both seen the "light" and have no time for any group that says there is only a select few who are special. It is nonsense. No man is ever going to tell me how to live my life. Once again it is by your fruits you are known.

Good luck and God bless to you all. --England, UK

Christian Churches and Their Hidden Agendas:

May 18, 2005

At this point it just seems to me like every Christian church I have attended has some hidden agenda and I don't want to hang around and waste time to try to figure out what that may be. I have talked to other people who have been Christians for a long time and they see it also. I believe what is happening in the church is just what God said it would be. I just want to be at peace with God and I am sick of these churches dictating to me how I should think, act, dress etc. I think it is very important for Christians to research the history of the Christian church concerning the Apostasy. --Former WCG member

Comment: See our Links under Apostasy in the Church for several articles. The "church growth movement" (which has been gathering momentum in many Christian churches for some time) is now being called "kingdom growth" or "Kingdom theology."

I Thank God for Guiding Me to Your Site:

June 8, 2005

Dear ESN,

Thank you so much for what you do. I have been blessed in reading your site these past few months. I’ve cross-referenced hundreds of documents from your network and others such as the Ambassador Report. You see, I met someone last year who has been raised in the COG International splinter group since birth. I know it will take a long time for God to break through all the mind control distilled in this person. But I have faith He can do it, and I thank God for guiding me to your site because I was losing motivation before I found it. Your site has been very instrumental in finding information of how destructive these groups are. It has even helped to re-affirm my relationship with God. How powerful He is and how much I need to rely on Him in my everyday life. I pray God will continue to strengthen you in your pursuit of the truth in these times of deception of God's people.

With God's Blessing, --N. D.

Children Don't Need "The God of Burdens":

June 9, 2005

What little I have to do with church, I see those who attend rather bored with it. A friend of mine (whose friendship I do value) invited my youngest daughter to their Methodist church youth group and she had enjoyed that. My daughter has told me, though, of the parents that have "made" their children do the confirmation classes that last almost all day (6 hours). Plus they had other hours on top of it. I would never pressure my child to do something like that because my hope has always been that they are free to do what they like and to think what they like. I want my children to have God in their life, but not the God of Burdens. I think we all could do with more structure, but I will not depend on churches for that. I depend on God wholly and fully to take care of our needs.

I am rather easily irritated by people who think I "should" attend church. As if God really needed their help. No thanks. I can remain open to His leading, however, and one never knows when they might actually find the right place that will really help to uplift and encourage us in the way it was supposed to. Who knows? But I won't be holding my breath either.

I like Janette Oke books and there have been a couple of movies made from her books. The first one: "Love Comes Softly" shows the man having church on the mountain with his dog. He sings old hymns, reads his Bible and prays. My oldest daughter and I are thinking that's the way to go. --Former WCG member

You Are Doing a Great Service:

June 16, 2005

I stumbled across your website as the result of a search about one of the offshoot groups from the WCG. I was looking for something to show a friend about the group behind the free literature (The Philadelphia Trumpet) she saw at a grocery store.

I am a WCG survivor having grown up in the group from the time I was four. I made my escape just after the "change." Thankfully Jesus had my rescuing planned all along and within a year, placed me into a new church home. I still have family in the group. A brother is either agnostic or atheist, but several others of us have been able to find church homes in good Bible teaching, inclusive congregations. I lost my mother and step-mother because of WCG's belief against medicine. With my mother it was for something easily treatable.

I commend you for taking so much trouble to research and share this type of information for anyone. You and others who do this ministry do people a great service. It is hard to change a mindset that has been drilled into you, especially when you have been placed into a box with a warning not to look outside it. Folks like yourself help to offer aid to those of us who have questions, have made changes, or want to help others in this sad, limiting lifestyle.

