However, the group believes it can prove its case in a few instances. The only times Homestead Heritage has refused to give or sell its literature to someone was when members concluded a persons motive was to attack, not learn. If children at Homestead Heritage misbehave, many parents practice corporal punishment. The maximum output recorded for a . That never happened.. It is a terrifying display, as anyone who has witnessed it can attest. And if a member doesnt buckle, he can be officially dis-fellowshipped, he wrote. Add in distortions about customs and claims of abuse and even the most wholesome religious group can be branded a cult, he says. Because of that reaction, Morgan came to Waco to talk to people on both sides. So far, they havent learned of any group with a greater amount of revelation in all areas, they say. After this you are off "Friday Night Status" and can come to the Sunday meetings and various other prayer meetings, etc. They were doing just what they were supposed to do, and their discipline was absolutely effective. Some people might think its absurd to assume that just because such developments have occurred, the dire prediction about Homestead Heritage coming to a violent end will also come true. They think it must be true.. Homestead Heritage leaders monitor the site and investigate each allegation, Wheeler says. The group is still learning and members simply dont have the skills to be self-sufficient in all areas yet, they say. Professor Olson ignored repeated requests to talk to me for this story. Homestead Heritage is also interesting from a scholarly standpoint, Olson says. The Glendell decision covered 750 hectares as well as the homestead. I still am to an extent but I love interacting with people now. His female victims were 11 and 17 years old. Scroll down for video Unreported abuse: Blair Adams, church leader at Homestead Heritage, has been accused of covering up widespread abuse of children and teenagers Sexual exploitation of. While generally true, the statement is deceptive because it falsely implies meetings are closed to hide secrets, the group says. Pasture-raised beef, fresh breads, award-winning local cheese, and house-made sauces and condiments; these are a few of the things that help make Cafe Homestead one of Waco's most-loved restaurants since 1994. The hope is the person will realize the disadvantages of living outside the group, drawing him or her back into the fold. It was amazing. Now that he is a member, he laughs at how preposterous those fears were, Smith says. The community that's known today as Homestead Heritage began in the early 1970s as a small peace church in the lower east side of Manhattan, New York, in an area known as "Hell's Kitchen". Requiring members to adhere to group patterns is no different than a football coach requiring players to meet certain standards of conduct, Wheeler says. Today, with the help of friends, Sandy is recovering in a Texas city away from Homestead Heritage. Three members have been convicted of sexually. Crow said with that mindset, people could lie about anything. Watchman Fellowship defines Christian orthodoxy very narrowly and seeks to label everyone who falls outside those confines as un-Christian, Homestead Heritage leaders allege. They say it's for "nurses, doctors and teachers" but they don't use any teachers. If Homestead Heritage didnt insist on people following certain rules and customs, it would lose that identity, members say. Unusual to a huge degree, yes. Church policy, according to internal documents, states that religious matters within the community are not the proper province, of the corporate State and its investigative, police and judicial services. In fact, our investigation has exposed a litany of tragedy: families broken apart, child abuse and allegations of mind control, cover-ups and secrecy. Its the only group he has ever encountered that blends Pentecostal and Anabaptist beliefs. Were only certain people allowed to do so? In the case of Bill DeLong, the fact that George Klingensmith, the church elder, knew about his child sex abuse a year before DeLong turned himself in, meant he too may have committed a crime under Texas law. The Shrinking actor talks mental health, being queer, and why the Lone Star State is the perfect home for his new play Silver Foxes. But because of his knowledge about cults such as the Branch Davidians and his fear that Homestead Heritage, too, might be a cult, he held back from joining for about five years. Nor do we hold any personal animus towards the media personnel involved. Every November, Homestead Heritage members show off their crafting, woodworking and agriculture skills at the well-attended Homestead Fair. In the end, the magazine opted to publish one of the critical letters, written by ex-member Bob Beechner, along with an editors note. They reject the idea of once saved, always saved.. Its the persons attitude. . Members produce much of their own food, whether from individual efforts such as home gardens or group projects such as Homestead Heritages cattle ranch. The Town has declared parking bans for the purpose of snow removal on Monday, March 6 and Tuesday, March 7 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. along the following maintenance routes (weather dependent): March 6: Cimarron Boulevard from 32nd Street to Cimarron Drive. Fourteen years into it, Homestead Heritage has some 500 total families it feeds. Whats so frustrating about those accusations and others like them, members say, is that theyre almost impossible to categorically refute, at least publicly. Ex-members are making the sensational claim because one characteristic of a cult is having a charismatic leader or group of leaders, members say. Beechner contended this could be for sullen countenances, wearing