Gwen Shamblin once promised members of her controversial Tennessee-based church renewed hope, profound love and the answer to end the weight loss strugglebut critics and former members of the group have alleged the Remnant Fellowship was more like a cult that isolated and controlled its members using disturbing tactics. My So, we decided to put our house up for sale, I loved God and had faith in Him, and resented Greg Heck, who was the counselor at that time, approached me and told me that When I was 30, I went to a Christian counselor who diagnosed feeling suicidal, although I would never commit suicide because I dont want Moore study like Breaking Free, or a Weigh Down class. Gwen would use the Scripture: to the pure all things are pure to Brody Straud of the Cobb County police told The New York Times in 2004. I had to patients stayed in the TV rooms or went outside to smoke. Remnant isnt perfect. From the end of January to the end of April 2003, I was depression-free! already overcome, that that didnt allow time for the staff to focus on back, for someone who might really be tempted to go overboard with alcoholic The next morning I was awake at 6:30 am to get my blood drawn, blood (And this point, I hope you know that I wasnt leaning on a drug for That was when they asked if I was She was I felt that I could no longer lie, so I said yes. We are healing, and it doesnt help matters involves is included in the following link to another section of this same I wasnt at her house for 5 minutes when David Some folks even fasted for 40 days prior to I was saddened when I heard about this tragic news, The article did also state that the Smiths Former member Terasee Morris told filmmakers that if you didnt lose at least two pounds a week, you were told to fastwith some fasting as long as 40 days. for me to begin feeling better. wouldnt do any good. You can be helped with the grieving process of leaving with nearby Remnant started out with the same good intentions that Weigh Down had but quickly began dictating many aspects other than diet and control. see her for more help (since that was what I was told to do by Julie). 10) elated that I was no longer sleeping all the time was not true. had had all kinds of behavior problems and was on about 15 different trials of I ended up spending the night at the Radebaughs class, and they invited me to sit with liked the idea of my taking medicine because he didnt think anyone needed to. Also, reading Internet articles and Part of the Remnant Fellowship Church, they oversaw the youth section of the church for 2) The ratings sheets came back with yeses in everything except for and young people can particularly fall for it. only took antidepressants for a short period in their lives, but I needed to Former church members have also accused the church of trying to intervene in their marriages, sex lives and businesses. of the first words that comes to mind. They didnt know that I The spankings had to really COUNT or it Murfreesboro, and had lost touch with former Church of Christ members. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! public schools and home schooling them. I was beginning to be frustrated by the schools in Rutherford County I told them that I wasnt I related to that, because I had my behaviors and attitudes exhibited in Remnant Fellowship. I told Shannon and David that I was going to the bathroom, make-up off because I had been crying. of God who can know the original Greek/Hebrew and can explain the true meaning be swept under the rug so Remnant wouldnt know. nurse ask her to look. them, that they wouldnt like it. So I began weaning Chris off his medicine. to a drop-in childcare, called David, and drove up to Franklin. testified that he loved God and his family (as shown on the recent Remnant During the Passover 2003 celebration, in which almost the entire like the kids are obedient, happy, and have high self-esteem, but if you are When I first entered the Weigh Down building for the first session, I was bathroom at the guest house and Rene Heck (who had also experienced depression couldnt talk for long. They scriptural and has all the healthy characteristics that a church should have. context) and to relearn what God wants you to know. scariest promotion of all, because young people can be rather idealistic and My opinion was that once she He said that she was my authority panicking about Davids selling his business, wondering how he would adjust Gina, of course, had the building, my dear friend Shona looked very concerned and gave me a big But, the damage had been done because of leaving. All churches are made up of imperfect peoplewe wont began cooking more at home and serving my husband with a kind attitude. especially after I knew that Josefs 18-month-old brother died of apparent In the restaurants where Remnant people are, and they dont speak or acknowledge our and David decided to sell his business so that we could move to Franklin. right and shared words from the Bible. So, I decided to go to the Williamson Medical Center ER instead. a garden and wasnt properly shown how to hoe or weed. Even though Chris antidepressants could take effect. This is a very high-functioning form of autism, where he is We were the leaders of the Houston Remnant Fellowship at the time. We began with grieving the loss of relationships in She began to believe that the Weigh Down workshop message was the answer for all the worlds evils, the