I have learned that God isn't angry, demanding, wanting us to jump through hoops just so we can get to whatever concept of eternity someone dreams up. God in His essence is love. He loved me before my great-grandparents were dreamed of, He died for my sins, forgave me as soon as I asked, and gave me a new life in Him. I wish everyone could know that. I wish everyone could see how simple it is. --Child survivor of WCG

Richard Armstrong's Tragic Death:

June 24, 2005

I knew Richard Armstrong, Garner Ted, and the Blackwells. I never knew Richard "Dick" Armstrong as well, but the summer that he was killed, we got a letter from a good friend in Pasadena, telling us of his death due to a terrible automobile accident. He had been dead about 10 days by the time we received the letter. I was told that Dick was carried to the hospital, but was dead on arrival, so I never heard anything about an attempted kidney transplant (which HWA talks about in his autobiography). This was back in 1958, long before transplants were even heard of.

Dick had been out visiting church members, with the local elder, Mr. Alton Billingsly, who was driving. I was told that HWA treated Mr. Billingsly just awful and had him thrown out of the ministry, because he had been responsible for the death of the son of "God's only true Apostle, HWA." Of course, it wasn't Mr. Billingsly's fault at all. Years later he was reinstated back into the ministry as a local elder in the Gladewater area. Dick Armstrong and Lois had a 3 month old son, "Dickie" (Richard Armstrong II) when Dick got killed. Dickie always hated being in the WCG cult, and left as soon as he turned 18. I don't think anyone even knows, to this day, what became of him. Later, Lois was forced to marry the minister from England, Ben Chapman, and had 4 kids by him, but I don't think she was ever really happy. --Former WCG member

Comment: Read the segment on Richard Armstrong death in Disneyland - The World Tomorrow (transcript of tape from the 60's) and ESN's comments at end. Today Alton Billingsley (also known as Don Billingsley) is head of Church of God, Faithful Flock, Modesto, California, a controlling group, which holds to Herbert Armstrong's doctrines.

Read: December 9, 2005 letter below: Richard's Armstrong's Accident Enabled HWA to Coerce More Money Out of Members.

WCG Leaders Sharing the Millions From Sale of Pasadena Campus:

June 26, 2005:

WCG received millions from the sale of the Pasadena campus. I know this for a fact from an insider. The amount is being kept ultra quiet and hush, hush, as they got lots more for it than they let the members know. I guess they were afraid they might have to share some of the money! I doubt if anyone would ever be able to find any documentation about it. This insider told me that there are seven men at headquarters that are now the seven top dogs (left in the so-called original WCG). They are the ones running the show from their headquarters and sharing the millions from the sale of the Pasadena campus. These leaders are now set for life with about $7 million each, while many lives have been ruined from their years--in some cases 30 or more--in the cult!

I witnessed many things first hand with my own eyes that went on at HQ. GTA told me how unhappy he was, and how he never wanted to be a minister, that he had gotten several "offers" from movie studios in Hollywood, and that he wanted to be either a singer or movie star, or both, but that his parents wouldn't allow him to! He confided to me that all his life he really wanted to be a singer, actor and movie star, but that his dad forced him to go into the ministry to carry on the "Work." He didn't want to marry Shirley Hammer either, but he got her pregnant, and had to marry her, since Buck Hammer was the one who donated all the land in Big Sandy for the cult.

I could go on and on. All we can do is move on, realizing we are far, far wiser now.

--Former teacher of WCG Imperial Schools and Ambassador College

Comment: Buck Hammer (brother of Shirley) was the son of Roy Hammer. He donated the original acres that became the Big Sandy Ambassador College campus.

Ron Kelly's Wad of Cash For Retirement:

July 5, 2005

Now we know why Ron Kelly is retiring. If I had a wad of cash like that waiting for me, I'd retire too! It's disgusting to think how the WCG said, "We can't give people their money back" (they said this to Janis Hutchinson). They certainly had no problem giving the money to themselves. They weren't satisfied with giving themselves a million and giving the rest back, huh? They had to have the whole pile of dough. --Former WCG member

WCG Leaders Playing a "Woe is Me" Martyr Part:

July 13, 2005

Hello ESN:

I just had to email you to get your input on the new WWCG video, Called to Be Free, going around from Living Hope Ministries. Boy, did they leave out the best parts!! Like ole Joe Jr. and friends knowing back in the early eighties that they were going to have to change their doctrines--long before they did. Of course, we know that the doctrines were found to be in error back in the seventies; Joe being a hard line Armstrongite up until the mid 90's. I was assisting two former WWCG members during this period of upheaval. I also was attending in Huntsville, Alabama in 1994 when it all hit the fan!!! What we have here are some very convincing actors playing out a "woe is me" martyr part in the whole scheme of things. --Former WCG member from the Chicago WCG,1964-1974.

