We have youth groups come every year for work trips and leave energized and ready to serve in their local community. Years later God brought Pastor Gail T. Wilson who stated that God sent her to assist Pastor April M. Smith Kenan. She is a mother and grandmother of 3 adult children and 7 grandchildren. His younger brother, then-17-year-old Christopher, survived the ordeal but is still recovering from his injuries nearly three years later. Wayne was the founder and lead pastor of the former Authentic Church, which merged with The Life Church in early 2020. Campers at The Coast will experience high energy action, form lifelong friendships and make defining decisions about their faith as they spend their days worshiping, studying Biblical truths and having a ton of fun in the Florida sun! The leadership created this unreasonable fear to control people, Ross explains. He later was driven to a Home Depot parking lot near the hospital, he said, where he tried to rest but instead vomited. accused someone in the church of practicing witchcraft. He said God was going to use couples as in two together and that it would be Unique and Huge. She hosts several prayer conferences, is a member of Healing Touch Ministries, Global Wisdom Missions and She has been Host Pastor with Pastor Gail T. Wilson of the Restoration and HIS GLORY Conferences since 2016. Word of Life Christian Church New Hartford,New York This page contains information The Cult Education Institute has gathered about Word of Life Christian Church. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. This, he says, is also how the cults leaders were able to coerce congregants into financing the Irwins lifestyles and performing free labor on the churchs building. For this opportunity there is a $200 per participant fee to cover the cost of transportation, meals, and housing in New York City. Word of Life International (WOL) is a not-for-profit community outreach agency located in the South Bronx, New York City. Lucas and his 17-year-old brother, Christopher, were allegedly clobbered, kicked, and whipped over 12 torturous hours, and now, criminal charges are currently pending against eight different defendants among them, the churchs 30-year-old pastor, Tiffanie Irwin. His mother was also in the van, as viewers will see in security footage featured in the episode. The founder and longtime pastor at Word of Life Christian Church in New Hartford, N.Y., shamed congregants from the pulpit, dredging up old sins and recounting them at Sunday services, a former . We invite you to the table. New retention wall completed, ample parking and .55 ± miles to NYS Route 8.". . After they married in 1991, she joined him in his traveling ministry, Highest Call. They wanted what the Bible says; they didnt want all this other religious tradition, said Janet Sylvester, who joined her two brothers in the group in the early 1990s after having a child as a single woman. One room held a trampoline, and another a small basketball court. They were the ultimate authority: How dare any one question them or think a thought they didnt approve of? They provide Bible-based curriculum for all ages, Gospel events, leadership training, and one-on-one coaching with youth ministry coaches. To reach the lost with the good news of Salvation through Jesus Christ. He adds, To question the Irwins and what they said was to question God the word of God. Register. When the Irwins wanted something, they just got it, Ross says. We believe the Bible to be the only infallible Word of God (2 Tim 3:16)We believe in the Triune God eternally existent in 3 persons: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit(Matt 3:16,17) (Matt 28:19,20) (Matt 12:29) (John 1:14) (2 Cor.13:14)We believe in the Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14) (Matt 1:18) (Luke 1:26-38)We believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. What happened here had everything to do with the retention of members and the maintenance of control., Since Jerry Irwins death in 2012, Ross says the Word of Life Christian Church became more and more out of control, noting there were no checks or balances and no one to tell the Irwins No or This is crazy. , Ross claims the Irwins professed in Sunday sermons that there was no other church they could go to and that the truth was in this group, in the Word of Life Church., Those that left, Ross posits, were considered damned. And in this group, if you left the church, you were damned.. At The Ridge, high-energy speakers, music, and activities give students the opportunity to learn biblical truth in an age-appropriate and relevant way. Christopher, who survived his 2015 assault and recently graduated from high school, was accused of sexually abusing children within Word of Life, as was brother, Lucas. Apostle Fynn is the Founder of Word of Life Church Global ministries Durban, South Africa; Newburgh, New York, USA; Sydney, Australia. The teenagers sister, Sarah Ferguson, was found guilty at trial in 2016 of first-degree manslaughter, two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of