The Word of Faith Fellowship cult is in trouble once again after allegations surfaced of over 2 decades of abuse directed at foreign immigrants who were imported for the purpose of slave labor, allegedly. WOFF was previously in trouble for the alleged abuse of a gay church member who’s trial has recently been started.
The initial investigation was done by the Associated Press who was able to obtain court documents, secret recordings, and testimonies of the victims. Reports show that possibly as many as 100 foreigners were imported and abused by the church. The victims claim to have been forced to obtain tourist visa and when they arrived the “tourists” were forced to work for free, as long as 16 hour days. Sadly, most of the imported peoples had their passports removed as leverage to be used against them if they do not comply with demands.
How it all started
WOFF started in 1979 but it wasn’t too long before they started planting church abroad. One such church was in Brazil. It started as a joint mission venture with another outfit but eventually the Whaley leadership become the more dominant leader and that lead to them becoming the ONLY leaders of the mission. After some time the church grew to over 2000 members. However, many of those members reported decades of abuse by the Whaley’s and their staff.
They also started a school (Ministerio Verbo Vivo) in the Brazilian community where the church was which now teaches almost exclusively Bible classes rather than the standard education units, according to reports. They have also been alleged to be using the school for indoctrination of the children, who were primarily the ones who were forced to come over to the USA to work for free. However, many young adult men were alleged to have been promised American brides if they come over and worked for free. Many also claimed that they would receive immigration status in the USA which would improve their lives. Sadly, most of these members were over on tourist visas which expire after 6 months.
While persuaded to slave in the USA, workers were made to work on properties owned by church members and church staff. They painted, cooked, cleaned, took care of children, and even participated in free labor for church members who owned businesses. Of course all of these allegations have been denied by the church but the on-going investigation has no shortage of witnesses willing to testify, even though, many of the people in the Brazilian church say that they are in fear of retribution if they speak out. They are powerless against the powerful and wealthy church who seems to lord over them. Like most cults, an atmosphere of fear shrouds the entire church.
More about Word of Faith Fellowship
Some may have a hard time believing that a church and it’s leaders could be so cruel. However, this church has a long history of cruelty and domination over it’s members. In one document Dustoffthebible was able to obtain, the church outlines the rules for those who wish to become “members”. Among some of the most absurd rules are the following demands:
4. Don’t drink “Root beer”.
12. Don’t watch movies. (Unless Jane gives approval.)
14. Don’t enter a movie theater- (unless Jane gives approval.)
15. Don’t read newspapers. Not even the headlines.
18. Don’t watch television. (except when allowed at church)
20. Don’t read your Bible, too much. (Amplified version is acceptable)
39. Don’t “check out” during the singing.
41. Don’t close your eyes when singing. You could give over to a “religious devil”.
46. Don’t bring visitors unless you tell someone in the office so they can tell Jane.
50. Don’t complain when the offering plates are passed more than once.
65. Don’t wear or own anything with Nike® on it. Nothing.
78. Don’t interview for a job unless it is “under authority”.
84. Don’t decorate your house unless Jane or her helper can help you.
96. Don’t celebrate your birthday or others in your family or group of friends or co-workers.
113. Don’t play ping pong.
124. Don’t let children have Bibles with stories and pictures of Jesus. (maybe..)
126. Don’t iron double creases in your pants.
133. Don’t start a relationship without checking it out with Jane Whaley.
The list also includes restrictions on planning your life like colleges, classes, and even going to funerals, unless “pastor” Jane Whaley has approved of it. In fact, there is only one rule on the list that I can get beind….. “138. Don’t place the toilet paper on the roll unless it rolls over the top. ” This is actually the 11th commandment that Moses lost.
For the complete list, please read below.
Welcome To Word of Faith Fellowship
Let us take this opportunity to thank you for considering membership in Word of Faith
Fellowship. Jane Whaley approved of your membership and asked that you be given this “New
Member Handout”. In this handout, we will list a few of the very important rules- “do’s” and
“don’ts”. Your enjoyment of your time with us will mainly be determined on how well you can
keep these rules.
Do’s-
1. You will be required to attend every service. If for some reason unforeseen at this time,
you miss a service; you will be required to listen to the tape at the church. (Death,
severe illness and surgery may be considered excused absences.)
2. You will be required to tithe (10% of your gross earnings) and give offerings. Jane will
check your records from time to time.
3. You will be required to smile on command. This is called “keeping your happy face”.
4. You will be required to participate in group work projects. Enjoy it. We have need of
many skills.
