Best of the Letters From 2011
Predator in Worldwide Church of God Approached Me:
January 13, 2011
I am a child of WCG. As I grew up, I was in services every Saturday, sometimes with my parents driving 100 miles one way. I felt I was never good enough for my dad. When the changes began, my dad decided to leave, but he could not attend on any day but Saturday. I kept attending along with my husband and children for several years. Then I had a deacon come up to me one Saturday when my family was not with me and he told me he was in love with me. I was shocked. He was the father of one of my best friends. I left that day knowing I could not go back. I told my husband about it and he was adamant about not going back. Then I found out from others that this had happened to at least three other women and this man apparently is a predator. Then the minister came to my home and told me the “deacon” said I came on to him. I was floored. WCG has left me very wary of churches, church members, and I just don’t know what to do. I am grateful my daughters did not grow up in the same environment I did. –Child survivor
Read 2022 letter: “Horrific Sexual Abuse in WCG” and also May 25 letter below.
Thank God My Eyes Were Opened:
January 22, 2011
I once was a member of Worldwide Church of God. I received the first Plain Truth in December 1956 and was baptized in 1963. I left in the early 70s, going with one of the splinter groups for a short period of time.
Right at the start, when one is met at the door and questioned before you are allowed to come in started me to thinking that Christ did not do that. Then the dates of Christ’s return (1975) and fleeing to Petra (1972) were told to us when it was plain in the Bible that no one knew except the Father. I wondered how these people could stand up there and teach these things. They were adding to the Bible and that was a sin.
I found out how “high on the hog” the leaders and the ministers were living compared to the members, some of whom were giving every bit they could spare to the “Work” and yet there was never enough to satisfy them. We had been mind-controlled so much into that idea of fleeing that we gave every bit we could, and we never owned a home for we would soon be gone.
Thank God, my eyes were opened and I left. I really loved the few people I got acquainted with but when I left they all turned against me and would hardly say hello. Not a one came to ask or talk about why I was not coming. A place in the N.T. tells about a shepherd who goes looking for a lost sheep. No shepherd (minister) came searching for me (the lost lamb) But then we were not to ask questions or to question anything that they said. We were not to listen to any other “worldly ministers” or read anything but only what they told us to do. What dumb sheep we were! I was there–but no more!
I prayed that I would have my mind opened up and the truth revealed. The book of Galatians became my favorite book in the Bible. It was right there all the time–so simple and plain. To think of all the hardships and burdens placed on people when Christ had fulfilled the old law and it was done away with. We have freedom and it can be summed up in one word–love.
I find your articles of great interest. Keep up the good work! God Bless You. –Former WCG member [name withheld]
Enduring Church of God a Dangerous Group:
February 2, 2011
Your website has been an amazing help to us. We want to point out yet another dangerous splinter group called the Enduring Church of God, based out of Chandler, Texas. The minister is Charles Bryce who left Living Church of God in 2006 to form ECG. We also believe that this splinter is operating in Ontario, Canada under a man by the name of Ross Abasolo, who is busily ruining people’s lives and writing articles and sermons for the website. We thought that people should be aware and avoid this offshoot at all costs. It is steeped in Armstrongism. –Anonymous
Update: Enduring Church of God in Chandler, TX teaches the doctrines of false prophet Herbert W. Armstrong. Their “free” magazine Straightforward Magazine is advertised on their enticing and deceitful website called Straightforward. They have many audio sermons and articles on their site. They list one radio station as of 2018.
Why the Church of God, a Worldwide Association Will Splinter and Come to Nothing:
February 2, 2011
The new Church of God, a Worldwide Association, just like the United Church of God-AIA, will eventually splinter and come to nothing because they still reject Jesus Christ [see II Corinthians 11:4] and look up to Herbert W. Armstrong. Unless Jesus is in the equation, these Armstrong churches will come to an end and will be remembered no more. None of the “churches of God” [offshoots] are growing. The current membership is getting old and dying off; some younger people (even old members) are beginning to see that Jesus is not the CoG’s foundation and are bailing out. Although others do remain, young and old alike, the membership is dwindling and they are not gaining very many new converts from the world, so their organizations will soon disintegrate into nothing.
The new COGWA is no different. They too will come to nothing. Maybe not right now, but give it a few years and they will fall apart just like United is doing right now. I wonder how many splits and breaks it will take before the members realize that these “churches” are not who they say they are, and will come to their senses and seek after Jesus and leave these dead churches?