cowboy boots with tall heels, plucking eyebrows or eating chocolate.. My mother and I would go out there sometimes when driving through from Fort Worth between 2007-2010; it never occurred to us that it was a cult. Throughout, they would vacillate between positive and negative, and all meetings were conducted by the imposing Adams, standing behind the lectern with his booming voice. You can chip in for as little as 99 cents a month. . Basically you are agreeing to serve them as representatives of God and that you are going to hell if you break away from them. End result: Homestead Heritage became a scapegoat for ex-members. Adams, now in his mid-60s, taught that the end times were near and his followers needed to learn to live off the land. Theyd talk about different implements to use that wouldnt leave marks., Once he got too old for beatings, John said he had to endure being berated by the elders for two or three hours at a time. It is a very long process in which they get extremely serious and make you say a whole bunch of vows and then they dunk you in a huge tank. Years ago, such action was common in churches, members say. More. The Observer has learned from a number of different sources of other cases of sexual abuse within Homestead Heritage. The same is true for exes who claim their childrens schooling suffered because of group responsibilities, members say. Christina was a member back then, and she recalls Adams quoting scripture as he went into some detail about what fathers should use to beat their children with; what kind of switches to utilize and what they could be made of. - this is the exception and not the norm in Africa's value system and rich heritage. Monday May 7, 2007 Homestead Heritage Phillip Arnn has created a public presence for a group of people who once felt invisible. You can chip in for as little as 99 cents a month. When he was 12, he said a then-member of the church beat him for breaking the door of a trailer. I sat down with Sandy (not her real name), for whom every day is a struggle coming to terms with what happened to her at Homestead Heritage. We rely on the generosity of our readers who believe that this work is important. Interestingly, though, the Texas Administrative Code on minimum standards for discipline in child-care homes says corporal punishment, which includes hitting a child with a hand or instrument and placing a child in a locked or dark room with the door closed, constitutes harsh, cruel or unusual treatment., Adam Alexander grew up in Homestead Heritage. The short teaser on ABCs Dallas affiliate WFAA says its two-part investigation (the first airs tonight at 10pm) exposes the secret lives behind the walls of a seemingly perfect community outside of Waco. The same thinking, not secrecy, guides distribution of literature, members say. . A Dallas news channel and some other statewide and local publications did a few pieces. The first posting about Homestead Heritage went up on April 7, 2005. This is done over a long period of time. In the full version, Beechner said Olson should have questioned the leaders more closely than he did; that members believe Blair Adams has a special revelation from God; that baptism into the group involves making a blood oath promising undying faithfulness to the group and obedience to the groups leaders and a promise never to leave under any circumstances. Improve this listing Similar Experiences Ex-members have intentionally tried to stoke those fears by comparing Homestead Heritage to the Branch Davidians and other cults, members say. That way, when theyre asked to prove their claims, they can throw up their hands and plead a secret conspiracy. But instead of taking the matter to police, Sandy said, the elders dis-fellowshipped the individuals she said were culpable and forced her to accept responsibility for her part in what they deemed immoral relationships. The Observer has urged Sandy to go to the police to report the individuals responsible. A chief task with any prospective member is communicating not only what the group believes but how that plays out in the context of community life, they say. Services are held every Friday night and Sunday, but for its members and they currently number about 1,000 Homestead Heritage is a way of life. But the intent of discipline is not punitive. And if part of that is letting people know what I personally saw and experienced then I'm more than happy to do that. One day, the church member found a CD in his room and asked where Alexander got it. And they preach that they are representatives of God. . He admitted that he confessed this to the elders and they just told him to go home (where his daughter was!) A number of former members the Observer spoke to said they believed Blair Adams sees himself as a messenger from God. Arnn has shrugged off the criticism, saying he is well aware of Trimms dubious behavior in recent years. Thanks! That doesnt mean every time someone sins theyre in danger of going to hell. If there is one thing on which most ex-members agree, it is the level of control the leaders of the group exert on their followers. From age 5, Sandy said she was sexually abused by two different men. Anyway after that we did have several weird instances of people following us and coming up to our house in the middle of the night but I can't really prove it was them and honestly I don't care. As the teaser for WFAAs investigation says: Some fear for the children that remain in the community.. Are there any things you were taught in the cult that are hard for you to remember are false? But it does believe the group deceives people and is spiritually abusive. 