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My wife used to be in the way and she was speaking about this type of super group leaders called Way Corps Zero that VPW wanted to grow up but it fell apart and she could never figure out why. The answers she was given does not seem to fit now. Anyone have any insight on this issue?

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My wife used to be in the way and she was speaking about this type of super group leaders called Way Corps Zero that VPW wanted to grow up but it fell apart and she could never figure out why. The answers she was given does not seem to fit now. Anyone have any insight on this issue?

The "Zero Corps" was Wierwille's first attempt at developing a Way Corps program. The time-frame would have been about 1969 or 1970. The Way Corps, as you may or may not know, was/is an in-residence "training program" designed to indoctrinate particular Way followers to accept a life-long commitment of servitude to the organization. It is communal style living. (Think Jonestown, minus the horrific ending.) To Wierwille's dismay, he was not able to exercise complete control over this particular group so he disbanded it and sent them all "packing". To escape unwanted scrutiny, Wierwille swept the effort under the carpet and blamed its failure on the participants. The following year, he started afresh and the new group was eventually dubbed Way Corp #1, or the 1st Corps. Subsequent groups are referred to in like manner. (WC#6, WC#17, etc.)

There is a lot more here on GSC regarding this matter.

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The "Zero Corps" was Wierwille's first attempt at developing a Way Corps program. The time-frame would have been about 1969 or 1970. The Way Corps, as you may or may not know, was/is an in-residence "training program" designed to indoctrinate particular Way followers to accept a life-long commitment of servitude to the organization. It is communal style living. (Think Jonestown, minus the horrific ending.) To Wierwille's dismay, he was not able to exercise complete control over this particular group so he disbanded it and sent them all "packing". To escape unwanted scrutiny, Wierwille swept the effort under the carpet and blamed its failure on the participants. The following year, he started afresh and the new group was eventually dubbed Way Corp #1, or the 1st Corps. Subsequent groups are referred to in like manner. (WC#6, WC#17, etc.)

There is a lot more here on GSC regarding this matter.

I was trying to find some stuff on the Zero but I just couldn't find anything. Thanks for the info though!

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The "Zero Corps" was Wierwille's first attempt at developing a Way Corps program. The time-frame would have been about 1969 or 1970. The Way Corps, as you may or may not know, was/is an in-residence "training program" designed to indoctrinate particular Way followers to accept a life-long commitment of servitude to the organization. It is communal style living. (Think Jonestown, minus the horrific ending.) To Wierwille's dismay, he was not able to exercise complete control over this particular group so he disbanded it and sent them all "packing". To escape unwanted scrutiny, Wierwille swept the effort under the carpet and blamed its failure on the participants. The following year, he started afresh and the new group was eventually dubbed Way Corp #1, or the 1st Corps. Subsequent groups are referred to in like manner. (WC#6, WC#17, etc.)

There is a lot more here on GSC regarding this matter.

Actually, there's not that much on the GSC regarding this. I've looked around and found little when I attempted to make

a timeline.

vpw found that his first attempt to do the way corps was not subservient enough for him, near as I could determine.

As was his usual style, he savaged their reputation and tried to hide their existence.

He claimed they "never got it together" and a few WEEKS into the program

"I gave them the privilege of leaving." (Per TW:LIL.)

The fact that his first attempt was a consistent FAILURE should have told a lot. After all, vpw himself had

ZERO training in programs, neither as a manager nor as a participant. He claimed he wanted to model it

after the military-despite having ZERO experience with the military. So, basically, he wanted the

OBEDIENCE seen in army movies or whatever without providing the corresponding BENEFITS to the soldier

(which vpw knew nothing about, any way.) He claimed that model a number of times and places. At others,

he claimed to model it after the Book of Acts- which it in no way resembles. vpw was fond of saying THIS

to one person and THAT to another and lying to both at the same time if it suited his purposes. What he

WANTED was the OBEDIENCE, and he kept trying until he got it.

Anywhere the people actually CARED would have stopped everything and disassembled the program after an

initial "failure" and completely re-engineered it with improvements across the board. With twi, that was

never an option- just get more obedience to vpw. Later, the corps were taught to enforce vpw's will across

twi, and they got formal training-in SALES from the Dale Carnegie organization. It's obvious what vpw

thought was important. As for real training Christian leaders could need, there was none- nothing on

COUNSELING or anything on relating to people. People are supposed to JUMP when told to, as vpw sees it

and as he tried to teach the corps (succeeding at times.) He also had no QUALITY CONTROL as to who

joined- his only rule seems to be the one lcm HIMSELF faced-

"YOU CAN STAY AS LONG AS YOUR MONEY HOLDS."

vpw cared about money and obedience, and the rest of the corps was filler...except when they were called

upon to do manual labor around the farm. The students not only worked for FREE, they PAID TUITION to work

around the farm. Did vpw know how to work a scam or what?

