Letter #1 to MacGregor Ministries from ESN Founder & Editor of OIU Newsletters [all emphasis ours]:

June 20, 1994

Lorri MacGregor
MacGregor Ministries
P.O. Box 294
Nelson B.C. VlL5P9

Dear Lorri,

I spoke at length with Joan Cetnar on Saturday, June 17, 1994. I called her regarding information for the upcoming conference in October. As the WCG Exit and Support Network is issuing its first "official" Newsletter by end of July, I want to include the details about the conference.

Our conversation led into specifics about the WCG's de-culting strategy that has been WCG's focus for the past several years. Actually, it was to have begun just subsequent to HWA's death in 1986.

I was not aware that you were also on WCG's target list. It is to be hoped, I can update you on many specifics, regarding their current strategy and tactics. When I started the WCG Exit and Support Network, I knew that WCG cult awareness would be a strong focus in conjunction with support to ex-members. However, I soon realized that the majority of time and effort would concentrate in this area.

As you know, there is a tremendous PR push by WCG leaders to de-cult the look of the WCG. They have gone though great strides to do just that. In addition to hiring sophisticated Public Relations companies, they have packaged a very mixed bag of propaganda maneuvers to convince the public, anti-cult arena, Christian cult watchers and publishers that they have changed. This ploy has caused no small stir. It is unfortunate that there is not a stronger, more diplomatic force of ex-members countering this atrocity toward the true Christian belief, let alone the cult movement in general. The good news is the fact that the Network has been highly communicative in the anti-cult arena. Strong concentration has been allocated toward coordinating individual efforts, while compiling documented materials and testimonies, testifying to the duplicity, double talk, propaganda and questionable agenda pursued by its leaders.

As they say, "I have seen it all." Well, I have certainly seen a lot. Nothing the WCG does surprises many who know better. Although WCG is not the first to portray a change in cult status, it appears to be leading the pack (of cults) with unique propaganda maneuvers.

I do not at this moment have the time to take you through the history of the last seven years of WCG. However, there are several things you should know at this time about its recent history.

1. The WCG has been orchestrating meetings with the Seventh-day Adventist, Seventh Day Church of God, CRI, several Christianity Today writers, Alan Gomes from Talbot Society, Ruth Tucker, Cornerstone Press and others. It appears by the evidences that the theme has been, "Have it your way." The parties meeting with Worldwide have no idea whom they are playing with, nor are they aware of the WCG's extensive coercive past. In other words, many, lately, have been in the lion's den without a whip. I have personally spoken with most of the individuals listed above. Any positive reception on behalf of WCG is totally unfounded or not based on documented evidence. It is appalling to see anti-cult watchers from any arena be sucked in and manipulated to such a degree especially when so many lives are at stake. WCG has mostly concentrated its efforts on those who have publishing clout. I have enclosed the letters to CRI and Alan Gomes for your personal record and I am pleased to give you the entire run down on the Network's progress regarding this matter. I feel most comfortable stating that any ministry or organization that supports the WCG at this time has not made a thorough attempt to research and substantiate its position. One must question why not?
   
   
2. Watchman Fellowship is updated almost weekly by the Network and others regarding WCG's duplicity. They have also fairly documented some of their findings. W. F. has taken a quieter approach these past few months, which I hope is not due to pressure in any way.
   
   
3. Ruth Tucker, CRI and others have flatly ignored the plea from many to strongly investigate this cult and look beyond the superficial word met with personally. [Read: Letters to Hank Hanegraaff]
   
   
4. As the wining and dining (literally) of "Satan's past persecutors" continues, WCG personally contacts any authors who list the WCG in their publications, and strongly makes them aware that WCG has made great changes while is no longer cult status. The PR team has even issued newspaper clippings of other cults, courtesy of WCG, to CAN*, AFF, Wellspring and others as a helpful gesture from someone who cares! 
   
   
5. The inside WCG materials are loaded with manipulation, duplicity, mixed messages, and same old dogma. Sermon after sermon globally, subtle denouncements of changes infiltrate the membership.
   
   
6. The "Trinity" word has opened many doors for recruiting and open house evangelism. The countries that took strong positions on cults are softening to the legal team's strong-arming. The Network was contacted by a Singapore representative just a few weeks ago stating WCG has been threatening legal action toward Singapore if it refuses to allow (WCG) entry. That's the way it has been going.

