BWT Statement

My name is BWT. I was brought into the Des Moines Assembly cult when I was five years old. My family moved from Lake Jackson, TX to Des Moines, IA in 1975. My father moved his family here after his father and mother (My grandparents, who I love with my whole heart) moved to Des Moines, IA to join the Des Moines Assembly. My grandparents did move back to Texas in 1998 and are happy and well.

I have been out of the church for years and I am proud to say I still believe in God. I am happy God has shown me the truth. Not only the truth of His Kingdom, but also the truth about this so-called church I survived. Now, I am married with two kids and actively pursue God’s great and powerful love as a Lutheran.

I was raised in the cult from childhood to my late teens. The leaders of the cult during my childhood were Lloyd Goodwin and Leander Ray. These men started brainwashing children, including myself, from a very young age. For instance, I can remember both Lloyd and Leander coming in front of the whole school, at least on a monthly basis, telling us that if we do not shape up, we would be kicked out of school and sent to a public school. Lloyd and Leander would go into vivid detail about going to public schools. They painted a picture to us kids that we would likely get stabbed or killed if we went to public schools. Therefore, we had better do as we were told or we may end up in a public school, which could ultimately result in our deaths. This is a huge example of the fear used to control children.

Secondly, Lloyd used his power to decide whom we dated, what former members we could talk to, (NONE) and if we were spiritually strong enough to attend college. I remember liking certain girls and having to have permission to date a girl and this would either be approved or not approved by Lloyd. I know several members that left the church and Lloyd painted horrible pictures of how ungodly they were for leaving and actually tried to predict the deaths of some former members-- as if to go against Lloyd and his church would be the death of you. I am sure some current and former members still fear terrible life events and even death if they speak out against the teachings of Lloyd. (He even preached damnation of other preachers who would dare disagree with the message put out over his pulpit (Go to the Audio Section of this site).

Education was not readily encouraged. College was only recommended to those students that Lloyd felt were spiritually strong enough to refuse to conform to the real world. Lloyd was afraid his teachings would be torn down by education and enlightenment. An example of the result of this extreme control he asserted over many of my school mates would be the time I heard a fourteen year old boy actually saying that if Lloyd Goodwin ask him to, he would kill somebody for him. I remember adolescent boys feeling it would be an honor to kill for Lloyd or to take a bullet and die for Lloyd. I’m educated enough now to know children do not go around wanting to die for anyone. It is obvious that the teachings of the church and Lloyd encouraged this type of thinking. Most professionals would agree these children were being controlled and being subjected to mental abuse. I have many friends who continue to have nightmares concerning the plethora of abuses they endured. Lloyd and Leander brainwashed and abused children as a way to keep membership growing.

In my late teens I began to realize the wrongs that were going on. I began dating outside the church. The leaders, Lloyd and Leander, did not approve of anyone dating outside of the church. I was told these girls were ungodly, and unethical women who were full of lust. However, knowing many young women who did not attend “THE CHURCH” I knew them to have the ability to be Godly, moral, and loving people. All people have this ability-- not just the ones at the COMPOUND (as I call the church complex at 7135 Meredith Drive).

Eventually, I found a young woman with whom I fell in love. We dated for quite some time and eventually she became pregnant. We had a lovely son together. I will not go into detail about the next phase of my life out of respect for the love I have for Tami, Dakota, Tami’s family, and others. I will, however, say I lost Tami to God when Dakota was ten months old.

No one can imagine the depth of my pain and the turmoil this incident gave my life. I was confused, scared, and looking for guidance. The tactics of the church began immediately. I was reminded of their previous teachings. Vernon Goodwin indicated this may be my judgment from God for decisions in my life. I cannot tell you the terrible, manipulative words they used to describe Tami and I. It makes me sick now to know that at the lowest part of my life, when I didn’t even know how I felt, they were telling me how to feel. Lloyd Goodwin told me that if I were to come back to “HIS CHURCH” God would make everything OK. At a time when I needed true love, comfort, and understanding this so-called church did not understand the full capacity of God’s grace.

That is all I feel appropriate to discuss. I hope I have expressed the EXTREME DEPTHS OF THE SINS of this so-called church in this statement.

I have strong opinions concerning the current accusations of other classmates. Look for my opinions on your message board.

May God be with you, and I will keep you in my prayers.

Always a Friend,
BWT


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