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Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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Jesus huddled in a corner?

Posted by: lone.wolf
Date: November 19, 2018 08:22AM
(excerpt)


When I “blew out”, it wasn’t because of disbelief in Gary & Marilyn, JRS, or the Living Word. I actually still believed that I was brought into something wonderful, that they truly loved me and my family, and I was lost for a long time after leaving. My first true moment of disbelief was listening to the word Gary brought just after Marilyn passed away. I was “allowed” to attend Marilyn’s funeral and was instructed to listen to it before the funeral. It’s been a couple years since I’ve heard it, so I’m going to point out the main points that really stuck out to me.

1. Gary saw the Lord huddled in a corner of his home, and he said it was the first time he’d seen him in his physical being. This happened a couple nights before Marilyn’s passing if I remember correctly.

2. He knew the Lord was there for Marilyn, thus he didn’t approach or speak to the Lord.

3. Not once in the word did Gary mention what the Lord physically looked like.

The reason these stuck out to me and really made me question the validity of Gary and TLWF, is the way in which he spoke. His tone was exactly the same as in all his words, and it felt very contrived and planned. What better way for him to continue to lead his people, than to making them believe that he has just seen Christ in the Flesh? Praise Gary, he has seen our Lord! Again, back to his tone. It definitely did not come across as someone who has just seen Christ. It sounded like someone reading a scripture from the bible, and he certainly didn’t fool me. When I saw Gary at the funeral to give my condolences, he told me that “Marilyn always prayed for me, and is continuing to pray for me.” I’m not entirely sure what that means, except that I was told that often by shepherds and elders during my time in the church. And no one actually told me why they were praying for me. Perhaps for me to put the blinders back on and submit to them?

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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From May 2019:

Posted by: larry bobo
Date: May 16, 2019 02:55AM


At the time of John’s death, the upward flow had already started. As Gary and Marilyn took control of the organization, the level of control and focus on them increased dramatically. There were a few members of the third generation that had referred to John as “Christ in the Flesh”, but to most, he was the “Door Opener Apostle” and Marilyn was "The Lamp of Israel". I believe in most local churches, Marilyn’s name was substituted for God’s in worship songs – while Gary was married to her. Many remember the service where leaders were asked to pledge their allegiance to and spiritually marry Marilyn - quite weird! You can’t have a higher position than to want to be worshiped as God. For Gary to try and distance himself from the hierarchy is ludicrous. He controls everything and yet seems to not want to take responsibility for anything.

Anyone who has ever served on a church corporation knows you served only as a figurehead. Gary and Marilyn made all the decisions. The last corporation I served on in Palmer Lake had in its Bylaws that if there was disagreement among the Board, the Apostolic Fathering Ministry – Gary and Marilyn – had the final say. You were basically on the corporation to do the legwork, but really had no say in anything of significance. The local church leadership reported to Apco weekly, and they in turn reported to Gary and Marilyn. I was removed several times from positions in the church for questioning things that have now come out in the open and everyone can see they needed to be questioned – e.g. the kingdom dawning in 1979, shepherding and designated relationships, false words from God, failed prophesies, and the cover up of sexual relationships between pastors and congregants – including John.

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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From Oct. 2018:

Posted by: reveal
Date: October 14, 2018


FROMSOUTHCHICAGO, I'm glad you asked about Marilyn's funeral because it's something I have thought of posting about on here for some time. I was there and it was very, very odd. One, we had to pay to attend. No kidding. We were told we had to register if we wanted to attend the funeral, and pay $40 per person to "cover costs". I found this extremely bizarre and supremely tacky. Who charges people to attend a funeral?? Especially considering the Hargraves have a ton of money.

Two, besides Marilyn's immediate family (Rick, Marti, Gary, and granddaughter Kaylin) the leaders/shepherds from all of the churches were a part of the processional and recessional in the church, and then at the graveside they had all of the chairs surrounding the immediate area cordoned off. Only VIP were allowed to sit in the chairs, and they had someone placed at the entrance of this sectioned off area to allow or disallow people to sit in the seats. Even though there were a ton of empty seats, the rest of us minions were given standing room only OUTSIDE of the roped off area. In typical TLWF fashion it was very exclusive. It felt very uncomfortable.

Three, Rick did a "Twenty-One Gun Salute" for Marilyn with fire crackers (you know the ones that just make a loud BOOM), simulating what they do for members of the Military who pass on. I was deeply offended by it, because in my opinion that is reserved only for those who have served in the Armed Forces. It seemed highly inappropriate to me and came off very awkward.

Four, at the reception everyone was completely shitfaced. I have not seen so many people wasted at a church function before. I mean, in LA it's kind of par for the course to see people drunk at functions, but this was just over the top. It was all just very, very strange in every regard.

