Oops! I'm In A Cult

Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry" under the umbrella of Hargrave Ministries.Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTi... Contact Oops!www.oopsiminacult.comeMail - [email protected] Instagram - / oopsiminacultpodcast More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacultIf you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member.⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-...

After a former member of The Living Word released letters exposing sexual abuse cover up in the Fellowship, local Living Word churches struggled with their identity and future as a community. In Colorado, Sam and Michaela Teres had a front row seat to those internal conversations. Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry" under the umbrella of Hargrave Ministries.Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTi... Support our Supercasthttps://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/Contact Oops!www.oopsiminacult.comeMail - [email protected] Instagram - / oopsiminacultpodcast More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacultIf you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member.⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-...

The Living Word Fellowship fostered a culture that demanded total submission to those in authority. Members were conditioned to accept inappropriate levels of involvement in their personal lives, to include Shepherds coming between spouses. Sam and Michaela were among the many couples whose marriages were interfered with. The abuse became so severe that Michaela, being told she was a hindrance to her husband's ministry and was "too strong", became a shell of who she once was. Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry" under the umbrella of Hargrave Ministries.Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv Support our Supercasthttps://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/Contact Oops!www.oopsiminacult.comeMail - [email protected] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacultIf you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member.⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

In 2018 The Living Word Fellowship’s seventy-year reign came to end, collapsing after hundreds of current and former members began to expose years of rampant abuse on social media. Within two weeks after these revelations began, Gary Hargrave resigned and the church as we all knew it, fell apart. Facilities that were frequented and maintained by church members for years were soon left abandoned. In this episode we investigate what became of the many local churches and facilities within the fellowship, what transpired in the days following its collapse and the question we have all been asking for the last several years: Where is all of that money now? Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades.  In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry" under the umbrella of Hargrave Ministries. Podcast Links:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv  Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected]  Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast  More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

Caleb LaPlante was raised into The Living Word Fellowship, primarily in the small Grants Pass, Oregon congregation. After having left the church in his college years but staying involved on a social basis because of family ties, Caleb re-entered the world of TLWF in the wake of Shalom’s letters and was active in uncovering abuses, including leadership knowingly protecting pedophiles within the local Grants Pass church. Caleb also discusses his faith and how he discovered a relationship with Jesus for the first time in his twenties after realizing the beliefs he grew up with in the cult were not in line with traditional Christian beliefs. Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades.  In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry" under the umbrella of Hargrave Ministries. Podcast Links:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv  Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected]  Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast  More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

Kristy Pfeifer’s family was part of the inner circle of The Living Word Fellowship and were members of an exclusive group created by Marilyn Hargrave known as The Purples. As a child growing up within this secret society, Kristy regularly saw behind the facade of John Robert Stevens’ and Marilyn and Gary Hargrave’s public personas. Kristy was a plaintiff in the recent lawsuits against the Living Word Fellowship and speaks publicly in this episode about her experience for the first time. In her deposition, Kristy says that she was sexually abused from the ages of 8-14 by two prominent leaders of the church, Marilyn’s son, Rick Holbrook and his friend, Scott McDonald. When members of her family informed Gary and Marilyn of the abuse it went ignored and both men maintained their positions in the church until 2018 when Shalom published her letters. Kristy, having been out of the church for nearly thirty years, was immediately moved to take action and help bring accountability and justice.

Jean Alice joined The Living Word Fellowship when she was eleven years-old, homeless and alone. She was passed around to family after family within the cult, constantly being told she was unwanted because she wasn’t good enough. Though she was eventually adopted by a loving family, the abusive messaging that pervaded the cult kept her self-esteem at rock bottom. She found herself in an abusive marriage that ended in her being forced to leave everything she knew behind to protect herself and her child. While the cult threatened and shunned her for speaking the truth, they kept her abuser husband protected and in good standing within the church. _________ Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings, and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry" under the umbrella of Hargrave Ministries. _________ Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com Email - [email protected] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

Born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship, Rebekah's independent and critically thinking nature made success within the cult impossible. Even years after leaving the high control group, she is still discovering how deeply the toxicity of the fellowship's teachings affected her, especially in relationships. Rebekah's story provides incredible insight into how to break generational trauma. ___________ Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry" under the umbrella of Hargrave Ministries. ____________ Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

