Church of Wells Cult & Alleged Spankings of Children w/ the Rod

[ladyamylynn]

The part about him coming from money is well documented. I'm purely speculating as to why his parents were invited to the wedding and appear to have contact with the baby. 

[Mcnapple]

This is so horrifying. I understand the psychology (sort of) on why people get into cults....yet, I really don't understand this level of cultishness at all. How can someone believe only they and a few families are the "chosen", and everyone else, including their own families are evil and must be avoided? How can they turn on their own babies, and horrifically abuse them,  and then pretend this is God's will? What is wrong with these people?

[apple1]

Brainwashing techniques - isolation, physical starvation, manipulation, etc - this on top of, in at least some cases, having first searched out the more vulnerable. And the whole truth is never told up front.

Then once the person has been separated from all previous emotional supports, as well as from physicial and financial resources that might be needed to get out...

Very similar to attempting to answer the question of why a person might stay with a very abusive spouse or significant other. 

[luv2laugh]

A major concern for me is that this group is willing to break the law and get arrested.

They don’t value the law so I wouldn’t be surprised if they think long spanking sessions are no big deal. 

Also they have video tapes of their sermons lasting 5-6+ hours STRAIGHT... 

[apple1]

Not only do they think getting arrested is no big deal, they (the adult males) consider it a badge of honor.

FWIW - As far as I am aware, their arrests have happened when they have gone places outside of Cherokee County. Again, Cherokee County seems unwilling to do anything about anything.

[Mellowing With Age]

http://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/people-were-so-surprised-we-got-him-back-family-describes-sons-experience-in-presumed-tx-cult/269-533696822?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_content=5ac0975e04d3011abc018e54&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook

 

[PurpleCats]

I know the police can’t raid the compound if they don’t have knowledge of them breaking the law... but if someone comes back and tests positive for schedule drugs they aren’t prescribed, wouldn’t that be probable cause? 

[Mellowing With Age]

4 hours ago, PurpleCats said:

I know the police can’t raid the compound if they don’t have knowledge of them breaking the law... but if someone comes back and tests positive for schedule drugs they aren’t prescribed, wouldn’t that be probable cause? 

You would think so

[Howl]

This incident from back in Halloween in 2016 popped up again;  a local news station  (KVUE) ran a trailer for a new spot, but this is what popped up when  I googled, so I'm wondering if local stations all over Texas are running this KVUE spot as a way to get the word out on just how dangerous these people are.   

Based on a blood test taken when Jordan Reichenberger was brought home to Georgetown, TX,  after five days at the Church of Wells, he had been DRUGGED and I don't recall this from the original reports.  The place where the Church of Wells made original contact was Sixth St. in Austin, a big live music/barhopping scene about 6 blocks long in Austin, Tx, where Jordan was street preaching. 

'People Were So Surprised We Got Him Back' | Family Describes Son's Experience In Presumed TX Cult  A Central Texas family is warning the public about a church in East Texas many consider to be a religious cult after their son disappeared from downtown Austin on Halloween in 2016 and turned up at the church's compound five days later. Now, that young man is sharing with KVUE what he experienced there.

Spoiler

 

A Central Texas family is warning the public after their first-hand experience with what many consider to be a religious cult.

The Church of Wells in East Texas has made national headlines for their beliefs and issues with their members over the years.  

But in 2016, a Georgetown family reported their son missing after he went to Downtown Austin on Halloween night to preach the Bible and never returned home.

Initially, the family was concerned their son had been carjacked - or worse. But after several days of worrying, they were able to contact their then 27-year-old son, Jordan Reichenberger.

Jordan let them know he had left downtown Austin with some of the elder members of the Church of Wells and had driven with them to their compound in East Texas.

"He said 'we're following Jesus, do you want to go with us?' And I said 'sure',” Jordan explained about that Halloween night.

Jordan stayed at the compound for five days. On the fifth day, his brother, dad, and several of their friends came to Wells, Texas to bring him home.

