COGWA: As Its aging ministers retire, the church is "facing some real challenges this year"

What a golden opportunity the great Mother Church implosion handed everyone on a silver platter! When Worldwide shattered into an unimaginable kaleidoscope of splinter groups—each one convinced it alone carried the torch of truth—those very same people could have, in theory, started fresh. New organizations! New directions! Sweeping reforms in how members are actually treated! A clean break from the old authoritarian playbook! The sky was the limit.

Instead… drumroll, please… every single one of them plopped the exact same aging ministers from the glory days right back at the top. The very men who had spent decades perfecting the art of top-down control, ministerial privilege, and “because I said so” governance were dusted off, given new letterhead, and told, “Carry on, gentlemen!”

Nothing—absolutely nothing—changed.

The same learned patterns of dominance, the same “God speaks through me, not you” mentality, the same fear-based loyalty tests, the same endless fund-raising sermons—they carried it all over with gusto into their shiny new “remnant” entities. 

Why reinvent the wheel when you can just bolt on a new name and pretend the old hubcaps still shine?

Not one of them seriously considered injecting fresh blood into the system. New ideas? Younger voices? Actual accountability? Perish the thought! The old guard “knew it all,” you see. They had sat at the feet of the apostles (or at least at the right hand of the one true apostle), so clearly they were irreplaceable. And conveniently, there just weren’t that many younger men stepping forward—either because the system had already burned them out, scared them off, or because the few who remained looked at the circus and thought, “Hard pass.”

So here we are, decades later: each splinter group still marching proudly forward under its old tattered and graying banner of “We Are the One True Church.” The ministers may be slower, the sermons may be shorter (or longer, depending on the painkillers), and the congregations may be smaller and grayer, but the structure? Untouched. The attitude? Identical. The claim to exclusive truth? Louder than ever.

Truly visionary leadership. A masterclass in innovation. If only the rest of the world could learn from such bold, forward-thinking stewardship of God’s government.

As for the Church, we are facing some real challenges this year, with eight full-time ministers retiring (six in the U.S. and two outside the U.S.). The challenge will be replacing these individuals. But I am happy to report that Ministerial Services has developed a plan over the past year to make sure that every congregation will have an assigned pastor. This has required the hiring of several men, younger men, I might add. Replacing pastors who represent hundreds of years of combined service is very difficult, but with God’s mercy and blessing, we plan to make sure that all our congregations have pastors. We believe it is impossible to put a value on what these men and their wives have contributed to the Church. But we are excited about the future pastors who are coming along. To fulfill the role of pastor, we look for men who have a good understanding of the truth, including a love for the truth and a love for the brethren. And we look for those who have a true heart of service.

Let me conclude this letter by quoting Hebrews 6:10, which I quoted in my sermon on the Sabbath in western Michigan. “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” This is an important principle. God promises not to forget our works of service.

Brethren, let’s not get distracted from our calling by the events unfolding in the world around us, but let us keep our focus on our need to grow spiritually by serving each other and on our need to preach the gospel in all the world. This is the true answer to the chaos we see unfolding in the world around us. This is where our focus must be as we look ahead to another year.

Sincerely, your brother in Christ,



Jim Franks

The plot thickens in this masterclass of spiritual whiplash from Jim Franks' February 2026 member letter.

 

The plot thickens in this masterclass of spiritual whiplash from Jim Franks' February 2026 member letter. After breathlessly praising the stunning humility on full display at the Australian Open—where young Carlos Alcaraz and even Novak Djokovic graciously deflected praise and pointed to others instead of thumping their chests—our intrepid President couldn't resist taking it up a notch. He marveled at how "refreshing" it was to see such rare, almost mythical humility "in our society, especially among athletes, politicians, and world leaders."

Politicians. World leaders. Got it. These are now the unexpected role models beaming down heavenly vibes of meekness for all to admire.