Joseph Tkach's Many Titles:

July 26, 2005

The latest WCG Today [formerly called Worldwide News] mentions Joseph Tkach as "denominational President." How novel is that?? Prior to that one he's had several other colorful titles: "Pastor General and Chief Executive Officer and President of Plain Truth Ministries," "President of the Worldwide Church of God," "our denominational President and Pastor General." Now they have dropped the "Pastor General" except in certain countries where WCC congregations are located, such as the Philippines or Caribbean. Personally, I liked the "Dr. Tkach" better (although I do wonder where he obtained his "Doctorate"). Seems this Dr. title is being used whenever WWCG wants to look like they are into intense study of real Theology! I guess the denominational President title has to do with legitimacy as a "true" denomination. --Canada

This Website Has Changed My Life:

July 31, 2005

Finding this website has changed my life. I couldn't read enough last night. I was up until 2 a.m. and my mind was going 100 mph. Reading the stories and history of the research you have done are amazingly accurate. I was born into the "church" and after endless abuse ran away to live with my father (has no religion).

When the feast came around the next year, my parents tried to get me to go with them and choose Orlando to try to make it even more enticing. The leaders of their group told them to go ahead and get me a ticket and room and that I would "do the right thing and go." I didn't go! My grades suffered every year because of the feast. We didn't only go and sit in a building all day long for a week; we went and saw sights for a week before or after the feast. After high school I visited services once or twice at my parents insistence and hated it. My mother and step father are still members but they are with United Church of God now and it is sad that they are still being brainwashed to this day. --Child survivor of WCG

Stepfather was a Sexual Abuser in the WCG While a Deacon:

August 9, 2005

I am very confused about the antecedents of the Worldwide Church of God; however, I believe that this is not that much different from other evangelical sects that are still prevalent in America

My stepfather's family had a long time association with the Anglican church; however,

he linked up with the WWCG--not totally surprising. If that were now, he would,

indeed, be incarcerated. However, he is now 75 years old. He was a Deacon in the 1970's in the WWCG. He was himself a single man that had spent a number of years as a volunteer in the "scouting endeavor" in the areas in Northern British Columbia at the same time that he was kicked out of the Anglican Church in the 1960's in Prince George.

At this time, he met my mother and married her in a very, very short interlude. My brother, sister and I had been living at my stepfather's brother's home as foster children, as well as being the recipient of both physical, emotion and sexual abuse, which, of course continued after the "marriage."

My brother has confronted my stepfather in this regard, etc., and my stepfather said that basically he had joined the WWCG and they had absolved him of all his previous "activities" and, in fact, he was a Deacon in the WWCG for about 20 years

At the same time he had a homosexual relationship with another member of the WWCG of which he told me in some detail. He did not tell this to either my brother or sister; however, my mother gave me some details of his behaviour. However, by that time she was an agorophophic shut in, basically imprisoned in the home, with no way out. --Canada

Comment: There have been a number of allegations about local elders, deacons and others in the WCG who have been / are sexual abusers. Those who abuse innocent others (especially sexually) have long been known to hide out in churches. Also read Sexual Abuser Protected by WCG Minister (12-5-03 letter), Man in WCG Molested My Son (1994) and Two of My Daughters Were Molested in WCG (6-26-08 letter).

When and Where Did Joseph Tkach Get His Doctorate?

