Dean Bruer - fmr Overseer of Oregon. And others. Facts etc.

[Admin]

Ex-worker writes to the ministry


July 15
Dear workers,

I was once one of you. You are very familiar with parables and stories. I feel compelled to share this with you. I am trying to help you understand where I am, why I’m here, how I feel, and who did this to me. The only way I can do this justice is by telling you a story that describes that. Reading this will be (and should be) VERY uncomfortable for you. If you have an ounce of integrity, if you have any faith in Christ, if you have any feeling in your heart for souls beyond yourself, read this despite the discomfort.

I stand on the doorstep of your house. I knock, but expect no answer. How do I know I’m at the right place? There is no address. I can tell because this house is different than every other house I’ve passed. From them, I heard crying and wailing. I peeked in some of their windows and saw people weeping. What a pitiful state they were in! Their skin was covered with rashes where the uncomfortable sackcloth irritated it. Between their sobs they often coughed as dust from the ashes around them got caught in their throat.

But this house is different. The only sounds that might represent sorrow are the cries of “why me?” and “it’s not fair!” when another perpetrator gets caught. I peek through a window and listen in on the conversations. The discussions aren’t joyful, but they’re not repentant either. “How much longer must we endure this drudgery? Surely things will get back to the blissful normalcy we deserve soon!” The words are loud and clear, no one is sorry for them to be overheard.

Oh yes, I am at the right house. I struggle with the burden in my arms and knock again. Someone has been here before me. They tore the cover off of a copy of your gospel meeting hymn book. With a marker, they circled the part of the cover that carries the warning in small caps: “WORDS ONLY”. The cover has been nailed to the door as a warning to anyone who stops by expecting action, change, help, or even compassion. “WORDS ONLY”, no fruit here.

I’ve taken enough time. I need to keep moving. I leave my load on the stoop and walk away.

What will you find when you finally open the door? You will find the body of my faith, faith that has been with me for decades. Crushed and lifeless, totally broken beyond repair. Not my faith in “The Truth”, not my faith in a group of people, not my faith in a ministry.

This was my faith in the very existence of a kind and loving God.

Who did this?

You did. Time and again (beginning when I was a teenager), when I personally needed help, you were nowhere. When Dean Bruer’s truth was made public, you refused to expose the evildoers you knew about. You took so long to respond to the crisis that it is obvious your care was never for the victim-survivors. You care most of all for your own reputation and so you tried to hush the cries of the injured. I have never trusted wicked men to do the right thing, but I trusted you. You failed me and so many others. Your influence and false doctrine convinced people to write letters to judges in support for perpetrators — letters that called the victims liars.

You did this. You taught that hell was a place for those who disagreed with you. You spoke as an authority on things you could not have known. You had fellowship with abusers but said gay people were “confused”. You never asked a gay person what their relationship with God was like. Even today, the thought of a gay person existing and having a relationship with God fills you with discomfort and dread... and even if you feel otherwise you would never dare preach it because you love the praise of men more than the praise of the God you preach.

And what about your treatment of workers who leave the work? “WORDS ONLY”. This week a worker from this field went home because his young frame is worn out by this injustice. Did the overseer send him home with any financial help? Nope, we asked him. Overseers have proven to be very comfortable watching ex-workers suffer. You will preach about “love”, but you refuse to show it, or to even encourage your ex-workers to get counseling for the trauma you have caused. You refuse to give them funds to make that possible.

But not everyone in the work is an overseer! What about those who aren’t? What about brothers and sisters who aren’t in positions of leadership? There is no longer a distinction between good worker and bad worker. All who continue are a part of the ministry of destruction. You say you are powerless, but you have a voice. Have you used it? Have you been angry when you saw oppression? Have you valued souls in their agony enough to speak out? Have you been like most, frozen in fear of what you might suffer by speaking out loudly and definitely? Or have you been motivated by love to make things right for the injured and the oppressed?

What have you preached? Have you preached the doctrine of a creator who loved souls so much he made a plan with another part of his divine self to sacrifice him to purify souls? It is said that there was such love and unity between them that still today people debate whether God is one person or three. Was the doctrine you preached similarly united with the values of that divinity? Or was it a doctrine that “flesh is so bad, the world is so bad, you are so bad”, a doctrine that focused not on how marvelous God is, but rather on how right your form is?

Interestingly, scripture teaches that your God lives within people, but few ever felt pure enough to believe it. What if that message was supposed to be that Love lives within us? It does say that “God is love”. If there is a God and he is love, he has been sorely misrepresented by your actions and your inactions.

My faith is dead. Others’ faith is dying. You are the reason. You accuse people of trying to destroy God’s way, yet you refuse to be good or honest enough to admit that you are the force of destruction for so many children, parents, siblings, souls. Some of you say “But we are doing things! We are believing the victims! We are turning people in to authorities and assisting with investigations!” But you also justify the heavy loads you’ve laid on us when you didn’t understand, you’ve told us to stay in a toxic place, you’ve scolded us for being “rash” when we got fed up with the psychological injuries we’ve endured.