But wait—there's more! In a twist so delicious it could only come from the top echelons of COGWA leadership, Franks immediately pivots and sighs wistfully: "What a different world it would be if humility were more evident among its leaders." Translation: Sure, the secular world is occasionally knocking it out of the park with humility, but let's be real—those godless politicians and athletes still aren't doing it enough. The world is still a mess because humility isn't the default setting among the powerful.

And who, pray tell, is going to fix this glaring shortfall? Not the Church as an institution, heavens no. Franks is crystal clear: "While we cannot bring that about, we can choose to focus on others rather than ourselves, thereby fostering an atmosphere of love, humility and service within the Church." In other words, brethren, the ball is squarely in your court. You lowly members—yes, you—get the sacred duty of cultivating all that warm, fuzzy love, humility, and service right here in the congregation. Because, let's face it, God knows the leadership and ministry aren't about to lead by example on this one. They've got far more important things to do, like writing letters about how everyone else should be humbler.

And just like clockwork, because no COG seasonal message is complete without it, he seamlessly ties this all into the upcoming Passover season. This year, apparently, we're not just focusing on Christ and His perfect example—no, no. We're supposed to elevate the shining beacons of humility we've witnessed in the world's top athletes and government officials (yes, those same ones he just implied aren't humble enough overall) as pointers to "something better." Members are urged to seek out and emulate that level of humility this Passover. Because nothing says "examining ourselves before taking the symbols" like benchmarking against tennis pros and career politicians who occasionally say nice things in victory speeches.

Truly visionary stuff. Forget Philippians 2 and Christ's emptying of Himself—let's look to the ATP tour and Davos for inspiration. After all, when has the Armstrongist leadership ever needed to practice what it preaches on humility? The endless cycle of splits, name-calling, power plays, and "my group is the one true remnant" declarations have always been dripping with the stuff. Why start now?

Passover prep just got a whole lot more... worldly. Thanks for the guidance, President Franks. We're all feeling properly inspired (and slightly nauseated) already.

Brethren, I pray for all of you every day. Our world truly seems to be reeling out of control, yet it is vital that we not become so caught up in its politics and tragedies that we lose sight of the most fundamental principle of all—the need for humility, both in our worship of God and in our attitude toward one another.

What a different world it would be if humility were more evident among its leaders. While we cannot bring that about, we can choose to focus on others rather than ourselves, thereby fostering an atmosphere of love, humility and service within the Church. I believe this is exactly what God expects of us.

As we approach another Passover, when we will once again follow the example of Christ, I have been encouraged by the humility I have witnessed during this trip—among the brethren and even between two professional tennis players with no connection to the Church. Seeing such examples is a reminder that humility stands out when seen and continues to point us toward something better.

Sincerely, your brother in Christ,

Jim Franks

COGWA Focussing Upon Integrity And Humility...Wut?

Buckle up, because Jim Franks of COGWA just dropped some profound spiritual insight from his recent jaunt Down Under. While attending the Australian Open, he apparently witnessed the "humility" of champion Carlos Alcaraz. In his February 2026 member letter, our fearless leader gushed that he found it positively refreshing to see such rare, exotic humility on display "in our society, especially among athletes, politicians, and world leaders."

Yes, you read that right. Politicians. Athletes. And world leaders. Those paragons of self-effacement are now the gold standard for humility. Who knew?

Imagine the sheer shock: secular athletes and slimy politicians out-humbling the very shepherds God supposedly hand-picked to lead His remnant people. Apparently, Carlos Alcaraz and some random G7 suit are now setting a better example for COG members than… well… the COG leadership itself. Because let’s be brutally honest: the men running these splinter groups aren’t exactly famous for their legendary displays of lowliness.

When they so graciously apostatized from the mother church, and then—plot twist!—apostatized again from the United Church of God. Pure, selfless humility in action, clearly. No pride, no power grabs, no “my way or the highway” ultimatums whatsoever. Just wall-to-wall meekness and turning the other cheek. They did not, in fact, turn the other cheek.

If we want to seek peak humility in the Churches of God, then we need to look no further than Bob Thiel, Dave Pack, and Gerald Flurry, said no one ever.