To show how desperate the “churches of God” are in wanting to survive just look at Gerald Flurry’s Philadelphia Church of God, and David Pack’s Restored Church of God. These two vultures are jumping into the UCG mess to grab up as many UCG members as they can get. Why? Because no one is joining their organizations and they are falling apart fast and need new members ASAP in order to survive, so they are preying upon former and current UCG members.
What is also ironic is that Herbert Armstrong often taught that Satan through the world and man’s governments would attack and persecute the church. The fact is the world for the most part has no clue who these organizations are and has never heard of them. It appears that their persecution and destruction are coming from within rather than from the world. –D. M.
Experienced Degradation and Abuse at Imperial School:
February 20, 2011
Hello. I just found your website this morning and have found it very interesting. My mother dragged our family into the Radio Church of God in 1958 when I was 5 years old. My dad moved us to Pasadena HQ where he was hired by the transportation department when I was 10. All of us children went to Imperial School long before the new buildings were built. Starting in 4th grade, I experienced first hand the degradation and abuse including emotional and physical–yes, we were beaten regularly. Imagine a tiny little girl 10 years old, weighing only 75 pounds, being beaten with a board by a grown man. And they loved doing it! Very sick, indeed. I often had trouble in school with teachers and administrators. I knew the abuse was wrong and my rebellion was not well received. Maybe it helped me to keep just a tiny remnant of dignity which helped in my recovery later in life. After graduation from Imperial High School, I left the WCG and never looked back.
Living and growing up in this cult took its toll on me. Isolation and abuse did not prepare me for the world and I did not do well for a few years. It took many mistakes and very poor decisions to finally come to terms with all of it, realize I had been damaged, and begin a healing journey. I am still impacted by it. Its only been in the past 5 or so years that I realized I could stop trying to prove to the world that I am a good person. I have hidden my inner demons well but I think the trauma I experienced growing up in that atmosphere robbed me of many things I needed to have happiness.
Thank you for your website. I will be reading more soon. –T. M.
Comment: Read: My Real Childhood Hell Began at Imperial School (January 5, 2008 letter to ESN)
My Children and I Were Rescued From WCG Twelve Years Ago:
March 6, 2011
Thank you so much for all your good work at Exit & Support Network™. My children and I left Worldwide Church of God about twelve years ago and moved to a wonderful vibrant, evangelical community church that accepted us with open arms. We are involved in preaching the Gospel (the right one) and helping those in the cults.
Unfortunately, my husband is still in this evil thing [Armstrongism] and refuses to budge. As he practically disowned me over this, it has caused us to live quite separate lives in the same house. He’s a committed believer in British-Israelism (despite the mountain of evidence refuting it) and is also neck deep into prophecy.
It is deeply saddening to see your husband staying put while the rest of us headed off in a totally different direction. I begged him to systematically go through the doctrines with us, but he refused. But my children and I are grateful for the rescue and worship Christ for it.
What I was wondering is if you could send me the PDF of Herbert Armstrong’s Tangled Web. It was a key book for me in the beginning and [after reading it] I instantly knew that God could and would not use a man like Herbert Armstrong to restore anything–let alone truth! I threw away all the literature and just kept the old King James Bible and a concordance. After that the truth rolled in. It was easy for me to leave. My husband made all the excuses and still does to this day.
The book was loaned to me at the time so I would just love to have a copy on my computer.
I went to new Worldwide for a couple of years but found it to be just an old ladies afternoon tea group with absolutely nothing happening in the community. It was kind of stuck between the two systems. I wouldn’t trust them as far as I could throw them. They still seem to quietly hold onto some of the old doctrines especially their second chance theology. However, Christ has been merciful to me and revealed himself to my grown children and myself all at the same time, but in different parts of the country. We met together a number of years ago and all said we had found out the truth and were leaving the old Worldwide–quite a miracle really.
My children and I all agree that our time in a cult has been part of our journey and has given us a compassion for those in cults. It also keeps us on the lookout for false doctrines and movements, etc. So it is not all bad by any means. I am a really fortunate woman.
Many thanks. –[name withheld]
I Felt the Lord Jesus Wanted Me to Encourage You:
April 6, 2011
Dear brethren,
While surfing through the web, the Lord has led me to your website. I just want to tell you, that you’re doing a vital ministry.
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly bless and protect all brothers and sisters, which are involved in this ministry. The closer we get to the Rapture, the more the worldwide deception by the enemy increases. Your ministry helps people to avoid stepping into some of Satan’s traps and in the same moment it supports those who were victims of religious abuse.
I felt that the Lord Jesus wanted me to encourage you to continue with your ministry despite all the criticism you might experience even from inside the body. Do not forget that those who are criticizing what you’re doing are deceived and led by the enemy.
