hephzibah house documentary

What follows is an excerpt from the pamphlet: One of the hottest issues today among women is the pants issue and other areas of clothing. It's us but for your ears. Those who say they were abused will continue to try to get Hephzibah House shut down. Neither characteristic is a Godly one. (Key fundraisers for Mitt Romneys 2008 and 2012 campaigns hail from Utahs teen-home sector.) Some think that women do not really make sense. I want to please the Lord not man. Keep up the good work!! I genuinely desire to be like my precious Saviour. Hopefully the more the word gets out, the fewer girls and families can be devastated by this so-called "ministry.". Petition Closed. They wear balanced, simple and modest clothing. You must log in or register to reply here. Wisdom says, maybe we should have just not done that. Our children are being molded by our character whether we like it or not. Among them was Cat Givens, an Ohio radio technician who stayed at New Bethany in 1974 and became so shell-shocked by the routine of punishment and submissionand the spectacle of runaways being returned by the police and handcuffed to their bedsthat she lost her will to resist. He does not know how to treat a woman. Words 14-year-old brother, Doug, was sent there soon after for stealing a neighbors Playboy magazines. Seeking Interesting People Who Play Solitaire Grand Harvest. Our ungodly dress has resulted In our unsubmissive, bold, masculine spirits. One of Ron Williams' "Credible Witnesses". Yet with so many former Fundamentalists now calling themselves advocates, I find that I am still the only one who documented case afte case, getting down to the specifics of naming child molesters and churches that conspire to protect them. I dont hate anyone, because I know their influence is satan. This rating has decreased by -9% over the last 12 months. They would have these horrible illnesses or sicknesses and they would be made fun of or treated like garbage, but for things like that we were given forced pelvic exams or forced anal exams and that doesn't make any sense to me.". Mary Kumar is a survivor of a lockdown reform school for the wayward . I will continue to try to help as long as people want me to help them, explains Ben Williams. I too am a former Hephzibah student and so appreciate those who are helping get the word out! 5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bathroom w/ 2728 sq ft home built in 2019. I grew up in a typical American home. Whether you're traveling with friends, family, or even pets, Vrbo vacation homes have the best amenities for hanging out with the people that matter most, including private pools and swimming pools. The Lambs of Hephzibah House. Which is crazy, just insane, because there's 300 of us out here that have PTSD, says Mary. If your Christianity is about following the instructions of Christ in how you treat your fellow humans, you have at least a chance of building a good society. She said, So many of you turned out to have alcohol and drug problems. I didnt tell her at that point that shed ruined my life.. But the thing that makes my stomach churn is that these horrible ideas of how girls and women should behave, the ideas about how to raise and discipline a child, and the banality of the infractions that got the girls sent to the place in some casesthese are all celebrated by some versions of Christianity. What do normal 18-year-olds do?" One of the greatest shocks our girls go through is to have their pants taken away! After a while, I was so brainwashed I didnt even want to run.I figured this was Gods plan.. A reform school in Kosciusko County, facing allegations of neglect and abuse from former students, has closed. Family Member, Friend or Colleague of a Guest. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. I was only there for three months, Roxy said, but because we werent allowed to keep track of time, it felt like six., Desperate for a way out, shed attempted suicidemany of the girls did, she added nonchalantly, if only for the chance to get taken to a hospital and beg for outside help. Bruce Gerencser, who spent 25 years as an IFB pastor, recalls Lester Roloff visiting his Bible college to promote the homes. This Williams woman was seriously misguided at best, possibly had mental health issues, or far, far, worse. This is yet another example of why I hate fundamentalism. It feels great, says Mary. DCS says that's why there are no formal inspections unless child neglect or abuse is reported, and even then they don't investigate claims against unlicensed facilities without law enforcement. School records, Dee Rapier told me, were shredded. They knew they would all be severely punished if they did. Police normally returned runaways to the