So here we are in 2026, being gently reminded by the top brass that we should all aspire to the Christ-like humility so beautifully modeled by… professional tennis players and career politicians. Because when has Armstrongism itself ever bothered with anything so pedestrian as actual humility? Never once. Not in 1934, not in 1986, not during any of the glorious church splits, and certainly not now.

Truly inspiring. We’ve got a new standard to live up to.

While I’m not much of a tennis fan, I did watch the men’s final. The match featured Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Alcaraz, at just 22 years old, won his first Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, who holds more Grand Slam titles than any other male player in tennis history. 

 

These two men are at the top of their sport, and since Alcaraz is only 22 years old, it appears that—barring injury—he may remain there for many years to come. After the championship match concluded, each man addressed the crowd in the stadium. I was impressed by the humility they displayed, as they directed attention toward others rather than themselves. There was nothing in their remarks about how great they are. 

 

I found it refreshing to see such humility in our society, especially among athletes, politicians and world leaders. As Christians, we understand that humility is a foundational trait Christ taught us to imitate, and Scripture reminds us that without humility, we cannot enter His Kingdom. 

 

When we began the International Leadership Program in 2018, one of the first classes we chose to teach focused on integrity and humility. As we now approach the Passover, we are reminded that Christ described true conversion—and those who will be in His Kingdom—as being humble, like a little child. Notice His words in Matthew 18:4: “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” We see from this that humility is not simply an important trait to possess; it is essential for all Christians. The Bible makes this point very clear. James 4:6 tells us, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Likewise, we read in 1 Peter 5:5-6, “Be clothed with humility . . . Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.”

The Zerubbabel Work of the Kitchen Family is Now Part of the Sacred Timeline of Worldwide Church of God History

Oh wow, guys, brace yourselves— we've all been living a massive lie for decades about the One True Church. The sacred, divinely-inspired timeline? Completely fabricated. Total fraud. Mind blown.

Time to toss those pathetic counterfeit Zerubbabels in the trash where they belong: Bob Thiel with his little African fan club, Gerald Flurry and his creepy stone obsession, Dave Pack and his never-ending story, and—wait for it—the other guy who's also definitely not the real Zerubbabel. Amateur hour, all of them.

We clearly need to fall on our faces in gut-wrenching repentance for our icy, Laodicean hearts and sprint back to the actual place where Christ has finally, mercifully decided to slap His name. Forget the sad also-rans in Oklahoma and Ohio. Iowa, baby. Iowa is the promised land now. Who knew?

Any day now, they're going to unearth that holy rock little Herb clambered up as a toddler in the Hawkeye State. It's probably buried under a cornfield, glowing softly, waiting for the faithful to trip over it. And obviously Christ's literal throne is about to be revealed in downtown Keosauqua, Iowa—population 900, epicenter of the universe.

Meanwhile, praise God, the Kitchen family has been sovereignly commissioned to rescue us all… even though they're currently splintered into three different directions, each one no doubt convinced they're the only ones with the mail room keys.

Truly, the restoration is underway. Stay tuned for updates. Or don't. Your call.

The true history, unknown to us all:

Victor Kubik writes to Tkach Sr. in 1995, resigning from Assistant Director of Church Administration: “What has happened is that the teaching about the latest changes in particular has brought a crisis of conscience to our ministry. It has for me. Many ministers cannot and won’t preach what you espouse. Congregations are divided in how they view the latest teachings.”

“The way the changes have come about has been insensitive and uncaring to our people’s faith. Mr. Tkach, I think it would be good to have a broader concensus of ministers in the decision-making process.” (Chapter 3 GROUND ZERO)

“…these most recent major doctrinal changes have come about with no input in the decision-making process from the ministry on either the administrative or field levels. What ever happened to the Council of Elders?” (Chapter 3 GROUND ZERO)

To Joseph Tkach Sr. Victor Kubik writes:

“We loved our church and its people, so Bev and I wanted to be problem-solvers. We had no intention of launching a personal attack. So, I proposed a solution in the second letter.”(Chapter 3 GROUND ZERO)

“Wouldn’t it be honorable to set up a board that would represent a broad spectrum of our leadership from both the local administrative ministers and representation from the field ministry? I sincerely feel that if the regional pastors and regional directors had been able to be involved in the process of considering these most recent subjects of change in doctrine, that we would have avoided much of the trauma and crisis we now face in the church. These major changes in belief have come about as a result of input and opinion of only a very few people that surround you.” (Chapter 3 GROUND ZERO)

So what do we have here?