In our third edition of Letters from Listeners, Charity & Scott read feedback from former members of The Living Word Fellowship and William Branham's cult, The Message. Featuring stories from an eye witness of Gary & Marilyn's 1984 Marriage Tour set to the soundtrack of Eye of the Tiger (this is not a joke) and fun patriarchal messages from un-woke male listenership. __________ Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry" under the umbrella of Hargrave Ministries. ____________ Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult ____________ If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

In 1992 Gary and Marilyn Hargrave, leaders of the Living Word Fellowship, held a special meeting about the secrets and mysteries of sex in the Los Angeles church sanctuary. In this nearly four-hour long video, Gary and Marilyn spoke explicitly about sexual promiscuity, masturbation, homosexuality, Gary's flowing hormones, young children’s “intrigue” with sex, Gary’s and Marilyn’s investigations into the mysteries of intercourse, and directives on premarital fornication.  This video was sent to the other churches in the fellowship. Meetings were held in these locations like Shiloh in Kalona, Iowa, and the video was played for high school age and up. For the first time we will bring to light this previously restricted video tape originally titled Gary and Marilyn Talk to the Singles, or as we like to call it, Gary and Marilyn make a sex tape.  In 2023 Gary Hargrave, Head Pastor of Hargrave Ministries, was deposed in the Living Word Lawsuits for his responsibility as the leader of the Living Word Cult. In the deposition Gary is grilled by the Plaintiff's counsel about his teachings to the young people of the church. He is asked why he said, “You look at your five year old and tell me that they’re not intrigued with sex”. This begs the question, was this meeting priming the youth to be groomed and preyed upon by church leaders and members? This tape was recorded less than 10 years after the Founder of the Living Word John Robert Stevens died. Stevens was purported to have slept with numerous congregants and even divorced his wife so he could marry Marilyn Holbrook (now Hargrave).  The whole tape is a lesson in grooming from Gary and Marilyn Hargrave who say “Marilyn and I have a lot of sex” and “we use sex for a purpose”.  In attendance are all the “singles” in the church including children as young as 13.  Bonus: A not fun drinking game to try- Drink a shot every time Gary says “By virtue of” and see how bad your hangover is the next day. Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades.  In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry" under the umbrella of Hargrave Ministries. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help Podcast Links:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv  Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected]  Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast  More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult

In the wake of the Living Word Fellowship's collapse in 2018, five lawsuits were filed by six plaintiffs against Gary Hargrave and several Living Word entities. In this episode we go over court documents related to the recent settlement of these cases and reveal the details surrounding the complaints of two specific plaintiffs, and the judge's ruling on the matter. These two cases reveal common threads among all six plaintiffs and paint a clear picture of how Gary and Marilyn Hargrave and members of their Apostolic Company actively protected sexual abusers like Rick Holbrook and did nothing to protect children. Please be advised that this episode involves discussion of the sexual abuse of minors. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help ___________ Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry" under the umbrella of Hargrave Ministries. ___________ Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast

Arlivia Fisher became a member of the Living Word Fellowship after meeting a member on a dating site. She was quickly indoctrinated into the cult and it took over her entire life. She lost longtime clients and was distanced from her family and friends as she was drawn deeper into the inner circle, even becoming Gary & Marilyn’s personal hair stylist. She shares her experience of becoming lost in a high control relationship within a high control group and how that still affects her till this day.

In this two-part episode Scott and Charity read excerpts from the official deposition of Gary Hargrave, former leader of The Living Word Fellowship and current head of Hargrave Ministries. This deposition was done in connection with lawsuits that were filed against Gary and the church by several former members alleging they were sexually abused within the church when they were minors. Follow along as we read you some of the highlights of the deposition, where Gary is finally held responsible and forced to answer questions about his role, his knowledge of events, and the toxic culture he fostered for nearly forty years. See how after years of relishing his role as co-leader supreme, he now denies that he had any real authority at all.