August 11, 2005

When I read the email about Joe Jr. now being called "Dr.", I figured he bought his doctorate like HWA. After all, there are diploma mills out there where anybody can get BAs, MAs, PhDs, etc., for the right amount of ca$h. (I thought about getting one myself, just for the fun of it, but I figured that would be like lying.) Anyway, I surfed around on WCG's site and it says that Jr. received a "Doctor of Ministry" degree in May 2000, after attending Haggard Graduate School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University. A friend told me that he knew Jr. attended HST for 3 years. So that means he went there in 1997, not that long after his old man died. Well, all I have to say is, when were the members informed of all this? I couldn't find anything in the 1997 WN's that said Jr. was taking off for Azusa to "pursue his doctorate." The "Doctor" title was just slipped into WCG's literature later on without any fanfare. The base cost for such a degree today at HST is $12,240 ($340 per unit). I don't know how much lower it was in 1997, but, regardless, this is only more tithes and offerings siphoned from the members to pay for this, as I'm not aware of Jr. having another job that was bringing in "extra income." (The theological stance of the Haggard Graduate School of Theology, by the way, is Wesleyan.) --Former WCG member

Comment: Azusa Pacific University (Charismatic/Pentecostal), labeled by some to be a liberal institution, is a member of Willow Creek Association. [Read: Willow Creek Hegelian Dialectic & the New World Order for more info on WCA.]

Is WCG Thinking About a New Name Change?

August 26, 2005

I just discovered that WCG has bought the domain for GRACEINTERNATIONALFELLOWSHIP.ORG. While this doesn't necessarily mean that the WCG has changed its name, it darned sure does looks as if they're planning on a new name. What a bombshell!

Go to: http://www.betterwhois.com/ (or http://www.domaintools.com/internet-statistics) and do a search on that name. It was created on August 14, 2005.

Domain Name:GRACEINTERNATIONALFELLOWSHIP.ORG
Created On:14-Aug-2005 04:54:39 UTC
Last Updated On:14-Aug-2005 04:54:41 UTC
Expiration Date:14-Aug-2006 04:54:39 UTC
Registrant Name:Bret Miller
Registrant Organization:Worldwide Church of God
Registrant Street1:300 W. Green St.
Registrant City:Pasadena
Registrant State/Province:California
Registrant Postal Code:91123

--Former WCG member

Update: This name is now "available" as it expired August 2007. They have, however, registered several other domains. Read more in: Worldwide Church of God is Changing Their Name and Domains WCG Has Bought.

Your Website is a Haven for Child Survivors:

October 22, 2005

Hello,

I just think your website is one of the greatest tools that we as Child Survivors can use to be able to cope with our lives now. I never get tired of reading the stories; they all just break my heart. And it brings it all back. Sometimes letting go of the memories is just as important as realizing how much better life is now. I hope and pray that I never
lose that perspective.

I am a regular mainstream Christian church member now. That finally put the baggage of the WCG behind me. Now I understand what I've been missing all those years in
WCG. Grace is truly a wonderful blessing.

My sister and I both really appreciate the work you do, and the website is a haven for us. Most mainstream Christians don't realize, or can't appreciate or understand just what life was like growing up in the WCG. But we are thankful that there is a place for us that does understand.

Thanks for the website, and thanks be to God for doing His work through you at ESN.

Sincerely, Richard Briggs, Child survivor of WCG

NOTE: The following emails concern Carn Catherwood, Loma Armstrong, and the Radio Church of God's first hymnal (see article WCG and Their Myths About Loma Armstrong). They are placed all together below.

Also read our new article: Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change Words of Sacred Hymns? (Examples from his early Bible Hymnal in Radio Church of God)

Loma Armstrong's Favorite Song?

November 13, 2005

Regarding your article about Loma saying her favorite song was "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." (WCG and Their Myths About Loma Armstrong), I have no memory of any such thing ever, ever being said by Loma. I never read it in any literature--ever. Catherwood was an evangelist and I am sure a good "yes" man, and I would have no reason to believe that he would not lie. All kinds of manipulations were used on the members to get them to "look fondly on the new changes" in WW. --Former member of WCG

Carn Catherwood and Loma Armstrong's Words:

November 13, 2005

I remember the gray covered hymnal. I really believe that if What A Friend We Have In Jesus had been in it I would remember. We never sang anything like that in WCG. I sorely missed the songs I grew up with, and loved so much, and that song would have caught my attention if it had been in that book.