Jordan's brother, Ian, said they spoke with people who had experience with the Church of Wells before driving to get him.

"When families show up angry like ‘hey give us our person back, give us our kid back’, the cult would be like ‘oh look how angry your family is.’ So, that's why we went with friendship, love” explained Ian.

After several hours of somewhat heated discussion with church elders, Jordan was allowed to leave.

"People were so surprised we got him back. They're like 'you seriously got him out of there?',” said Ian.

Not everyone has been so lucky.

"We have information from law enforcement that she had made numerous escape attempts,” said Andy Grove.  Andy and Patty Grove's daughter, Catherine, made national headlines when she joined Church of Wells nearly six years ago. She's still presumed to be there.

"I honestly believe that my daughter was drugged at the beginning and there's some reason why she decided to escape four times and she's asked to go to a women's shelter twice,” said Patty in tears as KVUE asked where things stand with Catherine.

The Groves have not heard from their daughter in over a year.

Drug tests Jordan took when he returned home showed signs of sleeping pills and muscle relaxers in his system.

Jordan mother, Kim, noticed he was acting unusual when he returned home, too.

"At one point, his eyes rolled back in his head and we're just like 'what is going on here?',” said Kim.

Jordan said he felt odd while he was at the church. "Mostly just kind of like a haze,” he explained.

Jordan said he would never take those pills voluntarily and all his food and drinks those five days in East Texas were provided by the church.

"Abhorrent. It's a real shame that people can be doing that kind of stuff in the name of God,” said Jordan.

Jordan and his family have alerted authorities about the results of the drug test.

Now, Jordan's hoping to warn others while Catherine's parents hold out hope that their daughter - and a grandson they've never met - return home.

 

 

[smittykins]

17 hours ago, Mellowing With Age said:

You would think so

Would they have to prove the drugs weren't ingested voluntarily?

[Howl]

@Mellowing With Age, Sorry, didn't realize that you had posted the exact same info upthread and it's too late to edit.  And yes, KENS is San Antonio, right?  Confirmation that this is getting a LOT of coverage throughout Texas. 

It certainly seems to cast Church of Wells in an even darker, more terrifying light, if possible. 

[Mellowing With Age]

7 hours ago, Howl said:

@Mellowing With Age, Sorry, didn't realize that you had posted the exact same info upthread and it's too late to edit.  And yes, KENS is San Antonio, right?  Confirmation that this is getting a LOT of coverage throughout Texas. 

It certainly seems to cast Church of Wells in an even darker, more terrifying light, if possible. 

Yes, KENS 5 is the local San Antonio news station. I am glad to see it out in the open. I have been to 6th St in Austin several times. Next time I am there I will have to look for the Church of Wells nutjobs. 

[apple1]

Besides the fact that the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department has historically been far too hands-off with regard to CoW - In order for anything to be done about a positive drug screen, there has to be a rather rigorous evidence chain and the testing would have to have been done by a legitimate laboratory that is licensed/accredited to perform legal testing for that purpose.

Such evidence may exist, but so far all I see is repetitious publishing/posting (not talking about FJ) of the same verbiage without evidence.

Don't misunderstand; I would love to see justice. I just don't see the rigorous evidence that would be needed. (Been following CoW for quite some time).

[Howl]

Sadly, every time I see a new post about CoW now, I fear that it will be related to the death of a child or infant from physical abuse.  My other fear is that this cult is so insular and evil  that a child or infant could die from abuse or medical neglect and they would secretly bury the body and cover up the entire incident. 

 

[Mellowing With Age]

11 hours ago, apple1 said:

Besides the fact that the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department has historically been far too hands-off with regard to CoW - In order for anything to be done about a positive drug screen, there has to be a rather rigorous evidence chain and the testing would have to have been done by a legitimate laboratory that is licensed/accredited to perform legal testing for that purpose.

Such evidence may exist, but so far all I see is repetitious publishing/posting (not talking about FJ) of the same verbiage without evidence.