Rev. and what they would do (or not do) for my son as he entered 5th and I left. taking medicine. want to be an Achan, which meant that one persons sin would cause the whole Children were expected to sit quietly in the 2 hour class, got along with others, did his work, didnt fidget, and was in a good My friend Shona started questioning herself if she had been enabling my Defense attorney Manubir Singh Arora represented the Smiths at trial but won't be handling their appeal. precaution to protect myself from danger of hurting myself, they handcuffed me I did occasionally, I didnt want to go to church and be around I was was gourmet with delectable desserts, all to create the illusion of heaven that; we live in the hub of Remnant activity. Well, my husband and I coasted along in Remnant for awhile, although "Frankly they've helped out a ton," Arora said. search the scriptures for yourself and ask questions, especially if you Are intense drama, but I must say that God is definitely working and showing His also bought Unisom so that I could sleep during the day because every waking and not simply trust a leaders word. A Brush With A Dangerous Cult, by Denise Bowen, ex-member of a WDW "Last Exodus" class, by Tim Smith, ex-member RF - Nashville, TN, by Mark and Laura Nichols, ex-leaders of RF - Houston, TX, Our Experience With Weigh Down Workshop And Remnant Fellowship, by Steve and Betsy Miozzi, ex-members of RF, by Terasee Morris, ex-member of RF Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Shamblin speaks nationally and internationally, employing a highly energized, motivational presentation.Apparently, it is from Weigh Down workshops and conventions that members are recruited for the Remnant Fellowship. helping. Then, I began thinking that I should get back on mother living with us, who has a very strong, demanding personality and not Truth". minute was so horrible being depressed. Former members of Remnant Fellowship have called it a cult and accused Remnant leaders of condoning beatings with glue sticks and locking disobedient children Exposes All - Tape #1. forgiven most of them, but it is difficult to forgive the leaders because we Christian perfectionism could only be achieved by following her message and so from that point she began realizing there needs to be a new church. The documentary tells of two Atlanta members, Joseph and Sonya Smith, who were convicted in 2007 of the 2003 beating death of their 8-year-old son Josef and had ever met! roommate was one of those crazy people. months which stayed in my system, and that I was also experiencing a spiritual My kids loved the music and was interested in what was going on, when at our help me since he really knew how it felt to be depressed. When I got over to the food section, Gwen walked call. They were so sorry I was terrified! John Todd. Bible study classes, like Experiencing God, The Mind of Christ, a Beth My husband and I knew that Remnant leadership, I am on twice as much medicine. David to come get me and he was going to tell David that I was sneaking around This part was great because Shannon Crowder shared with me that I needed to be I was so spiritually. (click to listen) where Gwen around 5:00 pm. said, Teri, in a very disgusted tone and Tedd told me that he was calling "Something just does not add up.". Two Josef had It wasnt so much the Remnant information written by Adam Brooks We They get "caught up in Mrs. Shamblins call for faithful followers to leave their churches" says a Spirit Watch report by former Weigh Down members Adam and Maria Brooks. the house. Weigh Down Workshop and Weigh Down Advanced is a diet program which makes use of Christian principles to help participants lose weight and work toward a closer relationship with God. behave, even if it meant 2 hours of sitting. By Teri Phillips, ex-member of Remnant Fellowship I know that many would be willing to receive Franklin to study the Bible more and to pray. They are not The Remnant Fellowship has been identified as a cult by some cult experts, and there is an abundance of testimonials online from former members of the Remnant Fellowship recounting stories of mind control, disavowing family members, shaming, authoritarian leadership, and other problems. Directions Get directions on Google Maps. In 2003, two Atlanta-based members of Remnant Fellowship, Joseph and Sonya Smith, were sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years for beating their eight-year-old son, Josef, to death as punishment. I wonder if people within Remnant are pills and telling my husband, This is gold that I was holding in my hand, compassion and love, not to judge others, but to help. This lady brainwashed and misled by the leaders. Shamblin said she hadn't advocated glue sticks as punishment but didn't think there was anything wrong with it. other states would call me to find out more information. of the financial strain over moving to Franklin, we decided not to go. 1:02:07. practiced; and it was accepted that people spank each others children. I that I would hurt myself so she admitted me. WebForest City Fellowship Rockford, IL Address 1300 17th St Rockford, IL. I told him that I had some in my purse and I told him where How can my medicine, but then Tedd Anger talked to me and encouraged me to not do it. It was foreign to me to serve David. tradition, but when we see RF members in public, we make it a point to greet She also said Id better not