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Name:

Terry Blair

Email:

BKworm0411@aol.com

Date:

1/14/00

Time:

11:34:16 AM

Comments

In 1995 I brought my first computer, and found the internet! My husband has a brother and a sister-n-law involved in the Way. They were at that time trying to recruite the other memebers of the family. I tried searching the internet for anything and everthing on this organization. There was nothing. I also searched my local library and that is where I first learned The Way was considered a cult. I then posted on a religios bulletin board on aol. I asked for information about this organization good or bad. Of course, nothing good was ever posted. Although I felt the people who had once been involved in this organization were all searching for knowledge of God and friendship with others. Some of the postings were some of the same heart felt stories I have read here. I am so glad that persons involved are able to walk away from this. I still have hard copies of those posting from five years ago. I am thrilled to have done a search again and found that information about this organization is now out there. After finding out about this organization my husband and I let our relatives know that we were not interested. It was not a good scene. Although we knew that telling them this would mean they would probably be encouraged to not have anything to do with us we always felt that blood family would never be kept apart by an oranization...To this date my husband does not hear from his brother..It is sad, they were always close and did a lot of activities together before his involvement. Every night he prays that his brother will wake up and realize his family truly loves him and that we are not the devil. In our search we keep looking for advise on how to get our family members away from this organization. Haven't found any! So, if there are any of you out there who know Steve and Rebecca Blair who are involved in the Way in Lenoir City, TN. Keep them in your prayers and if you pass them on the street tell them Don and Terry love them and are praying they come back to their real family!

Name:

TerryS

Email:

tsordal@yahoo.com

Date:

1/11/00

Time:

11:16:51 AM

Comments

Here are a few more comments to my previous "2 cents". You've heard the saying "the church is the devil's playground". Keep that in mind also, before TWI is criticized. I believe Dr. Wierwille covered this area in his teachings. The advisary loves making Christianity look foolish. Do you think that he stops short of The Way? Remember..."the thief comes not but for to steal, kill, and destroy". Here's a basic principle---thieves generally do not come to kill and destroy. We were taught that this first part of John 10:10 refers to the devil. I would say, based on what Dr. Wierwille taught, the devil probably worked overtime in The Way, screwing with its people and its leadership (all the way to the top--Dr. Wierwille), endeavoring to make it look just like another crazy-assed Christian cult. Why?--I shouldn't even have to answer this, but I will.....because the devil does not want people to come unto the knowledge of the truth. He wants to destroy The Way; make it look ridiculous so it stears people away from learning what's available. Especially, he does not want people to learn the simplicity of Romans 10:9,10, and to learn who they are afterwards. Dr. Wierwille taught us all this!!! How quick we all are to lose sight of all these positive aspects of what we all learned from our involvement in The Way. The profit in all what I've said?--Surely, it's not to convince every ex-wayfer to go back to the ministry. The profit is to try and convince you to use those basic principles that we learned, so that we can teach others. I believe that is all God expects us to do--hold onto what you learned, make it your own, share it with others who may be hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and teach them the realities of this world, and who they are in Christ. Teach them the principle that behind every effect in the world there's a cause, and the cause is always spiritual; that there definitely is a battle, and that we all must be sober, and vigilant, for your adversary, the devil goes about the world like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The only thing that Dr. Wierwille, Martindale, and all the rest of us share, is the fact that physically and emotionally we are definitely not perfect, and that we all are in the midst of fighting an ememy that we cannot see, touch, taste, or smell. One of Dr. Wierwille's favorite verses was Ephesians 6.12. I hope, that what I've written in this message, and my prior message, helped some to forget dwelling on the negatives of the man, Dr. Wierwille, and to focus more on the truths that were taught...."for we wrestle not against flesh and blood....".

Name:

TerryS

Email:

tsordal@yahoo.com

Date:

1/10/00

Time:

