Those were the days of the ungodly provocative lets-go-to-bed-look fashions. Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights. Oh how I pray some will stand for Jesus! He does not know how to treat a woman. I recently noticed a website that is somewhat of a memorial to the recently deceased Patti Williams. The school/home does not fit any category for a state license. etc. Dear lady, you are then gross in a bathing suit! By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use, and to receive messages from Mother Jones and our partners. The shocking accounts of survivors who were beaten, starved,enslaved, and humiliated.Today young girls are still. If a mans eyes are filled with lust (Matthew 5:28 Proverbs 27:20), then how can we justify the wearing of swimming apparel in mixed swimming? The Lord will forgive and forget but her body and mind will bear nonerasable scars. I really really hope that government officials are looking into this evil place!!!! But apparently not if youre a teenage girl.. A week or so after the disastrous conference call, Jeannie Marie traveled to La Russell with a friend whod heard about places like New Beginningssketchy teen homes drawn by Missouris laissez-faire policy toward faith-based residential facilities. They asked Roxy if she wanted to come home. The Bible tells us in I Timothy 2:9 that a woman is to dress in a modest way. Nor would he divulge the name of his attorney or agree to have his attorney contact me. There was no horseback riding. SIA is planning a 2012 convention for adults who have been through lockdown teen facilities., Back in Maryland, Jeannie Marie has introduced Roxy to the survivor community in the hope that sharing her ordeal will help her recover. Hephzibah [H] [S] my delight is in her. Williams said the school and its staff do the Lord's work in line with fundamentalist Baptist teachings. In one memorable 1982 incident, a student named Guy disappeared from the school after he was badly beaten with golf clubs by other students, leaving Guys terror-stricken friends to wonder whether the staff had finished him off. Survivors and their families complain that the state authorities seem uninterested in prosecuting abuses at the homesparticularly in Missouri, where some facilities settle so far out in the sticks that state agencies are unaware of them. Churchgoers emptied their wallets, pouring out love offerings to sustain Fords mission. We have allowed the world to dictate our styles. Pastor Dave Halyaman is also the assistant pastor at Believers Baptist Church, and has held the positions since 1990. We live in very unbiblical times where people do not like certain rules.Our church is considering supporting this ministry and I am supportive of this decision. Spanking -- To my knowledge they no longer spank, however this is so they will continue to receive students in my opinion. I hope after the Dr. Phil expos that Indiana officials will finally bring to bear on Hephzibah House the full weight of Indiana law. 229 Hephzibah homes for sale range from $6K - $1.99M with the avg price of a 2-bed single family home of $108K. Inside a Religious Reform School: Survivors of Hephzibah House: With Phil McGraw. All Rights Reserved. The girls call her a Holly Hobbie doll. Celebrating original thought, religious freedom, parenthood, free enterprise and chocolate. I have heard many mothers say they do not wear pants and do not believe in them but you know how it Is! Want Dr. Phil to Investigate a Situation or Possible Scam? Copyright 2023 The Life and Times of Bruce Gerencser Powered by Flywheel. That the homes own former staffers arent sure of the year speaks volumes about an industry so poorly regulated that state officials cant verify whether certain homes even exist. Your next investment or dream home is just a click away. But let us look at ourselves Mother. I want to be different from the dress of the world. They accompanied her to the shower and toilet, and introduced her to a life of communal isolation and rigid discipline. In 2007, she sent her 14-year-old daughter, Kelsey, to the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch in Humansville, Missouri. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. You can have them made for most jobs at which you work. I hope more reporters and journalists will be exposing this horror it has been going far too long. I reached him at home on three occasions, and he hung up on me twice. Photos: New Bethany Alumni; Barbed Wire: Brian Hagiwara/Getty Images. "They did an invasive exam to see why I couldn't go to the bathroom. Neither characteristic is a Godly one. Open Houses. Would you want your girl to come and spend a year around other kids with STDs? Our only authority is through the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, which would include concerns like false advertising, she says. There's girls there right now and my heart hurts for them every day," she said. This is yet another example of why I hate fundamentalism. Founded in 1971, the school operates under the authority of Believers Baptist Church, one of the hundreds of small churches that ascribe to the religious teachings of the independent fundamental