Former Word of Faith Member Hopes Sbi Will Investigate Assistant Prosecutors

By Tanja Rekhi
WLOS
March 9, 2017

http://wlos.com/news/local/former-word-of-faith-member-hopes-sbi-will-investigate-assistant-prosecutors

A local district attorney wants to find out if his employees had any involvement with allegations of physical abuse at the Word of Faith church.

David Lerner, district attorney in Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties, asked the SBI to investigate two assistant prosecutors after the Associated Press reported Frank Webster and Chris Back provided legal advice, helped at strategy sessions and did a mock trial with congregants charged with harassing a former member.

John Huddle left the Spindale church in 2008. He said Webster is church founder Jane Whaley’s son-in-law. He didn’t interact with Webster much while he was living at the church and said Webster and his wife were in the “Young Marrieds” group. He and his wife were in the “Middle Marrieds.”

“The defense of religious freedom stopped a long time ago when abuses increased,” Huddle said. “This is not religion. This is not about worship. This is not about freedom to worship. This is about protecting people from being emotionally and physically harmed and having their faith used against them.

Huddle fears there won't be a fair investigation. According to the Associated Press report, a spokesman for the district attorney says the two prosecutors will keep working while under investigation.

“Will their cases be called into question because of the investigation if the SBI does come in?,” questioned Huddle. “I mean, just because you call them doesn't mean they come in. I think there needs to be a comprehensive investigation that could lead to indictments.”

Huddle’s phone hasn't stopped ringing since late yesterday afternoon, but they aren’t calls from his wife, daughter or son. Former members have been reacting to the news.

“I heard about young men being slapped by young women just for supposedly having unclean thoughts,” Huddle said. “And I learned my son had been slapped.”

Huddle said his family has been prohibited from reaching out to him since he left. He’s had some failed attempts at communicating with them as well.

“The couples were required to report if the other one had broken a rule and report to leadership what was happening inside the marriage. And we were told that's ‘God’s way,’” said Huddle.

Huddle said many former members plan to attend a survivor’s meeting at the Spindale House from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, and he encourages the public to attend, as well.

Church leaders responded to the AP report in a statement saying they're shocked and saddened to learn of the false allegations and they don't condone or allow abuse. They also pointed out that they've been exonerated of false allegations in the past.

Early Thursday morning, the church posted another video in response to the allegations. In the latest clip, John Huddle's family speaks out saying his accusations are incorrect.