====================

I forgot to mention-

just as he kid their existence by numbering others "the FIRST" who came later,

twi followed that example and hid the others who came later.

After EVERYONE from the "FIRST" (second, after the "zero" corps) all left twi,

twi had none left to show.

So, they went around to all the old-timers who were never corps, and said

"congratulations- you are now the First Corps" and claimed they had "First Corps"

around twi still. When it comes to twi, vpw established that lying was just fine

as long as you don't get caught, and that's still policy at twi.

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The fact that his first attempt was a consistent FAILURE should have told a lot. After all, vpw himself had ZERO training in programs, neither as a manager nor as a participant. He claimed he wanted to model it after the military-despite having ZERO experience with the military.

In my corps experience.....wierwille addressed this "Zero Corps" issue on 3 or 4 nightowl sharings to cover his tracks of failure. Of course, he pointed his finger as THEIR failure, THEIR fault.......it's the people and THEIR lack of commitment.

In hindsight, I see how wierwille picked the right moment, after months of indoctrination, and used a disdaining term [Zero corps] to shift the focus FROM HIMSELF. The man knew how to manipulate!

A narcissist is incapable of introspection....and, wierwille had to put "corps directors and/or corps coordinators" in place to move the corps-indoctrination forward. Wierwille, in full sunlight, day after day....could not mask the intentions and individual overthrows that wierwille was demanding.

I certainly didn't go corps to be "made in the image of wierwille."

:asdf:

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...and they got formal training-in SALES from the Dale Carnegie organization.

One minor note of clarification...The Dale Carnegie organization per se didn't do the actual training. If they had they would have charged about $400 per person. Wierwille got a PFAL grad who was a trainer with the Carnegie group to do it for free.

Edited by Broken Arrow
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In my corps experience.....wierwille addressed this "Zero Corps" issue on 3 or 4 nightowl sharings to cover his tracks of failure. Of course, he pointed his finger as THEIR failure, THEIR fault.......it's the people and THEIR lack of commitment.

In hindsight, I see how wierwille picked the right moment, after months of indoctrination, and used a disdaining term [Zero corps] to shift the focus FROM HIMSELF. The man knew how to manipulate!

Dunno when you were in, sky, but LCM was the same, perhaps worse, denigrated whoever WC0 was - or no, perhaps that was WC1 - absolutely disgusted. Used his disgust at their lack of commitment to reinforce the unswerving commitment that we in rez were supposed to be developing.

[Huh, do you reckon he ever knew any of them - ever?].

I was there when all those old-timers were announced as the "real First Corps" - Mrs Owens, Howard (I suppose), etc - I can't remember who was honored thus. But thinking about it now - I can't remember that Dorothea Wierwille was a part of the honorary "real First Corps". Even if she was "First Lady." Poor woman. Passed over...again.

(Ugh, the ego of it all. :( )

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I was there when all those old-timers were announced as the "real First Corps" - Mrs Owens, Howard (I suppose), etc - I can't remember who was honored thus. But thinking about it now - I can't remember that Dorothea Wierwille was a part of the honorary "real First Corps". Even if she was "First Lady." Poor woman. Passed over...again.

(Ugh, the ego of it all. :( )

All those cult semantics seems surreal nowadays....... :biglaugh:

Yeah....the real First Corps are those who'd been sucking on the teat of the twi-cow for decades and faithfully worshipped at the altar of wierwille. Were there any who'd "hazarded their lives for the gospel's sake"? Nevermind.

I spent hours and hours on end escorting Mrs. Wierwille during main events....so I think I'm qualified, more than most, to share my observations. In public, the woman was gracious and air-brushed for every picture.....BUT in private, she could confront with the best of them. Never was I allowed to have her wait on me for a bathroom break. She got what she wanted, when she wanted it. Oh, the memories......

Besides....she didn't NEED to be "first corps"....she was the "FIRST" Lady.

:anim-smile:

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:offtopic: My Corps sis spent her interim year as Mrs W's housekeeper. She didn't enjoy it, for so many reasons. Always on call, on duty. Skivvy for everything, everyone. Never able to share any time with other interim Corps who were also working on campus. Worn out with - nothing.