Baptist movement. Were helping parents get their kids back. Thank you so much for posting this! Founded in 1971, the school operates under the authority of Believers Baptist Church, one of the hundreds of small churches that ascribe to the religious teachings of the independent fundamental Baptist movement. So what is he doing with the money in the meantime? Its no wonder rape victims are blamed in fundamentalist Christianity. Our Staff Ronald E. Williams is the Founder and Director of Hephzibah House, Inc., a Christian Boarding School for troubled girls. My dear Sister in Christ, look around our daughters are no longer pure. About The New Press. Select an address below to search who owns that property on Highway 88 and uncover many additional details. Hephzibah House - UnGodly Discipline - CNN report 60,646 views Sep 1, 2011 274 Dislike wdtony 730 subscribers Anderson Cooper Of CNN reports on allegations of abuse at Hephzibah House, a. Fear of government intrusionparticularly on account of the communitys spare the rod, spoil the child worldviewis so pervasive that IFB congregations are primed to dismiss regulatory actions against abusive facilities as religious persecution. Doctor. Hephzibah House is a small private boarding school in Winona Lake, Indiana, a small town about an hour west from Fort Wayne. There is so much wrong with what this woman wrote, beginning with the assertion that little girls are purposefully sexual temptresses. Thank you both so much for taking time to read this and comment. Despite the bad PR, Christian reform facilities appear to have no trouble attracting new recruits. When that could've been easily fixed with Metamucil or putting us on a better diet," she said. They went through every single girl and talked to every single staff the day after it aired. He also studied at Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. By that time, Roxy said, most girls are broken, having been told that their families have abandoned them, and that the world outside is a sinful, dangerous place where girls who leave are murdered or raped. Dr. Williams is also active in the field of evangelism. Heres some of what he said: When this thing aired, Wednesday morning guess who was at our door. Anita Bryant is a prime example of what the Bible condemns. He also pioneered girls singing groups as a way to promote Rebekah Homethe Honeybee Quartet was featured in his daily revivalist radio broadcasts. While at Grace Seminary, he was awarded the annual Glenn Russell Fink Award in expository preaching (1978).In 1987, Brother Williams was honored by the Great Plains Baptist College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where they conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree. His preaching, itinerary and deputation work has taken him into many fundamental churches, colleges, universities, Bible schools, Christian high schools, missions conferences, educators conferences and pastors conferences.He is the speaker/teacher on the weekly 15-minute radio broadcast The Voice of Hephzibah House. He has written several booklets and tracts on home and family-related themes. A good society recognizes that its ultimate value, and survival, depends on cooperation among its members at many levels, and long-term cooperation requires mutual respect. Our ungodly dress has resulted In our unsubmissive, bold, masculine spirits. Hephzibah House sent a letter to their supporters saying they sent their last student away and that the closure came after their insurance carrier dropped them. Hephzibah Children's Association - Helping children thrive and families flourish since 1897 Award-Winning Foster Care Our Foster Care Program licenses and supports foster families and foster children in transition. I told him wedon't see each other much at all (removed by over 100 miles) but after all this time I didn't want any bad feelings between us. [MORE: See photos of life at New Bethany. Hephzibah, GA Real Estate and Homes for Sale 3D Tour Newly Listed 1057 FOX DEN RD, Hephzibah, GA 30815 $275,000 4 Beds 3 Baths 2,034 Sq Ft Listing by Meybohm Real Estate -North Augusta Newly Listed 2420 BOYKIN RD, Hephzibah, GA 30815 $135,000 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,215 Sq Ft Listing by Re/max True Advantage Newly Listed They were not allowed contact with their families during their first month, or with anyone else for six months. But Dee Rapier confirmed the atmosphere of physical and psychological torment at the facility she ran with her former husband. I work with the Hephzibah House girls on Saturday evenings. They will look after the children., In the absence of federal action, alumni of the teen institutions have been trying to expose the abuses. Yet inwardly they are not changed and would wear pants at the first opportunity. Isn't it strange that those who testify against abuse boldly sign their names and those who are supposedly supporting the school don't dare to? But are they cultish? Schizophrenic Women should give you a good idea of how Hephzibah House was operated and how incarcerated girls were treated by the Williamses. Perhaps we need to be bound up? Interviews with a half-dozen former students indicate that most of the girls were merely rebellious teenslike Frye, who at age 14 began resisting her strict Baptist parents. It was two months before she and her husband could arrange a conference call with Roxy and the staff. In 2008, Susan Grotte, a Hephzibah House alum, led some 60 survivors in campaigning for its closure; they wrote to newspapers and picketed outside the county courthouse in Warsaw, Indiana, near . Hephzibah House operates under the authority of Believers Baptist Church in Warsaw, Indiana. My daughter Naomi has never worn pants unless under a maxi and that is rare. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. (I dont know anything about that, he said.) I want to look special for the Lord and my husband. Even then I wanted to be beautiful. The home was originally at 508 School Street in Winona Lake. Hephzibah House documentary. AS THE USUAL, the food was rather poor and not always cooked very well. He earned the certificate in Biblical Studies in May, 1977, and the Master of Divinity (cum laude) from Grace in 1979. This rating has decreased by -9% over the last 12 months. The position we have taken is hated not necessarily by the world as much as it is by fellow Christians. He also asked for letters to the newspaper and media BUT he asked that they be sent to him first, and then he would submit the letters. Women: no skills, need to marry & have kids This is false. Be willing to resist the pressures of the world and disobedient Christians. I figured this was Gods plan.. I grew up in a typical American home. She's not the only one who says she suffered at Hephzibah House. A mother is the primary Influence on her daughter. It was basically like in the military, where they do a blanket party, throwing a blanket over your head, and your teammates beat the crap out of you to make you get back in line, says Lenee Rider, a New Bethany alum whose father, an IFB pastor, frequently hosted Fords touring chorus during his training. Then they wanted to talk to the girls. Local courts promote the homes as an alternative to juvenile detention, and facilities can collect a variety of state and federal grants. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts from Cerritos Junior College in Los Angeles in 1971 and a certificate in radio broadcasting in 1972. I was left speechless after that comment. You are using an out of date browser. A private religious school does not require state certification. Your children need to obey; you and your husband need to let these groups know where you stand on this issue. In 2020, the median property value in Hephzibah, GA was $120,200, and the homeownership rate was 69.6%. Interestingly, Hephzibah House is not mentioned as a ministry on the churchs website. In 2008, Susan Grotte, a Hephzibah House alum, led some 60 survivors in campaigning for its closure; they wrote to newspapers and picketed outside the county courthouse in Warsaw, Indiana, near where the school is located. And my lesbian friends would disagree that all girls and women are out to get attention from men. Just an observation. The name Hephzibah or Hafzbah expresses a very clear idea. Please share your thoughts in the comment section. they substitute mind control for spanking! As I listen to their questions, handle their problems and study the Word for answers, I see that the Bible holds us responsible as mothers for our part in helping or harming our children. What do normal 18-year-olds do?" Our Affiliates. He surrendered to preach in 1982. I have personally heard Ron Williams present the "ministry" of Hephzibah House on three separate occasions. When I go shopping I try to take real care concerning my looks because it reflects on my husband. She will suffer all the rest of her life. And guess what? For several years, Brother Halyaman worked in the broadcasting industry as an announcer, television anchor, and News Director of several small market radio and television stations. This beating babies thing is so prevalent among these fringe-y church groups and Fundie churches in general ! And the girls are having accidents and that's what happened to me," she said. I put a dress on her within two hours after she was born over her stretch sleepers and she has had dresses on ever since. Shoddy work by both agencies. She must be crazy or something. Subscribe today and get a full year of Mother Jones for just $14.95. But Williams and her ilk are destroyers, packs of velociraptors in human disguise. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Recovery home is now for sale. About This Home BACK ON THE MARKET AT NO FAULT OF THE SELLER! Id never visited those homes, but you took at face value that people were doing good things. Excellent point that you made about the fact they just answer to themselvesthey definately need to have some accountability for the things that they do!!! "When you start spanking all the way down to your thighs, you have bruises on your thighs instead just on your bottom. My soup is threatening to come back up. If a religion supports these things, then it is f****** EVIL. Does it make sense for a Christian woman to cover her body with modest Godly clothing then take these clothes off to go in for mixed swimming? Buy. It's us but for your ears. Standing Strong against ignorance, preconceptions, labels and excessive housework. She says students were expected to do heavy labor in addition to their Bible-based education. Hephzibah House is at 2277 E. Pierceton Road, right outside of Winona Lake, and is . The result was House Resolution 911 (PDF), which proposed giving residents access to child-abuse hotlines and creating a national database of programs that would document reports of abuse and keep tabs on abusive staff members. This five-part, 75 minute series explores the brutal cult of ignorance promoted by Ron and the late Pattie Williams. Wisdom says, maybe we should have just not done that. Welcome to the website for HEPHZIBAH HOUSE. Then your deity is perfectly evil. As for the shackles and weapons, I never knew how they got there, he told me. He said he wanted tomake sure he read them first to ensure that they weren't altered or censored once submitted to the secular media.GabriellaWww.formerhephzibahgirls.webs.com. Which is crazy, just insane, because there's 300 of us out here that have PTSD, says Mary. That guy Ron Williams is totally warped. At Circle of Hope, Kelsey was allegedly ordered to do pushups in horse manure, restrained and sat upon by staff members, and pushed to make false confessions about promiscuity. Quote of the Day: Are Militant Secularists Trying to Take Over the United States? Ben Williams says this is just one step in the healing process. A woman greatly influences and brings out the Godly qualities of her man by her actions and words. Mother, you can avoid this by rearing her properly, or perhaps cleaning up your own life first and then cleaning hers up. Money? Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the peacefulness. I am going to use myself as the prime example. Bruce Gerencser, who spent 25 years as an IFB pastor, recalls Lester Roloff visiting his Bible college to promote the homes. King and his assistant were charged with kidnapping, unlawful neglect, and conspiracy. Anderson Cooper covered a thorough investigation of the boarding school for girls and no one has made any efforts to close down this . Available on A&E now, the documentary on Hephzibah House (Living in Sin). I saw that with a lot of other students. tonight HH will be exposed on CNN and 8pm EST. Those early years of our marriage were a nightmare! It is hard to imagine now but she was a real tomboy. Read carefully as he explains how Hephzibah House is operated and how the girls are and were treated. Whichever is true, both will give an account to the Lord. Ladies it was and is hard for me to change. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Im not done! Brenda in FL, Brenda, thank you for your comment. I at one time attended a church that supported this ". Donna estimates that the family spent $20,000 on her three-month staytuition and fees, plus the cost of counseling and educational catch-up required after Kelsey came home. On his second day, he recalls, he watched administrator Larry Rapier punch a boy of 10 or so in the mouth for wetting his pants on the bus to Sunday worship. Lambright told 16 News Now she had to carry a pink mat to church after that incident, which she felt was done to humiliate her. The Schizophrenic Woman, what has that to do with me? I tried something several years ago to see what would happen. Jay Kirksey, Circle of Hopes attorney, would not address Donnas claims, but he extended an invitation to come visit. This pamphlet remains popular in some corners of the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (IFB) world. She was also punished with cold showers, she said, and endless sets of calisthenics after meals. That was round-about long-winded way of saying that I am glad that I did not grow up under the regime of such extremism and do not know what it is like to have to be completely deprogrammed of that false version of Christianity. He says he wants the community to know about the physical and emotional abuse he both saw and endured growing up at Hephzibah House. It sounded like a discipleship program, Jeannie Marie recalls. Whos to Blame For the Tragic Death of IFB Missionary Charles Wesco? We are the fruits of the last generation and this must stop! When another girl snitched, Roxy said, McNamara locked some girls in makeshift isolation cells, tiled closets without furniture or windows. I think you have made a very wise observation. So I dug out my pants and wore them for one entire day. Imagine eating a bowl full of greasy kettle chips, sitting in a cold room shivering in your dreadful uniform, knowing that was to be your nourishment until supper ocurred at least 5 or 6 hours later. (The attorney general responded that he was more concerned with bottoms that were blue, black, and bloody.) Later that year, a former student testified that a whipping at Rebekah Home left inch-high welts on her body. Our students are taught to be productive and responsible members of society. Hephzibah House, the private Christian boarding school for troubled teenaged girls that has been marred for decades with accusations of abuse, is now permanently closed.