This is a group that seems to prey upon the vulnerable or lonely.
They readily welcome people into the church and begin the process
of "discipling" them into a very rigid and controlling
belief system, all based on biblical teachings but twisted for
their purposes. They do not have churches, but rent facilities
to house their worship services. Once you accept their beliefs
and go through the discipling lessons and decide to be baptized,
then, as a full member of the church you are expected to give
money to the church. They will look at your financial situation
and decide for you how much you should give on a regular basis.
In addition to this, you are also expected to give a yearly
gift that is a huge amount–also decided by the church. Personal
relationships are monitored by the elders of the church and
permission must be given to date. Dating in done in groups and
it is encouraged to date many different people–of course disciples
can only date other disciples. Once you are a member, you are
expected to attend multiple functions during the week, many
lasting to late hours. You are encouraged to bring the "good
news" to all other members of your family. If your family
is not interested, you must keep trying to bring them into the
fold. Each member is assigned a buddy to "disciple"
and also has a buddy to disciple them. It is this person’s responsibility
to keep track of them and to rebuke them when they are in danger
of straying from the group’s teachings. Sins of members may
be brought out into the open at church services where they can
be publicly rebuked and encouraged to go and sin no more. There
is always someone keeping an eye on you. You give up most of
your personal freedom in a hurry. They tell you up front your
family will probably not approve and are you strong enough to
make this decision in spite of family opposition. You are expected
to go out into the community to recruit more people to become
potential disciples in the church. In approved dating relationships,
all physical contact is not allowed and must be confessed to
your elder if it happens.