Yeah, Sky. Which of 'em hazarded their lives for the gospel?

Which of them was there to serve? And which was there to be served?

Back to topic now: does anyone know who was in the Zero Corps?

And what has happened to them since that time?

Have any gone on to train and serve as real ministers?

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One minor note of clarification...The Dale Carnegie organization per se didn't do the actual training. If they had they would have charged about $400 per person. Wierwille got a PFAL grad who was a trainer with the Carnegie group to do it for free.

So,

vpw set up the only formal training as (sometimes) who ran the LEAD program

(Christian leaders with no counseling skills, but they could climb rocks and hitch-hike)

but not always (some LEAD groups were lead by woefully unprepared people,

which is why at least 1 group went up a mountain in freezing, unsafe weather,

which was the direct cause of one of them losing a toe,

and that's not counting the rapes and deaths resulting from the hitch-hiking...

or the training done by the Dale Carnegie organization- but run for free by one

of their trainers at vpw's request, thus robbing them of their proper tuition

for their formal program, year after year.

Again, I say, vpw sure knew how to run a scam....

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Twinky,

I remember Pat Lynn telling us (when she and then-husband, John, were Way Corps Coordinators at Emporia) that she had been a member of the Zero Corps...hope that helps answer at least part of your question ... I have never heard anyone else say that they were in that Zero Corps that got dismissed.

Edited by DogLover
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Twinky,

I remember Pat Lynn telling us (when she and then-husband, John, were Way Corps Coordinators at Emporia) that she had been a member of the Zero Corps...hope that helps answer at least part of your question ... I have never heard anyone else say that they were in that Zero Corps that got dismissed.

That is exactly what my wife and I are wondering. what happened to the way corps zero? Who are they? Where are they now?

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That is exactly what my wife and I are wondering. what happened to the way corps zero? Who are they? Where are they now?

I suppose if someone were so inclined, they could get in touch with Pat and ask her.

I don't know why, but I always thought Johnny Townsend was one of the zero corps alumni. Not sure at all if that is accurate.

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I had a friend in Sacramento CA in the 70's and 80's who had been in zero corps. I always felt she was out of my league. She was just an on-top-of-it individual. She was not impressed with phoniness, lies, or hypocricy. She didn't talk with me about her time there, but she had a good life last I knew of her, and she didn't miss a thing of the "commitment" and "benefits" of being "way corpse." I always admired her because she seemed to be confident of her relationship with the Lord and with her family and friends. She was friends with twi leadership but she wasn't fawning or groveling, just friends. She's one of the people I miss being friends with.

Knowing what I know now about the way things really were at twi, I would not be surprised if she had an "excathedra" type moment with vpig and she kicked him in the b*11$.

Edited by Kit Sober
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I don't know why, but I always thought Johnny Townsend was one of the zero corps alumni. Not sure at all if that is accurate.

waysider....Johnny T was not in the "zero corps." He was given special distinction by wierwille for his passionate commitment to "Wierwille's Ministry" and received "Recognized Corps 1" status with his marriage to Naomi.

I seem to remember a Glenda Sue ?? as being in the "zero corps."

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waysider....Johnny T was not in the "zero corps." He was given special distinction by wierwille for his passionate commitment to "Wierwille's Ministry" and received "Recognized Corps 1" status with his marriage to Naomi.

I seem to remember a Glenda Sue ?? as being in the "zero corps."

Glenda Sue Mxxxw#11....I think she was in the band, Cookin' Mama. Maybe our friend from the sock drawer remembers.

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hi all!.............for the record, the "first way corps" started in the summer of 1970 and graduated in the summer of 1972. the coordinators of the first way corps were del and nancy duncan......the other original members were, naomi bliss (now townsend), nancy bowen (who married earl burton) earl burton, randy anderson, gary curtis, bo reahard, and glenda sue maxwell, who left the first corps to marry one lister witherspoon and move to puerto rico, where lister was living. lister was a dog trainer, and, if i remember correctly, also a lawyer. that makes a total of nine original members of the first way corps.

