I am both saddened to see so many new people recently added into this group confirming what so many others only suspected (and I firmly know is true) about what's been going on at the ROC, and also happy that they did find this group. I wish that when I was just opening my eyes to what was going on at Set Free with Geronimo, Phil and all the other corrupt deacons and leaders I had a group of
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

To NowISee.... yes, of course Nunya's friend feels like he/she is back at Set Free because Geronimo is running the exact same program at the ROC as he and his father ran at Set Free.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Congratulations Freedom and know that the reason I and I believe others even take the time to share here is because we went through that painful process. Gzuss is right, there are still so many people completely fooled by Geronimo and his posse. Those people need God to shed the light of truth for them. And they'll really be hurting, the closer they are to the leadership. I can't be
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hey Gzuss.. Thank you and many others for having the courage to come forth and take a cold, hard look at the leadership of your church. I went through that. And it seemed to me that the very second my own eyes were opened, I was put in the position of helping to open the eyes of others I knew as people before me did it for me. I didn't even have time to process my own feelings. So, thanks
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

To Yhall and her comments: Wow! I'm so glad that someone with intimate knowledge of the ROC's financial statements is willing to share the details of their financial accounting. If you would please elaborate on their financial records to accurately detail the holdings of the church and the cash flow from said businesses it would easily dispel the comments made by other members of the RO
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi all, Below I'm cutting-and-pasting a post from user:Yhall into another topic entitled simply ROC. I read the posting and saw that in fact Ms. Hall was addressing many of the comments made by a few of us in THIS message string so I'm assuming she erroneously posted to a new string, right Yvonne? So, in all fairness and openness I felt that since she was attempting to comment on ou
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi there, I don't believe in hiding conversations or questions and answers. I spent too many years covering up for the wrongdoings of the leadership of Set Free and defending them and hushing questions. I now believe in open, honest discourse. So, with that said I'm posting a private question brought to me and my response to that person. With all due respect I would reiterate what I
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

SawtheLight - Wow, your description could easily be about Set Free, it is so exactly the same. You said it exactly, it's a racket... it's slave labor and the miracle is that he is able to balance the concerts and music and revelry enough to maintain a workforce that is likely happy to serve and not even question their slave status. It's that remarkable? I'd like to recomme
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

SawtheLight - Wow, your description could easily be about Set Free, it is so exactly the same. You said it exactly, it's a racket... it's slave labor and the miracle is that he is able to balance the concerts and music and revelry enough to maintain a workforce that is likely happy to serve and not even question their slave status. It's that remarkable? I'd like to recomme
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Googlebug, From your posting I understand that you either are currently or were previously closely involved within the ROC. I feel your anger and pain in your words. It was a painful time for me for awhile after I managed to pull free of their tentacles. In fact, I made a stuttering exit... meaning, I left, came back because I missed all that activity and comraderie, and then left again, fina
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Amyzing, I feel a kinship to you that you, of course, won't reciprocate. I was exactly where you are now in my blind and loving faith in my leader. I can recall saying those same supports for him and Phil in Anaheim. I don't fault you for such devotion. Also, I don't think faith in God is a bad thing. I also believe that, yes, God will be doing things within that church because
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I was involved in Set Free Ministries in Anaheim, CA for several years. (This church branched off and there are now several Set Free Ministries throughout the United States. Also, the leader's (Phil Aguilar) son (Geronimo Aguilar) is now the head of his own corrupt church in Richmond, VA called The ROC (Richmond Outreach Center). The deeds of that group are just beginning to come to light an
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thank you RRMODERATOR and others who have discussed the issues related to the ROC without getting too preachy. Although I managed to cling to my personal relationship with God I know from experience that if someone is still involved in a corrupt church or freshly out they are dealing with a strong mixture of emotions. Dealing with the realization that you were unwittingly involved in a corrup
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