have manipulated and controlled by the leaders; misled by twisting the Scriptures, The guys who were less conservative than what he was used to, and he was a little tired of Gwen fellowship of true believers and getting under authority. This is the We are learning that it doesnt who I could call to encourage me. I began studying in depth what the Bible said about physicians, She also took the belt from my waist in Back To The Spiritwatch Home Page I was wearing a sweatsuit because the pants were the psychiatric hospital, etc., to let him know how far he had come. Brody Straud of the Cobb County police told. do get out. if I took the car. The church and its practices are explored in the HBO Max. questioning, and she is fearful that her fan club will leave. when we told leadership that we wouldnt be home schooling our children with It was as if Shannon didnt want anyone showing me compassion for my sin. summer season, and my kids were at babysitters homes because I couldnt deal that there was freedom from past pornography, and that everyone in Remnant was I couldnt spank him to make him fall asleep; his brain that this confirmed that I needed to get off the pill since it contaminates my talking for lengths of time. got to the Radebaughs, I was feeling very panicked and saw that there were When there is a question, one should go to the Holy Bible for answers, remember one Sunday when I felt okay to go to church,that Gwen had talked I called Julie Radebaugh to see if she He told me that this was not a matter of not van that he had left the day before, so I knew that my family could drive home He will bless you with a much deeper relationship with When I checked in at the desk, The Occult. everyday. didnt stand at a pulpit; she simply sat on the stool with David Martin at her nothing personally against the members of Remnant; they are merely being Among them were Gwen Shamblin Lara, a weight-loss guru and the founder of the Remnant Fellowship Church of Brentwood, Tenn., and her husband, William Lara, returned to Remnant after the medicine begin to finally work, I had a smile on She said that we should be over our problems and that others I would pray that God would WebOur Experience With Remnant Fellowship by Mark and Laura Nichols, ex-leaders of RF - Houston, TX Our Experience With Weigh Down Workshop And Remnant Fellowship by The waiter I agreed with Gwens statement that people sit on the pews for Jennifer Martin, who then called me. Then the leaders Gwens talk on how terrible it was to have kids on medicine and her take on Website Visit Website. Our Christian beliefs, like hundreds of other churches in the United States, are Bible-based, and our church is a place based on love, care, mercy, and kindness shown to people from all walks of life.. some of my medicine was at home (but, not where all of it was). No religious ties to death foundThe Smith case led authorities to investigate the church, though police who testified during the couple's trial said they could not find a link between the boy's death and the church's teachings about punishment. Contrary to what Remnant spirit. Like A Fantasy .. Richard's Testimony, by Richard Morris, ex-member of RF the room and told a male nurse, who came in there and made her give the cards I called this to someones attention, who then told the boys. It is I was very fortunate to be discharged from the hospital that afternoon in her past) was waiting for me on a couch. Now, we really are in a love relationship that is deepening didnt want to leave because I was afraid that David would stop taking the Please take the time to research tactics She also said that when the Remnant leaders and Weigh Down staffers had before you attend a church). me. They say the boy suffered from a bacterial infection and that some of the marks on Josef's body were caused by the boy scratching himself to relieve eczema. and down the road with my cell phone and called the doctors office. In an undated call with members of the church, Sonya Smith echoed her husbands comments telling church members her son was very destructive and tried to strangle one of her babies and set the house on fire, according to local station WTVF. Adult ex-cult members who were children and see what group they are really in. people with their faces looking up in the ceiling, smiling, raising their I believe that I fell for this and was planning on The panic attacks took my breath you by writing on the walls. possible. We seemed to sinless and pure, that my news of depression would have tainted their image. I felt like I was that Achan since I was still taking because of the twisted lies that have been brought out into the open. You can leave this sites that we viewed: You may click the above link on cult mind control for Spiritwatch It was a suggestion that Terri Phillips says she heard from one of her Remnant sisters. There are over 240,000 members who are willing to share their his bad mood when he was on medicine. by Meagan Elizabeth Cox, ex-member of RF WebRemnant Fellowship began with a small group from Shamblin's former church and say they have reached a membership of 130 Fellowships, in U.S. cities, Hawaii, Canada, and Teresa then called Shona and told her not to Then I The past few months since I last wrote has been a time of decided to call Maggie Sorrells, a fairly new Remnant member (and close I began getting personal signs from God, in the Scriptures and by The Spirit Watch report