You asked about Marti. She was kicked out of the church for being gay. Apparently it's okay for Rick to have four extra-marital affairs and exhibit grossly inappropriate behavior towards women and STILL be in leadership, but it's not okay to be gay. A huge double standard.

The highs and lows of escaping cult life :(

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How long before I stop getting these crazy anger one minute at losing everything we worked hard for ,to just wanting to scream at the fact that I am convinced that apostolic churches are Cults of gnostism ! Fire tunnels ,screaming like banshee's, laughing uncontrollably, shaking violently,puking and even wetting yourself ,not to mention the barking , clucking and howling in theses so called summit type revival churches . People that abuse their own power to manipulate and scam others with mind control manipulation,love bombing and guilt by association .
The bottom line theses false cult leaders are self entitled greedy ,self absorbed ,abusive and very manipulative people that have no empathy or sympathy ,but when shedding a crock tear they really mean to destroy you . The mind is a fragile thing ,and when prideful man abuses it .cult leaders are born .

It's only been less than 9 months for us .the recovery has been very difficult ,almost cost our marriage ,and has changed how we trust people from now on
And the worst part is people like John Alley will continue to deceive !

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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From January of 2019:

Posted by: changedagain
Date: January 15, 2019 03:56PM


Marci wrote:
Mary - First a huge thank you. I know you are tirelessly working toward every possible thing that can be followed up on. Your persistence is greatly appreciated but please take care of yourself. If there is anything we can do, don't hesitate to ask.

Yes

Note: I've been engaged in a parallel quest for many years now--seeing if I can find anything done by G & M that was ethical. So far nothing has emerged, but I'm not giving up hope. I'm almost finished researching the coffee table, and it isn't looking good. Looks like another letdown :(

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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A post by the moderator from November of 2015:

Posted by: rrmoderator
Date: November 06, 2015 11:09PM


Southern-Boy :

You seem to be here essentially as an apologist and largely to cast doubt upon anyone posting critical comments here about The Walk and John Robert Stevens.

You say you "only met JRS a few times' so you have limited experience. And as you admit Marilyn is "only a name" to you.

You also seem to endorse dictatorial church government whey you say, "Many of the principles that JRS taught that are being dismissed as 'undemocratic' or similar may not be as far off the mark as some might suggest. Democracy has never been a hallmark of church governance, neither in the Old nor in the New Testament."

it's been 2,000 years since the ministry of Jesus and even longer since Old Testament times. Jesus said many would come in his name, but he would not know them. He warned about wolves in sheep's clothing. Galatians is instructional regarding the abuse of power by leaders.

Most churches today have become democratic in governance by an overwhelmingly majority recognizing the truth that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Typically a church has a democratically elected board, which is elected by secret ballot and serves fixed terms. Elected church boards can hire and fire pastors. Moreover churches are typically financially transparent, with independently audited financial statements and published budgets that disclose to all contributors how church funds are spent. This includes all salaries, compensation and expenses paid out from church funds.

Many churches belong to denominations that affords even more accountability. This may include educational requirement for pastors and teachers. Churches typically send delegates to denominational conventions or conferences and those delegates democratically elect denominational leaders and boards for fixed terms.

In my experience the more accountability and transparency that exists the less likely it is that there will be abuse. The most abusive churches seem to be the ones that have the least accountability for their leadership.

It is not "bitterness," but rather insight that causes people to post here as former members that were often hurt by JRS and The Walk. Attempting to somehow insinuate that they are to blame for their own victimization is wrong and in my opinion shameful. Your remark, "find forgiveness and move on" seems to say that people who post here are wrong, should be silent and stop.

I have no questions for you. Your statement is sufficient and I think people posting here can draw their own conclusions based upon what you have said.

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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Discussion group stats:

Comments: 12,071

Page views: 3,001,272


Thank you to all who have contributed to this discussion through the years--

including, but not limited to:

UnapologeticallyJohn832, Reepicheep, puddington, kBOY, that little red flag,

sierradawn, reveal, larrybobo, GSchaeff, Onion, Filthy Apron, PowerTrip,

Saw enough, 4generation, TheSarge, Lilith, Jez the Belle, paleface, GoingRogue,

Invisible, FCSLC, Imapurple, typer, Cloudwatcher, Richard M., fromsouthchicago,

ApostleDog, The Jewel, TheycalledmeJonah, dbc, NancyB, Tmason, kbyrne,

Northerngate, Blowout, cultfree, Road to Damascus, Twoteetwo, fool me twice,

Chachakitty, Jan w lane, CARe, lone.wolf, FactoverFiction, JesusJesusJesus,

pressingonbyHisgrace, Some One, jhorning, Poliscigrad, NavyVet79, Walked,

dirtybrushes, 40yearsin2016, Prettyboy, FireWalker, light777, I_woke_up,

corboy, Liamthomasusa, Ohman?, Lifeontheotherside, Amos, South Gate,

Ditch_Digging_Yasper, Mined, denisewallerlaughlin, heshealing...