I remember a taped sermon from Carn Catherwood being played in my congregation. I don't remember what year it was, but it seems it came out as changes were beginning to be made. In it he claimed that Loma asked him to do that song when she was in services and he was song leader. He went on to say that she told him that Herbert hated that song and that the ministry would have nothing to do with it because of this. He claimed she called it her favorite hymn.

At the time it didn't cross my mind that he was probably making a false claim, but I guess that could be the case.

Another (video) tape by Carn Catherwood was sent out that was viewed only by ordained personnel. In it he went after the abuses being done by the ministry. He went into great detail about the bad treatment by the ministry. At first, I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. However, I felt that since this serious problem had been addressed that we would see decreasing mistreatment. Finally, I had to face the fact that the ministry completely ignored the message and all abuses continued on as if it had never been addressed. --Former member/deacon of WCG

Comment: While "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" is listed in the Radio Church of God's earlier gray hymnal (Bible Hymnal), only one person has told us they remembered singing it as a small child in WCG, around 1964, and that members may have sung it (along with some other Protestant hymns) "at least up until the early to mid sixties." Whether Loma ever stated this is still in question. The name "Radio Church of God" was changed to Worldwide Church of God on January 5, 1968.

Carn Catherwood and Loma: A Very Big Stretch:

November 13, 2005

Having "joined" WCG in the late 60's, I remember very well that little gray hymnal they were using. I don't remember seeing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" in it. I grew up in a "Protestant" Church but never questioned what I started singing in the Radio Church of God (although I thought the songs were "different"). I think what Carn Catherwood said about Loma is probably a very big stretch. --Former WCG member

Carn Catherwood Very Fond of Herbert Armstrong and Loma:

November 13, 2005

I remember back in the '80's, Carn Catherwood gave a taped sermon (I'm assuming the tape was sent to all the congregations) about getting started in the "Italian Work." He was young, and fresh out of AC. He said that HWA called him into his office and said, "I heard you can speak Italian?" And Catherwood replied that he spoke a little. Then HWA said, "Good! You can learn the rest when you get there!" And that's how Catherwood ended up in Italy.

I recall that Catherwood was very, very fond of HWA and Loma (and imparted those feelings to me). He made HWA sound like a big grumpy grandfather figure that really loved everyone (once you really got to know him). Anyway, I don't recall him saying anything about Loma's "favorite song" on this tape. I know HWA hated the hymn, "Amazing Grace" because it used to be my favorite song in church. It was hard to push it out of my mind but I worked diligently at it (along with pushing Xmas carols out of my mind). I know the purple hymnal was later created because HWA said a elderly man in the congregation said, "It was just as bad to sing a lie as it was to tell one." (Don't know if HWA made that, though, up in order to have an excuse to put together the purple hymnal.) HWA would say that he used other hymnals out of necessity until Dwight's songs could be put together. Yes, WCG will continue to whitewash HWA and Loma. --Former WCG member

HWA Made Us Stop Singing "It is Well With My Soul":

November 13, 2005

I remember the gray hymnal well (having went in WCG in 1964). I do know there were at one time some Protestant hymns in the old WCG hymnals. The hymn "It Is Well With My Soul" was in the gray hymnal [omitted in the 1974 hymnal]. I remember this because it was one of my, and my late wife's favorite. It was not long after we started attending the WCG, that we had to stop singing it because HWA said, "It was not well with our soul!" So, we never sang it again. But now we can! And we do! And we love it!!! --Charles Rightmeier (Former WCG member)

Comment: Could it also have been because the 3rd stanza of this hymn says our sin is "nailed to the cross"? It is highly likely that as time went on HWA decreed other Protestant hymns in that earlier hymnal would no longer be sung.

Jesus Was Missing in the New Hymnal:

November 14, 2005