Word of Faith Fellowship — Attraction in Spindale

I came here from Texas when I was 10 years old have been attending the Word of Faith now for 17 years. I cannot begin to recount the overwhelming love that was expressed when I first came here to North Carolina. If there was any day here at the Word of Faith that one might call a bad day, LET ME TELL YOU it was sunshine and rainbows compared to what I had in the world before coming to the Word of Faith. Pastors Sam and Jane took me and my whole family in as their own and I consider them grandparents and they consider me a grandson. God has truly blessed me and my family since day one and has brought almost my entire nuclear family here all the way from Texas. Why? I cried out to God for a better life and the love and joy and peace that I felt after coming here once for a seminar sealed my destiny...some way some how, I was going to move here with or without my family. (which I did in 1999). I came with my aunt and uncle. I didn't come here for cash, didn't come for a car, not a wife, not a job. I came because God told me this was my home. I knew from day one that this was where God planted me. I love my church. I love Grandmother Jane and Papa Sam more than anyone will ever know. I would never be able to repay all the good they have done for me and my family. I love my wife and child and this is definitely the HAPPY LIFE WE HAVE CHOSEN TO LIVE AND I WILL FOREVER BE RESILIENT AND BOLD TO TO SAY THAT THE PEACE AND JOY I HAVE IS THE WORK OF THE MINISTERS OF GOD AND A FRUIT OF THEIR LABOR LOVING AND SHARING THEIR LIVES WITH ME TO MAKE ME THE MAN I AM TODAY. But in response to the lies and garbage I've been hearing coming mainly from the Cooper brothers and others is complete nonsense and downright blasphemy. We live in a depraved hour when individuals I once knew and lived among have no fear to rant and rave about situations, BEATINGS???? that never happened. GOD SAID IN ECCLESIASTES THAT "I AM IN HEAVEN AND YOU ARE ON EARTH, THEREFORE LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW". The truth always prevails and therefore darkness can never overcome. JUST KNOW THAT GOD REMEMBERS EVERY VOW YOU PLEDGED AND EVERY SERMON YOU PREACHED WHILE AT THE WORD OF FAITH. LET THOSE WORDS COME BACK AND BE THE JUDGE. I have a conviction as to what I believe here at the Word of Faith. It has been tested, refined and proved to stand the test of attack and trial. YOU WILL KNOW THE TREE BY ITS FRUIT and I have seen nothing but good fruit in my life since being here at the Word of Faith. TO ALL THOSE THAT ATTACK MY CHURCH, THE PEOPLE I LOVE, THOSE THAT LOVE ME AND THE CONVICTIONS GOD HAS PUT IN MY HEART, YOU CAN CRY, WHINE AND THROW ALL THE TEMPER TANTRUMS YOU WANT, BUT NOTHING AND I REPEAT, NOTHING WILL BREAK THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN ME OR MY FAMILY. NOTHING WILL TAKE AWAY THE PEACE I HAVE NOR THE HAPPINESS I EXPERIENCE EVERYDAY. I LOVE...

I graduated from a prestigious high school in SC and went on to attend college in another part of the state on a scholarship related to journalism and creative writing. I had a passion for writing and I was taught that a journalist has a responsibility to present information fairly and honestly. I went on to graduate with a degree in education AFTER I became a faithful member of Word of Faith Fellowship. The first time I attended a service at this wonderful church all I could think is " these people really love God with their whole hearts and they are serious about serving Him. " Finally, after a lifetime of longing for true friends and real peace I had found it. After being in this church day after day, month after month, and year after year(about 27 years now) I still feel that same joy, excitement and gratefulness that I experienced at my first service. Jane Whaley, whom I am honored to call Grandmother, (not prompted by force or cohersion -but by a deep love for a woman who has been there for me personally in every adversary that I've ever faced). Especially, the birth of a very low birth weight extremely premature daughter who has had numerous medical procedures and surgeries ( all of which my pastors have supported me through). Twelve years later my husband and I decided to have another child. I became pregnant at the age of 43. One night, early in the pregnancy , it looked like we were going to lose the baby, and I called my dear pastor and she prayed and wept with us and cried out to God with us in the wee hours of the night and the next morning. Today, he is three years old, and he and his almost 15 year old sister love Jesus and Grandma Jane and Paw Paw Sam dearly. A fair journalist would not want to miss out on the opportunity to present a fair and accurate portrayal of a person to the world. Fortunately, I don't even know the person some former members are describing to the media -- it's definitely not " my...

I just read a list of your rules online, I'm not sure if it has been updated, but if it has I'm sure it's just worse. I am a proud Christian and am shocked and appalled by the rules alone. Not even looking into the allegations of your accused cult before reading the rules. It is insane that you think you can control people's lives and expect them to give everything- including their privacy, safety, and personal relationships- over to you. I'm also so deeply sorry for the people who have fallen for your dishonesty and control. This is truly dispicible, and the fact that you seem to be playing God over these people is much worse. I am deeply disturbed by the list of rules you have put in place for your members, and I'm not sure how you have gotten away with this for the many years you have been "providing service". If you consider service controlling one's lively hood with the grip only a dangerous dictator would have. As far as I can tell, your members cannot even form their own opinions. Also, I went to your YouTube channel. Which, it's funny to me that your members are not allowed to watch any "unapproved" media or TV, and yet you can post slander and defemation on a YouTube channel. That slander and defemation being directed towards victims who have thankfully found their way out, and decided to speak their minds. However, I can assume that you don't like it when people are not of your cookie-cutter mold.

In the end, I hope all of your members find peace, real peace. I also hope you will release the hold you have over these people because this is not what God or Jesus would intend you to do. You are not spreading the word of God, Jesus, and the Bible- you are spreading hate, fear, and distrust. Not just between you and your followers, but between family, friends, and neighbors. I hope you all find God, the real God. Not this...