You are welcome to the many details regarding the WCG situation. The Network has at this time two affiliates who are excellent resource and support people for their individual areas. Both have a wealth of WCG knowledge about their specific area. Although there are a few individuals trying to get the message out; unfortunately, the Exit and Support Network is the only full service, full time, organization dealing with WCG cult awareness and ex-member outreach. I am the WCG representative for CAN^* and work closely with others regarding research. This endeavor has given me the opportunity to be highly networked through conferences (attended five cult-type conferences in the last year) and various meetings in the cult arena. I am presently writing several publications on the WCG. It has been helpful being well-connected to the cult awareness arena. The connections have served an informational awareness contrary to the WCG's propaganda and "thought reform" tactics.

I thank you for your initiative and inquisitiveness. I wish I could say many are investigating and checking the facts, but it just is not so. Please contact me for further explanation and update. I can also connect you with several recent ex-members from around the globe who will attest to the fact that they were unaware of the subcutaneous changes that were supposedly occurring. I have much material on hand and a complete overview of the situation. [Another ESN helper] did mention at one time, that she supplied you with WWN's. Have you been supplied with the "Nature of God" tapes? I am in my office usually 8:30 to at least 5:00 PM, sometime longer. I look forward to hearing from you.

Most Sincerely,

L. A. Stuhlman

ENCL: CRI letters
Alan Gomes Letter W-A-C-O Letter
WWN, copies
Pastor General Letters
Gerald Waterhouse tape (current sermon making the circuit, end of ' 93-to now) Few pages of the one and only available BIBLE STUDY ...THE LAW

*Update: Cult Awareness Network (CAN) is no longer a recommended resource. It was bankrupted by Scientology and is staffed by its operatives. The above letter was written before this took place. More information on CAN can be found in this offsite report.

Letter #2 from ESN:

June 24, 1994

MacGregor Ministries
P.O. Box 294
Nelson B.C. VlL5P9

Hello,

My apologies for not getting your name over the phone. It was a pleasure talking with you.

I compiled several sheets of information that should benefit your investigation. The story is broad and growing like a cancer under the heading of Christianity, unfortunately.

I would suggest you read everything. As time-consuming as it is, the WCG materials are riddled with contradictions and it is important to analyze the material over a period of time.

The tapes should be used as evidence also. Pasadena1 has copies of evangelist tapes. These tapes are highly duplicated and can be checked for accuracy. The content of the message flows. It is the overall point of each sermon that must be observed.

Many top evangelists have left or made job adjustments. Michael Snyder--clean break, no church contact; Larry Salyer--Global; Victor Kubik--Global; David Hulme2--reported to have joined his father at Flurry's group; Judd Kirk--leave of absence; Dennis VanDeVenter--fired from Head Security at Pasadena, moved to the west, is still a local minister.

Materials shipped:
Lorri [MacGregor] Letter
Flyer ...Please distribute to any WCG contact
CRI letters
Alan Gomes
Canada Dean Crossly
Pastor General Letters
Excerpts, Sabbath /Law
Sermon Excerpts; Australian, US
WWN Feb.-May (6 papers)
Ambassador Report (2 issues) [Note from ESN: Please be aware that the AR is now posted on an agnostic/atheist website.]
Waco Letter
Fact sheet
Booklet update
AFF letter (copy Dr. Langone) [Note: AFF is now known as International Cultic Studies Association]
Tapes: Gerald Waterhouse, Peter Kamen
History Letters Seventh Day

Please review the material and return my call. I would appreciate your views. Please be so kind as to forward any information that would be informative toward the Network's cause.

Thank you

L. A. Stuhlman 

Footnotes:

1 In November 2004 the Worldwide Church of God moved its headquarters from Pasadena to Glendora, California. (Pasadena Star-News, October 25, 2004) By May 2006 all their offices were moved to Glendora. (Together May-June 2006). They are now considering a name change. Read: Worldwide Church of God is Changing Their Name. 

2 David Hulme left UCG-AIA in 1998 and formed "Church of God, An International Community," Pasadena, California, a group which publishes a quarterly entitled, "Vision--Journal for a New World." He proclaims most of Herbert Armstrong's teachings in his literature. [Read: how Hulme, along with seven other evangelists, were offered severance pay [hush money?] from WCG.]

