Perhaps you’ve heard whispers about Word of Faith Fellowship Church. This church is not just a local place of worship. It is part of a larger network with a global reach.
Word of Faith Fellowship began in 1979. Jane Whaley a former math teacher and her husband Sam Whaley started it. They converted a former steakhouse into a chapel in Spindale North Carolina. Jane had no formal training in ministry. She became known as a compelling speaker. The church grew quickly. It expanded to other countries like Brazil Ghana Scotland and Sweden.
In Brazil missionary John Martin started Ministerio Verbo Vivo. This happened near Belo Horizonte in 1987. The Word of Faith Fellowship gained influence over Martin’s church. Solange Granieri and Juarez De Souza Oliveira also started a church in Brazil. It was named Ministerio Evangelico Comunidade Rhema. Jane Whaley often visited these Brazilian churches.
Worship at Word of Faith is described as ecstatic. Members sometimes hop and speak in tongues. The music and prayer are loud. Jane Whaley has said that God has freed them to be loud.
The Word of Faith Fellowship has faced controversies. Critics have described it as a cult. There have been allegations of abuse. These allegations are disputed by current members.
The church has a list of rules. Followers don’t celebrate birthdays or holidays. They don’t watch TV movies or read newspapers. Men and women must swim with shirts on. Men cannot grow beards. Permission is needed to attend college buy a house or a car. Members must tithe 10% of their earnings. Current members say this list is inaccurate.
Children in the Fellowship are closely monitored. They attend a church-controlled school. They are prevented from watching television. They are told to display a positive attitude.
Former members have described physical abuse. One former student said he was beaten to remove a destructive spirit. Others described sitting in a prayer chair while prayers were shouted. The church was investigated for child abuse in the 1990s. No charges were filed.
In 2004 Jane Whaley was convicted of misdemeanor assault. The conviction was later overturned. Another former member claimed he was beaten and held prisoner to drive out gay demons.
Matthew Fenner testified that he was beaten to break free of homosexual demons. Five church members were indicted for kidnapping and assault.
The Associated Press interviewed 43 former members. They told stories of physical abuse families being separated and males being held prisoner. Children were beaten for minor offenses. Whaley denied abuse took place.
Churches in Brazil also have similar practices. Former members reported being afraid of the church. Some needed therapy. Young people were taken to the United States. They were allegedly required to work at the church.
In 2018 Jerry Gross and his son Jason Lee Gross were charged with fraud. Eleven former members claimed Word of Faith leaders insisted church members take similar actions.
A documentary about the church was postponed. The church claimed some participants were paid.
Associated Press reporters wrote a book about the church. It is titled Broken Faith Inside the Word of Faith Fellowship One of America’s Most Dangerous Cults.
In 2024 women from the church volunteered at campaign events for Donald Trump. Members have also volunteered for other political campaigns.
The Word of Faith Fellowship remains a subject of controversy. It is a church with a complex history and a global presence. Its practices and leadership have faced both praise and criticism.