Part one. In the beginning. Moving day, September 19, 1993 ; Settling in ; A fox in the flock ; Busted ; The attack ; The investigation ; Little house in the country -- Part two. Children of the damned. Doubting the word ; No escape ; The five boys ; "Happy are the children" ; Surrogate parents ; Money and influence ; Religious freedom ; "We won, we won!" ; The "slaves" ; The loneliest day -- Part three. The advocates. Saving Michael Lowry ; A little help from his friends ; The ruse ; Matthew Fenner ; Danielle's salvation ; The wedding ; The fight for justice ; The escape ; Perseverance and redemption ; The reunion.
Summary:
An investigation into the Word of Faith Fellowship, a secretive evangelical cult whose charismatic female leader, Jane Whaley, is a master of manipulation. Starting in 1979 with a small group of followers, the group has expanded to include thousands of congregants across three continents. Gives the story of a singular female cult leader, a terrifying portrait of life inside the cult, and the harrowing account of one family who escaped after two decades. In 1979, preacher Jane Whaley attracted a small group of followers with a promise that she could turn their lives around. In the years since, Whaley's following has expanded to include thousands of congregants across three continents. In their eyes she's a prophet-- and to disobey her means eternal damnation. Whaley decides what her followers study, where they work, whom they can marry-- even when they can have sex. Weiss and Mohr provide a terrifying portrait of life inside the Word of Faith Fellowship, and the harrowing account of one family who escaped after two decades. -- adapted from jacket.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.