Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens
Date: November 02, 2018 01:13PM
Hey, so this is KBOY's wife, Marci Wellens, and we live in San Diego. We lived and were married in Shiloh, then lived in LA and Wash DC, and then back to San Diego - oh and Dave came into the church at Haiku, Maui.
Sorry, dear, I guess you're out.
First, let me say that I find it completely offensive that Gary's apology was generic enough that he easily swept aside any blame for not responding to Shalom's letters and/or cries for help. That is unacceptable.
With all due respect to Shalom and others abused by Rick, IMO, it doesn't really matter if the apologies that have come from Gary, the Sayers, or the Cabrals are real or not. Those of us that know the BS and the heart ache of all that has happened have already walked away. It may put a smile on our faces when those involved are prosecuted, but I don't have, nor do I want, a say in what happens to the churches - except that the people get free. Although I have no desire to be a part of organized religion, I do deeply love many of the people still entangled there.
I'm telling you about us (me and Dave), because its our way of getting healed. For now, part pf our commitment to getting down the field involves staying engaged with the conversations on the FB forum. We hope to support those that are wondering which way to go by telling our stories of the grievous hurts, and the subtle ones, that just wear at your day to day worth. Not because we want to gripe, but so people can see that this is the way it has operated, and it is the same for everyone. We all carry many of the same hurts because of the abuse. We were a beat down people. In posting, my goal is to provide a view that allows them to see the shit that has happened, but also allows them to see they they can come out from under it. And if they are looking, there are many people willing to help.
I'm guessing there are others posting on FB that may have found the same, but I have had two different people contact me and say that after reading some of my stories of what I went through, they could identify. And its not me, its all of us. These people (and probably us) are hurting and are looking for a way to heal up from all this shit. They are looking for ways to leave it all and walk away. With long talks, and some tears, we simply affirm our love, and offer to be a friend. When needed, we and others provided links to the moderator's list of how to identify a cult. Our stories and these other tools help provide them with clear cut reasons for making their decision.
Until there are other venues of working through this, I want to find ways to nudge people out of their compliance and obedience to this abuse. That is why I will post here, and that is why I will continue posting on FB. That's the only plan I have right now, but I'm counting on it until the next move is clear.
I know that what we have witnessed on the forum is a first, and that our door to it was Shalom's open letter to the fellowship. It is important to recognize the sacrifice that she made. By her own admission, she recognizes that every person posting is helping all of us gain ground in getting healed, and getting things exposed.
I'm really not trying to sound all Disney or syrupy, but even though I am not interested in going to church, I'm still OK with being my brothers keeper. I mean, come on, its what we do, right?