We have the appointed Pastor General, being TEMPTED with a change.

The spirit of Satan already got Joe Tkach Sr. to approve of other changes.

This “solution” presented by Victor Kubik, was very similar to what was presented by the spirit of Satan in the 1970’s!

To “diffuse” authority and decision making away from what was already established by God.

From 1986-1993, we can see men in the administration leave the church spiritually. God was testing them for 7 years! He was not going to leave them unpunished. He had withdrawn His blessings.

Their relationship with God and with Christ has ended with them becoming a different church!

1993-2003 was a TEN YEAR PERIOD signifying judgement.

In 1993, the “solution” presented by Victor Kubik, was rooted deep in what the spirit of Satan wanted established in the 1970’s. The goal? To divide the ministry and to cut them off from the apostle. In order to DESTROY the Worldwide Church of God.

It was oppressive to the man God was working through. Satan wanted to diffuse that authority and power, so vultures could pick the body clean.

A divided house cannot stand.

This was all the result of men who had stepped outside of the Church.

They were attempting to make it a Church of people! The solution was to take a step away from what God already raised up and established.

Satan was there tempting Joe Tkach Sr. and he was surrounded by those disloyal to Christ and His apostle.

The Devil didn’t want the WCG standing and well equipped.

But Tkach Sr. rejected the “solution” presented by Kubik.

Here was Tkach Sr. and Victor Kubik assisting his son in Church Administration. They brought to him the idea to approve a “Regional Pastor Structure”, whose purpose ran exactly like the previous attempts of the 1970’s liberals! They had the spirit of Satan working in them.

And being denied, what did Victor Kubik do?

They wanted the Worldwide Church of God, but was told NO! Mr. Armstrong put Tkach Sr. in because he was strong against GTA.

The spirit working in GTA at the time was Satan! And he was also influenced by the liberal ministers around him. Satan wanted power DIFFUSED away from the apostle of Christ. So we saw the STP and doctrinal committee.

Now Christ’s apostle had put his son into a position. So the Devil pounced on GTA, to use him as a personality!

If GTA wasn’t there, the goal of the liberals was to diffuse authority and power away from Herbert W Armstrong, and install and work through a “regional pastor structure”!

Mr. Armstrong took responsibility on putting his son in that position. But he is not responsible for his son’s decisions and choices! GTA answers for what GTA has done!

In the case of his disfellowshipping and defrocking of ministerial authority within God’s Church, and marking, GTA was overcome by the spirit of Satan the Devil. Influenced by those around him.

But Jesus Christ still protected His apostle and the Worldwide Church of God from the coup detat Satan was launching!

So we have to make note of these important points:

1. Satan doesn’t like the government of God. He opposes it.

2. Satan influenced men in the ministry to develop a mid-level administration, a regional pastor structure, to cut the ministry off from Jesus Christ who was working in the one man God chose.

In 1974, a rebellion resulted because of the reinstatement of GTA.

They did not want a man placed over them. They wanted it all.

In 1975-1979, a rebellion resulted with Liberal ministers surrounding a personality, and using him to take over the Church.

Christ in 1977, raised Herbert W Armstrong back to life after total heart failure, and Jesus Christ began cleaning house! Mr. Armstrong stood eyeball to eyeball against the threat! And it was the devil who blinked.

But it was time for him to be taken out of the way.

Once he died in Jaury 1986, did Satan give up? No!

Once again, a single man was placed.

He began to be surrounded by liberal ministers, swayed by the spirit of Satan.

In 1993, Victor Kubik offered a poor solution. It was a solution presented by Satan before.