My faith is dead and you do not care.

Where is this purposeful stride taking me now? Where am I headed? I am going to the wilderness. You taught me that was a place to avoid, a place that is unsafe. There is nowhere less safe than your house. I am going to the wilderness. I am going to learn and to love. Love is the only thing I trust now. I know those who have loved me and I know those whom I have loved. I will meet others and love them, too. Is love divine? I don’t know. I do know love isn’t all-powerful. I do know love doesn’t know everything. I do know if there is a God someday he will teach me about himself through love. He will not punish me for letting go of false, hurtful, powerless doctrine. Even if there is no God, our love for one another can only make this life better.

So I am going to the wilderness. This is where you have driven me.

How many more souls must see their faith destroyed?
How many others must you drive away before you repent?
Make no mistake: CSA is a wicked fruit. You must deal with it now. However, if you only deal with the fruit and not with the root, wickedness will rise up again in time.

Why has your fellowship and your ministry become such a safe place for perpetrators?
Why have sister workers gone from house to house teaching that the solution is for parents to do better at watching their children?
Why do you refuse to clothe your spirit in sackcloth and sit in ashes?
Why do you preach about repentance but prove to be wholly incapable and unwilling to practice it?
What is it about your ministry that you are so proud of? What seems so righteous or good to you that you so willingly excuse all the wickedness, deceit, and coverups?
And finally, Mr. Ray Hoffman, when you knew everything that Ira Hobbs had done, why did you write in a letter, “The things that we have felt needful to discuss here is in no way to take away from all the good that Ira has done, nor of Americo”?
These are uncomfortable questions you must ask if you have any hope of the future being better. These are not questions I need to hear answered because I am done with “WORDS ONLY”. But there are others who still look to you expecting help. Do not destroy their faith as you have destroyed mine. You consider the blood of Jesus holy. If you believe that, then start treating the souls on whose behalf that blood was shed as holy as well.

Sincerely finished,
Joel Riggs

[Admin]

Letter by Rob Newman’s nephew who was in the work up until a couple of days ago

admin: another victim of this whole sordid culture that is being exposed piece by piece


From: Kelsay Yung
Date: July 15, 2023 at 5:44:55 AM PDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Rest


Hello,

I need to communicate with you about gospel meetings, as originally I had planned to resume this upcoming Sunday.

I am emotionally unwell, and need to step away from the work at least for the time being. In the current climate, it's necessary to say that I'm not under any scrutiny and I am stepping aside voluntarily for my own health. I have fought significant migraine attacks in addition to the current emotional stress. I hope to be back, but because only God knows the future, I felt it was best to let others know in case it is an extended time.

Donovan would like to continue having gospel meetings. It will be a short time until Jath returns. He will be in communication with you about that.

Recently, my dad told me over the phone that he experienced CSA at the hands of a worker when he was a child. My dad's experience was in 1965, but he had never told my mother, and was very affected by finally talking about it. These things do incredible damage. After leaving the work, the man moved to another state and at some point there was a meeting put in his home. Meeting has now been removed from his home.

In my current, foreseeable emotional state, having part in a gospel meeting is not an option. There may be more clarity by the time Jath finishes with conventions in Alberta as far as what will happen in Orange county. I have very much appreciated my time here.

My heart has often gone to my fellow workers in this time, my friends who have been shocked and wounded by the conduct of those who we trusted to be serving God. Individuals make choices, and God has planned it that way. Sometimes, they choose evil. But we know what he asks from his people, and that is to do his will. Many of the actions we have learned of are outside his will, and very wrong. God is not pleased. He is doing his work of cleansing, and I have every interest in being in his will. He is the God of the living, and will win.

Please be kind to each other, and to yourself. We have all sinned, and come short of the glory of God. God gave his son for you. I'm so very thankful that one of the reasons Jesus was sent, was to heal the brokenhearted. He's certainly helping mine.

I know there are many honest souls who have been giving their all. The fruit of those lives is beautiful. I've seen it as I've been in this field. I have loved my time with Jath and Donovan, and hope it will resume. In the case of my father, the spirit of a child is winning in his life. We must be as children to enter into the kingdom, so please let that spirit win in your own heart.

With love from your brother,
Kelsay

[Admin]

Jul 18, 2023 15:06:15 GMT -5 BobWilliston said:

Jul 17, 2023 17:05:48 GMT -5 sheri01 said:

In 2000, the very public case of Ruben Mata - Ruben was sent home to his mom. Ruben promised to change his life- several years later three brothers took Ruben to the authorities. Ruben was convicted and given a sentence of 35 years. It would appear this was because of his predator lifestyle after he left the ministry- he was allowed in meetings through part of this time.