Every blessing, –Matthias Moeller, Kilcreggan (Scotland) (II Chronicles 16:9)
I Know the Mind Control These Groups Have:
April 9, 2011
Hi, my name is Kevin. I read some of the comments that were posted on your site; it makes me so sad. I know the mind control these groups have, I too was there. I have been at home for years doing what I can to learn and grow.
You take care, keep strong. May God bless and keep you. –Kevin
I am Being Set Free From Many of the Strongholds:
April 15, 2011
I found your site last night through an Internet search on “WWCG cult.” I was really thankful to find it. My grandparents and my mother attended the WWCG for many years before they came to the conclusion that it was ungodly. Even though they left, and even though I was never a part of that “church,” it has always affected my own relationship with Jesus Christ, in that I have never been able to fully understand the grace message until recently. I came to the conclusion on my own that Armstrongism is a cult and that “bad trees cannot produce good fruit.” Praise God, I am being set free from many of the strongholds that held me back, but it leaves me wanting to understand more about the WWCG and why its teachings have “imprisoned” so many in my family for so many years.
I saw on your site that you are able to email a PDF copy of the book Herbert Armstrong’s Tangled Web. Could you please send me a copy? Also, of the books on your booklist (or any others that you are aware), do you know of any that would be helpful for those like me who are a generation removed from the cult? I am trying, specifically, to sort out which teachings and even feelings about religion came from Armstrong and his teachings. Thank you for your help in my search for freedom which I am only now deeply discovering, at age 27, through asking the Holy Spirit to guide me to Christ’s truth as I read and interpret the Bible for myself. I appreciate any feedback you can offer and am grateful for your website. –A.
Comment: This person has received a personal reply.
Something Very Wrong With Christian Biblical Church of God:
April 16, 2011
We’ve just been viewing your website. Very informative.
We met and were in married in the Seventh-day Adventist Church 29 years ago. We left the SDA Church in 1985. In 1987 we joined the Worldwide Church of God and were members until 1995. After leaving WCG, we stopped going to church. That was sixteen years ago.
A few months ago we found Fred Coulter’s website and his “Church at Home.” Although, he comes across as speaking truth, we’ve started to have many questions. There is definitely something very wrong with Christian Biblical Church of God, but we hadn’t been able to pinpoint it until now.
At this point in time, we aren’t attending any church and have decided that right now we’re just going to study God’s word at home.
You could say, that we are in a “deprogramming” phase. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for the continued healing of our hearts and minds. We love God with all our heart, and we know without a doubt that He loves us and will never leave us or forsake us.
Again thank you so much for your website. –Dale and Cathy, Washington
David C. Pack Fails to Be “Open and Honest” Regarding Finances:
May 1, 2011
It is interesting that David Pack doesn’t provide any kind of an annual financial report [showing where the money is allocated]. That was one of my gripes that I had with him. Pack claimed he was going to be open, and honest, unlike other WCG splinter leaders.
Restored Church of God was to be a safe-haven for all those who wanted to leave other HWA offshoots, or come with them from the world. They were to be the most transparent of all. Yet, he is unwilling to provide any kind of annual report.
With as much as Dave Pack is into numbers it’s strange that he leaves out where all the money is going to (the most important numbers of all). So much for transparency and honesty. Christ says, “that we will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16) If someone wants transparency and honesty they need to look elsewhere. –J. G., former member of RCG
Leaving Armstrong’s Beliefs After 40 Years:
May 1, 2011:
Hello Network!
Greetings from Germany!
I am an ex-Armstrong church member and after 40 years believing Herbert Armstrong’s beliefs, I left the Armstrong meaning totally and believe now to be under grace.
Go ahead with your work. Very kind greetings. –Siegfried (Germany)
Tithes Were Not Used Properly:
May 11, 2011
I heard once that 3rd tithe was used to purchase Herbert Armstrong’s airplane. You might want to check this out to see if it is true.
The tithe of a tithe, which was a tithe of your second tithe, was used to pay for the minister’s stay at the Feast of Tabernacles as well as those who were given assistance. The ministers, however, were given an abundance to stay at the most expensive places while those assisted were given a minimum to get them there and back. They were also allowed to call ahead of the church members; therefore, they were able to get the best rooms or places to stay.
I knew someone in WCG who had six children (her husband didn’t attend church) who asked for a little extra so she could stay overnight on the way out because the ride for her and the kids was stressful and she was denied because the minister said there “wasn’t enough.”