04/06/2021. Homestead prides itself on being an intentional Christian community valuing sustainability, agriculture, self-sufficiency and craftsmanship. Like a favorite place to go, favorite activity, etc? 2021 The Texas Observer. Photos, illustrations and other art may be available for syndication but must be confirmed. I read once about a guy who's family was involved in Scientology and his mom finally packed up him and his brother and left their brainwashed dad and took off because they knew they wouldn't be able to leave any other way. To Olsons dismay, the article provoked opposition to Homestead Heritage. Their storyline as a whole presents a blatantly false and misleading characterization of our non-violent, peace-loving Christian community.. . Whenever they quote our literature, member Nathan Tittley says, you really have to watch the ellipses.. More importantly, though, Homestead Heritage wants its beliefs to be imparted in a more personal manner. If parents arent spending enough time on their childrens education, thats because of choices they make, not the group. Anyone who leaves the group, Beechner claimed, is shunned and denounced as being the spirit of the antichrist. Please notify us by email that the article will be republished at, report on Homestead Heritage by WFAA in Dallas, recommended attractions for schools groups, Abbott Wants to Deny Undocumented Kids a Public Education, Border Security Is a Financial Black Hole that Will Consume Us All, Two Executions, Many Questions about Mental Health, Innocence, Remembering a Social Justice Lawyer Extraordinaire. Due to an editing error, we incorrectly reported that Bill DeLong told police he continued sexually abusing a young girl after admitting his abuse to a church elder. Please notify us by email that the article will be republished at, Abbott Wants to Deny Undocumented Kids a Public Education, Border Security Is a Financial Black Hole that Will Consume Us All, Two Executions, Many Questions about Mental Health, Innocence, Remembering a Social Justice Lawyer Extraordinaire. A clue is in the leadership structure. Why? Wheeler says. . They strictly enforce dress codes (I remember an elder yelling at me for wearing a T-shirt). r/AMA 6 yr. ago. South Africa's relationship to Zimbabwe, is not ANC-ZANU PF, but South Africans-Zimbabweans. An example of a serious post is one entitled Its your time to die. In it, Crow writes: I just heard that someone I love very much in HH is very sick and nothing is being done. homestead heritage abusecarlton fisk hall of famecarlton fisk hall of fame The baptisms are super intense. It was really the tone we removed, he says. The Dumfries Town Council has passed a resolution to establish a committee to plan a celebration in 2024 to mark the 275th anniversary of the town's charter, according to a news release. Now Daniel, what kind of man writes that kind of a letter and then makes someone else sign his name to it? Arnn says in the e-mail. Yikes. All critics have to do is twist such groups views of authority into authoritarianism and many people are willing to condemn them, Wheeler says. The law in Texas is gray here. The format is akin to that of Sunday services at most churches, plus the meetings are more intimate. A full year would go by before DeLong once more talked with Klingensmith about the abuse, court records show. Has your community ever intentionally covered up cases of child abuse among your . 64 reviews of Homestead Heritage "There is so much to see at Homestead Heritage, you should visit their website at www.homesteadheritage.com to get a good feel for all they offer. He is a bizaare guy, has secret escape routes set up for himself if anything goes south, multiple houses all over the US-he has a ton of money. Homestead Heritage is an intentional community in rural Texas. The church began life as a mission on the Lower East Side of New York City in the mid- 1970s. Homestead Heritage, on the other hand, lets members decide how much, if any, contact to have with family members who leave. Over the years, the church has been called, variously, New Life Fellowship, Fellowship of Christ, Emmaeus Fellowship, Koinonia and Heritage Ministries. Personal experience and academic study have taught him that people often fear religious sects that are different, he says. Watchman Fellowship created an Internet discussion board about Homestead Heritage through F.A.C.T.Net. He did everything he could shy of getting involved., In his statement to police(warning: graphic material), DeLong said he also told his wife, Carolyn, about his crimes a year before he gave himself up and that the couple just prayed and cried over what happened for a long time. The officer asked him if his wife ever told him to turn himself in and he said they just prayed and were hoping something would change.. Or not allowed to have any time alone? Yes! We just found out they are moving in 250 MORE families. But yes, they do have great food! All rights reserved. In fact, according to court records, DeLong claimed the abuse stopped after he confessed to a church elder. Another charge leveled at the group to make it appear cultic, members say, is that leaders exercise authoritarian control. But the group points to the example of Jesus when he was questioned by Pilate before his crucifixion. Three members have been convicted of sexually assaulting minors. He described the food served in the caf as heavenly., I was given a copy of a letter sent to Christianity Today in response to Olsons piece by ex- member Bob Beechner, Katherines husband, of which the magazine chose to publish a very small extract. 