FWIW: You can tell the three brothers who took Ruben "to the authorities" accomplished
absolutely nothing. I've been told (by someone involved) about that visit to the authorities,
and it was the most convoluted and impossible to believe BS story imaginable. There was no
part of the story that could have ever resulted in Ruben's arrest. And the report I got of
his "corrective therapy" was total quackery BS.

I know why Ruben was arrested. When people complained that the workers (after having supposedly
reported him) were still assigning him to meetings in the homes of young children, I contacted
the authorities myself, and told them the names of all the workers who knew about Ruben's
activities, and where to find them. I told the authorities the names of homes where Ruben
had been told to go to meetings -- that had children living in those homes. I told absolutely
no one what I had done, but within days I was told by some people I had named that they were being
visited by the police.

It was MY report that got Ruben arrested, not the three naive amateurs who had no clue how
the justice system works. I doubt Dale Schulz has even heard of me -- but that's okay.
I know it was my report that got him arrested, because I read the court file on Ruben's
case, and the report that opened the case was the report I supplied to the CSA police --
word for word.

[Admin]

Rob Newman 'resting'

Note: Rob Newman is the overseer of CA AZ NV HI & Pacific Islands


From: Rob Newman [redacted]@gmail.com

Date: August 28, 2023 at 8:54:51 PM CS
To:[redacted]
Subject: moving forward

Dear Staff,

I am taking some time to rest and rebuild my health. In the interim, please contact Kent Williston or other helpers.

Thanks for your understanding.

Your brother, Rob

[Admin]

ND and SD Convention Guidance from Perry Pearson - August 30, 2023


Dear Dakota Friends,

Our fall convention season is rapidly approaching, and we want to send out a letter about our days together. We remain committed to making our conventions a safe place for all attendees, and especially those with young children. Because of this, no known sex offenders or those with known allegations of Child Sexual Abuse/Sexual abuse (CSA/SA) will be attending any South Dakota or North Dakota convention.

While we understand no setting can be guaranteed risk free, we can practice wise conduct to deter risk. This includes a renewed awareness of the need for healthy boundaries. Our purpose is that any interactions we have with your children will be in public view. Another practice to reduce risk is to follow the buddy system introduced in the Boy Scouts of America training program. This is a system where a child is paired with another child to keep track of each other. We encourage you to follow this safe suggestion. However, this should not be considered a substitute for parental/guardian supervision.

While at convention, we don't want to live in fear, but we must be wise. If something appears inappropriate or uncomfortable to you, please speak to someone you trust who can help you. Situations that are reported can be dealt with properly, including involving the authorities if warranted. Communication is our safety!

Please feel free to make alternative sleeping accommodations if you are uncomfortable staying on the grounds. The most convenient locations are as follows:

Utica – Yankton

Hunter – Casselton or Fargo

Mandan – Mandan or Bismarck

Any who choose to do so are welcome to listen via a conference call number which will be provided. We are aware that this option has given spiritual help to many who have listened from home in recent years.

We hope this information will help make convention an edifying and encouraging experience.

The Dakota Workers

[Admin]

Historic Perpetrator – Worker Herbert Vitzthum
September 7, 2023

I write this only to put it on the record. I’m posting under my own name only to more legitimize this as it happened so long ago. I feel like we need to put all perpetrators on the record whether they are still alive or not. The more we know about each and all cases helps us grasp the extent of the problem(s) that still exist, and how far back these problems have gone.

This has to do with one of the quite early Workers, Herbert Vitzthum, who was head over the Spanish Speaking in the United States from mid 1930s until 1969. He was a good friend of our family as my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and parents were Spanish speaking. He stayed at all of our homes often. That was until my oldest sister finally complained to my parents that Herbert had cornered her in her bedroom, forced himself on top of her and (in her words) “wet all over himself”. I’m guessing that she was around 9 years old at the time.

He later tried to force himself on my twin sister, but she was able to push him away and run outside. She stayed outside and she remembers hiding under our lemon tree until our parents got home. Of course, none of this ever got reported as he was a very respected Elder Worker.

Before this happened, my grandmother attempted to report an incident that she witnessed. When staying at their home, she walked in on him in their living room. He had a neighbour kid on his lap and was fondling the kid’s genitals. When she brought this to the other workers, everyone thought my grandmother was crazy. Herbert vehemently denied it, and reprimanded her and said, “do you realize you are talking about a man of God?!” No one believed my grandmother until the later incidents happened.

I have an Aunt who was also molested by him, but she has only talked about it to certain, very few people.

I can guarantee that Herbert Vitzhum has left a large trail of more incidents with others that we don’t know about. This guy was a predator, and waited until he had children alone to do his thing.


WINGS Note: Andrew Otero requested that this be posted by WINGS so it is on record. His oldest sister (mentioned above) died in an auto accident a few years ago.
Herbert Vitzthum was a pioneering worker in Argentina in 1919.