4:48:25 PM

Comments

Here's my two cents, which, if I'm not careful it could end up being a thesis. How does one explain his/her experiences in The Way? Probably in the same manner as one would explain Christianity---"In order for you to understand this, you've got to go back to that, and in order to understand that...."---you might as well start with "In the beginning..." Anyway, my involvement with The Way began in late 1974, and ended a short time after the 1978 Rock of Ages. Why did it end? The membership and the cliches started becoming more pronounced than the principles of the Word. Most never grasped the concept that Dr. Wierwille always tried to convey---"It's not Dr. Wierwille!! It's the Word and nothing but the Word!!" Yet, most did not listen to this. They continued to worship the Teacher more so than the Father and His Son and Lord Jesus Christ. Remember when Dr. Wierwille explained that when we know the truth, we will be able to discern truth from error? And, that just because a man calls himself a man of God, or just because he stands behind a pulpit, doesn't mean that he speaks truth. Remember this one---"Sincerety is no guarantee of truth"? My point? Here it is---Dr. Wierwille was a human, born into this world just like all the rest of us. Dr. Wierwille use to teach that there was only one perfect man born into this world, and that was Jesus Christ. Come on folks!!! People have forgotten about all the good things that this man brought us!! He was merely just another vessel that brought all of us probably the most accurate teaching available in the world today. Was it perfect? No, it had some flaws. Did Dr. Wierwille practice what he preached? Probably 50% of the time, if that..For no man alive today can live the Word perfectly!! You all know that!! Plagiarism??!! So what! The important point is that it was Dr. Wierwille who taught thousands Romans 10:9 and 10----how simple it is to get born again!! Remember, it was Dr. Wierwille who taught that if it took confessing all of your sins to get born again, this would be impossible? Why? Because he used the analogy..."hell, I can remember half of the sins I commit before breakfast, let alone my life!!" He taught that the truth (God's Word) must be simple and straight forward in its interpretation...says what it means and means what it says. It was Dr. Wierwille who pointed out how that "greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world. I know that that's in the Word! But it takes a guy like Dr. Wierwille to drive that home. There are many, many more principles that he taught, that perhaps he borrowed from others who weren't as successful in communicating those principles. The list is long. But when it comes down to it, he was just a man, a person like you and me, who definitely was not perfect, yet drove home some simple truths that has made an impact on us. He's dead now. Been dead for 15 years. Another imperfect man has taken his place, with faults of his own (probably more, or probably less). Since I'm an ex-wayfer, I'm sure everytime my name popped up with someone still active, who might remember me, a series of negatives will be professed. But, do I care? Naw! Because I know what I was taught, and shown in the Word!! That I'm God's son, and that He loves me, despite what people think, and that I'm born again and all hell can't stop me from going to heaven!! Where did I learn that? From my hearing a man teach the bible with logic, and with force. An imperfect man, and an imperfect ministry made up of imperfect people, who taught us how to discern truth from error. And, which taught us how exactly does one become born again, and what our standing is.

Name:

Hockeynutt2000

Email:

hockeynutt10@aol.com

Date:

1/10/00

Time:

1:44:46 PM

Comments

Just wanted to say to Ex-twi and tell you I love the site. The improvement of even over a few months is amazing... Thanks so much for this form of outlet HOCKEYNUTT2000

Name:

David Jordan Henderson

Email:

Noel804@aol.com

Date:

1/9/00

Time:

12:10:45 PM

Comments

Thanks for continuing your work to present the facts that help to heal the brokenhearted. As a TWI member (let's be straight about that - there was membership in the Way) from 1973 to 1995, I received a priceless education in God's Word, was mercifully delivered from a lifestyle of destruction, and was trained and encouraged to respond to a calling to serve God's people. Also, I knew and was loved by many men and women whom I continue to honor in my heart today. Simultaneously, I saw many sincere people hurt by TWI religious practices, and no doubt I lent myself to those activities, too. It may take years to become fully healed from the damage done to our hearts. I am thankful for WayDale's participation in that and for the heroes who are helping to rescue lives today. My wife and I have received great help from Rick & Patty Vogt, John & Marylou Shroyer, Frank & Joan Pavlica, and others. Please count me among those ready to lend a hand.

Name:

Mick Quinn

Email:

mickquinn@tin.ie

Date:

1/6/00

Time:

3:21:35 PM

Comments

Name:

Timothy Bishop

Email:

tefbem@worldnet.att.net

Date:

12/24/99

Time:

7:36:41 PM

Comments

The pain that screams from the current state of "the way" is almost too much to try to feel.I feel so sad for those still locked within the lunacy that VPW began. I was in the second group who went through the "way corps" program. Which by the way cost all of 100 $ dollars a mo. to attend. I want anyone who is still hurting because of their involement in the way to feel free to contact me.If I can be of help that would be my wish. love TB.

Name:

Paul_967

Email:

susan@4netaccess.com

Date:

12/24/99

Time:

1:34:21 PM

Comments

Yes i have a heavy heart for quite awhile, I became involved with the Ministry in 1980, in Detroit Mi. My life was pretty bad off, and my desire to die was pretty heavy. I met a young lady, who told me that God will answer anyones prayers and that Life is a precious gift and that God does care. That first meeting nothing was mentioned of a class, i was invited to Twig fellowship and Bible study, which I decided to try for my life was pretty bad at that time anyways. I really believe that woman was sincer in her witnessing and i am thankful to her being there. I did begin going to fellowship and it was a blessing to be studying the bible and being able to understand it. To me the class it self was a commitment for a person to learn for yourself, it made me intereted more in staying with the class, since it lasted almost two weeks. Cutting my story short, I was motivated to go wow but in that same year changed my mind and left without a problem. I did return to fellowship and did have counseling about my lack of faith but not criticized. I did go Wow in 1981 and it was a great experience, though we went through alot of problems, i really felt close those i dwelt with and learned alot about being responsible. No not everything was perfect but am not perfect either. The outreach program help me grow, and gave me a little more positive impact for my life. Alot of people moved around and alot of bickering occured but basically people are like different and thats common. No i really never saw all the upper activities but at the lower level there were alot of wonderful and sincere people who loved the Lord. My heart aches because people took sides to man than what we should of believe in God was the issue. Dr Wierwille was very down to earth, and he mentioned to us often that We as Gods children have to seek the scriptures for outselves and not him. I won't say if there was all that garbage about him being evil, i am not here to tear it down without knowing that. Am here today saying that I have no resentments towards the Ministry itself, people turned away from the truth maybe, but alot of good things happened also. I miss alot of the wonderful people i knew through the ministry, thats what hurts the most not knowing where anyone is located. But life goes on, and I do fellowship with God am involved with the Free Methodist Church and am involved with aa twelve step program and recovery for christian alcoholics and addicts. My heart hurts because of people losing sight of Gods love and I pray for ths souls of those who can't let go of the turmoil that occured. I don't approve of the those things that happened if they did, but i know God is the Judge of those peoples lives, and am moving on to live mine in my way with God in control.God bless you and thanks for letting finally let go of my burden heart

Name:

Liana

Email:

lblake1485@aol.com

Date:

12/17/99

Time:

5:07:50 PM

Comments

just looking to see if there is anyone i know who has signed the book

Name:

DWIGHT C. HONAKER

Email:

dwighth@frognet.net

Date:

12/15/99

Time:

2:09:57 PM

Comments

GOD BLESS, IF THIER IS ANYONE, THAT I MIGHT OF HURT IN THE WAY,PLEASE FORGIVE ME. I TOOK A TRAINING CALLED MOMENTUS, THAT SHOOK ALL OF WHAT THE WAY HAD PUT IN OUT. YOU MAY EMAIL IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFO. GOD BLESS.

Name:

Erin Frazier

Email:

agoot @ aol.com

Date:

12/15/99

Time:

11:31:27 AM

Comments

I was a way member from 1990 - 1996 and was "marked" when I wouldnt go along with the program. They really hurt people and it has been a long road back to God but I am finally starting that journey. Its so hard because most organized religions believe JC is God, and I dont. TWI did teach a lot of biblical truths and for that I am grateful, but I couldnt back Craigs new PFAL class, what was up with that? If anyone knows of any good churches believing JC is Gods son in the Lafayette, Indiana area, please let me know.

Name:

Tom Naslund

Email:

SaintNaz5@aol.com

Date:

12/3/99

Time:

8:29:58 AM

Comments

Happy to see a website like this where folks can get honest opinions about TWI

Name:

Bill

Email:

SNOWBALL  PETE

Date:

11/22/99

Time:

12:28:49 AM

Comments

It is very sad that you people have nothing better to do than supply half truths and lies. This shows more than ever how far the false god of this world has taken you. I hope you can realize this before it is too late, you know there will be a judgement day. I have been with The Way sence 1976 and my wife first took the class in 1970. We both are teachers and have several children. The Way is showing people the truth of the one true God. It has provided us with all we need to have an abundant life. You have two choises, life or death. I hope You choose Life. p.s. my e-mail is closed.

Name:

Sharalynn Torres

Email:

Sharalynn@Freewwweb.com

Date:

11/20/99

Time:

3:55:54 PM

Comments

To anyone who is still searching... Start with yourself and remeber we are the church. Establish the relationship God wants with you. Remeber John 3:16 and Romans 10:9,10. No Ministry will ever control, or manipulate our lives ever again, if we believe that Christ is the example and the 'WAY' to God. You might want to read Ephesians Chapters 4 and 5. I found a workbook that was instrumental in helping me to establish this personal relationship with God. Granted, nothing is as effective as the Bible, but I did enjoy it and maybe you will too. There is a book that accompanies it, as well. It is called, "Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God". The authors are: Henry T. Blackaby and Claude V. King. My prayers and love go out to all of you. Remember what bares witness is the Holy Spirit within us. Allow God to guide your footsteps.

God Bless.

Name:

Ex-Twi

Email:

extwi@waydale.com

Date:

11/20/99

Time:

2:35:36 PM

Comments

Sharalynn, thanks for stopping by WayDale.

The two best ways to locate someone in ex-Way circles are to post at the WayDale Forums (Friend Finder Forum) and also to visit this address and check their database of names.

http://www.redbay.com/ekklesia/believer.htm

All the best!