home, but the severity of the boys injuries led state officials to investigate. About The New Press. Its board of directors reportedly voted for closure in 2001, but rumors abound that New Bethany boarded girls as late as 2004. When I go shopping I try to take real care concerning my looks because it reflects on my husband. Pastor Dave Halyaman is also the assistant pastor at Believers Baptist Church, and has held the positions since 1990. It will ruin your daughter physically, mentally, emotionally," Lambright pleaded. New Bethany founder Mack Ford proved even less talkative. Ladies it was and is hard for me to change. Later, Hephzibah House began to welcome missionaries and pastors and other out-of-town visitors who wanted to investigate local Christian outreach or education programs. Still, without proof of a crime, law enforcement officials say little can be done. CPS should interview the girls who have graduated from H House, and (this is important) who are old enough to no longer be living under their parents control. She extracted her daughter nonetheless. "They really dumbed us down there, because women aren't really supposed to have a lot of thoughts or dreams besides becoming a mother. But back at the hive, Roloffs wards were often subjected to days in locked isolation rooms where his sermons played in an endless loop. Ben Williams, one of Pastor Ronald Williams and his late wife, Patti's, nine children, speaks out for the first time about Hephzibah House, the Christian boarding school Ronald and Patti founded in 1971 and Ronald still runs today. 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. Its hard to understand it, but faith-based is just taboo for regulation, says Matthew Franck, an editor at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, who authored an investigative series on the states homes in the mid-2000s. The call dissolved into a shouting match between Jeannie Marie and McNamarawho finally declared that he would only discuss the matter with her husband. She told me of her upbringing in North Carolina, where an IFB preacher named Mack Ford occasionally visited her church. Sexual Abuse in the Name of God: New Bethany Home for Girls, Teen Group Homes: Dear IFB Pastor, Its Time for You to Atone for Your Sin, NPR Story on Mack Ford, Sexual Abuse, and New Bethany Home for Girls in Arcadia, Louisiana, Black Collar Crime: Pastor Eddy Noelsaint Accused of Rape, Black Collar Crime: Evangelical Youth Pastor Josh Henley Sentenced to Forty-Five Years in Prison for Sex Crimes Against Children, Black Collar Crime: Evangelical Student Ministry Leader Vernon Willis Accused of Inappropriately Touching Church Girls, Evangelicals are an Existential Threat to the United States, Some Atheists Think I was Stupid for not Deconverting Sooner, Black Collar Crime: Catholic School Teacher Verity Beck Accused of Murdering Her Parents, Black Collar Crime: Evangelical Evangelist Chris Brooks Accused of Assaulting His Wife, Why I Write The Black Collar Crime Series and Will Continue to Do So Despite Criticism from Evangelicals, Dr. David Tee Thinks Everyone Who is Not a Christian is an Atheist, Bruce, I Pray You Will Have Your Eyes Opened and the Truth will Guide You, Dont Dress Like a Whore if You Dont Want to Get Sexually Assaulted Says Lori Alexander. Hephzibah House-Being Forced to Wear Diapers. Joined Feb 2, 2012 Messages 6,901 Reaction score 1,100 Points 113. The raid uncovered handguns and rifles, leg irons, and handcuffs; 11 boys were taken into state custody. Visitors to the festival have increased from 65,000 in 2000 to 285,000 in 2018. This location included Believers Baptist Church, a school and staff houses. I at one time attended a church that supported this ". I mean, I think he brings up his utility bill is $20,000. My soup is threatening to come back up. If you are convicted and truly believe pants are a sin, then you are sinning against God by working at a job that requires you to compromise your convictions. Stopping a curse can be accomplished by obeying Gods Word. (A criminal background check came back clean, and the teacher, who denied abusing any children, remains at Amelia.). But are they cultish? In an open letter, Williams argued that it would effectively close all Christian ministries helping troubled youth because of its onerous provisions. They were joined by a group called the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, which opposed HR 911 on the grounds that statesdespite all evidence to the contraryare best situated to oversee the homes. She says humiliation is a daily part of life in the dorms and at church for Hephzibah House students. One last pointmany of the former HH girls have been asked to write statements in support of Ron Williams & HH he actually gave examples of what to write (and guess whatit sounded just like the stories he has on his page now). TM & 2023 Peteski Productions, Inc. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc.. a Paramount company. Just as important are the fruits of her marriage: the children. So many people do not have the time or energy to help shut this place down and I am just so thankful for all the people that care about the future teenagers that will go thru that door and come out a very confused and broken person. They also endured exhaustive corporal punishment. Copyright 2023 Mother Jones and the Foundation for National Progress. Schizophrenic Women was tl:dr. Why cant The Religious be succinct? Officials with Hephzibah House say they're still praying for former students in a statement that reads in full: While Ben, Mary, and countless others plan to continue working together. I would suggest that you wear feminine culottes. There was no apparent reason for this treatment, Glover says, save reminding the girls who was in charge. Mother Jones was founded as a nonprofit in 1976 because we knew corporations and billionaires wouldn't fund the type of hard-hitting journalism we set out to do. The schools effects on Roxy were striking, Jeannie Marie told me. Reclamation Ranch founder Lee Patterson calls the abuse allegations bogus: The ranch, he insists, had a family-style atmosphere., We have laws to protect people from illegal incarceration, says an alum of one tough-love home for teens. Brenda in FL, Brenda, thank you for your comment. He refused to discuss any allegations of abuse. Most references were to his dad but he seems to have very little good to say about his mom. Dr. Williams has taken specialized training in Biblical counseling.Following the death of his wife, Patti, in 2011, Brother Williams married Glenda Curtiss in 2014. Lets not tell them or maybe we should- that Indian Indians think pants are more modest than skirts. Rider recalled one new girl she was assigned to supervise: Angela was a firebrand whod arrived at New Bethany straight out of a mental institution and became such a target of staff and big sister discipline that she twice attempted suicide. They draw a lot of attention to the feet, ankles and leg. 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. Targeted Because 0f Your Race or Religion? By Jason W. February 15, 2016 at 11:37 am CST. Repentance means to turn around, change, be different. They pled no contest to false-imprisonment charges and received suspended sentences and probation. I am very sorry to say I won my own husband by my dress and actions. The school is still asking for financial support from Fundamentalist Baptist church-goers, which leaves former students with unanswered questions. She must be crazy or something. Ive been calling everyone, Donna says, and I want to know: Why is nothing being done?, Our Consumer Protection Division is still looking into the issue, Gonder responds. The Kosciusko County health inspector documented a formal complaint about the food quality just last month, including that students were "served something resembling dog food" and that they "became ill multiple times from food and was then shamed for being ill". In 2 Kings 21:1, Hephzibah is the name of King Hezekiah's wife. This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. Mary Kumar is a survivor of a lockdown reform school for the wayward. In response to the accusation that they conduct child labor, the school said it does require students to do daily chores but does not overwork them. But you Christian mothers, why are you allowing your daughter to be a strange woman, a schizophrenic woman? Once Gerencser reached the pulpit, he saw teen-home directors showing up at pastors fellowship meetings to peddle their services; Hephzibah House director Ron Williamswho now hosts a show on the Bob Jones University radio stationvisited Gerencsers own church with a girls chorus. Heres some of what he said: When this thing aired, Wednesday morning guess who was at our door. I want to be different from the dress of the world. Each child has an individualized treatment plan to address their specific needs. Hephzibah House, which still operates today and was championed to the end by WMUU, the radio station started by Bob Jones University, has been investigated in the past for child abuse. Dec 1, 2020 #1 Instead, Roxy found herself on the receiving end of brutal punishments. Search one of the largest collections of foreclosure, bank-owned, 2nd Chance Foreclosure, Short Sale, and luxury properties available online. I have heard many mothers say they do not wear pants and do not believe in them but you know how it Is! When you have an abuser that will not acknowledge abuse and won't repent of the abuse and won't be honest about the abuse, more than likely they're still going to be an abuser," he said. Rapier, who had continued running the school while free on bond in a 1981 child-abuse case (the charges were eventually dropped), sent the other boys awaysome went home, some were placed at kindred facilities. Williams died several years ago, but her husband still continues to operate Hephzibah House. 