By the way, if you search this site and more specifically find the "Wall of Flames" you can find this posting, made eons ago, by Lois Trader, Phil's ex-bulldog. "Your categorization of Phil Aguilar was so slanderous and damaging that I have turned it over to our attorneys. I am the right hand/arm --the famous Lois T.. I wrote a book I can now add you. Wish I knew of you b
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Sister CJ, I've never read that book. I looked it up and didn't find a synopsis but gleaned from the comments the subject. As soon as I saw it was written by Lois, who I knew well, I was skeptical. You must know that Lois was Phil's bulldog. She was his staunchest supporter and often resorted to some angry, mean-spirited and cold-hearted attacks against those who came agains
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hey Sister, Yeah, Geronimo and Phil both have told numerous stories about this. What you must realize is that they both are masters (Geronimo learned from his father) at self promotion and propaganda (shamelessly so). They want to weave stories that make sure people see them as having lived a truly hardened life and have come to Christ under the most outrageously amazing circumstances. In fac
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Sister CJ, You requested that if anyone knows what 'happened in CA' to please post to the group. I live in California and WAS (formerly) a longtime and heavily involved member of Set Free. I personally knew "Pastor" Phil Aguilar (Geronimo Aguilar's dad) and Geronimo as well as their entire family and all the leadership. I am fairly well versed on the happenings at
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As I've mentioned before, Geronimo should, at the very least, be in jail for statutory rape. He stole away with Sammy B when he was 21 years old and she was only 14! Check how old they are now. It's fact and provable. He also did all of that crap to his then wife Stacee and kids (read my first entry). Read the book Churches that Abuse. There is an entire chapter dedicated to his father&
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Amely, I too recently recognized the huge change in myself post-cult-years. I too find that I don't trust people and really not groups, of any kind. I tend to try not to reveal too much about myself, or reveal very specific things about myself and thus control any disclosures. I cannot ever trust a religious group, or really any kind of zealot-ous group (some are religious, some polit
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi, I'm bringing back these comments from the moderator and posing this question: What funds allow Matthew (son of Pastor Phil) to drive around in an ESCALADE (confiscated by police in the raid), the motorcycles of Phil and his sons, and the $50,000 bail money that got Phil sprung from the joint? Does this man have some fabulously successful business? Oh, no... I suppose it's hi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hey Lion... Didn't ya know? Phil and the Soldiers were just preachin' Jesus' word in the bar. The stabbing was just to get their attention. lol
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Someone shared elsewhere a couple of articles that should be also maintained at Rickross as reference to info about Phil: Christianity Today (Sept 13, 1993) wrote: For several years, former members of the Anaheim, California-based religious organization Set Free have claimed there is more to this offbeat group than meets the public eye. In recent months, several of Set Free's top lead
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

To add another note to this, Phil faces felony charges of "felon in possession of firearms" and illegally non-permitted/registered firearms and another charge having something to do with promoting gang activity or something or other. But the key thing to note is that Phil Aguilar is already a 2-time loser (2 felony charges already) in the state of California. And since we still hold a 3
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Actually Lionheart made a message AFTER the fights occurred but before the arrests took place. The fights themselves landed at least one Hell's Angel in the hospital. Since the police did get called out to the bar (and of course the Set Free people took off before they arrived) the matter is/was public record on the police report. Also, there may well have been some small article or reportin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have been perusing the Set Free and Phil Aguilar Myspace and Youtube pages to see their photos and videos. I have collected some pics of these 'christians' serving the lord holding fully automatic weapons, posing with half-naked girls on their hip hop videos and even at a bachelor party (at a strip club, with strippers) for Fieldy (from Korn). Would you want any of those pictures of P
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here are some of the news stories about the arrests. I REALLY hope that Phil was arrested if he was involved in the fight. I'd hate to find out that his soldiers take the fall and shield him.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

WOW! It absolutely does NOT surprise me! I have been looking up Phil and his sons on Youtube and Myspace and found their various profiles and videos. Back in the day, when I was in the church, we'd go to locations and be all about speaking to people about God, or Jesus or the bible or offer help to them in whatever manner needed. The more current videos are almost all of a group of badasses
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi. There are several articles online on 'the Roc' and Geronimo in Richmond. In fact, some of those articles claim, or he claims, that he is NOT the son of Phil Aguilar. Interesting. I was with Set Free for years in Anaheim and KNOW that to be untrue. I wonder if he thinks since so few people in VA would know his life in Anaheim, CA that he can refabricate a life? Or is it all just poor
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi there, I don't even know if you still check this forum. I just stumbled upon it last night. It was really happenstance because I try not to think of the years I spent with Set Free much anymore, no less Phil and his leadership. I have to say that I was fairly well protected from the worst of it, though certainly improper propositions were made to me on many occasions. Oddly, each time
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"