Name:

Sharalynn Torres

Email:

Sharalynn@Freewwweb.com

Date:

11/20/99

Time:

12:04:27 AM

Comments

I am wondering if anyone knows of Brian and Becky Hade, Mike and Joan Pavlika, or Brian Taylor. Just to name a few. I havn't been to a twig fellowship in at least ten years. The ministry was falling apart pretty quickly after VPW died.

Name:

Diana Caldwell

Email:

Sheamari@aol.com

Date:

11/16/99

Time:

11:02:32 AM

Comments

Absolute blessings to you all here. I am an ex way member from 1976 to 1987, when my husband and I left. There were many things wrong during our entire time in this so called ministry, but many of thought we could make a difference. HA! It was in my Advanced Class of 1984 at Emporia, when Craig said the holocaust never happened, that the so called concentration camps were not for extermination, they were just prision camps....and the whole thing had been a big lie(?!)... and I sat there, row 2, in front of the podium, in shock, but not daring to get up and walk out, as some did. And those who did, were yelled at by Craig, "Go! We don't want you here! Go, go, go!" I went to John Lynn privately and told him I did not like Craig's arrogance or attitude and I did not want to be part of promoting lies. I knew Hitler's plan was very real; I had a Jewish aunt. John had to be careful in what he said to me, but I felt he agreed with much I said---he just could not comment being in the position at Emporia, he was in at the time. We left in '87, I left first after John Lynn's letter came out, however, I was on my to leaving before the letter, as things had deteriorated so badly with Craig in charge. I am not condoning Dr. Weirwille's antics either, as they all learned hardening of the hearts, sexual antics, abortion being okay,etc., from the founder himself. But there was a steady decline and I could not be a part of what I saw going on. When I left, I was told by my branch co-ordinator, who also told all the twigs in our area, I was posessed and to give me silent treatment. People I knew for all those years of my life, suddenly seemed to hate me and would not have anything to do with me. It almost broke up my marriage and I did think of suicide because The Way had been my life. I got into therapy and I learned out to take the good from it, and leave the bad behind. I am so glad to be out and only in retrospect, do I see how cold and ruthless people were in the name of God. I had been told abortion was okay because, breath life did not begin until the baby came out of the womb, and consequently, there were many women who had abortions believing Way doctrine, not biblical doctrine. I took all Way materials and made a fire in my fireplace, burning all the books, tapes and you name it. I even tore up the bible I had used with Way notes and got a new one. Now I have a relationship with God and I know what it means to love the way Christ would, unconditionally. Love means loving the unlovable, as Christ did, from prostitutes to the gays, we are to love them, not hate them or execute....but if you want an experience in religiousity and cultisim, The Way is a top notch one for that and more, especially hardening of hearts! If you want to know Christ, there are so many awesome faith churches and ministries like Joyce Meyer Ministries....but your best resource is your bible, a book of love.

Name:

Joseph Walters

Email:

josephwalters@altavista.net

Date:

11/13/99

Time:

8:43:26 PM

Comments

I was a former member of The Way International and am angered by the venom directed towards the finest group of citizens in America. They have rallied around every truth and hope for which this country has stood. Instead of people looking for an object of wrath to vent their frustration they should take time to see what the ministry was up against when these statements were made (the majority of which appear to be taken out of context). I was an active member from '93 to '98 and saw firsthand some of the men who dedicated their every waking second to hindering Mr. Martindale and hurting members of his family (and would have killed him if they could have found the opportunity). Why? Because they wanted control of the ministry for their own gain and not for biblical research. They have turned scriptures against him in their minds and then gone on a Hitler warpath to alleviate their anger and frustration ... one man even going so far as to plan a kidnaping of one of his children and obtaining a local teaching position to carry it out. If you can understand what this man was put through then you can understand the statements he has made.

Name:

Jeff and Michele Blackburn

Email:

jeffbwild@aol.com

Date:

11/9/99

Time:

9:48:12 PM

Comments

God bless you for this site. I wanted to share with everybody that my wife and I have been very blessed with what John Schoenheit, Mark Graeser and John Lynn are doing. They started Christian Educational Services (CES)(www.christianeducational.org) They are holding forth the greatness of GOds Word in LOVE. No control, no junk, no yelling. We were very "gun" shy at first but have since gone to three conferences this year. It is great to be learning to have Jesus Christ as our Lord and let Him lead instead of following men. CES has networked christian all over the world. I can't tell you what a blessing it is to have found them. Please keep praying, fellowshipping and holding forth Gods Word. Much love to all. Jeff

Name:

Ex-Twi

Email:

extwi@waydale.com

Date:

11/9/99

Time:

11:39:57 AM

Comments

We apologize for an error which occured on 11/09/99 while updating our site.

We inadvertantly wrote over many of the guestbook entries which were made in the past several weeks. Sorry! :-o

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