On this episode we will be speaking with the Internationally known cult expert and deprogrammer Rick Alan Ross who is the founder and Executive Director of The Cult Education Institute. Rick has personally assisted thousands of families in an effort to help the victims of destructive cults, groups and movements. Ross has been an expert witness in court proceedings across the US including the US federal Court and has been featured in numerous publications including Time Magazine, People, The New Your Times and appeared on national TV on shows like Dateline, 20/20 and Oprah. Ross' analysis has been sought on virtually every major cult story for decades. ________ Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". _________ If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult

Oops I'm In a Cult and Snapping Out of it Cross over Episode! Both podcast are hosted by Former members of The Living Word Cult. Charlie and Mike discuss their processes in telling the story of cults and the Living Word, plus we discuss personal growth from the brainwashing and how the dynamics of their family that are still loyal to the cult play into their daily lives. Listen to Charlie and Mike's podcast Snapping Out Of It: https://open.spotify.com/episode/79YFEditILwyIiA0rL91CV?si=2LE1Xjs-S4am9pDt23-WEA Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult

In this bonus episode I speak with author and webmaster of William Branham: Historical Research, John Collins. John was raised in the Message cult and has since worked to expose the teachings of William Branham who founded and led the cult until his death in 1965. In addition he researches other cult leaders who were influenced by Branham's Latter Rain teachings of the mid 20th century. Listen as we discuss how the founder of the Living Word, John Robert Stevens is connected to Branham and other cult leaders like Jim Jones.  Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades.  In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help Podcast Links:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv  Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected]  Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast  More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult

Before John Robert Stevens was the venerated cult leader we know him as today, he was a defrocked preacher cultivating a small following in his two Los Angeles churches.  In this episode, We will examine scandalous audio that documents Stevens’ greatest test to his authority and apostleship to date.  On this historic Sunday evening, JRS is publicly challenged over allegations of infidelity by an ex-witch who he claimed to have saved through the power of Jesus Christ. What you will hear is a public witch trial, a battle of loyalty, and the ultimate Oops im in a cult moment where his followers are forced to decide where they stand. Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades.  In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help Podcast Links:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv  Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected]  Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast  More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult

LuAnn Banoczi joined the Living Word Fellowship in 1967 and married into John Robert Stevens’ family at his direction and subsequently divorced, also at his direction. She was witness to his misogyny and inappropriate behavior towards women, and in this interview she talks about his fascination with the occult, witches and opening doors in his underpants! LuAnn also expresses great regret for not recognizing the abuse that was happening all around her, including her own, and uses this as motivation to help those affected heal. Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help Podcast Links:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv  Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected]  Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast  More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult

Before becoming the cult leader that we know today, John Robert Stevens was a disgraced Pentecostal pastor who had been stripped of his ordination by the Foursquare Church. Kicked out of two major denominations, having been accused of adultery and financial impropriety, he began to form his own church, which came to be known as The Living Word Fellowship, AKA: The Walk. In this episode we examine Stevens’ origins and how he may have been inspired by the Pentecostal movement whose prominent figures included Aimee Semple McPherson and Charles Fox Parham. Pentecostalism birthed the Latter Rain Movement, which inspired cult leaders like Jim Jones, William Branham, and Stevens himself. Through it all we see how he was not unique in believing he was called as an Apostle and reveal the pattern that was used by so many like Stevens to enthrone themselves as cult leaders. Special guest commentary by John Collins of William Branham Historical Research. ______ Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult ______ If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

Marilyn Hargrave, the leader of The Living Word Fellowship was famously “anti-woman”. She perpetuated a system of misogyny within the Fellowship for decades. In this episode, we start by examining Marilyn’s infamous “Girls Turn it Off” message, a principle teaching used to demean and control women in the church. We compare her teachings to the misogyny inherent in Christianity that dates back millennia.  How did the Catholic church’s teachings lead to the extermination of women through the Inquisition? Were New Testament manuscripts by Mary Magdalene and others purposely excluded from the Bible to eliminate women’s voices? Why are modern day christian denominations suppressing women’s involvement in leadership of the Southern Baptist Church? Podcast Links:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv  Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected]  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast  More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

In this especially personal episode, Scott and Charity show how The Living Word church leaders coerced Scott’s mom, Laurie Barker, into using unproven alternative medicine to treat her stage 3 ovarian cancer. The emails that Scott uncovered display how effectively The Living Word brainwashed their members into thinking that they were soldiers fighting for “resurrection life” and how they should lay their lives down to fulfill the Founder John Robert Stevens’ version of God’s Kingdom. You’ll see how the leaders, like Gary Hargrave, persuade the followers to not trust medicine and how his subordinates worked every day to ensure each member obeyed his Word. In the end Scott is left to put together the pieces 7 years after the loss of his mother. Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member. ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult

We have compiled so many amazing stories from former members of The Living Word Fellowship on the Oops! I'm In a Cult podcast and on this YouTube channel. From the early conversations to the 14 episodes of the podcast we have truly discovered some wild and terrible stories about Gary Hargrave, Marilyn Hargrave, John Robert Stevens, and other leaders of The Living Word. Thank you so much to everyone who shared their stories on camera and through letters and a million thanks to everyone who avidly listened to each episode. We're super excited about what comes next!