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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Great post, changedagain. Over three million views!

You forgot to mention yourself, so I will. First of all, 3,000+ posts on this forum alone. I think that it is safe to say that you have kept this forum going, sometimes in the face of vicious attacks from trolls. Isn't it weird how they all magically disappeared after Shalom posted her story on FB? Anyway, thank you for all your hard work and concern for this place to learn and heal.

Also, thank you to RR Moderator for chiming in with facts about cults and for providing this forum. It is most appreciated. <3

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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Thanks, Reep. I appreciate it. :)

Re: Subud

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Great answer, thanks Jupiter! So glad to have left 5hose horribly confusing day ZZZ of Subud mind think behind. BORN TO BE FREE IN CHRIST! HALLELUJAH!

Re: The highs and lows of escaping cult life :(

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Glad to see you got out. The Holy Spirit leads us into ALL TRUTH.

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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The moderator wrote:

Democracy has never been a hallmark of church governance, neither in the Old nor in the New Testament."

-------------------------

I suspect it’s not a hallmark of “The Kingdom” that TLWF envisioned either. In my fears, TLWF’s “every knee will bow” agenda intended a worldwide “lord over” stripping away all freedoms such as ‘separate & equal station,’ individual choice, individual thinking, personal autonomy, individual passions.

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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FCSLC wrote:

I suspect it’s not a hallmark of “The Kingdom” that TLWF envisioned either. In my fears, TLWF’s “every knee will bow” agenda intended a worldwide “lord over” stripping away all freedoms such as ‘separate & equal station,’ individual choice, individual thinking, personal autonomy, individual passions.

***************

Very true, FCSLC. I distinctly remember JRS saying that The Walk was NOT a democracy. And I had never heard such an emphasis on submission, obedience, divine order, etc. in denominational churches. His logic was that "we" were submissive to the "Lordship of Jesus Christ". Meanwhile,old order Christians were submissive to an organization.. Which, in actuality meant that every knee would bow and every tongue confess that JRS was Lord. I have no doubt that there was a secret hope to expand that control. The whole thing was patently absurd. I say this after so many years of being deceived.

Good to see you posting, FCSLC.

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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Reep wrote:
Anyway, thank you for all your hard work and concern for this place to learn and heal.

Much appreciated, Reep.
BTW, one thing that has helped me the past 3-4 years is having a consistent meditation practice. The app I use the most is Waking Up, created by Sam Harris. Below is a link...which includes a free month to sample its offerings:

[wakingup.com]

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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changedagain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

BTW, one thing that has helped me the past 3-4years is having a consistent meditation practice. The app I use the most is Waking Up, created by Sam Harris. Below is a link...which includes a free month to sample its offerings:

[wakingup.com]

Thanks for the tip, Changed. Personally, I kind of still "have my walls up" to learning how to relax. A terrible side effect of having been in a cult for forty years. ; )

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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Reep wrote:
Thanks for the tip, Changed. Personally, I kind of still "have my walls up" to learning how to relax. A terrible side effect of having been in a cult for forty years. ; )

I bet it's not easy to relax when you've been labeled a Nephilim. So much wicked work to do, so little time. :)

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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Reep wrote:
I kind of still "have my walls up" to learning how to relax.

Damn--how many times did we hear that admonition while in TLWF/Walk. Basically, it meant remove all resistance to the authority structure, so power hungry leaders could control every aspect of your life ('divine order'), with the ones at the top reaping the most benefits from your sacrifice, of course. The 'upward flow' was wonderful for a few. It created unnecessary misery for so many.

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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Lilith on the necessity of walls/boundaries:

Posted by: Lilith
Date: January 18, 2020 07:05AM


As we navigate our way through all of this I think it’s a good spot right here to remind people that while we can agree that everyone in or out of TLWF are victims not everyone is a survivor. Some survivors are still struggling to make it thru some survivors have made it thru and are now trying to help. And then there are the victims that took a left turn and will continue to victimize others to their benefit either as a method of survival or for their own perverse pleasure. It’s also a good time to remember that we were taught that “walls” and boundaries were bad basically standing us in the middle of the 405 freeway at rush hour naked and thinking it was perfectly okay. It was not okay. Boundaries are good. And not everyone that came out of this sh*tshow is the same and has good intentions. Some that came out of this with nothing and will do whatever it takes to survive. Not all victims are the same. Just something to think about.

Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens

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What’s going on in Nashville? Is it one extended family moving there or is this something of an exodus to more conservative waters to reconvene?
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