Exit & Support Network™ began in 1993 as a complete resource for individuals exiting from and researching the Worldwide Church of God or its affiliations. The founder of ESN was former WCG member L. A. Stuhlman, with a background in business management, mental health nursing, and crisis intervention counselor.
Many Begin Exiting
As a result of WCG’s new doctrinal changes, many began exiting the organization in massive numbers. Our OIU Newsletters™ were written to help readers understand and to expose the decades of corruption, deception and lies. They look behind the scenes at the real activities and associations pertaining to the WCG “transformation” and their New Age agenda.
From 1993 to 1998 ESN was available full time for phone calls, consulting, and exit counseling. References and referrals were offered to those who were seeking information and/or help and assistance. During that time, over 180,000 copies of printed material (with important info on WCG and Herbert W. Armstrong) were mailed to researchers, professionals, ministries, and exiters.
First Website Launched
In 1997, the first ESN website was launched. The historical background of the WCG organization was reported on, including the last six decades. This information is helpful for anyone researching the organization and seeking to understand the personal history of its founder, Herbert W. Armstrong. Information has come from a diverse multitude of sources and experts. These include prominent former members who held high positions in the Worldwide Church of God, and the National Archives in Washington D. C.
New Website
In February 2000, a reorganized and new website went up with a much expanded Recovery section, along with Mike’s Enlightenment Page (also entitled “Philadelphia Church of God Exposed”) offers many articles and expose` information on Philadelphia Church of God and Gerald Flurry, including letters, sermon transcripts, and testimonies.
In 2002, the Child Survivor section was added to aid and encourage those who had been raised in WCG, PCG, or any of the offshoots. It includes articles, poems, and testimonies.
The Ones Who Help In ESN
ESN is composed of a few loosely-knit former members and survivors of WCG and PCG who have networked together across the country. They have willingly donated time to research, write, and review articles. Several of us have attended conferences concerning destructive cults and received counseling from professionals who understood controlling churches, trauma and spiritual abuse.
We have been in contact with social workers, researchers, crime investigators, attorneys, and ex-members in order to exchange information and gain input.
More About Us
Our site does not endorse the Church Growth Movement, the Emerging Church Movement, the Social Gospel, New Evangelicalism, the modern Charismatic (Word-faith) movement, Dominionism, New Apostolic Reformation, or any form of compromise or apostasy, which is becoming more and more prevalent in most churches today. Instead, the Word of God tells us to expose false teachers and to have discernment. We are not associated with, nor funded by, any particular church, denomination, organization, or WCG splinter group. (see: Discernment & Research on our Links)
See our OIU Newsletters™ Volume FIVE and SIX for detailed reports surrounding the Ecumenical Movement (EC) and the current EC strategy involving the Worldwide Church of God conglomerate.
Mission Statement
- Report the true history of WCG and Herbert Armstrong
- Provide education on thought reform and exploitive WCG offshoots
- Furnish information on healing from emotional, spiritual and psychological abuse
- Offer support, validation and encouragement
- Maintain confidentiality
- Be empathetic toward survivors’ struggling faith
We believe in the power of Christ Jesus’ love and grace to heal spiritually and emotionally, and that a personal, loving relationship with Him, based on His grace, is what He desires, not our performance or striving for perfection. It is He who gives Himself to us to meet our deepest needs.
Your prayers for the protection and guidance of this website are needed and greatly appreciated.
Exit & Support Network™
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
~Matthew 7:15
Note:Worldwide Church of God and its authoritative offshoots teach a false, cruel God. Any articles on this website that mention God are those that reveal a God whose love is everlasting, and who is full of mercy, grace and compassion, giving Himself freely to meet our deepest needs. He manifested His love to us by revealing Himself through His Son, Christ Jesus, who saves us eternally by His grace and not by any works that we might try to do. This website gives credit to Him for inspiring the contents therein. It would not be possible without Him.