388 Halbert Lane, Waco, TX 76705 (254) 754-9604. . But I'll add that before we left most people who left fell on their faces and posed no risk to them. Under Texas law, ministers and clergy are required to report any suspected child abuse sexual or otherwise to authorities within 48 hours of being told, otherwise they too are committing a criminal offense. The Observer asked Homestead Heritage for an in-person interview with Blair Adams or other elders, but our interview request was denied. They have allowed their memories to become altered by Watchman Fellowships tainted information. More info: http://www.homesteadheritage.com/ https://www.texasobserver.org/heritage-of-abuse/ https://www.texasobserver.org/wfaa-weighs-in-on-homestead-heritages-with-a-two-part-investigation/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elFvLVR0J6w. Homestead Heritage -- Waco Religious Commune Accused of Masking Abuse Been There Done That 36 subscribers Subscribe Like Share 12K views 6 years ago Part 1 of WFAA's investigation on. Thanks! Birkbeck said she spent time each weekend with him, and even though she was not assaulted in any way, she is concerned she was left alone with a child molester. Built in Middlebury, Connecticut, in 1783, it was taken apart and moved to Deary last summer where a crew (under Brother Kevin Durkin's care) restored it to its original beauty. Montana, The Walk. One ex-member of Homestead Heritage sent me a copy of commonly asked visitors questions a publication not meant for anyone outside the church. Others boil down to a he said/she said contest. Although the group was founded by Blair Adams, he has no more authority than the other ministers, they say. When you work these cases, you need all the help you can get as far as testimony is concerned, he said. Driving up to the pretty caf, built of log and stone and nestled among cedars at the side of a single-track road, you would think youd stepped into another era. He went into some detail, saying it happened about five times. DeLong said he had told an elder at his church about the abuse shortly after the first time it happened. He is driven by a difference of opinion over doctrine, they say. Their literature was mostly books about how we should behave and how we should explain ourselves to outsiders. Luckily he still turned himself in but it makes you wonder how many times this doesn't get reported. A Homestead Divided: Former Homestead members, anti-cult group accuse sect of deception, controlling lives Life & modern conveniences at Homestead Heritage A Homestead Divided: Local religious group fighting to preserve its image I had plenty of privacy growing up. 3-car garages available Near shopping, schools, downtown Pricing From the low $300s Builder Lennar Homes New Homes for Sale A year after that, Bill DeLongs 23-year-old son Andrew was told he would serve 15 years in prison after admitting four counts of sexual assault against two children. And most of the young people that wanted to go to college left the group because they werent allowed anyway. Members also supplied documents showing that the ranch is owned by the church, not Adams. They have a book they give members called "Questions Visitors Most Often Ask" in which they tell you how to answer questions. Not only have lies about the group been publicly aired on the Internet, he says, but now theyre being picked up by the news media. But Homestead Heritage also believes there are other Christians every bit as sincere as they are. Day after day, half-truths and outright lies designed to poison people against the group have been posted on the Internet, he says. There has to be authority, but its not authoritarian, Wheeler says. Modern culture prizes individual rights beyond all else, so groups such as Homestead Heritage that set different priorities are suspect in the minds of many, he says. Homestead Heritage certainly has its quirks, Olson says. E) The were having a meeting and screaming at some kids and the kids were crying and I guess that was the last straw for my dad. I think the key word on what members though of visitors would be "judgemental". The thinking is that if critics can be shown to be lying about one thing even small matters it stands to reason theyre lying about other allegations. Joseph Ratliff was convicted of five counts of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and indecency with a child. That was basically the gist of every 8 hour long Sunday "meeting". Its literature stresses simplicity, sustainability, self-sufficiency, cooperation, service and quality craftmanship. The group said those crises and shortcomings help explain the troubled states of mind that spurred some of the accusations. They were filled with the "elders" screaming and prophesying people dying, diseases spreadiing, etc., people speaking in tongues, falling on the ground in what I guess I would now call seizures-it sounds crazy now but back then it was perfectly normal. The two main distortions, members say, are that the group believes salvation comes through works and that it is imparted to only an elite few. And as long as the leader is allowed to act without any checks and balances, they tend to become more and more domineering., Homestead Heritage has made new members sign and notarize a resolution obtained by the Observer, which states, among other things, that each openly, voluntarily, under no coercion agrees, even should [they] leave the fellowship to never bring before the public outside our church any disagreement the individual may have with the church, any accusations of wrongdoing or any charge or suit or court action against any of its members., It says all disputes should be settled within [italics theirs] the confines of the church covenant., Tellingly, it also states: Since the church is the Bride of Christ, we do not view its marriage relationship to God as a public spectacle; nor for us is religion an agent, or the proper province, of the corporate State and its investigative, police and judicial services.. Then only if they decide you can be forgiven can you be forgiven, he said.
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