There was a lack of sympathy for others by the ministry. I have to wonder how many were driven from Christ and made bitter as a result. –Former WCG member
Reply: See our transcript of Worldwide Church of God History which covers third tithe and the jet-setting by the Armstrongs.
Restored Church of God Keeps Dossier Files:
May 16, 2011
I overheard my brother making a report on a prospective member who wanted to join RCG. He was criticizing the prospective member’s “scraggly” beard. I suppose that the RCG would not allow Jesus to attend! I wonder what people would think about joining these Armstrong groups, if they knew that a “permanent” dossier file would be kept on them. Nothing is ever forgiven or forgotten in these groups! –Anonymous
Sexually Abused by Worldwide Church of God Pastor:
May 25, 2011
An investigation was conducted in Zimbabwe 2years ago after I raised concerns about what I thought was sexual abuse to me from a Worldwide Church of God pastor who counselled and baptized me. I was a child then; I am 44 years now. The Pastor was found guilty of sexual abuse. I feel cheated that people knew what was going on then. Young girls like me confided in ladies in the WCG and we were told to keep everything about our baptism process confidential. The WCG feels it has nothing to do with it because the pastor then was not following the church policies about baptism. –Zimbabwe
Read 2022 letter: “Horrific Sexual Abuse in WCG“
Dictatorship We Endured in WCG:
June 28, 2011
Hi, everyone, I’m a former member of WCG here in Guadeloupe, French West Indies. I attended that WCG from 1981 to 1994-95. It’s useless to speak about the mind control methods, the dictatorship; i.e., if the funeral of one of your relatives took place on the Sabbath, you had to attend services instead of the funeral, the last opportunity to pay tribute to your loved one. Or you had to take 8 days off to attend the Feast of Tabernacles which fell just after the summer holidays and a few days after school starts again, just to mention a few.
I’m sending this mail to request the PDF version of Armstrongism: Religion or Rip-Off by Marion McNair.
Thanks in advance, God bless you abundantly. –French West Indies
Grace Communion International Promoting Evolution:
June 28, 2011
I grew up in the Worldwide Church of God (I was born in 1975). About a year or two after the “changes,” I left the WCG and sometime after that I started attending one of the local evangelical churches. I went to that church on and off from 1997 to 2009 (I attended some other churches during that time period as well). After a while I noticed that this church, I was attending, was becoming more charismatic in nature. I had spent some time in Pentecostal/Charismatic circles and was burned out on all that. Three years ago I went back to the WCG (now Grace Communion International) partly because of what was going on at that church I was attending, but also because my father needed help with running the audio for the local congregation.
The reason I wrote this email is that I’m starting to see the things that you point out on your website about the WCG/GCI. I have enjoyed your website for years but in the past I wasn’t sure what to make of your criticisms of the “new” WCG. However, in the last couple of years, I have been deeply concerned about the WCG [GCI] and its promoting of the theory of evolution. The latest issue of Christian Odyssey has an article about it but they have been talking about it on and off for one or two years now. (I also know they have gone nuts over the book, The Shack by William P. Young.) That, among other things, has caused me to question GCI and what they are really about.
Thank you ESN and God bless you guys for your hard work and dedication in exposing the WCG and the many splinter groups that have come off of it. I really appreciate your site!
Sincerely, [name withheld]
Update 4-19-17: Read the following article: “‘The Shack’ Cover Artist Renounces Book for Leading People Astray: ‘I Have Deep Regrets’.
Note: Christian Odyssey was from 2005 to 2015. Today it is called Equipper (a monthly e-magazine).
Quotes Proving Grace Communion International is Endorsing Evolution:
June 30, 2011
There’s no doubt about GCI endorsing evolutionism. [Refer to June 28 letter above “Grace Communion International Promoting Evolution“] Their June-July 2011 article “Understanding Genesis For All its Worth” by Dennis Gordon clearly states: “I began gradually to see that the evidence for evolution was really quite compelling and indisputable.”
The heading of this Odyssey article says, “The creation account has an interesting literary structure.” This steers the reader’s mind away from the book of Genesis being unerring Scripture, but places it in the same category as “Tom Sawyer” or any other ordinary writing, to be read and analyzed merely for its “literary structure.”
GCI has posted several other articles online on evolution from their Christian Odyssey magazine. Following are quotes from “Genesis 1: The Evolution vs. Creation Controversy”:
“…we do not deny the evidence from science that indicates a long history of life on this planet, nor do we deny that God could have created an evolutionary process for the development of species.” “The writer [of Genesis] simply used the weekly cycle as a convenient literary ‘peg’ or ‘outline’ to help make his theological point.”