the "zero corps" consisted of fewer members, and began after "summer school" in the summer of 1969. it included ken klug, johnny townsend, pat lynn, who was then single. i'm not sure about the rest...........it was rarely discussed by der vicster, and whenever it was, it was always negative with nasty tone. klug left to marry john lynn's sister judy in indianapolis........pat left to marry john lynn, and johnny stayed in the "upper room" above the old "snack shop", which was a converted old out-building across from the wierwille barn and the "motor shed", also an adjunct out-building to the barn. the "founder's home" was also on the southern part of an asphalt circle which was surrounded on the west side by the snack shop, the barn on the northeast side of the circle, and the motor shed on the east side. behind the barn to the east was "the pond", and behind the motor shed was a small kennel, in which der vicster had at one time tried to raise nutria, small furry rodents whose fur was used to make mink-like fur coats.....yet another failed way "enterprise" to raise money. across from the founder's home, directly to the west was the old "BRC", (biblical research center), the basement of which housed the kitchen, run then by betty bowen, and eileen hitchen, the only non-pfal grad on the way "staff" back then. the motor shed was considered der victser's outside office and was equipped w/ tv, phone, etc. etc.,...........it was in this motor shed and in the BRC basement dining room, that the "yak twig" began meeting in 1986 when geer began to "coordinate" the dismantling of the "way ministry" as many of us greasespotters had known it, and the horror stories past, present and future began to unfold and be uncovered.

king okie was the coordinator of the second way corps, which began in the summer of 1971, and graduated in the summer of 1973. the 2nd corps lived with the first in various locations on the grounds......del and nancy were the corps coordinators of this group, and martindale was the coordinator of the second and first year third corps'.............so, king okie did indeed know the first corps well, but not the zero corps............trailers 6 & 7 had been added somewhat earlier with first corps "volunteer labor", and were then converted into men's and women's housing prior to the 2nd corps' arrival to provide housing for the growing numbers of the 2nd and 3rd corps, and the

"trailer" park was installed in preparation for the arrival of the 4th corps in the summer and fall of 1973........ the old "EOB" was directly northwest of the barn, and was still under construction in 1972 during summer school and the unfinished second story served as the men's "dorm" for summer school that summer of '72..............that's what comes back to my mind right now.............questions like the one that started this thread bring back too many memories sometimes..........c'est la vie!.................................peace.

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oh............and btw................the dale carnegie institute instructor who taught the early corps', (one through five in person and wc6 via video) was bill maize. bill was a member of the chimes hour youth caravan which der vicster ran out of his e and r church in van wert. bill always used to tell us he was "adopted" by vic and dotsie. he was noted to be one of the "best" carnegie instructors in the midwest.......he worked out of and lived in lima.........it was his classes and techiques that were used by dave bedard who "took over" for bill when he began "teaching" his classes on "christian motivational techniques" to the corps' at emporia, then recently acquired, and later on rome city, gunnison, et al. he just put the vicster's spin onto everything bill had done over the years, and basically wierwilized (i.e. plagiarized) all the work carnegie and maize had done!!...........typical vicster "research, scholarship, and teaching", eh????...................it in no way came close to bill's "original"..........LOL!....................................peace.

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hi all!.............for the record, the "first way corps" started in the summer of 1970 and graduated in the summer of 1972. the coordinators of the first way corps were del and nancy duncan......the other original members were, naomi bliss (now townsend), nancy bowen (who married earl burton) earl burton, randy anderson, gary curtis, bo reahard, and glenda sue maxwell,...

Hi DontWorry......good to see ya.

Mike Smith was first corps....not Earl.

First Corps Picture

..

Edited by skyrider
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Hey there Skyrider!!!.....always great to see you!.......how's your family?......

Here's the graduation picteure of the first corps from 1972. You're right that Mike smith was in the 1st Corps........my oversight. However, so was Earl Burton, as i said.......note graduation picyure of First corps from the same site............burton came from the ECU "WAY HOME" as did randy........don't remember why he got there to miss the picture?.......but I do know glenda was never "counted" as first corps "officially" 'cuz she split...........she was ahead of her time, eh?.....LOL!........hoping my attempt to post the picture I'm referencing......if not, check out the site and see it..............love ya!...........peace.

<br class="Apple-interchange-newline">ins_loin_lamb.jpgins_page_cap.jpgpage_title_005.jpgins_page_cap2.jpgbg_fill.jpgThe Graduates of 1972

1c2.gif

Del Duncan, Nancy Duncan, Bo Reahard, Earl Burton, Nancy Burton, Gary Curtis, Randy Anderson, Naomi Townsend, Mike Smith

bg_fill.jpgins_page_cap3.jpgHOME| FIRST WAY CORPS

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