first-degree gang assault and was sentenced to 25 years in state prison. The 44,000-square-foot . To build a school of higher learning to aid in the development of Christian Leaders with Wisdom and Understanding of the New Covenant, Present Day Church. Summer fun for the whole family tucked away in the beautiful Adirondack . He was pronounced dead on the afternoon of Oct. 12. At first, Jerry Irwin wanted to do good, Ames insists. Asked where Ms. Ferguson had struck him, he said, Everywhere except my head., It hurt, he said, adding that the pain of the injuries continued the whole time I was in the hospital and afterward.. New Hartford police have dismissed both the suggestions of witchcraft and of molestation as rumors instigated by a member or members of the Word of Life Christian Church.. . What do you offer for them? With his wife Judy together they have 4 adult children: 1 son, 3 daughters, and 3 beautiful grandchildren.Apostle Fynn Graduated from all African School of Theology, Christ for the Nations Institute in Texas, Rhema Bible Training Center, in Tulsa Oklahoma and has received his Doctor of Theologyfrom Life Christian University, Florida. Jerry also praised her in one sermon, saying, Shes become an example in the church, with the kids the spirit of God just changed her heart.. Sheryl McNeill grew up in a pastors home as the daughter of Bernard and Sharon Evans and was an involved member of the team at their church. Are you new to Word of Life? Ms. Irwins brother, Joseph Irwin, a deacon in the church, is among four other members charged with assault. In the fall of 1993, at the invitation of Pastor Michael Cavanaugh of Elim Gospel Church, Phil and Sheryl assumed the pastorate of a Saturday night church plant in Henrietta, NY. His father drove him to the emergency room in a van. There is nothing like joining others just like you who want to make a difference for the Glory of God. Your teens can experience it all: 2-3 days working at Word of Life New York in a maintenance ministry setting, 2-3 days of Open Air Evangelism in a metropolitan setting such as New York City, and much more. Don't sweat it. Rather than slowly dissolving, as so many unaffiliated churches of its kind do, Word of Life tightened its grip on the various facets of members lives, including their private phone calls and marriages, and made leaving feel like a step into the abyss. The recent beating of two brothers there has pulled a veil from the secretive sect. Rochester, NY 14623. Next month, the cases of Lucass half-sister, Sarah Ferguson, 33, and his 65-year-old father, Bruce Leonard, will go to trial. Our missions organization can help you get involved in the work of mission in 70 different countries. (1 Cor. An award-winning journalist who has worked forRolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. Associate Pastor of Word of Life Church Global NY. Spaces fill up fast on a first-come, first-served basis. Sunday morning worship services include dynamic music, a time of teaching, the opportunity receive Holy Communion at the Lords Table, as well as an opportunity to pray with a pastor or prayer team member. NEW YORK. The recent beating of two brothers there has pulled a veil from the secretive sect. Susan C. Beachy and Jack Begg contributed research. In the decades of ministry at Word of Life, Phil and Sheryls children have served in many areas to bless the church, from music to childcare. Ms. Irwins ascension in 2012, after a heart attack that suddenly killed her father, only intensified verbal attacks on members. It was unbeknownst to them what God had in store. Inside The Horrific Death of Teenager Lucas Leonard at the Word of Life Christian Church, Inside the Church Cult That Eventually Drove Parents to Join a 12-Hour Beating of Their Sons, Five Things to Know About the Ongoing Alleged 'Killer Cult' Trial, Ex-Members Reveal Why They Left Church Where a Teen Was Killed and Why They Believe It's a Mind-Controlling Cult, Father of Boys Beaten at Alleged 'Killer Cult' Church Pleads Guilty to Assault Charges, Heaven's Gate, 25 Years Later: Remembering 38 People Who Died with Cult Leader, 4 Things You'll Learn About a Killer Church Cult from Monday's Episode of 'PMI: Cults', Leaving a Cult: Former Members Reveal Inner Workings of Church Whose Members Attacked 2 Teens, WATCH: Church Members Beat Teen So Brutally Doctors Thought He'd Been Shot and His Parents Joined in, 4 More Members of Alleged Church Cult Plead Guilty in Teen's Fatal Beating, These Headline-Making Cults and What Happened to Them Are Featured on 'PMI: Cults', Former Members Allege New Jersey Church, South Korea-Based World Mission Society Church of God, is Actually a 'Cult', Heaven's Gate 25 Years Later: Former Cult Member Turned Recovery Counselor Explains How Cults Recruit, Pastor Admits to 'Adultery' During Service But Then Female Church Member Takes the Mic: 'I Was Just 16'. Another church neighbor claims the congregation was very secretive, and says rumors had been flying for years regarding the groups cult status. Dr. Fynn