But why was Tkach Sr. chosen by Christ to be the next Pastor General?

To stand up and say no to the Devil.

And he may have said yes to all the rest of the Devil’s temptations, but it is a matter of record HE DID SAY NO THIS ONE TIME!

So from 1993-2003 was judgement placed on the Worldwide Church of God.

Those who continued to disobey God, became Grace Communion International.

Jesus Christ was no longer their head.

This put the people of God outside of THAT CHURCH, and as prey for the beasts of the field. These smaller groups.

From 2003-2010 we had a period of 7 years. It was a test on God’s people.

God was testing the members of the Worldwide Church of God. Where was your heart? Was you going to compromise the truth? Or was you continuing to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ?

In 2010, God revived the Zerubbabel work through the Kitchen family.

More and more people wanted to learn what it meant to be a member of the Worldwide Church of God!

In 1995, we saw the spirit of Satan at work.

When Satan’s attempt in 1974, failed, h tried to take the ministry away!

When Satan’s attempt through GTA didn’t work in the late 70’s, GTA left and formed his own group. He was the head of the synagogue of Satan. He then proceeded to do a work of “siphoning off” the members of the Worldwide Church of God!

When Satan’s attempt through Victor Kubik, failed, he contacted the men he helped pick for the Regional Pastors, and together formed the United Church of God.

God didn’t build their “house”. Their house will fall down like Jericho’s walls.

Those of God’s people who fear the Lord and keep His commandments, are called upon to EXIT the synagogue(Church) of Satan. They are falsely claiming to be the Church of God.

It is evident, Christ didn’t pick one of the ministry to lead. While they were in fellowship with these groups, they couldn’t be used.

A picture that is depicted in Zechariah 4, emerges. The ministry is unable to fulfill its job, while in the chains of Satan.

So Jesus Christ now has rebuked the Devil.

And we in the Worldwide Church of God are drawing closer to the end our work.

In Jesus Christ’s name,

Samuel W Kitchen

Samuel Kitchen Now Is Imitating HWA's Typewriter For More Emphasis!

Ah, yes, those were the glory days, weren't they? Back when we'd eagerly await those legendary letters from HWA himself, hammered out on his trusty typewriter—whether in his office or mid-flight on the plane like some airborne prophet. Sure, most of us only ever saw the polished, crisp white-paper versions, neatly blaming the brethren for every church mishap or urgently demanding more cash to keep the Work afloat. And oh, how the Envoy or Worldwide News loved splashing photos of Herb's typed missives across the pages, just to prove how tirelessly he was slaving away for us all. Those letters were pure gold—effective as ever at opening wallets by the ton.

Fast-forward to 2026, and behold the new era of apostolic excellence: Samuel Kitchen, self-proclaimed leader of the one true Worldwide Church of God (Iowa branch, naturally), now channeling his inner HWA by furiously typing—or perhaps letting AI do the heavy lifting—grand histories of the church. Complete with that authentic vintage flair: random jumps between upper and lower case, CAPS IN BOLD RED for dramatic emphasis, and even those charming strike-throughs to simulate "oops, I made a mistake but I'm too frugal for White-Out" authenticity. Truly, the spirit of thrift lives on.

His latest masterpiece? A riveting 10-page epic titled "1986 to 2026: A SUMMARY OF THE HISTORY OF THE WCG". It's the usual delightful cocktail of whack-a-doodle theology, conspiracy-level rants, and—surprise, surprise—a hefty portion dedicated to blaming Victor Kubik for every imaginable ill that's ever befallen the church. Because nothing says "continuing the legacy" like turning a historical recap into a personal vendetta hit piece. Classic.

Who needs actual apostles when you've got this level of retro authenticity? Pass the offering basket —history is clearly repeating itself, typos and all.

You can read all 10 pages here: Recapturing Tomorrow. There is obviously more to come since none of this mentions the dramatic role that Aaron Dean still needs to play.