In our final episode of the season we dive into a treasure trove of archived materials from the 1970s that expose the secrets of The Living Word Fellowship’s bizarre doomsday preparations. These guidelines were delivered on leaflets that we recently received from a former follower of John Robert Stevens’ cult. We share more revealing letters from listeners, including another former tape editor with tea from the tape room. We also hear from a couple of Kalona, Iowa locals who experienced the cultiness of the Shiloh compound first-hand. Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades. In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". ----- If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member: ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv WEBSITE - www.oopsiminacult.com Contact Oops! eMail - [email protected] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecultdoc TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc More - https://linktr.ee/thewalkdoc

Johanna Wozniak was born and raised in the Los Angeles chapter of The Living Word Fellowship and attended the church school from pre-school until her senior year. She spent most nights of her childhood in the church’s recording studio which was run by accused serial abuser and leader Rick Holbrook. She talks about how her troubled home life caused her to seek out family in the form of the church despite its toxicity by immersing herself in the never-ending work. She discusses her abrupt and dramatic exit from the Fellowship and how she was immediately shunned for making one big decision without the church’s permission. She shares with us how she had to rebuild her life on her own just a week after her eighteenth birthday. Johanna says, “I was born the day I left.” Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades.  In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member:  ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Links:  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv  Contact Oops! eMail - [email protected]  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecultdoc  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc  More - https://linktr.ee/thewalkdoc

Larry Bobo joined The Living Word Fellowship in Des Moines, Iowa in 1969. From there he watched as leadership was expelled for not fully submitting to John Robert Stevens’ teachings. As a teenager he experienced sexual abuse at the hands of a leader and a another member of the church. In later years he became a leader himself and was relocated to the Colorado church where he called out inconsistencies in the Living Word doctrine to Marilyn and Gary Hargrave and the head leadership of the Fellowship in a detailed letter. Afterwords he was immediately silenced, literally being told he was not allowed to speak in the church. Eventually he left the Fellowship and discovered his own path back into Christianity. We talk with Larry about personal relationships with God, abuse in Christian churches and what being a Christian means to him. Larry's letter to TLW leaders https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/02uif2gyiffd5hjmpk71i/CS-Shepherds1.pdf?rlkey=02pakfvazvyhs3pdidgmspepr&dl=0 Scott Barker  and Charity Navalesi are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades.  In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member:  ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv  Contact Oops! eMail - [email protected]  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecultdoc  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc  More - https://linktr.ee/thewalkdoc

Lauren Beckman was born and raised in The LIving Word Fellowship, her early life spent in San Diego where she was separated from her mother as a teenager and sent to be a live-in servant for her shepherd where she was physically, emotionally and mentally abused. In early adulthood, she moved to the Church of The Living Word in Los Angeles, where the abuse only escalated. Not only was Lauren regularly abused by Rick Holbrook, but she shares with us a traumatic sexual assault perpetrated by a member of the Fellowship, which was covered up by church leadership, including Marilyn and Gary Hargrave. Through all of the abuses she endured, Lauren was instructed not to tell her mother, report abuses to authorities, or seek professional help. She tells us about the lasting effects these experiences have on her and how she continues to work toward healing. ______________________________________ Scott and Charity are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades.  In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member:  ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv  Contact Oops! eMail - [email protected]  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecultdoc  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc  More - https://linktr.ee/thewalkdoc

