Hi subscribers! Amazingly, Undertow’s 7th birthday is this November. One way I’m celebrating is by sharing extra bonus material with you that’s related to my cult story, such as the following letter from a reader. I’ll do this until Nov. 1st. On that day, I’ll send you a special post explaining how to get a free copy of Undertow. I have only seven to give away. So, stay tuned.
Undertow fan mail
Who could have imagined? Undertow’s journey into the world continually surprises me. As you read the following, remember that The Way International (what I consider a fundamentalist cult in which I spent 17 years) was founded by Victor Paul Wierwille. Its headquarters is on Wierwille’s old family farm outside the Village of New Knoxville, Ohio.
Here, with his permission, I have the pleasure of sharing the following from Rev. Dennis Gaertner, Pastor, in New Knoxville, OH.
Note: This was first published five years ago here on the blog, so you’ll see Comments at the end from that time.
An echo in New Knoxville, Ohio
March 12, 2018
Hi Charlene,
I just finished Undertow. Ironically, I am sitting in one of those churches you mention driving past on your way out of New Knoxville.
I have been pastor of the NK United Methodist Church for almost 10 years. Thank you for your eye-opening description of your time in TWI [The Way International]. I needed an insider’s look for my own education and for my ability to interact with people in the NK community.
Interestingly, one of your comments about VP’s [Victor Paul Wierwille] crisis sessions mentions his complaints about local pastors giving him trouble. My guess is that his reference was to a friend of mine in ministry who served this church in the late 70s—Jon Barker.
Anyway, let me assure you that there are some ex-Way members who have left and found other church homes in this community. Some are members with me in the ministry of NKUMC. Some of them were with the Way in the 70s and 80s.
May the Lord continue to provide to you the healing that only He can deliver. He has obviously already begun this work, and my guess is that He did it without the exclusive help of an “anointed” clergy guy!
Have a great weekend!
Dennis Gaertner, Pastor
—END—
Next blog post: October 28
Thanks for reading!
Your writer on the wing,
Charlene
John Darlington
Great article Charlene , your book is doing its job …Keep up the good work …John
Billy Williams
Several thoughts pop into my mind (lots of space for them there!) but one here will suffice…for now. Healing can certainly take place without the “annointed”. For me it is taking place mainly by example, though words expressed by people like Kristen, Charlene, my counselor, and some others definitely have an influence in it. Of course, books such as “Losing the Way” and “Undertow” really are i the example category, because they are not people preaching at me about how I should live. My healing is taking place with the help of ex-Way people and also people who know nothing about the Way. It is taking place with the help of my best survivor friend, who last fall enabled me to break my silence about my sexual assault in the Way…and she is one of those who knows only what little I have told her about the Way. A lifelong friend of hers, whom I have never met (but seen and heard speak live) has helped by her example of incredibly high sensitivity to people who are hurting; a sensitivity I really didn’t know in that cult because all the caring of people seemed to be conditionally available only to those who stayed loyal to the group.
One thought of mine, which may (or may not) be of interest to Pastor Gaertner, is how the message of the gospel can be hurt or lost when the people who are teaching about our presumed loving God are the same ones who hurt people so horribly. One of my helpers in healing (by example, I’ve had only minimal online personal contact with her) is working hard to uncover abuse and especially the ignoring thereof in the churches she is familiar with. Her message to people who are afraid that knowledge of abuse will harm the message the Church wants to bring, is that it is harmed much, much more by ignoring it, covering it up, and other methods of “sweeping it under the rug”. Her name is Rachael Denhollander, for anyone interested.
It really is warming to see “Undertow” show relevance at this point in time. Charlene, you definitely were not “too late”, because the experiences of someone who spent time in the Way (I’m telling you?) as in any traumatic event, are forever events. Dennis obviously has the idea already.
Ned Kessler
It must be very nice for you to have received affirmation such as the letter from Pastor Gaertner. It was also very nice of him to write you. I’m glad he did.
Linda Goddard
I’m so glad your book and your continued dedication to be public about this dangerous cult are so widely received!
Thank you, Dear Friend
Robert Lunsford
Last week, I received a post card from The Way, suggesting I investigate “the new Way” ministry. Given I hadn’t heard from them in thirty years, and was blackballed after refusing to submit, branded a heretic, mark and avoid, etc, I found it curious they would reach out with a snail mail. My first thought, they must be hurting for cash. Since Wierwille taught our first thoughts are revelation, I must be right!
I drove by New Knoxville last week on my annual Ohio trip to Put In Bay, and wondered how they still support the place. Worse, how people still buy into their shtick. Given their post card to me, apparently not many are.
Congrats on the anniversary of your book, it’s been so meaningful to many. All the best!
Charlene
Thank you, Robert. I’ve heard about this snail mail outreach The Way is doing this year. very interesting…
Kathleen Brandt
I didn’t know you in 2018 and thus didn’t read this when it first came out, but this was fascinating to me. What must it have been like to be a minister in New Knoxville Ohio?? I’m a bit curious about Jon Barker. So, there were people who stood up to VPW – we just didn’t hear about them. (Or, if they were ‘within the flock’, they were blackballed and banished.)
Good for you, Jon Barker. And all the best to you, Pastor Gaertner.
Charlene Edge
This letter from Pastor Gaertner took my breath away, as you can imagine. We had a nice exchange via email when I asked to publish the letter here.