5. After each service, you will be required to clean the church and fellowship hall on a
rotating basis.
Don’ts – (this is a partial “living” list… at times, it takes on a life of its own, continuing to grow..)
1. Don’t drink alcohol. (includes beer, wine or liquor)
2. Don’t cook with alcohol.
3. Don’t eat at places that serve alcohol.
4. Don’t drink “Root beer”.
5. Don’t drink Cheerwine®.
6. Don’t drink diet Cheerwine®.
7. Don’t drink ginger ale.
8. Don’t smoke cigarettes.
9. Don’t dip snuff.
10. Don’t use chew tobacco.
11. Don’t associate willingly with those that do use tobacco.
12. Don’t watch movies. (Unless Jane gives approval.)
13. Don’t watch videos in your cars!
14. Don’t enter a movie theater- (unless Jane gives approval.)
15. Don’t read newspapers. Not even the headlines.
16. Don’t listen to the radio.
17. Don’t read or handle magazines.
18. Don’t watch television. (except when allowed at church)
19. Don’t read books that are not approved by leadership.
20. Don’t read your Bible, too much. (Amplified version is acceptable)
21. Don’t take notes during the services. Only record scripture references.
22. Don’t forget to go to bathroom before the service.
23. Don’t get up to go to bathroom during a service.
24. Don’t bring knives of ANY type on church property.
25. Don’t be late for a service of function.
26. Don’t park alongside the left side of the sanctuary unless you are approved.
27. Don’t park in the spaces closest to the back steps. Those are reserved for parents with infants.
28. Don’t park in the first spot along the front sidewalk. That is reserved for those on watch.
29. Don’t park along the street. Use the field only when not raining.
30. Don’t park on the drive to the school. (unless approved for that service.)
31. Don’t park in the first handicap space unless approved.
32. Don’t park under the awning and leave your car running.
33. Don’t speed when driving around the church.
34. Don’t go opposite to the accepted traffic flow of counter-clockwise. It causes confusion.
35. Don’t be on your cell phone when approaching the school.
36. Don’t drive your car with expired tags. You will be reminded.
37. Men: Don’t wear a color of dress shirt except white or light blue.
38. Women: Don’t get your heart set on a dress until you check with others to see of anyone else has that dress. You may need to return yours.
39. Don’t “check out” during the singing.
40. Don’t look around at others when you are supposed to be singing.
41. Don’t close your eyes when singing. You could give over to a “religious devil”.
42. Don’t stare at visitors.
43. Don’t bring your cell phone into a service. Exceptions are rare and you will be told when you can bring your phone into the service.