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. The name Hephzibah or Hafzbah expresses a very clear idea. I suffer to this day from the emotional and mental truama of being separated from society and my family and friends, all the while having my head pounded full of lies about God, my rebellious and sinful nature, and normal things that they made into something twisted and taught to us as truth. My daughter Naomi has never worn pants unless under a maxi and that is rare. There's still work that has to be done, says Mary Kumar. I pray that some will stand for His sake and not let the world control our dress and our lives. Learn More Intact Family Services Standing Strong against ignorance, preconceptions, labels and excessive housework. "There are myriads of troubled teenage girls in this world, and we can't help all of them, but, praise God, we can help some. The raid grabbed headlines, but the school reopened again, this time merging with Fords New Bethany girls school in Arcadia. What can you say about my husband? At Hephzibah House Ron Williams preached from the pulpit that menstruation was called the curse because it was a curse. Welcome to the website for HEPHZIBAH HOUSE. Sheriff Dukes has an open invitation anytime he wants, they dont need a warrant, and same to Winona Lake police. The school says its mission is to take in troubled girls and help them with God's love. I reached him at home on three occasions, and he hung up on me twice. [Ron Williams] is asking supporting churches to support him until the end of the year which is a lot of money. (It, too, died in the Senate.) And guess what? This beautiful home has a nice rocking chair front porch. He said he is stumped by the abuse accusations. Perhaps you have worn these and did not desire these things. Because of his practical experience in picking up the pieces of homes and families for so many years, the preaching of Pastor Williams emphasizes the Christian home and family. Were helping parents get their kids back. In the News. One day last November, a group of teenage girls dressed in long khaki skirts and modest blouses stepped onto the stage at an Independent Fundamental Baptist church in Maryland where Jeannie Marie (a military spouse who asked that her last name not be used) attended services with her family. 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. A mother is the primary Influence on her daughter. Many times I warned my husband about this woman and could not understand why Godly men across this nation followed her. Two weeks after seeing the girls in church, Jeannie Marie and her husband left Roxy in McNamaras care with the promise that she would receive counseling twice a week and stay at New Beginnings no longer than two months. When CPS came to interview the girls, of course none of them said anything against the staff. They take away any feeling that you are capable of doing anything outside the home, she said. Instead, he offered to put me in touch with two pastors who had daughters there. The assistant director of Hephzibah House is speaking out after a two-part series aired on Dr. Phil earlier this month about the boarding school. This resulted in many personalities. I felt like they stole whatever was inside me that allowed me to trust, says a former resident. It was founded in 1971. Our position does not win friends and influence people to love us. Michelle Guenther Leonard, resident of Hephzibah House January 2, 2009 until May 18, 2010 I am a survivor of Hephzibah House located in Winona Lake, IN. Religious reform school closes after former students allege abuse & neglect, At least 5 sent to hospital in downtown Elkhart house fire. thank you for sharing. You can also read the FAQ for Hephzibah House here. We noticed you have an ad blocker on. [MORE: See photos of life at New Bethany. Have them made mid-length then wear long underwear or tights with boots if you are cold. Now I know why - secrecy is the key to continued operationI think it is a good thing that this organization is being exposed. We were not saved until we were in our late twenties. The irony almost knocked me over.. Headmaster Bill McNamara spoke, too, depicting the home as a place where girls could get on track academically, restore broken relationships, and learn to walk with God.

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