Last Letter from ESN:

August 22,1994

Mr. and Mrs. MacGregor
P.O. Box 294
Nelson, B.C. VILSP9

Dear Mr. and Mrs. MacGregor,

On June 20, 1994, I issued a large package along with several tapes to the Point Robert's address. The mailing followed a lengthy conversation with, whom I believe, may have been Karen; my apologies for not getting her name. I felt the costly reverse charge call to me was important, due to the nature what is transpiring with the WCG and its victims.

Two months have elapsed sense the information package was mailed. I sent one brief request several weeks ago to inform me that you did in fact receive all the information and to notify me please whether you may have had additional questions or concerns of any nature.

I have not received any correspondence from your office and I am puzzled regarding this. I was pleased to hear that you did contact at least two individuals from Canada. I am hopeful that you are diligently working toward a thorough investigation regarding the WCG changes and not taking their word at "face value" such as Mr. Mark Kellner and CRI have (see enclosed letter).

It was shocking for many to find that a prominent group of Christian Media Publishers have swayed with the WCG without critically weighing all the facts. That is a fact! So many lives are at stake not to mention their Christian future.

The ESN receives every inside publication/outside publication that the church prints. Unless the researcher is able to look at all the evidences and interview victims inside and out of the church, it is extremely difficult to spot the dialectical antithetical messages. The double speak and confusion and often blatant untruths is rampant. The leaders blame the members for the faults and distortions of the past while organizations like CRI defend the WCG leaders. The trend of blaming the members in the ranks continues, that they won't change. Herbert Armstrong remains highly esteemed and positioned as God's great instrument. So many games are being played out here.

It is so disheartening to be on the side of Christ and watch all the manipulations occur in His name for gain of power and money. We who are working freely and sacrificing much to help alleviate such a falseness are, of course, ridiculed by the WCG leaders as angry dissidents. I certainly hope and pray that MacGregor Ministries has respect for the ex-members that come your way and you seriously heed their call for discernment. Daily I am in contact with Exiters in need of help and are desperate for spiritual guidance. It tears me apart to see what is happening with many respected Christian organizations that supposedly existed to help the cult victims.

When the ESN was set up, great consideration was given to its role. We thought hard before deciding to set up as a network organization and not just Christian Ministry. As so many WCG victims are paranoid about contacting anyone for help especially if they belong to another church, we felt the door would open to many more victims. It has proven so helpful to many and has aided them in seeking spiritual Christian truth in a far more trustworthy way.

As the certain WCG leaders continue their maneuvers within their de-culting campaign, the water gets muddier. I am certain the leaders explain any vocal ex-members as dissident. I have ample writings indicating attacks on individuals. I'm certain you could understand how difficult it is to pursue the ESN's endeavors in the face of a destructive cult, being that you too belonged to Jehovah's Witnesses.

Anyway, I pray God will guide you to take charge of a thorough investigation and not succumb to the popular wave from a select group of supposed Christian cult watchers. I say "supposed," because these individuals and organizations have been blatantly cold, crude and uncaring to so many in need of their help.

As stated before, many times, the WCG leaders use all the psychological strategies necessary to reach their goal. Full education on the total organization past, present and future plans is imperative to understanding what is going on at this time.

Again, the Network holds much documented materials. As I haven't heard from you, I assume you are not in need of anything. I would however appreciate it if you at least respond to the last mailing.

Many high level ministers have exited or joined the Global Church. Please note that much disinformation has come out of the Pasadena about certain individuals. Larry Salyer, evangelist and top administration manager, (Pastor General Report, June issue) has been disfellowshipped. Recently information has been passed that David Hulme and Victor Kubic are still with the church despite reputable reports that they were gone. It is vital to the leaders that the members are kept in secret about what is going on. Every time members learn that an evangelist left or has been disfellowshipped it causes questions and doubt in members minds. The leaders do not want that. Larry Salyer was listed in the WWN in May as retired (see attached Pastor General Report).

In Christian Faith,

L. A. Stuhlman

COMMENT: In February 1995 MacGregor Ministries visited the leaders in Pasadena, CA and returned to British Columbia endorsing the WCG. MacGregor Ministries reports that Adventistism and Promise Keepers are dangerous, yet WCG leaders highly esteem both organizations. In fact, WCG has become a major mouthpiece and proponent for the Promise Keepers.  (See OIU Newsletter #5, Pt.1)

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