“It [the Bible] does not tell us the process by which the creation came into existence, or whether it may have developed over the eons.”
Another Odyssey article is, “Creation and Evolution: How Did God Bring About the Rich Variety of Species on Earth?” Following are quotes:
“Creationism does not offer a proven, rigorous and valid scientific alternative to evolution, but is based on a single narrow interpretation of the first chapter of the Bible.” “The development of species over vast periods of time tells us that God either created some form of evolutionary process in the beginning or continually created new species by fiat over billions of years.”
“The first problem with accepting a six-day creation is that it flies in the face of common logic and everything that has been discovered about how the universe came into existence and developed.”
–K. B.
Update: 2020: GCI states it does not believe in a literal week in Genesis. According to their website, they still are posting ambivalent articles on creation and evolution which show the above letters to be factual. Also read: The Six Days of Creation.
WCG’s Mumbo Jumbo Concerning Their Stand on Israel and the Millennium:
July 12, 2011
When I wrote WCG to inquire what their stand was on the issue of the nation Israel and if Israel has any future kingdom to look forward to, or are the kingdom promises being fulfilled in a non-literal way by the church, the first sentence of their reply was typical WCG mumbo jumbo:
“The Worldwide Church of God does not have a dogmatic stance on the issue of any role for the nation of Israel. To have an official stance would presuppose that our doctrinal committee and leadership have studied that specific issue in a sustained way, issued preliminary position papers, discussed and amended these after further thorough work, and so forth, finally issuing a position paper that represents our official stand.”
More of their mumbo jumbo:
“But the question of a ‘millennium’ itself is also unclear, so far as we are concerned. Our statement ‘The Millennium’ in our Statement of Beliefs offers some of the various ideas about this topic that are held by Christians, but comes to no conclusion. Hence, our position on a future Israel with national glory is that we have no dogmatic position.”
Their closing statement:
“Please let us know if we can assist you further in any way. Our website is …”
I would have liked to have said, “Bull! You’ve never tried to assist people in the past and you certainly aren’t assisting them now!” –Harrison S.
Reply: From reading articles on their site, they appear to be nothing but ambiguous when it comes to this topic. The facts are that they do not believe in a millennial kingdom but hold to replacement theology which includes amillenialism, popular among liberal churches. Yet you don’t see them coming out and stating this as it allows them to cater to everyone in every denomination. Also read: On Apostasy–A Radical Proposal (Letter to Worldwide Church of God, Philippines) and A Rebuttal to Michael Morrison. which shows more of their mumbo jumbo.
Your Articles Gave Reasons Why Living Church of God is Off-Track and Dangerous:
July 19, 2011
As the spouse of one caught up in LCG, I am glad that I have your support. There are so many things I am dealing with. Thank God I have my own income as the tithing requirement saddens me. I enjoyed your articles because I have read other articles but yours was the most solid, giving reasons for why the LCG is off-track and dangerous. I sometimes am lulled into complacency about the need to pray that my husband gets out, because he really has become so “spiritual” in other ways. But I also never realized that he probably already is captive by the enemy and just as he sees them teaching the “truth,” he doesn’t have the ability to leave on his own. Thank you and keep up the good work of using solid Scripture to refute these teachings!
In Christ, –Impacted by loved one in LCG
Armstrongism is a False Gospel, Offering a False Hope:
August 2, 2011
Would you please send me [the 3 PDF books you offer on Herbert Armstrong]. I was raised in the Radio Church of God / WCG since about 9 years old, attended for about 34 years, tried to do all the right things: Spokesman club, Graduate club, activities, tithes, offerings. All of this only led to guilt and pretention. I didn’t jump to a splinter after the changes in 1995, but left about a year later after I realized that there was no love holding us together. I still thought HWA was probably a good man of God. Your website has allowed me to see Armstrongism for what it is, a false gospel offering a false hope, holding people through a mixture of fear and pride. I’m learning to understand Jesus as He really is and gradually how to love others. My [relatives] are still involved with this system. I think the only thing good I can do is pray for them. –S.
I Was Able to Exit From the Cultic Teachings of Living Church of God:
August 13, 2011
Hi, Just wanted to drop ya a line and say Thank You!!!