44. Don’t take pictures during a regular service.
45. Don’t make your own recording of a service.
46. Don’t bring visitors unless you tell someone in the office so they can tell Jane.
47. Don’t take pictures of Jane of other members unless you are given permission.
48. Don’t be loose with your camera at any time.
49. Don’t put large amounts of cash in the offering unless it is in an envelope.
50. Don’t complain when the offering plates are passed more than once.
51. Don’t allow your toddlers to eat in the sanctuary.
52. Don’t bring snacks of dark drinks or chocolate.
53. Don’t chew gum in the sanctuary.
54. Don’t fall asleep during the services. If you get tired, take your Bible and stand –up in the back of the sanctuary.
55. Don’t wear muddy shoes or boots into the sanctuary, leave them at the door-outside.
56. Don’t leave your tissues after services. Place them in the trash.
57. Don’t leave coats, Bibles or personal belongings in the sanctuary. It gets locked after each service.
58. Don’t touch the thermostats in the church unless you are approved.
59. Don’t wear jeans. (exception may be for construction work..maybe..)
60. Don’t wear shorts.
61. Don’t wear sleeveless dresses or tops.
62. Don’t wear dresses above the knees.
63. Don’t wear a bathing suit without having it covered with long shorts (below the knees) and a dark t-shirt.
64. Don’t wear cargo pants.
65. Don’t wear or own anything with Nike® on it. Nothing.
66. Don’t wear black tennis shoes.
67. Don’t wear high-cut, boot-like tennis shoes.
68. Men: don’t wear solid white tennis shoes.
69. Don’t wear a baseball cap sideways or backwards.
70. Don’t wear t-shirts with slogans or pictures.
71. Don’t wear “muscle t-shirts”.
72. Men: Don’t leave the house without a white t-shirt on under your top shirt.
73. Don’t go swimming with boys and girls together.
74. Don’t leave the pools toy out when you are done using the pool.
75. Don’t go outside without sunscreen. (daily)
76. Men: Don’t allow facial hair to grow. No beards, of any type. No “pork chop” sideburns.
77. Men: Don’t let your hair get long or unkempt.
78. Don’t interview for a job unless it is “under authority”.
79. Don’t accept a job unless you check it out with authority.
80. Don’t make plans for college unless you have Jane check it out.
81. Don’t sign-up for classes unless Jane Whaley or leadership checks out your schedule.
82. Don’t buy a house unless Jane Whaley can check it out.
83. Don’t even make an offer on a house unless Jane can “checkout” and “get a feel” for the neighborhood.
84. Don’t decorate your house unless Jane or her helper can help you.
85. Don’t buy a car without checking with Sam first.
86. Don’t sell a car or truck without checking with Sam first.
87. Don’t get major repairs done without checking with Sam.
88. Don’t buy insurance without checking with the approved church source person for insurance.
89. Don’t plan a vacation or time away with your family unless you check-it out with Jane.
90. Don’t assume you can go to the funeral or a wedding of a family member without checking it out and/or someone from the church going with you.
91. Don’t celebrate Christmas.
92. Don’t give gifts to others unless you are “under authority”.
93. Don’t celebrate Easter.
94. Don’t celebrate other holidays.
95. Don’t eat turkey on Thanksgiving.
96. Don’t celebrate your birthday or others in your family or group of friends or co-workers.
97. Don’t celebrate wedding anniversaries.
98. Don’t go hunting.
99. Don’t go fishing. (well unless it is on an approved “ministry” trip)
100. Don’t hunt or fish just for sport.
101. Don’t have bumper stickers on your car. (Political season is an exception.)
102. Don’t have “dingle dangles” hanging from your rearview mirror.
103. Don’t have a slogan license plate on the front of your car.
104. Don’t buy or drive a “race car” looking car.
105. Don’t play games on your computer. Erase/delete the games.
106. Don’t play games on your cell phone. Erase/delete them.
107. Don’t own or use a “game boy” or other hand held electronic game device.
108. Don’t play with regular playing cards.
109. Don’t play “hide and go seek”.
110. Don’t play Monoploy®.
111. Don’t play football.
112. Don’t ride in the back of a pick-up truck.
113. Don’t play ping pong.
114. Don’t play pool.
115. Don’t play or imitate an “air guitar”.
116. Don’t play music without singing the words.
117. Don’t whistle.
118. Don’t let WOFF children play with children outside of WOFF.
119. Don’t let children make animal sounds. (maybe,,)
120. Don’t let children play toy musical instruments. (maybe…)
121. Don’t forget to read your Bible before you go to bed.
122. Don’t let children play with camping toys.
123. Don’t let children play with “play tools”.
124. Don’t let children have Bibles with stories and pictures of Jesus. (maybe..)
125. Don’t be late for anything. Be early.
126. Don’t iron double creases in your pants.
127. Men: Don’t use urinals that are not enclosed.
128. Don’t store personal garments unless they are folded neatly in the drawer.
129. Don’t go to tanning beds.
130. Don’t ride motorcycles.
131. Don’t ride ATV’s or dirt bikes.
132. Men: African American- Don’t shave your head bald.
133. Don’t start a relationship without checking it out with Jane Whaley.
134. Don’t decide who you will marry without checking it out with Jane.
135. Don’t talk to the other person who you are in relationship with unless someone is listening and “guarding the conversation”.
136. Don’t talk loose and joke around. Don’t be foolish.
137. Don’t complain about the list of “don’ts”.
138. Don’t place the toilet paper on the roll unless it rolls over the top.
139. Don’t speak to those who have left unless you ask Jane.
140. Don’t ask anyone but Jane about those who have not been seen lately in services.
141. Don’t go in the sanctuary with “sin in your heart”, deal with it before service.
142. Don’t expect someone else to clean-up your mess.
143. Don’t back-talk or give excuses for your sin.
144. Don’t attack those in authority.
145. Don’t question Jane’s authority to run WOFF.
We hope you will be with us for many years to come. Don’t worry about memorizing this list.
When you violate a “don’t”, you will be told-“We don’t do that”.
What’s the point of all these rules? Clearly, they are in place to keep people from becoming “demon possessed” and walking away from God. Jane’s demon theology can be clearly seen in the secretly recorded video below.