Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2003, Page 62
members. Her attorney argued that she deserved to be ―deprogrammed,‖ after years of
abuse, before sentencing. The treatment will last 2–4 weeks, and Wilson‘s family—she is the
granddaughter of the founder of Xerox—will pay for it. [The women in the group were led by
Winifred Wright, recently sentenced to prison for his role in the death.] (Gary Klien, Marin
News, Internet, 3/1/03)
Word of Faith Fellowship
Concerns about Day Care Children
A Rutherford County, NC, court has ordered the Word of Faith Fellowship, in Spindale, to
explain why it has not provided the names of youngsters in its child care facility.
Department of Social Services officials believe that the children need immediate protection
against abuse at the Fellowship facility, although a recent state investigation did not lead to
charges.
Former Fellowship members allege that the day care employs excessive spanking, and the
screaming of prayers at the children to drive out demons. Three child custody cases
involving the Fellowship have moved through the courts in the last three years. (AP, Sun,
1/5/03)
Ex-Member Files Emotional Abuse Suit
Former Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) member Holly Hamrick, 23, has sued the
church for false imprisonment and for treatment that resulted in ―severe mental and
emotional distress.‖ She is currently in a counseling program at the Wellspring Retreat, in
Ohio, which says it is a ―residential treatment facility for recovering cult victims.‖
Hamrick and other former members say that WOFF leaders controlled their lives, placing
them in group homes and directing them to jobs in members‘ companies. Hamrick says that
her year-long membership involved emotional highs, which started with intense love and
friendship expressed toward her, followed by humiliation during ―blasting‖—loud, screaming
prayer that Hamrick says made her cough and gag. She adds that WOFF also tried to
control her contact with her mother and stepfather.
The WOFF is involved in a child custody case with another former member who claims that
she has been harmed by the group in similar ways, and the Department of Social Services is
investigation the treatment of children in the group. (Baker Maultsby, Spartanburg Herald-
Journal, Internet, 2/5/03)
Members Give Up Custody
A couple who are members of the Word of Faith Fellowship, in Spindale, NC, were
ordered in March to give up custody of a child to his father and stepmother, who alleged in
a complaint that they did not want the boy to be ―exposed to the doctrines and discipline of
the Fellowship.‖ A judge who signed the order cited a 2000 custody case involving the group
in which another judge found that the church created an environment that ―has an adverse
effect on the health safety, and welfare of children.‖
Other custody cases involving the group are pending, and the County Department of Social
Services is believed to be investigating allegations of abuse or neglect in the church-run day
care. In addition, two former members have filed suit alleging false imprisonment and
intentional infliction of emotional distress, and many other members have spoken about
treatment in the group, which allegedly includes excessive corporal punishment. (James
Lewis, Daily Courier, Internet, 3/12/03)
members. Her attorney argued that she deserved to be ―deprogrammed,‖ after years of
abuse, before sentencing. The treatment will last 2–4 weeks, and Wilson‘s family—she is the
granddaughter of the founder of Xerox—will pay for it. [The women in the group were led by
Winifred Wright, recently sentenced to prison for his role in the death.] (Gary Klien, Marin
News, Internet, 3/1/03)
Word of Faith Fellowship
Concerns about Day Care Children
A Rutherford County, NC, court has ordered the Word of Faith Fellowship, in Spindale, to
explain why it has not provided the names of youngsters in its child care facility.
Department of Social Services officials believe that the children need immediate protection
against abuse at the Fellowship facility, although a recent state investigation did not lead to
charges.
Former Fellowship members allege that the day care employs excessive spanking, and the
screaming of prayers at the children to drive out demons. Three child custody cases
involving the Fellowship have moved through the courts in the last three years. (AP, Sun,
1/5/03)
Ex-Member Files Emotional Abuse Suit
Former Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) member Holly Hamrick, 23, has sued the
church for false imprisonment and for treatment that resulted in ―severe mental and
emotional distress.‖ She is currently in a counseling program at the Wellspring Retreat, in
Ohio, which says it is a ―residential treatment facility for recovering cult victims.‖
Hamrick and other former members say that WOFF leaders controlled their lives, placing
them in group homes and directing them to jobs in members‘ companies. Hamrick says that
her year-long membership involved emotional highs, which started with intense love and
friendship expressed toward her, followed by humiliation during ―blasting‖—loud, screaming
prayer that Hamrick says made her cough and gag. She adds that WOFF also tried to
control her contact with her mother and stepfather.
The WOFF is involved in a child custody case with another former member who claims that
she has been harmed by the group in similar ways, and the Department of Social Services is
investigation the treatment of children in the group. (Baker Maultsby, Spartanburg Herald-
Journal, Internet, 2/5/03)
Members Give Up Custody
A couple who are members of the Word of Faith Fellowship, in Spindale, NC, were
ordered in March to give up custody of a child to his father and stepmother, who alleged in
a complaint that they did not want the boy to be ―exposed to the doctrines and discipline of
the Fellowship.‖ A judge who signed the order cited a 2000 custody case involving the group
in which another judge found that the church created an environment that ―has an adverse
effect on the health safety, and welfare of children.‖
Other custody cases involving the group are pending, and the County Department of Social
Services is believed to be investigating allegations of abuse or neglect in the church-run day
care. In addition, two former members have filed suit alleging false imprisonment and
intentional infliction of emotional distress, and many other members have spoken about
treatment in the group, which allegedly includes excessive corporal punishment. (James
Lewis, Daily Courier, Internet, 3/12/03)