I guess I am one of those you call a “Find Out” meaning I was, first, by the grace of God and secondly, by your website, able to exit from the cultic teachings of Living Church of God and or Armstrongism in general. I was a newbie, only started “keeping The Sabbath” and was starting to learn about dietary restrictions and Feast day observances when I stumbled across a testimony you had on your website. This literally blew me away. I was devastated that I, too, was deceived. It was a tough pill to swallow but now after 11 months I have really begun to see how this all started and although I have lost some very good friends in the process I cannot help to feel sorry for them. I am so very thankful I came across your website and, wow, I have learned and share your link to dozens and dozens of people who also have come out. The Hebrew Roots Movement and the Sacred Namers are probably the hardest to share truth with because they get downright nasty. However, I just report and let them decide.
Thanks so much for all your information and please post more!!! I check every day for anything new.
Peace and big blessings to you and your staff.
Sincerely, J. P.
Comment: The Hebrew Roots Movement believes there are “mysteries” in the Torah. Also read this report: The Hebraic Roots Movement and this article The Sacred Name Movement. [offsite links]
The Church of the Great God (John W. Ritenbaugh):
August 18, 2011
Can you please give me your opinion on the PDF article: “Was Herbert Armstrong a False Prophet?” by Richard T. Ritenbaugh. I was just browsing the Internet and came across it. –Exiter
Comment: Richard T. Ritenbaugh, the son of John W. Ritenbaugh, founder of The Church of the Great God (formed in January 1992) is a pastor in COGG and appears quite adept in how he is able to deceive others. When a false teacher’s prophecies fail–which they will sooner or later–those who want to cling to the false teacher will always try to justify what happened. Read: When Prophecy Fails by Leon Festinger. What Ritenbaugh says in this article has already been refuted in our article: Did Herbert Armstrong Set Dates? Especially see footnote #2 at the end of the article where it talks about John Ritenbaugh saying these were not prophecies but only “speculations.” Just declaring HWA taught the truth (as Ritenbaugh says) does not constitute truth. Jesus, in warning about false prophets, said they would, truthfully, declare that Jesus was the Christ, then proceed to deceive and exploit many. (Also, see Herbert Armstrong: The Rich Apostle.)
Man Who Joins RCG No Longer the Man He Used to Be:
August 20, 2011
A man who joined the Restored Church of God under David C. Pack’s control is no longer the man he used to be. He doesn’t want to do anything with his wife; for example, go out to dinner, celebrate birthdays or enjoy Christmas, or spend time with his children. His focus is on the organization and the amount of money he can come up. He has already given over $40,000.00 and is still going strong. When he was reminded that the children needed the money for college, his reply was, “What’s the sense? The world is going to end in 3 to 4 years.” What kind of a man (father) is this? After listening to sermons and tapes on Saturdays, he always comes back looking like he is in a trance. He says he is the chosen one and not of this world. –Impacted by RCG
Comment: I Timothy 5:8 says, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel [unbeliever].”
Man In Restored Church of God No Longer the Man He Used to Be:
August 20, 2011
A man who joined the Restored Church of God under David C. Pack’s control is no longer the man he used to be. He doesn’t want to do anything with his wife; for example, go out to dinner, celebrate birthdays or enjoy Christmas, or spend time with his children. His focus is on the organization and the amount of money he can come up. He has already given over $40,000.00 and is still going strong. When he was reminded that the children needed the money for college, his reply was, “What’s the sense? The world is going to end in 3 to 4 years.” What kind of a man (father) is this? After listening to sermons and tapes on Saturdays, he always comes back looking like he is in a trance. He says he is the chosen one and not of this world. –Impacted by RCG
Truth Has a Way of Surfacing:
August 21, 2011
I have visited your site and truly appreciate the articles I’ve read so far. Truth has a way of surfacing eventually.
Please send me a PDF copy of the book Herbert Armstrong’s Tangled Web.
Regards, with thanks. –L. D.
Your Website is Unique in That it Shares the True Gospel, the True Jesus and the True God:
August 23, 2011
I am writing to thank you for the information you’ve compiled in your Exit Support Network™. I was raised in WCG. My parents joined when I was in kindergarten (1972 or 1973), and life as I knew it was never the same. I share many of the feelings expressed by former members and children who were raised in the WCG cult.
What brought me to your site was a search I did on Armstrongism. Prompted by some disturbing emails I have recently exchanged with my mom, who is, along with her husband, currently involved with David Pack’s group Restored Church of God. I was trying to refresh my memory on some of the more outlandish claims about God, Jesus and eschatology.
After many years of bad life choices that I feel was rooted in my abusive childhood, I became a Christ follower a little over 3 years ago. While I still struggle with the remaining emotional baggage from all the false teaching pounded into my head as a child, I now am free to live in Christ, salvation assured by His grace through faith.