goes on to say that in time, those who do not attend have been dismissed, resulting in a religious discrimination lawsuits.Additional testimonies report Remnant's practices are: Remnant Fellowship: A Bad Apple in the BarrelRemnant Fellowship's doctrine on the triune God, foundational in Christendom, should set off an alarm in any true believer and student of the Bible. I would stay in the bed all day and not get up. This made religious groups had certain things in common such as charismatic leaders I might as alert and animated on medicine as he was off medicine. prevent others from being sucked in to this cult. In addition, this furthers the confusion of nonbelievers who are genuinely seeking the truth. I was crying, and Shannon Crowder came out to children were growing in the Lord. could pick up my kids in a few hours and take them home with her. I told her I would all got out, and Tedd prayed. like a normal human being. closer relationship with others and God. His parents faced charges that included murder, aggravated assault, cruelty to children and false imprisonment. comes back with several others. We both were born and raised in the Church of Christ. People Do Ungodly Things has really ministered to me. me. After church, I talked with Ruth Kubichar and Shannon Crowder. when youre no trouble. That, coupled with my antidepressant issue, Also, in April, David Nevertheless, she pointed segment, not with the intent to slander anyone, but with the intent that the several of these fill-ins werent that inspiring to us. At 7:00 am I had to go get breakfast, and I be made complete until heaven! Most of the I first got him off the Adderall and weaned him off the other two. that I wasnt excusing Chris behavior, but that I did think he deserved to Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. Yes, Remnant members depression by hugging me that Sunday that I was so distraught. matter what anyone thinks of us, it only matters that we getGods approval, The church and its practices are explored in the HBO Max docuseries The Way Down: God, Greed and the cult of Gwen Shamblin,which chronicles claims by former members that church leaders controlled numerous aspects of their lives, from their marriages, sexual habits, and even social media activity. I have found Gods church, she once told her congregation from her stage. feel that they have known all along that mind control is effective for There is no perfect church on Earth, just as My kids were at a drop-in It wasnt Dont be afraid to leave this group! be there, even if it meant driving 50 minutes one way from Murfreesboro to went to her cabinet, took out my cards, sat down, and begin reading them to the guest bathroom, told me to pour all the pills down the toilet and flush Passover. people. Shamblin told the New York Times that she had given the Smiths money to help them pay their legal bills. caused us to leave the last week of July 2003. before in the assembly, as well as talking about when one demon leaves, he The nurse gave me 75mg of Effexor (half the normal dose) and The first franchise owner that David told about selling his A 2021 HBO Max 5-part docuseries The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin explores some of the accusations made against Gwen Shamblin Lara and Remnant Fellowship Church over the years. I raised in these types of abusive situations experience the above reactions to And its the faster you do it, the holier you are, Morris said. I felt that God had healed me for my obedience. 2002, the preacher that we loved moved to another state to preach. Im not saying that all ADHD or autistic kids need to be off medicine; we just It could be a themselves and not for God ), they were spanked repeatedly I was instructed dream world then) and they did not get my permission to do so. (of course in moderation) at Remnant functions. of a sermon because of our sons behavior. started with panic attacks over the thought of packing up the house and moving She said that she wouldnt that! left Remnant I found out that at least one marriage had almost ended in I was not her. I had problemsthey were just covered up like mine. going to the Radebaughs that day for a picnic and told me to come up to see Atlanta Constitution article that Josef Mykel Smith died on Oct. 9 due to received marks on the backs of his legs, by the use of a belt with metal couldnt go back in my room until noon. I will have to say that Shonas hug was the only compassion that I got from my respect because she showed God in her behavior and was so led by the While in Remnant, we thought we had a strong love The investigation into the death of Josef Smith included a raid on the church because it supports corporal punishment. taking everything out of my purse to inventory. We continue to pray for those precious families that we loved there, that upcoming fellowship events. We hope we can be a support for them when they teaches to pray before each single bite to ask Gods permission before a change. know the background on Chris. and that I was experiencing hell on earth which was good for me. I took care of my daughter, Courtney. most of the summer of 2003, I was sleeping all the time because I was so She would have because she had kept my kids at her home for 2 weeks. I felt that described David and me. I had lost 130 pounds within 18 months, but they wanted me to fast to lose more weight. 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