A Heartfelt Rebuttal to Dr. Bob Thiel: Brother, You Cannot Hide from the Truth

On Friday, February 13, Bwana Bob—our self-proclaimed prophet extraordinaire—descended into one of his signature, over-the-top meltdowns. All because of some recent posts here shining an inconvenient spotlight on the corruption festering in his African "empire," where he attempts to reign supreme from the comfort of his California armchair.

It was quite the spectacle: long, rambling, and dramatically drawn out, complete with carefully curated letters of "support" from a select group of his African leaders. These are the very same leaders who have perfected the art of turning a blind eye to the graft, the scandals, and the outright moral rot—because, let's be honest, the steady flow of handouts from Bwana Bob apparently outweighs any pesky concern for the spiritual well-being of their congregations. Priorities, right?

I was fully prepared to dismantle his wild accusations. But then, something far more damning arrived: fresh information straight from someone who knows the inner workings of this African deception far better than I ever could. Let's just say it makes Bob's defensive tirade look even more... quaint.

Stay tuned, folks. The truth has a way of cutting through the noise—no matter how loudly one man shouts about it.

A Heartfelt Rebuttal to Dr. Bob Thiel: Brother, You Cannot Hide from the Truth

Dear Dr. Bob Thiel,

I write this with tears in my eyes and a heavy burden on my heart. Your recent attack on me and others—calling us liars, troublemakers, and worse—has left me heartbroken, not for myself, but for you and for the precious brethren in Kenya and Malawi who are suffering under the weight of deception. I have prayed over this for days, asking the Lord to give me words of truth wrapped in love. Because I still love you as a brother in Christ. But love does not mean silence when souls are at stake.

Bob, you say you cannot handle lies. Yet time and again, you have chosen comforting lies over painful truth. And that, my brother, is the root of this tragedy.

You yourself admitted in a sermon that someone “put Bradox Ouma Ocheing’s name on the ballot” in the 2022 Kenyan elections—as if that excused everything. But Terry Nelson showed you the official Kenyan government documents. Bradox did run for MCA. His father, Evans Ocheing, knew it. They both looked you in the eye and lied to your face. Multiple leaders in CCOG Kenya testified to this in writing. Yet instead of removing Evans as you should have, you protected him. Why, Bob? Why protect a man caught in two separate Facebook sexting scandals? A man whose own church members say he made advances on hotel workers? A man so many leaders described as “not a good man,” yet they fear for their lives if they speak? These are not rumors. These are documented facts. And you know it.

You also openly admitted in that same sermon that you fired Sosten Libungwa for adultery and skimming money from the church. You said it yourself. Yet you reinstated him. According to the very Church of God doctrines you claim to uphold, that reinstatement was wrong. And you know it.

Then there is Radson Mulowzoa—the man you have repeatedly chosen to believe over everyone else.

Priscilla, his former wife, testified on video that Radson committed adultery while they were married. Their three heartbroken children stood up and confirmed it (those videos were posted on the Banned blog). Deacon Wahela recorded a testimony saying Radson “loves women” and visits witchdoctors. These are not anonymous accusations. These are named witnesses. You ignored them all. You believed Radson’s denials instead of the tears of innocent children.

In your official letter to the brethren in December 2023, you welcomed Radson back with open arms—without requiring him to repent or change his story. That decision told every leader in Kenya exactly where you stand.

And now, Bob, you have gone even further. You have admitted in recent messages that you support using the Kenyan authorities to arrest fellow believers who dare to speak the truth. You have not stopped Radson from doing this. In fact, you have funded it. You are using the power of the state—the same “Gestapo tactics” you once condemned in others—to silence your own brethren. Do you deny this? I pray you cannot.

You even refuse to acknowledge the photo of Radson tightly embracing Patricia Sambani—his second wife—because he told you she was “just a cousin.” Priscilla told you the truth. Evans knew the truth. Yet you chose the lie.

Brother, these are not small matters. These are the souls of God’s people. When a leader covers sin, protects the guilty, and punishes the truthful, he is no longer acting as a shepherd. He is scattering the flock.