In today’s episode Scott Barker and Charity break down the system of “submission” The Living Word Fellowship used to control and manipulate the lives of its members. They revisit John Robert Stevens’ and Gary Hargrave’s sermons to reveal how this system existed at the very inception of “The Walk” and how through its many iterations it became increasingly more controlling and severe, resulting in systemic exploitation and abuse. Scott and Charity are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades.  In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". TLW TAPE SOURCES @5:18 - 2001 February 18 Elisha amd Elijah The Force To Create North Hills CA  @7:11 - 1972 December 14 Thursday PM South Gate CA JRS - RESTRICTED - The New Step into the Day of Revelation @8:35 - 1971 Apr_Festival Of Freedoms_South Gate @10:14 - 1965 MARCH 17 - A COMPANY OF TIMOTHYS SEPULV CA 11:58 (We’re One!) - 1978 December 10 - Ministry To Brother Stevens December - South Gate 13:05 - 1977 January 10 and 11 Santa Brbara - Santa Barbara Goes Wild - JRS IS LORD 17:03 - 1985 August 11 - Shiloh IA - When Seeking God becomes Unbelief 20:15 - 1985 August 11 - Shiloh IA - When Seeking God becomes Unbelief 24:11 - 1985 August 11 - Shiloh IA - When Seeking God becomes Unbelief 25:26 - 1993 Jan 31 - Sunday am Sepulveda CA - The Truth About John 29:39 - 1992_Gary and Marilyn Talk to The Singles 33:50 - 2000 Sept 3_Honolulu HI_Positioned By A Relationship 34:37 - 2000 Sept 3_Honolulu HI_Positioned By A Relationship 37:15 - 2000 June 27 Shiloh IA - Shepherding Is A Chain of Relationships 38:19 - 2000 June 29 Shiloh IA - Shepherding What do you Mean? 38:38 - 2000 Oct 20_North Hills CA_Baptized Into A relationship 39:48 - 2001 July 1 _Shiloh IA - Aggressively Bringing Forth Christ In One Another 41:17 - 2001 July 1 _Shiloh IA - Aggressively Bringing Forth Christ In One Another 41:44 - 2001 July 1 _Shiloh IA - Aggressively Bringing Forth Christ In One Another 43:09 - 2001 July 1 _Shiloh IA - Aggressively Bringing Forth Christ In One Another If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member:  ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv  Contact Oops! eMail - [email protected]  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecultdoc  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc  More - https://linktr.ee/thewalkdoc

AKA: A nuclear wasteland of shit! In this episode of Oops, Scott and Charity talk about the process of recognizing that they no longer wished to be a part of The Living Word Fellowship. They discuss cult expert Rick Ross's signs you might be in a cult or high control group. They share their experiences of recognizing that they were a part of an unhealthy community, the process they went through to acknowledge that The Living Word Fellowship was in fact a cult, and the realization that this was just the beginning of their journey into healing from the trauma of being raised in such a group. They talk about how there is always further work to be done and what that looks like for them.  Scott and Charity are former members, born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship. They are investigating this organization, founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951, that branded itself as a Christian church for over seventy years but turned out to be just another cult. Stevens demanded full submission of his followers until his death in 1983 and when his successors, Gary & Marilyn Hargrave took over, the beliefs and practices became even more extreme as they levied control over the congregants for the next three decades.  In 2018 a former member finally spoke up after Marilyn's death accusing her son of abuse. There are five active lawsuits. The organization is a shadow of what it once was, but some remain believers of John Robert Stevens' teachings and many maintain loyalty to Gary Hargrave. Gary has a new following on social media and an active "ministry". If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member:  ⁠⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠⁠⁠ eMail - [email protected] Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecultdoc TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc https://www.youtube.com/@thewalkdoc ⁠More - ⁠linktr.ee/thewalkdoc⁠

On today's episode we read feedback we've received from other former members of The Living Word and one curious local of Kalona Iowa who observed from afar, but instantly knew that Shiloh was anything but normal. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member:  ⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠⁠ eMail - [email protected] Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecultdoc TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc YouTube - ⁠   / @thewalkdoc  ⁠ More - ⁠linktr.ee/thewalkdoc⁠

Adam Beatty was a member of the original Southgate, CA church, Grace Chapel, as well as the Shiloh, IA faction of The Living Word Fellowship. Adam talks with us about his family's history in The Walk, starting in the John Robert Stevens days, his experience with power dynamics and racism within the Fellowship, and learning to maintain relationships with friends and family members who still believe the cult's teachings, while making room for his own healing and the healing of others. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member:  ⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠⁠ eMail - [email protected] Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecultdoc TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc YouTube - ⁠   / @thewalkdoc  ⁠ More - ⁠linktr.ee/thewalkdoc⁠

