How it all started. The post that triggered this very long (17+ years) discussion: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens Posted by: Altar_Kent Date: February 23, 2004 03:18PM Is anyone familiar with this movement? It is based in Kalona Iowa at a camp/compound called Shiloh. IT is primarily located in the United states, but also has churches in Brazil and japan. It was
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reep wrote: I remember that collating machine. It was much easier than walking around and around a table with Sister Schwinger. Lol. Sister Schwinger? That sounds like a name for an 80's hair band. (disregard this comment)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reep wrote: Rick did briefly try to talk cult members into networking their backyards to allow him to drive through without having to drive in the street. God only knows what kind of a nightmare scenario that would have created. It's strange that all these highly perceptive "men of god" seemed to have no idea what Rick was up to most of the time. Perhaps "not listening to
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I came across this quote this morning, and it certainly rings true. Since it is political in nature, I have no problem if it's removed: "Note that when Putin says "Russia" he means "me." He fears his own loss of power." -Anne Applebaum
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Too many memories of "dear leaders", drinks in hand, being driven around the cult compound in golf carts. And always with servants trotting alongside to fulfill their every request and shield them from the unwashed masses. Were there any stops to feed Rick's horse? Nevermind
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Too many memories of "dear leaders", drinks in hand, being driven around the cult compound in golf carts. And always with servants trotting alongside to fulfill their every request and shield them from the unwashed masses. I bet not one of them bothered to feed Rick's horse.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

An example of answering a question by revelation. Question: Who is the drunk guy driving the red golf cart? Answer: That is King David /s
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reep wrote: My husband gave his mom a JRS tape to listen to back in the seventies. After listening, she returned it and said, "He sounds like an old drunk! Ha--yet another reason he was qualified (IMO) to head the Alcoholic company...or was it the Apcoholic company? No matter. If he wasn't such a con man, exploiting people left and right, I might have had 'sympathy' for hi
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Don't kill my plants! (fool me twice's encounter with 'the Apostle to the Kingdom'): Posted by: fool me twice Date: March 24, 2019 01:57AM Onion wrote: <Fool me twice: How many hours did you work to earn that whopping weekly pay? I would estimate at least 60 hours a week. 60 is likely the correct amount of hours. I should add that for $35.00 weekly I got room
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

A post by dbc from November of 2018: Posted by: dbc Date: November 02, 2018 05:28AM Let’s not forget the origins of this group. ( please feel free to correct any errors. My memory ain’t what it used to be! ) It was meant to be the restoration of apostolic authority. Inherent in that is a lack of accountability. The only check on abuse in the beginning was created by relationships with oth
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

ForgottenIA wrote: I am glad to see many former members were able to appreciate the article I wrote. Thank you to everybody that has shared their stories within this forum, as well as the few that have conversed with me. Given how guarded most of us are in this forum, you handled the situation adroitly. All the best.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

A post by fromsouthchicago (Marilyn's cousin), and a response from Reepicheep: Posted by: fromsouthchicago Date: November 19, 2020 11:43PM If you want to know the truth, I called Marilyn "evil" in the flesh. Along with variety of other choice descriptions. I'm not sure I'll ever understand what it was that resulted her being so twisted and power hungry. And he
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

A post by 'Saw enough' from November 2015: Posted by: Saw enough Date: November 03, 2015 04:13AM What Larry Bobo said about a Shiloh pastor being interviewed and saying he could not recall praying for John’s resurrection was an example of LWF authority just reshaping their narratives for their own convenience. Every civilization develops its narratives – its creation storie
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reepicheep Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Maybe the public at large should be alerted to the > fact that the Center of the Universe (not just the > Center of the World or the Galaxy, mind you) has > been burned to the ground due to foundation > issues. You know, in case they want to stockpile > dried soybeans for the last days or somethin
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

ForgottenIA wrote: JRS reportedly referred to Shiloh as “the center of the universe”. Whether that was implied spiritually, or in regards to the organization’s operations; it became the center of many followers’ universes. A few posts that reference the 'center of the universe' (COTU) in this forum: Posted by: Reepicheep Date: September 29, 2019 09:03AM changedagain wrote:
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

ForgottenIA Wrote: > Again, I know this is a lot of questions, all the > information I’ve been sifting through has been > overwhelming. > > I welcome anybody to PM me, or look up ForgottenIA > on FB and message there (this will also be the > platform the story is released on. Well done, ForgottenIA.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

A few posts from April of 2019: Posted by: Onion Date: April 26, 2019 06:22AM (excerpt) If I had seen this earlier than when I first started reading and posting (one year ago) it would have hastened my departure from the cult. The stories I have heard of the various ministers' ouster from the walk/cult have deeply imprinted on my heart a determination never to listen to someone&#
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Top 5 horror movies, in no particular order: The Exorcist The Shining Halloween The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Cousin Marilyn ;)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The 'duping' thread from May of 2018: Posted by: GoingRogue Date: May 25, 2018 07:01AM Puddington and Onion, in my experience, the lying and tricking people was a common occurrence in the LW. The biggest concern of the top leaders (G&M and JRS) in such instances was for themselves and their reputation. Many casualties seem to have been considered "collateral damage"
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Well said, Reep. Reluctantly, I have to admit that JRS and G & M conducted a master class in mindfuckery.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

found a way out... Posted by: TheycalledmeJonah Date: January 05, 2018 06:10AM Hey All, I've been a lurker for many months now, and I finally got an account. I'm hoping I can add a bit to the conversation since I have only very recently left the church. In fact, this Sunday will be my first time going to a non-TLWF church on my own accord. I am a young man in my mid 20's
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reep wrote: Nephilim spirits attacking children through the toilets is a new one on me. Yeah, it sounds too bizarre for even JRS to come up with...and that's saying something!
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Bruce wrote: "My wife, Sandy, was thrown out of the church. I wasn't, but I never understood why not." "I did feel deeply betrayed when we were tossed out." This confuses me, Bruce. Was it just your wife that was thrown out, or both of you? Also, is Bruce Alan your real name? I've talked to few people who were in the Sepulveda church during the time per
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Note: too bad these Valley 'authorities' didn't refuse to relay this ridiculous message about 'Nephilim spirits' moving through toilets to attack children, blaming the humble people doing the cleaning, and instead told The Apostle to stop drinking. But then they would lose their position. Nevermind.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Bruce wrote: I have become convinced that over the last forty or so years, the one who lies at the bottom of all my difficulties has always been me. So many wrong decisions and choices. Many of us that were in the organization were robbed of perspective. The highly authoritarian nature of the Walk/TLWF kept us unaware of so many other paths we could have taken. Don't be too hard on you
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Welcome, Bruce. I don't have any answers to your questions, but I'm certain someone out there who reads or contributes to the forum will. p.s. I've had some difficulties in life, but I've never attributed them to Nephilim spirits coming through the toilets. Something to think about, though. ;)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

One of my pet peeves is answering a neighbor's question, hoping it might lead to a pleasant conversation, and instead there's no response...just awkward silence. Like what happened yesterday: Neighbor: Just wondering--do you use Google maps or Waze? Me: Neither. I listen to the Holy Spirit.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Puddington's comment was the 12,000th post in this forum, and it was appropriately enlightening. :)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

It's been over three years now since the independent investigation was launched, and still nothing. I'm beginning to wonder if the investigators are still waiting for the Holy Spirit to reveal what happened, and the Holy Spirit...for some reason...is simply not cooperating. If that's the case, the situation is probably hopeless. The Holy Spirit can just hide behind divine privilege
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi Imapurple.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families