Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 108, Number 28, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 5 December 1984 — Page 9

Ex-member speaks out ...

Faith Assembly practices told

The following article appeared in the Tuesday, November 2S issue of the Warsaw TimesUnion, and is re-printed here, with permission of the writer, Kathy Muckle, City Editor. Faith Assembly leader Dr. Hobart E. Freeman is right in many of his interpretations of the Bible, but has lost sight of common sense when he teaches his followers to shun conventional medical care and rely solely on divine healing, according to DeEtta Rae Larrison. a former Faith Assembly member. “Faith can move mountains. I haven’t lost my faith,” Mrs. Larrison said in a recent interview in her home in Nappanee. In some instances, she says, Faith Assembly members should seek medical help, but they continue to follow the teachings of Freeman and other sect leaders to pray for healing. The result has been 88 reported deaths among Faith Assembly members and their children in recent years. “I think Dr. Freeman has a lot to explain to God on judgement day. He has a lot of accountable deaths on his hands. I don't want to be near him on judgement day. I see the blood on Dr. Freeman’s hands," said Mrs. Larrison, a member of the group for nine years. She was one of two former Faith Assembly members to testify before a Kosciusko County Grand Jury last month. The six-member grand jury returned indictments against Freeman and two of his followers, James H. and lone P. Menne, now residents of Winona Lake, in the death of their 15-year-old daughter, Pamela Margaret Menne. The teenager died of chronic kidney failure in the Menne home on September 16. When Kosciusko County Coronor Gary Eastlund asked if they had sought medical

School menus ...

HARRISON Thursday, Dec. 6-Sausage boats, carrot sticks, green beans, applesauce, milk. Friday, Dec. 7-Fish sandwich, cole slaw, potato chips, Jello with fruit, cookies, milk. Monday, Dec. 10-Pizza, corn, carrots, applesauce, milk. Tuesday, Dec. 11-Barbecue sandwich, tator tots, baked beans, pumpkin square, milk. ‘ Wednesday, Dec. 12-Vegetable beef soup, crackers, celery, peaches, cinnamon roll, milk. Thursday, Dec. 13-Macaroni and cheese, smokie, mixed vegetables, Jello with fruit, bread and butter, milk. Friday, Dec. 14-Lasagna, tossed salad, fruit, garlic bread, milk. Monday, Dec. 17-Hot dog sandwich, french fries, green beans, fruit. Tuesday, Dec. 18-Taco with trimmings, lima beans, applesauce, graham cracker, milk. Wednesday, Dec. 19—Chili soup, crackers, carrots, peaches, cinnamon roll, milk. Thursday, Dec. 20-Ham slice, mashed potatoes with gravy, tossed salad, com, pudding tart, dinner roll, milk. Friday, Dec. 21-Waffles, smokies, tri-patties, fruit, milk. These school menus have been planned for students at Central and South Elementary Schools. Thursday, Dec. 6-Sloppy joe, green beansrpeaches, bun, milk. Friday, Dec. 7-Pizza, tater tots, apples, milk. Monday, Dec. 10-Ham sandwich, whipped potatoes with gravy, carrot sticks, apple crisp, bun, milk. Tuesday, Dec. 11-Spaghetti, corn, pears, muffin, milk. Wednesday, Dec. 12-Corn dog, green beans, pineapple, cookie, milk. Thursday, Dec. 13-Cheeseburger, french fries, oranges, bun, milk. Friday, Dec. 14-Fish sandwich, peas and carrots, applesauce, bun, pudding pop, milk. Monday, Dec. 17-Hot dog, french fries, mixed fruit, bun, cookie, milk. Tuesday, Dec. 18-Hamburger, green beans, orange Jello, pears, bun, milk. Wednesday, Dec. 19-Chicken and noodles, whipped potatoes, peas, cup cake, bread and butter, milk. Thursday, Dec. 20-Vegetable soup with crackers, cauliflower and carrot sticks, applesauce, peanut butter sandwich, milk. Friday, Dec. 21-Pizza burger, com, pineapple, bun, milk. MIDDLE SCHOOL Thursday, Dec. 6-Pizza burger, green beans, pudding pop, mixed fruit, milk. Friday, Dec. 7-Hot dog in bun, tri-tators, pears, cookie, milk. Monday, Dec. 10-Hamburger, baked beans, french fries, cookie,

help, the Mennes responded, “They said they had put their faith in the Lord.” Mrs. Larrison declined to discuss her testimony before the grand jury, explaining that the case is still pending. However, she openly discussed the days she attended services at the old Glory Bam and the new Faith Assembly Church, near Wilmot in Noble County. BRILLIANT TEACHER Smiling, she explains that even today she feels Dr. Freeman is a brilliant Biblical teacher, but takes exception to some of his teachings and doctrines that are now being handed down to the estimated 2,000 members residing in Kosciusko and Noble counties, and surrounding areas. "I still believe a lot of what Dr. Freeman teaches. I think they’re (Faith Assembly members) right in a lot of areas," she said. However, Mrs. Larrison disagrees with all the deaths that have occurred. “Something has to be done. They’re dying because of their faith,” she commented. Although she quit attending the Faith Assembly three years ago, both her mother and father are still members. In the nine years that she attended the Faith Assembly, Mrs. Larrison recalls the mind control techniques used by Freeman. The minister subtly persuades his flock to follow the Biblical principles he dictates from the pulpit in phrases that are repeated week-after-week, according to Mrs. Larrison. “If you hear something long enough, you begin to be geared toward that," she noted. Two kev Dhrases that Faith Assembly members are taught to recite include “Praise the Lord" and “God is Faithful”, according to the former member. "They’ll cover UDa negative confession by saying "God is faithful", she continued.