While I have long since forgiven my parents for what they put me and my siblings through, I am very concerned about them and their sheep-like following of David Pack. While I’m praying for a positive response to my questioning and challenges of their errant doctrine, I’m expecting them to cut off all contact with me very soon.
What struck me as so unique about your website is the fact that you share the true gospel, the true Jesus and the true God. Most other sites contain nothing of this, which I strongly believe does a grave disservice to their readers. For all who have lived through the horrors of HWA, the only true healing for them is the Gospel. As someone who spent most of my life as a “heathen” (my favorite label of myself pre-Christ), I really understand the importance of knowing the true God.
I have often wondered how God will treat all those who have been deeply scarred by their experiences with WCG. I fear so many souls will be lost for lack of understanding, and a hardening toward all things God. I consider myself blessed that I’m able to heal, and that God knew all along that I wasn’t lost.
Keep up your very important work in getting the truth out. All your time and effort is well worth it. You are in my prayers.
God Bless, –D. V.
Didn’t Feel Easy With Living Church of God’s Preaching and Focus:
September 1, 2011
First of all, I want to say thank you for your website. I am frustrated with the present way of preaching the Gospel. Almost every TV channel is preaching another Jesus, another Gospel. Preachers are full of lust and greed of money. I was searching a good church for fellowship and worshiping my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So I found Living Church of God through the Internet. I joined them, and from the first day I was not feeling easy by their preaching and focus. But I kept continuing to fellowship with them in hope of truth and the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
Last Saturday, I did not go for fellowship and was thinking, am I making a mistake? Then I started to research about LCG ministry. Then I found your website. You have given information exactly which I was experiencing with them. The first few Sabbaths they did not tell me much. But slowly, I started to understand that I am trapped in the midst of cultic people. After reading information from your website, it was confirmed that my decision was right. I believe, it was from GOD. He wanted to protect me from lies of men.
Your website is really helpful for those who are seeking God genuinely. Whatever information you have given on your website was exactly revealing in my spirit too. This is not a coincidence but from the Holy Spirit.
I give thanks to God for His chosen people like you. Your website really helped me a lot.
God bless you and your ministry. With love of Christ, your brother, –Ireland [name withheld]
Site Has Been Enormously Helpful:
September 3, 2011
Hi, Thank you for this site which has been enormously helpful to my brother and I. –WCG Child survivor. –Former child survivors of WCG
Your Site Has Done a Lot of Good:
September 12, 2011
Once again, thank you for your wonderful website. I am sure it has done a lot of good in exposing the truth about the heresy of Armstrongism. –R.
Helpful and Informative Postings
September 13, 2011
I read your very helpful and informative postings often. For all of us who have been so severely wounded by the teachings of the Armstrongs and the WCG, I thank you for your efforts. –Anonymous
You Are Making People Think:
October 6, 2011
Let’s face it, there is no doubt that HWA was a thoroughly immoral man. And we cannot get away from the fact that he made plenty of prophecies which failed to materialize. When I was a member of WCG, I brought up the point that if we were still under the Law–as Armstrong was adamant that we were–then he should have been stoned to death for his false prophecies.
He was such a megalomaniac (in my mind anyway) that he could never conceive of himself as doing any wrong in any of the sins he blatantly flouted.
Thanks for your site. You are making people think. That includes those who do not want to! Keep up the good work.
God bless. –M. H.
Restored Church of God Almost Ruined My Life:
October 11, 2011
I was reading literature from many supposed “true churches” and I now realized how deceived I’ve been. These “true churches” have me so confused on pretty much everything since I thought I was believing the truth. … I’m still trying to recover. I never actually attended but I did read lots of literature and James Turck [minister in RCG] always told me what I could and could not do and caused a lot of stress on me. He even told me I should break up with my girlfriend and I did, but as soon as God showed me Exit Support Network™, I went back with my girlfriend. Turck even said my baptism from my childhood years wasn’t good enough and doesn’t count. And on the phone his voice sounds really funny and he’s always coughing. I should of known he was up to something. I don’t know if he believes what he’s teaching but he almost ruined my life. I even missed a day of school for the Feast of Trumpets and now I know I don’t have to keep the holy days or the Sabbath. I just need to believe in Jesus and that He took away my sins and believe He rose from the dead and that He is the Son of the living God. –[name withheld]
Never Seen Such a Lack of Discernment in My Life:
November 3, 2011
A few years ago, I was very disturbed that many Armstrong offshoots were making their way into Evangelical Radio stations/TV. These groups were confusing many Christians. I was burdened to warn these networks. The Lord has blessed. Even though I have gotten quite a bit of flack, many have come to understand that these groups are unorthodox. The Church of God in Modesto, CA program has been cancelled from over 12 Christian stations, many by Wilkins Communications, and by Salem. Salem also cancelled Ronald Dart’s program “Born to Win,” and the United Church of God program “Beyond Today.” Other stations have cancelled this program as well. The LCG [Living Church of God] and the CGI [Church of God International now known as Intercontinental Church of God] programs were cancelled by INSP Networks (boy were they duped), and World Harvest TV also cancelled the CGI program. Also some Way International offshoots have been cancelled.