You call yourself a prophet. You claim special revelation from God. Yet Dr. Roderick C. Meredith, the man who once believed in you, wrote you a letter before you left the Living Church of God warning that you were suffering from delusional thinking. I say this with sorrow, but I must concur. The Churches of God around the world do not recognize your ordination or your prophetic office. They see a man who has built his own kingdom on sand.

Bob, I am not your enemy. I am a concerned brother who has watched this pain for years. I beg you—repent. Turn away from these worldly tactics. Stop protecting the guilty and persecuting the innocent. Humble yourself before the God you claim to serve. Release the brethren you have allowed to be arrested. Restore what has been broken.

It is not too late.

The Jesus we both claim to follow said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Right now, the love is missing. The truth is being buried. And the sheep are suffering.

I am praying for you, Bob. Praying that the scales fall from your eyes before it is too late. Praying that you will choose truth over comfort, mercy over power, and Christ over ego.

With a broken but hopeful heart,

Your brother in Christ,

A voice for the truth in Kenya and beyond

PCG Cult: Cal Culpepper Claims The Minister Is The Head Of Single Women And They Should Consider Him Their Husband

Shadows of Authority: The Minister's Claim

A story based upon real events in the Philadelphia Church of God 

by Anon

In the quiet suburbs of Ohio, where winter winds whispered through barren trees, Sarah stared at the faded map on her kitchen table. It was February 2026, and at 32, she had finally mustered the courage to dream of a fresh start. Michigan had been her cage for too long—cold, isolating, bound by the invisible chains of the Philadelphia Church of God. She longed to move south to Oklahoma, closer to a job opportunity that promised independence. But in the PCG, nothing was simple. Independence was a sin, and every decision required the blessing of the ministry.

Sarah had joined the church a decade ago, drawn in by promises of divine order and protection from the "end times." She was single, a status that marked her as vulnerable in the eyes of the leadership. "Single ladies need guidance," the sermons often reminded. And guidance meant control. She picked up her phone and dialed the number she'd been dreading: Regional Director Cal Culpepper.

The meeting was set for a nondescript church hall in Detroit. Culpepper arrived late, his tall frame casting a long shadow as he entered. His face was stern, etched with the arrogance of a man who believed he spoke for God. Sarah explained her plan nervously—the job, the move, how it would allow her to tithe more faithfully. He listened, his eyes narrowing."

You need my permission for this," Culpepper said flatly, leaning back in his chair. "Single ladies like you... you should consider me your husband. The husband is the head of the wife, but the minister is the head of single ladies. Without that headship, you're adrift, open to Satan's influence."

Sarah's stomach twisted. The words hung in the air like a foul odor, disgusting in their presumption. She had heard whispers about Culpepper—stories from the shadows of the congregation, passed in hushed tones after services. But this? This was a claim of ownership, wrapped in twisted scripture.

As she drove home, the weight of his words pressed on her. She remembered the tales she'd pieced together from forbidden glances at online forums like Banned by HWA, where ex-members vented their horrors. Culpepper's trail of destruction was long and bloody. There was Janet De Gennaro, a young woman much like Sarah—devout, isolated. In 2014, Culpepper and his superiors, Fred Dattalo and Gerald Flurry, had enforced a brutal no-contact policy. Janet's brother Robert had been labeled "rebellious" for a harmless Facebook post. The family was torn apart: parents suspended, Janet forced to move out and cut ties. She married under Culpepper's watchful eye, but the isolation broke her. One July day, she ended her life with a gunshot. Her body was shipped back to her grieving family like cargo, cold and impersonal. Culpepper had monitored her every step, ensuring no family reconciliation, all in the name of "God's government."

Sarah shuddered. And it wasn't just Janet. In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Culpepper's "scorched earth policy" had decimated a once-thriving congregation. Families shattered over petty infractions—teens disfellowshipped for attending a school dance, elders demoted for questioning doctrine. One man, David McClain, the congregation's only Black member, was cast out despite kidney disease, left homeless because Culpepper deemed him unworthy. Fear ruled: attendance sheets tracked like prison rolls, absences leading to suspensions and threats of eternal fire. Snitches lurked in every pew, reporting "nervous" behavior or whispered doubts.