Don't misunderstand; I would love to see justice. I just don't see the rigorous evidence that would be needed. (Been following CoW for quite some time).

I wish this church was in Angelina County and not Cherokee County. That crap wouldn't fly over there, and definitely not with their CPS workers.  

[apple1]

3 minutes ago, Mellowing With Age said:

I wish this church was in Angelina County and not Cherokee County. That crap wouldn't fly over there, and definitely not with their CPS workers.  

I have heard this, too. I also heard that the Wells (the city/township/whatever it actually is) has a new police chief who has a pretty good reputation.

Back when CoW moved to Wells from their previous location (IIRC, Arlington) they clearly scouted out the place and developed a plan to move to Wells and establish themselves. I am fairly convinced the choice was not random, and that they considered the county sheriff's pattern of action when they made their decision.

[Howl]

Bible fu flinging serious smack down of Church of Wells members by newcomers to Wells. To clarify, both sides are flinging serious Bible fu in a full-on spiritual warfare kinda way. 

It all begins with a "false report" that Matt's wife Jody wept (she didn't) when one of the CoW ladies brought her fritters, and Church of Well's guys who won't admit somebody lied.  A small point, but I kinda understand why Jody and Matt will. not. let. it. slide. 

Speculation: the guy in this video is a new minister in Wells, but that is never clarified.  Matt has an amazing ability to stay on topic, and it is a very interesting insight into how CoW thinks and deals with someone arguing/debating scripture with them.  I wonder if Matt grew up debating, because he never, not once falls for traps or being sidetracked/misdirected by the CoW responses.  It's all very kung fu fighting. 

I also have to wonder if this couple (Jody and Matt) came to Wells specifically to confront/expose CoW.

 

2 hours ago, Mellowing With Age said:

I wish this church was in Angelina County and not Cherokee County. That crap wouldn't fly over there, and definitely not with their CPS workers.  

ETA: On Jan. 28, 2018, Reece Ringnald, the brother of head preacher of CoW Ryan Ringnald, posted a youtube formally declaring estrangement from Ryan and encouraging anyone who has contact with CoW or is in contact with Ryan Ringnald to call the Lufkin police, so apparently a case file of some type has been opened. 

Did a bit of the google and found that Lufkin (Angelina County) is a larger (pop. 36,000) city that is only about 17 miles from Wells  (Cherokee County) and Wells is about one big sneeze away from being in Angelina County.  Perhaps some of the CoW people who don't live right in town are actually residents of Angelina County? 

[meowfundiecatz]

11 hours ago, apple1 said:

 

Back when CoW moved to Wells from their previous location (IIRC, Arlington) they clearly scouted out the place and developed a plan to move to Wells and establish themselves. I am fairly convinced the choice was not random, and that they considered the county sheriff's pattern of action when they made their decision.

Yes, I believe you are correct. They definitely chose Wells for many reasons. I think some of the reasons include how small and secluded it is. Also because they (well, church MEMBERS, not the church) purchased the store. I believe the store closed down after the residents of Wells boycotted it. IIRC, members of the church own that construction company and a saw mill. (The source is an interview of the ministers about the finances of the church. All three "elders" are unpaid.)

I personally do believe that CoW is a cult, for sure. Especially since I have seen some videos from their "sister" church in Australia. They have found a way to say that rules are just being conservative and that following rules just means they are a "remnant."

[Tim-Tom Biblethumper]

If anyone is interested, the CoW is going to be featured on Dr. Phil this Friday.

https://www.drphil.com/shows/accusations-of-drugging-and-indoctrination-one-mans-days-inside-the-controversial-church-of-wells/

[Howl]

OH, heck yes, I'm interested!  Thanks for posting and will schedule it on dvr today. 

[Mellowing With Age]

 

proclaimedfromtherooftop.blogspot is Preethi Morris's blog. She has a post from April 30th of this year talking about Catherine Grove.

An earlier post laments the churchofwells.org website. 

 

[mrs]

Any new news on this group? I'm really curious about the inner group dynamics and power structure.