is a Zulu, born in Durban, South Africa and is now residing in Sydney, Australia. The Word of Life Churchs members were intensely fearful of demons and attacks by Satan, and this fear was instilled in them so they wouldnt leave. They appreciate being involved in the church, growing in the Word, worshiping our Lord and the many relationships that have been built here. I held out my hands to stop the whip, he said. Word of Life creates faith-defining experiences that give students and families the opportunity to encounter God and grow in their spiritual walk. ABOUT. We can always use various garage tools large and small. He speaks 4 languages: Zulu, Xhosa (pronounced Khosa), Africans, and English. Word of Life can refer to: . From 2010-2014, he served as an Elim Fellowship Regional Rep. Jim came to Word of Life as a new Christian, hungry for the things of God. Facing more petty accusations, several members defected in quick succession. Joe Irwin came over grabbed me by the sweatshirt, counted to three, and then he punched me in the stomach, he recounted in his testimony, referring to Joseph Irwin, the son of the churchs longtime leader, Jerry Irwin, who died in 2012. Many times, during the year Phil is invited out to minister in prophetic presbytery, preaching, and almost annually goes to different nations to minister with missionaries from Word of Life. There is so much more we could say about this great man of God but most importantly He has received eternal life and he loves the Lord Jesus Christ. You will often hear him quote. TWITTER. Giving online is quick, easy, and secure. God is up to something Awesome and There is room for you here at Word of Life Church Global New York. Word of Life Family Church. A version of this article appears in print on, Word of Life Churchs Path From Bible Group to Lethal Sect, https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/23/nyregion/at-word-of-life-church-an-evolution-from-bible-study-group-to-secretive-sect.html. In 2015, Phil was appointed as General Secretary of Elim Fellowship. The Irwins basically ruled over these people for their own benefit. An award-winning journalist who has worked forRolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. 417 were here. Deborah Leonard, Lucas 60-year-old mother, has pleaded guilty to assault and has agreed to serve as the prosecutions star witness. We host you and Your group at our property while you volunteer. The leader creates this unreasonable fear so he can control people. Some cults are more destructive than others, but from what I have observed and read, the destruction wrought by the Irwin family caused families to be disrupted and estranged, Ross explains. The Irwin family wanted people to feel like there was no alternative that they were the one and only true church in the world., For more on the story of the Leonard family and the investigation into the Word of Life Christian Church, pick up this weeks issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday. We also have a great need for registered nurses to work at our camp properties. Her father leaned on Scripture a strategy another former member compared to fighting fire with fire and decided he could not leave his wife over such a trifling threat. Lucas died on Oct. 12, 2015, allegedly from wounds he had sustained after nine of the churchs congregants including the teens own parents and his half-sister pummeled him. Ross puts the Word of Life Churchs membership at about 50 people, but notes that there are thousands of groups like this across the U.S. Members of the cult lived humble existences, Ross explains but not the Irwins. We believe that in providing a healthy environment of love, fellowship, and worship, teaching The Word of God, the believer is made free to experience the Power of Salvation in their personal lives and become agents of change in their sphere of influence. Bring them with you and check out and check out The Path, our program for families with children. They sleep-deprive you because you become open to suggestions, usually what theyre teaching you, Mr. Handville said. This group was so out of touch with reality that they created their own world within that school building, and didnt communicate much with the outside world. Below is a list of the current needs. As prosecutor Scott McNamara explains, Lucas body poisoned itself: His wounds led his body to produce toxins that ravaged his organs. When Mr. Irwin returned to Word of Life in the mid-1990s, it was as a prophet who claimed to be able to see and hear inside peoples homes, former members said. The Irwins bred birds, accumulating at least six doves, two huge golden macaws and several parakeets, Mr. Ames said. There was no private space in your life, and thats what these kids went through., Ross is convinced that the Irwins believed if these two boys left, it would cause others to leave maybe even their parents, who were pivotal members of the group.. We care about you, not what you wear, but most people dress casual. April serves as Senior Pastor of Word of Life Church