I have never seen such a lack of discernment in my life. Also the AOG [Assembly of God] put an offshoot of Armstrong link on one of their teaching tapes, on the life of Paul. I happened to see it, and contacted the AOG HQ’S in Springfield, MO. They were very thankful, and removed this link.
Even in the Christian church there are those attacking the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Trinity [i.e., i.e., the Father is fully God, the Son is fully God and the Holy Spirit is fully God –each are distinct yet are one God]. Eight time Dove award winner, author of many well known Gospel songs, Joel Hemphill, continues to attack these two cardinal teachings of the Christian faith. He seems to think it’s his calling to write books, make tapes, and attend Christian conferences, to show that the church is wrong in teaching these doctrines. He works closely with the anti-Deity of Christ, anti-Trinitarian Church of God General Conference, another cult that has duped Christians. It seems that no one wants to take a stand for our Lord Jesus. Hemphill was interviewed on a large Christian network, TCT-TV. He was promoting his blasphemous books right on this network. It was clear where Hemphill was coming from. No one took a stand for the Deity of Christ. No disclaimer. Nothing. Matter of fact you can watch this interview on one of the many cult sites that promote Hemphill’s materials at 21st Century Reformation. I notice ex-Armstrong Anthony Buzzard works right along with Hemphill. Scroll down and you can watch the interview. The president of TCT was contacted, he did not respond. I will send you the email. What a shame. Just think of the thousands watching this interview, thinking they will purchase Hemphill’s books on the study of God, when in fact they are attacks on the deity of Christ.
May God Help Us!! –Blessings, James
Comment by ESN: Anthony Buzzard is exposed here on our site. James also sent us email correspondence about how anti-Christian doctrines are being promoted by www.biblestudy.org and their links. www.biblestudy.org was originally begun by Alan Ruth of Barnabus Ministries and his page contained a list of 237 splinter groups of Worldwide Church of God.
UPDATES: Read James’ June 16, 2015 letter to ESN: Those That Are Promoting and Endorsing False Teachers and Their Publications.
False Prophet Ronald Weinland Indicted by the IRS for Tax Fraud:
November 11, 2011
An article in a Kentucky paper yesterday says Ron Weinland [Church of God-PKG] was indicted today by the IRS for tax fraud. The Press Release says in part: “The Indictment alleges that Ronald Weinland, 62, attempted to evade taxes in the amount of $357,065 over a period of five years starting in 2005.” I don’t know if Laura is implicated or Audra (his daughter), as she was his “accountant” and did the books during that time, I believe. –J.
Update: Read: False Prophet Found Guilty of Tax Evasion (6-2-12)
Update: Read: June 5, 2012 letter, Ron Weinland Charged with Not Paying $357,000 in Taxes.
We Want No More to Do With Fred Coulter:
November 22, 2011
I came across your site a few days ago, and I thank GOD that I did. My husband and I have been involved in Fred Coulter’s Christian Biblical Church of God for [several] years. It does not sound long but for us it feels like a lifetime. It has cost us much in fear and money. I knew within myself that something was wrong. My husband has written and told Fred Coulter that we want no more to do with him or his doctrinal teachings. Please pray for me and my husband, that we shall have the courage to stay away from them all, and to be truthful that I know it is a cult. Thank you again for all the help on your site. I am very grateful. GOD bless you all. –Former CBCG members
Herbert Armstrong Copied Verbatim From Others’ Writings/Teachings:
December 28, 2011
Hi, I used to be in Herbert W. Armstrong’s organization from 1986-1990. I met a fellow on the street one day and he noticed my Worldwide Church of God bumper sticker on my car. He said he had info on the WCG’s deceptions. I read where Herbert actually copied verbatim another man’s writing/teachings and removed the original author’s name and put Herbert there instead. Apparently he did a lot of this. I was wondering if you know the original author’s name as I can’t remember it from back in 1990. Thanks –D. P.
Reply: It is true that HWA copied from several other groups (but denied it). The man you may be thinking of that he copied from is probably John H. Allen. See the article on our site: Herbert W. Armstrong’s Religious Roots.