milk. Tuesday, Dec. 11-Pizza, buttered corn, pears, brownie, milk. Wednesday, Dec. 12-Scalloped potatoes, tossed salad, pineapple, bread and butter, milk. Thursday, Dec. 13-Fish sandwich, potato chips, mixed vegetables, filled graham, milk. _ . Friday, . Dec. 14-Pancakes, sausage link, butter and syrup, tritators, peaches, milk. Monday, Dec. 17-Ham and cheese sandwich, tri-tators, peas, pudding pop, milk. Tuesday, Dec. 18-Taco with trimmings, buttered corn, pumpkin muffin, butter and honey, peaches, milk. Wednesday, Dec. 19-Chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans' cookie, bread and butter, milk. Thursday, Dec. 20-Vegetable soup with crackers, peanut butter sandwich, potato chips, Jello cubes, milk. Friday, Dec. 21-Cheeseburger, french fries, celery sticks, chocolate cake, milk. The present Mutschler site was a huckleberry marsh in 1870. Just north of the train depot was a swimming hole, and, across the tracks was a fishing hole.

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De Etta Larrison Former Member MEETINGS IN GARAGE In May, 1972, she began attending “coffee house” meetings on Tuesdays and Fridays. One of Dr. Freeman’s sons-in-law, Steve Hill, was the speaker. The group also met in the three-car garage at the Jerry Ervin residence, which was then located on Barbee Lake. In 1973, she began attending the old Glory Barn, located southeast of North Webster, in Noble County. Eventually, Mrs. Larrison and her husband, Steve, became the caretakers of the old Glory Barn' serving" in that position for five years. They lived in the house next to the large barn. They assisted Glory Barn founder, Mel Greider, write his book about end-time survival, “Woman In The Wilderness”. She remarked, “We saw ourselves in bondage to Mel." That's when they decided to move to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and then returned to the Cromwell area eight months later.

Safety tips for trees listed “The Indiana Division of Agriculture is offering the following home care tips to keep your Christmas tree safe as well as pretty during the holiday season", said Lt. Governor Mutz, commissioner of agriculture. -Fill the tree stand with water and maintain an adequate daily water supply. This helps prevent needle drop and maximizes the tree’s fire resistance. -For safety, don't decorate the tree with materials that burn readily, such as cotton or paper. Avoid open flames and wax candles. -Check lights and wiring and take care not to overload circuits. -It’s best to limit the tree’s stay indoors to no longer than a week to 10 days. The Division of Agriculture also offers a Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Directory, which lists some 40 tree farms throughout Indiana where consumers can “choose and cut” their own trees. For more information concerning the care of Christmas trees or the directory, contact the Indiana Department of Commerce, Division of Agriculture, One North Capitol, Suite 700, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2243.

The Faith Assembly appeals to young people because the services are lively, according to Mrs Larrison During the first hour, a group of musicians play lively spiritual songs and members sing along. They also pray and speak in tongues-all typical activities in charismatic churches. Then, Dr Freeman appears at the pulpit and gives lessons on the Scriptures. “I liked the worship service. It was lively," Mrs. Larrison said. While growing up in Huntington, she recalls the “systematic services" she attended in a traditional church. The sermons and songs were “dry and funeral-like,” she commented. The Rev. Freeman has also reportedly taught his followers that “denominational churches are too systematic.” Bulletins are first passed out to individuals as they enter the traditional church. Then, they sing, place money in a plate that is passed among members, and listen to the minister’s sermon. “He (Freeman) said there’s no joy in the songs. You expect a casket to be delivered up through the /lisle any minute," she recalled. During the days they attended the Faith Assembly, five of their six children were born at home. After leaving the religious group, their sixth child was also born at home. Even today, Mrs. Larrison says she would not give birth in a hospital. FEAR OF FREEMAN One day, the Larrisons were preparing to go to church when a son fell and “gashed his head." They took him to the Goshen General Hospital emergency room, where the child was treated Later, she began wondering what would happen if Freeman found out they had sought medical care for their child. Then, she began to question why she was afraid of Freeman if she was worshipping Jesus. “He (Freeman)

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Nappanee Advance News Wednesday. December 5, ISM

has the fear geared to him instead of fear to God,” Mrs. Larrison explained. Sect members are “programmed’ to live iii a realm of faith,” she added. They confess they are healed by Jesus, and by doing so, they “are not dealing with realty”, she continued. “I still believe God heals," Mrs. Larrison stated. But in many circumstances, they do not allow common sense to prevail. “I definately believe it is a cult. I think they are obsessed with Dr. Freeman," Mrs. Larrison said. There were a variety of reasons the Larrisons quit attending the Faith Assembly. There were three deaths in particular that she attributes to her eventual withdrawal from the religious group in November, 1981. They include the deaths of-Betty Nei, 56, who died in

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her Noble County home of pneumonia on Jan. 14, 1981; Ronald Moerchen, 37, a sect leader who died of chronic kidney disease in his North Webster home on Feb. 7,1981, and Brent Kinsey, the newborn son of Bruce and Kathy Kinsey, who died Feb. 11, 1980, in the family's home the day after his borth. “It caused quite a stir when we left," Mrs. Larrison said. Members of the Noble County-based sect are taught that they will lose their salvation if they leave the group, and will go to hell. “They probably think I’ve committed myself to Hell”, said Mrs. Larrison, adding later, “I still have my salvation. I still love the Lord.” DeEtta keeps busy with activities involving their six children: Rick, 10, Josh, 9, Jacob, 8 and Ruth, 6, all students at Central School, and Beth, 4, and Stephanie, 2. She also operates a tax service out of her home. Husband Steve is employed at Supreme, in Goshen.

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