Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2003, Page 37
One of the most difficult aspects of this cult to deal with is the absence of any legal recourse
or support for the families that suddenly find themselves involved with it. It seems like only
the affected families are interested in this particular group because they are not known to
be involved in any significant illegal activities. An exception was highlighted on ―Unsolved
Mysteries‖ in February of 1992 because a young mother joined the group and took her
seven-year-old son with her.
Since the father had been granted custody, the taking of the son was classified as a
kidnapping and the F. B. I. got involved. After two and one-half years of searching, the
case remained unsolved until the ―Unsolved Mysteries‖ segment, and then the case was
solved the next day because of tips from viewers. Obviously, the group is extremely elusive
and secretive. The vast majority of the parents have no such access to the traditional legal
channels and must rely entirely on help from other parents, former members, and
concerned citizens who will take the time to provide much needed information on the
whereabouts of the group. Without their help, the rest of us are virtually powerless and on
our own.
It is now 12 years since we first began to look into the Roberts Group, and we still have no
contact with our son. Other than a brief visit when my wife surprised him in Minneapolis in
2000, there has been no contact, and there have been no letters for over six years. As far
as the cult is concerned, there have been some minor cosmetic changes in the group, but
the core problems still exist, i.e., they continue to forsake families and Roberts continues to
deny any marriages within the group as he controls almost every other aspect of their lives.
The organization of the families and some cult experts in 1996 into what is now called
TRGPN has given us a tremendous support group that sustains us as we continue to strive
to release all of our kids from Roberts‘ control.
Part II: The Origin and History of the Jim Roberts Group—A.K.A., the Church, the
Brethren, the Garbage Eaters (James Foster)
In February of 1971, a young, nomadic, evangelist, drove into Missoula, Montana and
preached at the House of Jesus, a gathering place for those traveling around the country in
their search for Jesus. Jim Roberts, the nomadic evangelist, preached to the small group of
―Jesus Freaks,‖ saying,
I want to talk to you about the cross of Calvary.
I feel called upon to warn you of the wicked times we are living in.
I know it‘s going to rain fire and brimstone because God said so. Praise the Lord.
I believe the world will be found to blame.
I believe the mass multitudes will be found to blame because they flirted with the
world.
Praise God. Let us pray. Let us each one seek out an altar and praise his name.
(Barta, 1971)
Within a few weeks, Jim Roberts and another evangelist, James Butler, gathered a group of
―Jesus Freaks‖ around them and left for Berkeley, California, then the ―Jesus Freak‖ capital
of the U.S. On the way to Berkeley, a division occurred between Roberts and Butler, caused
by a difference in interpretation of some parts of Scripture. A line was drawn in the sand
with Roberts on one side and Butler on the other and the group split in two. Those following
Roberts became the first members of what is now called the ―The Jim Roberts Group‖
(personal communication with ex-member, Rick, who was there and went with Roberts).
Jim Roberts grew up in the Jersey section of Paducah, Kentucky. He was one of six children
and the only one to graduate from high school. He is remembered as a loner, yet he starred
One of the most difficult aspects of this cult to deal with is the absence of any legal recourse
or support for the families that suddenly find themselves involved with it. It seems like only
the affected families are interested in this particular group because they are not known to
be involved in any significant illegal activities. An exception was highlighted on ―Unsolved
Mysteries‖ in February of 1992 because a young mother joined the group and took her
seven-year-old son with her.
Since the father had been granted custody, the taking of the son was classified as a
kidnapping and the F. B. I. got involved. After two and one-half years of searching, the
case remained unsolved until the ―Unsolved Mysteries‖ segment, and then the case was
solved the next day because of tips from viewers. Obviously, the group is extremely elusive
and secretive. The vast majority of the parents have no such access to the traditional legal
channels and must rely entirely on help from other parents, former members, and
concerned citizens who will take the time to provide much needed information on the
whereabouts of the group. Without their help, the rest of us are virtually powerless and on
our own.
It is now 12 years since we first began to look into the Roberts Group, and we still have no
contact with our son. Other than a brief visit when my wife surprised him in Minneapolis in
2000, there has been no contact, and there have been no letters for over six years. As far
as the cult is concerned, there have been some minor cosmetic changes in the group, but
the core problems still exist, i.e., they continue to forsake families and Roberts continues to
deny any marriages within the group as he controls almost every other aspect of their lives.
The organization of the families and some cult experts in 1996 into what is now called
TRGPN has given us a tremendous support group that sustains us as we continue to strive
to release all of our kids from Roberts‘ control.
Part II: The Origin and History of the Jim Roberts Group—A.K.A., the Church, the
Brethren, the Garbage Eaters (James Foster)
In February of 1971, a young, nomadic, evangelist, drove into Missoula, Montana and
preached at the House of Jesus, a gathering place for those traveling around the country in
their search for Jesus. Jim Roberts, the nomadic evangelist, preached to the small group of
―Jesus Freaks,‖ saying,
I want to talk to you about the cross of Calvary.
I feel called upon to warn you of the wicked times we are living in.
I know it‘s going to rain fire and brimstone because God said so. Praise the Lord.
I believe the world will be found to blame.
I believe the mass multitudes will be found to blame because they flirted with the
world.
Praise God. Let us pray. Let us each one seek out an altar and praise his name.
(Barta, 1971)
Within a few weeks, Jim Roberts and another evangelist, James Butler, gathered a group of
―Jesus Freaks‖ around them and left for Berkeley, California, then the ―Jesus Freak‖ capital
of the U.S. On the way to Berkeley, a division occurred between Roberts and Butler, caused
by a difference in interpretation of some parts of Scripture. A line was drawn in the sand
with Roberts on one side and Butler on the other and the group split in two. Those following
Roberts became the first members of what is now called the ―The Jim Roberts Group‖
(personal communication with ex-member, Rick, who was there and went with Roberts).
Jim Roberts grew up in the Jersey section of Paducah, Kentucky. He was one of six children
and the only one to graduate from high school. He is remembered as a loner, yet he starred