Global New York which began in July of 2018, in Newburgh NY. Jerry would say from the pulpit, You cant trust the police; you cant trust firemen, Ms. Ames recalled. ET) on Investigation Discovery. Progressive, Redemptive, Revelation knowledge of the truth shall make you free. Chris Harris. Christopher survived the Oct. 11 attack, which investigators claim followed a declaration from the Leonard brothers that theyd be abandoning their faith and leaving the Word of Life Christian Church. To impact the body of Christ Worldwide by teaching the Word of God. We are excited about the direction in which God is leading and we see the manifestation of his will and purpose, in demonstration and power as lives are being transformed. It's our prayer that you will be encourage and challenged to continue to grow in the things of God. Ms. Irwin summoned him into a counseling session, where the authorities said he was punched, kicked and whipped with an electrical cord for more than 12 hours until he died. (Acts 2:8), The Baptism in water as an outward show of the inward change signifying the New Birth within the born-again believer. In May 1994, another church merged with this church plant, starting a whole new church keeping the name Word of Life Christian Fellowship. Dr. Fynn is a Zulu, born in Durban, South Africa and is now residing in Sydney, Australia. Irwins mother, Traci, who is 50, is also facing criminal charges. If you want to know what we believe, check out our statement of faith. In fun, dynamic and age-appropriate ways they will lovingly teach your child that God loves them and help them understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Mr. McNamara said he was impressed by Christophers bravery in facing his half sister, who is one of his alleged assailants. Steve Maxon is from Sackets Harbor, NY, the oldest of six children. Word of Life utilizes teens and college age individuals, as well as some teachers and retirees each summer to accomplish a myriad of service-related tasks. Come with a servants heart and your life will never be the same. A youth organization dedicated to helping the local church evangelize and disciple students. PROGRAM The National Volunteer Program (NVP) Has Various Ways you Can Serve. We also have a special love for Israel and the Jewish people. There were no boundaries or limits to what the leaders could demand from you in disclosure. The way she spoke to you was very degrading. For more on the story of the Leonard family and the investigation into the Word of Life Christian Church, pick up this weeks issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday. Jim has been an Elder at Word of Life since March of 2009. Your only other expenses are transportation and meals before arrival and after departure from Word of Life. Ready to share your faith with the world? Apostle Fynn is the Founder of Word of Life Church Global ministries Durban, South Africa; Newburgh, New York, USA; Sydney, Australia. The common characteristic you see in all cults is this sense that there is nowhere else to go, Ross tells PEOPLE. Worship & executive pastor. Nathan Ames, a former Word of Life devotee who absconded from the group some 13 years ago, tells PEOPLE the churchs roots werent nefarious. A church official must submit the Church Matching Scholarship form, . Ross says that typically, most cult groups thrive on fear and perception. Christopher said he saw his brother was not breathing and tried to give him CPR, as did his father and Traci Irwin, the churchs matriarch, who had been summoned from the residential portion of the building. Phil served as an area rep for Elim Fellowship from 2000 till 2006 and was appointed to the Council of Elders in December . Families come to visit our camping areas and retreat centers to encounter God and grow closer together. His brother Lucas Leonard, 19, died after the beating. Tiffanie was ordained as a minister at the age of 25. But pastoral politics intruded on Word of Life. The founder of WOLCGNY is Apostle Ronnie Fynn who stated in the early 2000s that God was up to something, and he believed God was about to plant a church. But Mr. Ames said the discipline went too far, as when Mr. Irwin showed parents the plastic back-scratching rod he used to spank his own children, saying it was the best implement because it stung the most, Mr. Ames recalled. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Word Of Life Church Global NY 2022 | All Rights Reserved. Phil served as an area rep for Elim Fellowship from 2000 till 2006 and was appointed to the Council of Elders in December 2004. Minivan for transporting Bible Institute students to their weekend ministry opportunities. You'll find a warm, loving, open, friendly group of people committed to making church exciting, life-changing, beautiful, meaningful, and a place for lasting friendships. Those beatings were a big surprise to me, because they used to have this beautiful sign out front when that church first started, Toukatly tells PEOPLE. She continued with music serving as Praise and Worship leader, Youth Choir director, in the local church. Ms. Irwin has not been charged, but a prosecutor said the investigation into her role was continuing. The 44,000-square-foot brick building, on just under 2 acres of land at 3354 Oneida St.in Chadwicks, is listed for sale for $389,000 by Pavia Real Estate Services. God has given us an unconventional assignment and a unique vision. Older members were given the task of building and maintaining the living quarters. Word of Life Kids is our childrens program led and staffed by people who are ready to welcome and care for every kid who walks through the doors. We dont believe in just learning Gods Word we believe in using it to impact people for Christ. If you leave our group, your life wont work anymore, and terrible things will happen to you. (John 8:32) And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. The Irwins controlled everything members saw and experienced.. Word Of Life Church Global New York has undergone many challenges from it's inception, but God has shown Himself Faithful as we have continued in Faith with him..We began with the teaching (and we. The people that do know their God shall be strong and do Exploits (Daniel 11:32) KJV, The Baptism into the body of Christ by Holy Spirit upon confession of faith in the completed Work of Christ on the Cross. For that crime, they had to be punished and ultimately, this tragedy occurred a tragedy that was in the making for years.. Another member, Chadwick Handville, said Mr. Irwin asked them to redo his floors, plumbing, electrical wiring and gas lines into the night, the kind of request that began as voluntary and soon came to feel to members like an expression of Gods will. Phil graduated in 2009 from Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College with a Master of Divinity. Pottersville, NY 12860, Word of Life Fellowship 2023 All Rights Reserved. Join us Sundays 10 a.m. We are on a journey with Jesus.We love people.Everyone is welcome. Such intrusions into members personal lives are not uncommon in authoritarian church settings, said David Bromley, a professor of religious studies and sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, but they have grown increasingly difficult to sustain as the Internet furnishes new forums for sharing grievances and plotting escapes. It had anywhere from 6 to 12 people on the team ministering in music and word. Ministers came from other congregations to speak, and a local rabbi visited. Through camps, the Bible Institute, Youth Ministries and International Ministries, Word of Life is a catalyst for lasting life change and eternal impact. Christopher and Lucas had been involved in a church-related counseling session . ET on Investigation Discovery. The ex-member, who did not want her name to be associated with the controversy, said he centralized power upon his return because of stories he had heard during his absence of some really ridiculous, unacceptable things happening, such as members cheating on their wives and stealing money. Unless you live through something like that, its hard for anyone to grasp, Mr. Amess cousin, Elizabeth Ames, said. As a young man Philip worked in several businesses and eventually started his own small enterprise. In October 2015, the Word of Life Christian Church a small, reclusive religious sect in Chadwicks, New York was thrust into the . 07/02/2307/08/23. Here are four things viewers will learn from the hour. And the fear wasnt necessarily a fear of him; it was a fear because he represented God in your eyes. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Cargo vans for our maintenance staff mechanically sound, little to no rust. The group of about a dozen called itself City on the Hill. At Least 4 Killed, 7 Injured at 4th of July Block Party in Shreveport, La. 1-800-331-9673 admissions@wol.org. Canoes, rowboats, and kayaks for our Pines campground property. NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. Speaking in a voice barely above a whisper, the surviving victim of a brutal assault inside a secretive church described on Wednesday how he and his brother were interrogated and beaten by relatives and church members, sometimes while restrained, after the pastor asked them to explain what we had done.. We are looking at everybody who was involved in this incident, Mr. McNamara said, adding that he could pursue charges like depraved indifference to murder or gang assault. Hope is being restored to Gods people. They isolated members from the rest of the community and they home-schooled kids in a way that was to their detriment, Ross says. Scott D. McNamara, the Oneida County district attorney, said he would not comment on the facts of the case but suggested that Tiffanie Irwin could face charges when the case went before a grand jury, which is likely to happen before the end of November. New York Camps. With a desire for business and to learn, he attended university in Canada studying business administration but then felt a call to ministry attending Elim Bible Institute in Lima, New York and graduating in 1987.