What is the truth about John Robert Stevens? Throughout the history of The Living Word Fellowship cult rumors circulated about John's purported infidelities and indiscretions, but these rumors were always excused away by the belief that his "apostleship" outweighed the importance of any questionable behavior. His claims of time travel and having the power to cause the deaths of people he deemed nephilim such as John Lennon and the John F. Kennedy were among the many unbelievable things that his followers bought into. These excuses were perpetuated by his successor, Gary Hargrave. In this episode we delve into these topics and reveal our findings on one of the most recent and biggest allegations against JRS: that he plagiarized his manifesto "To Be A Christian", which was the legacy of his ministry. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member:  ⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠⁠ Contact Oops!  eMail - [email protected] Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecultdoc TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc YouTube - ⁠   / @thewalkdoc  ⁠ More - ⁠linktr.ee/thewalkdoc⁠ EPISODE SOURCES: @4:46 NEPHILIM DEATH PRAYERS @11:03 1980 Vain Glory Documentary - Tony Cox  @12:06 1976 March 7 - South Gate and Sepulveda CA - A Prophets Meeting The Principles Of Judgment - Judgment When We Do And When We Don't ~ 48:37 on tape @13:13 Interview with Sandy Navalesi on The Living Word Cult YouTube @15:11 1976 March 7 - South Gate and Sepulveda CA - A Prophets Meeting The Principles Of Judgment - Judgment When We Do And When We Don't ~ 05:45 on tape @27:25 TIME TRAVEL @28:14 1972 December 14 Thursday PM South Gate CA JRS - RESTRICTED - The New Step into the Day of Revelation ~ 00:29 on tape @29:38 1972 December 14 Thursday PM South Gate CA JRS - RESTRICTED - The New Step into the Day of Revelation ~ 04:58 on tape @32:15 1972 December 14 Thursday PM South Gate CA JRS - RESTRICTED - The New Step into the Day of Revelation ~ 11:11 on tape @34:02 1972 December 14 Thursday PM South Gate CA JRS - RESTRICTED - The New Step into the Day of Revelation ~ 10:20 on tape @34:28 1972 December 14 Thursday PM South Gate CA JRS - RESTRICTED - The New Step into the Day of Revelation ~ 38:45 on tape @42:45 1993 Jan 31 - Sunday am Sepulveda CA - The Truth About John - 15:38 on tape @43:59 1993 Jan 31 - Sunday am Sepulveda CA - The Truth About John - 20:23 on tape @45:31 1993 Jan 31 - Sunday am Sepulveda CA - The Truth About John - 22:04 on tape @47:26 1993 Jan 31 - Sunday am Sepulveda CA - The Truth About John - 31:01 on tape @50:40 TO BE A CHRISTIAN Shareable Slideshow - “Oops! I'm a Plagiarist” TLW & JRS Links  https://johnrobertstevens.com/teachings/to-be-a-christian-by-john-robert-stevens/ https://johnrobertsteTo Be A Christianvens.com/biography/seeking-the-lord-in-his-youth/ https://livingwordpublications.org/video/to-be-a-christian-mp4/ CUT GEMS - ©1897 - Rev. George W. Plack - University of Florida - p.59 https://books.google.com/books?id=8WhR6VW7mKUC&pg=PA59&lpg=PA59&dq=%22let+Him+possess+and+direct+it%22&source=bl&ots=00RJw5STx2&sig=ACfU3U35Yd4vl-LsM1Wy24rnGJMuqQRE6w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwja3dilmLqBAxVZIUQIHTyADCgQ6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q=%22let%20Him%20possess%20and%20direct%20it%22&f=false Library of Congress Catalog - April 1897 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Catalog_of_Copyright_Entries_of_Books_Etc._March_22-July_3_1897_Nos._299-313_%28IA_catalogofcopyrig22319libr%29.pdf

On this episode we sit down with Beau Brown who gives us his perspective on The Living Word Cult as an outsider looking in. Beau never attended the church itself, but was a student at the Living Word based school, Centers of Learning, in North Hills, California, which was originally attended only by members of TLWF and later opened up to the public. His unique observations as a non-member give us a window into how bizarre the church and its practices came across to the outside world. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member:  ⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠⁠ eMail - [email protected] Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecultdoc TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc YouTube -    / @thewalkdoc   More - ⁠linktr.ee/thewalkdoc⁠

