I’m a former child survivor of the WWCG and I’m still working through the anger of my childhood. I grew up in the “church” from 1974-1996 in the state of Colorado. I am now 33 years old and I’m so happy to come across this website to see there are so many people out there like me. I have the luxury to say that my whole family: Dad, Mom, sister and brother have all come out of Armstrongism and that part of it is wonderful. The sad part is that my parents don’t seem to understand the effects of what this evil empire had on their kids and feel we all need to just “get over it” and move on. I pray for them daily to understand the abuse of never being able to grow up a normal person as a child. I live day to day trying not to think about the past and move forward. I could go on and on with story after story of a life filled with EVIL.
There are a few names of former ministers I would like to mention, and to let you know I’m trying really hard to forgive these people, but it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to see them trip and fall into their beloved Lake of Fire (a big pile of poo would work too).
#1 Jim Ryer: We, the people, didn’t kill your wife with our sins; cancer and your ignorance did.
#2 Ross Flynn: You said, “Everyone who has lied to me has died.” Well, Ross, I hate to break it to you, but I’m still here. (I wonder if he is still the King of being “equally yoked.”)
#3 Doug Horchak, son-in-law of the big cheeser Joe Tkach, Sr. This man is so filled with evil and manipulation that I could write a book on him alone. I was one of many young adults kicked out by him on several occasions for just standing up for people. He is definitely the hardest to forgive. [Note: Doug Horchak later went with COGWA.]
I thank you for giving us a place to vent our frustrations of a robbed childhood and hope by doing so no child will ever have to go through what we did as children in the WWCG.
I now attend a small non denominational church in N.W. Montana with my wife (also a child survivor) and our 5 year old son. I forgot to mention my wife’s mother is a member of a Global Church of God (UK) splinter called Church of the Eternal God.1 I haven’t seen this one on the site yet and feel people should know about it as well. We are constantly praying for her.
As for ESN, continue to keep up the good work and I will pray for you as well.
By Michael Hall – Child survivor of WCG
P.S. You have my permission to print my name because I am not the one to be ashamed.
Footnotes by ESN:
1 Church of the Eternal God, San Diego, CA, is a split from Church of God, Christian Fellowship (the latter being formed by former Global Church of God members). CEG is affiliated with Church of God, a Christian Fellowship, Summerland, B.C. and Global Church of God (UK), Derby, United Kingdom. They follow the doctrines and teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong and believe in a hierarchal form of church government. Their TV program is called “Standing Watch.”