Then there were the marriages Culpepper meddled in. Aaron Eagle had tried to expose the abuse, only for Flurry to demand his wife divorce him. Culpepper enforced it, driving wedges with jobs and privileges. Hypocrisy reigned—Flurry himself married a woman decades younger, while forbidding members similar unions over age gaps or income. One couple, defying Culpepper's veto on their 11-year difference, was disfellowshipped into what they called the "Great Tribulation." Their siblings, loyal to the church, embezzled family money to flee to headquarters, leaving a pregnant woman abandoned.

Even trivial cruelties marked his reign. In one congregation, Culpepper and minister Craig Winters exploded over cookies at a fundraiser, turning a simple event into a power play that left members humiliated. And in 2025, when a grandparent threatened a lawsuit for visitation rights—barred by PCG's damnation threats—Culpepper recoiled, abandoning the family to legal wolves. "The church can't help," he whimpered, his bold facade crumbling.

Back in her apartment, Sarah packed a small bag. Culpepper's words echoed: "Consider me your husband." Disgusting. Predatory. She thought of the young singles in Edmond, Oklahoma, denied love until they bowed to the elite. Of the Scott Flory scandal, where Culpepper's interference led to more broken homes. Of his infamous quip in a sermon: "A wife has to be a whore in the bedroom"—crude, demeaning, revealing the man behind the minister's mask.

No more. Sarah slipped out under the cover of night, driving toward Ohio without permission. She left a note for her few church friends: "The headship I need is my own." As miles blurred, she felt the chains snap. In the rearview, the shadows of Culpepper's empire faded. But for those still trapped, the destruction continued—a minister's claim devouring souls one disgusting decree at a time.

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Based upon two Exit and Support Network letters:

Culpepper Says the Minister Is the Head of Single Ladies:

February 11, 2026

I helped a lady move from MI to OH. She first had to get permission from Cal Culpepper. He told her that single ladies should consider him to be their husband. The husband is the head of the wife, but the minister is the head of single ladies. –Former member of PCG

What Was Told Single Ladies In PCG:

February 12, 2026

I’m responding to the February 11 post about single ladies in PCG. I was also told that and it is a bald-faced lie!!

Ministers in PCG control by any means they can and spy on those suspect of going against their regime. PCG has never been anything but a group of power-minded control freaks. Thousands have been used (without their knowledge) to support their regime. Death and destruction follows wherever they go.

They shall truly reap what they have sown! –name withheld

See more stories on Banned about Cal Culpepper:

Cal Culpepper Continues His Trail of Destruction in the Philadelphia Church of God

How Fred Dattalo, Cal Culpepper and Gerald Flurry Caused The Suicide of Janet De Gennaro

"Gerald Flurry, Fred Dattolo, Tim Oostendarp, Cal Culpepper, Eric Anderson, Jim Cocomise and John Chandler. I hold you responsible for the death of my daughter Janet De Gennaro."

Cal Culpepper Destroys Another PCG Relationship

Gerald Flurry Demands That Aaron Eagle's Wife Divorce Him When He Tried To Expose Cal Culpepper's Abuse

Gerald Flurry Gives Aaron Eagles Wife A Job To Further Drive A Wedge In Their Marriage

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Philadelphia Church of God: Update on Cal Culpepper/Scott Flory Scandal

Philadelphia Church of God: Where The World Is Celebrated While Simultaneously It Destroys Lives Of Members

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Philadelphia Church of God: Cal Culpepper, Wayne Turgeon - Gerald Flurry's Gestapo Agents

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Philadelphia Church of God Cult: Kicked out of PCG because she was a "threat to their cause"

Philadelphia Church of God: Hypocrisy of Gerald Flurry and Cal Culpepper

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Cal Culpepper Continues To Intimidate and Threaten PCG Members

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Philadelphia Church of "god", Gerald Flurry and Cal Culpepper Destroying Yet Another Marriage

Diabolical Cal Culpepper