In this episode we talk with Titus Walker, who was born into The Living Word Fellowship and remained a devoted member until his early twenties when he was unceremoniously kicked out of the church by its top leadership, Marilyn and Gary Hargrave. Titus reveals how this excommunication propelled him down a dark path, having lost almost everything and everyone he had ever known. He discusses how this event, preceded by years of mental and emotional abuse the church perpetrated on him, has deeply affected his life. Podcast Links: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oops-im-in-a-cult/id1703501829 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YlZeTiuons5y4J3RZYXSv Support our Supercast https://oopsiminacult.supercast.com/ Contact Oops! www.oopsiminacult.com eMail - [email protected] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oopsiminacultpodcast More - https://linktr.ee/oopsiminacult If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member: https://988lifeline.org/ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

In this episode we delve into the 2018 letters that forever changed the course of The Living Word Fellowship, bringing the truth of the rampant abuse in the organization to light. We discuss the details of the letters Shalom Abrahamson published on Facebook, how they reflected the toxic leadership structure and controlling culture of the Fellowship, and why her letters were instrumental in opening the eyes of members both past and current. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member:  ⁠⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠⁠ eMail - [email protected] Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecultdoc TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc YouTube - www.youtube.com/@thewalkdoc More - ⁠linktr.ee/thewalkdoc⁠

On today's episode, we talk with Leni Davis and her son Sam, former members of the Oahu, Hawaii chapter of The Living Word Fellowship, known as Grace Chapel of Honolulu. Leni and Sam discuss why Leni joined the fellowship in the early 1970's, her initial interactions with John Robert Stevens and how, in the years that followed, the toxicity of the organization affected her as an individual as well as her relationship with her child. Sam shares his experience being born and raised in the fellowship during the years after John Robert Stevens' passing, under the leadership of Gary & Marilyn Hargrave, and how its abusive culture impacted him as a child and as a gay man being brought up in a homophobic organization. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member:  ⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠ ⁠https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help⁠ eMail - [email protected] Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecultdoc TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc YouTube - www.youtube.com/@thewalkdoc More - ⁠linktr.ee/thewalkdoc⁠

What do you do when you realize that the church you grew up in was actually a cult? You make a podcast to talk all about it! Born and raised in The Living Word Fellowship, hosts Scott Barker and Charity Navalesi discuss their experiences growing up in this modern day cult, conducting in-depth interviews with other former members and exploring the hidden truths of an organization that masqueraded as a non-denominational Christian church for over 70 years, at its peak growing to 100 chapters in 10 countries. In 2018, a former member came forward on social media with allegations of mental, emotional and sexual abuse within the church, spawning a movement of truth-telling that caused the almost immediate demise of the organization, its entire leadership resigning as more and more accusations of misconduct were revealed. In this podcast we'll discuss the history of the organization, its ultimate collapse, and the effects of its abusive culture and toxic leadership on former members. Adding a touch of humor, because if you can't laugh about it, it just sucks too intensely, Scott and Charity unpack their and others' experiences, how they're recovering from religious abuse and navigating life today, and the moment they realized, "Oops! I'm in a cult!". Hey, it happens. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member: https://988lifeline.org/ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help eMail - [email protected] Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecultdoc TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc YouTube - www.youtube.com/@thewalkdoc More - linktr.ee/thewalkdoc

The Living Word Fellowship was a cult. In this podcast we'll discuss the history of the organization and the effects of its abusive culture and toxic leadership. We’ll investigate the remaining factions of The Living Word Fellowship, its former leaders and... The kidnapping of Yoko Ono’s baby Doomsday prepping Time Travel Gold and Silver Mine scams Raising people from the dead Secret affairs Sexual scandals Child Labor Health Food Crazes Arranged marriages Extravagant trips to Africa and Brazil Exotic Animal Farms High-budget Hollywood style productions Expensive artisan turtle coffee tables Teen bad boy bootcamps Court battles Exorcisms Death prayers against John F. Kennedy Pastors in Speedos! Violent intercession Brainwashing! Mentalists! Psychics! Communes and compounds Deviant sexual interests Misogyny Bars in churches - drinks, drinks, drinks! Christian capitalism Secret vault eMail - [email protected] Instagram - www.instagram.com/thecultdoc TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thewalkdoc YouTube - www.youtube.com/@thewalkdoc