excerpted from the Gospel Grapevine column of Snake Oil # 4, Fall 95:
FOUL, ROTTEN DEMONS While many charismatic churches are getting into this goofy "holy laughter" schtick these days, Robert Tilton has bucked the trend and headed way off in the other direction, into the frightening realm of demon deliverance. As we discussed last issue, Bob's new shout-the-devil-out-of-your-life message has caused a major rift in his home church here in Dallas. While a small core of die-hard members have stayed with Bob, many others high-tailed it to the exits when Bob began turning Sunday services into marathon screamfests called "strong prayer."
Now more information has surfaced tying Bob into a worldwide circuit of affiliated churches which are being accused of child abuse and mind control. At the center of the controversy are Jane and Sam Whaley, leaders of the Word of Faith Fellowship Church in Spindale, North Carolina.
The Whaleys' radical preaching style has been the subject of a harrowing hidden camera investigation by Inside Edition and has been a big news item in local North Carolina newspapers. The Whaleys are proponents of "blasting" -- prayer circles of high-intensity screaming at someone (including children) until whatever undesirable "spirit" is chased off. Sometimes demons are regurgitated up in the form of vomiting. Demon deliverance is not a pretty business. Among the more sensational accusations, one former member reported being restrained for 13 days (tied to a bed and chair) while being subjected to "intense deliverance" (screamed at) and then "guarded" (closely watched) for another three months. Other charges range from physical child abuse to brainwashing and intimidation of adults.
The Whaleys' modus operandi seems to be infiltrating independent charismatic churches - as visiting preachers during a revival, for instance - and then basically establishing enough of a base of support to take over, installing a Whaley-sanctioned pastor at the top. There are said to be dozens of churches across the U.S. and overseas which are under the control of Jane and Sam Whaley. "The Whaleys are the overseers of these churches," said Cynthia Powell of Wilmington, North Carolina, whose own church was taken over. Powell told the Daily Courier of Forest city, N.C. that "each of the churches under their covering is asked to send money to help support their ministry. It's like a business with Sam and Jane as presidents."
Among the churches affiliated with Sam and Jane is none other than Bob Tilton's Word of Faith Church in Dallas. The Whaleys have made several much-heralded visits to Bob's church since late 1993 which coincide with Bob's departure from the prosperity gospel into the world of demons.
Bob was reportedly introduced to the Whaleys by his new bride, the striking Leigh Valentine, who Bob presented to his Dallas flock in January, revealing that the pair had been secretly married for some time. Leigh is a former Miss Missouri and an evangelist in her own right, having worked with the Norville Hayes ministry in Florida and her own Liegh Valentine Evangelistic Ministries. (Sidenote: Leigh's conversion testimony includes a drug overdose backstage at a Bee Gees concert in Florida.) In a letter to supporters, Bob credited Leigh with giving him the "courage to go on and finish my course and calling in life."
Speaking of Bob's calling, he's been back on the air and then off again since our last issue (it has been a while, hasn't it?) Viewers in Washington DC, Canton, OH, Jacksonville, FL, the Charlotte area, or those with a home satellite dish had a brief opportunity to see the 30 minute Pastor Tilton program. The toned down shows paled in comparison to the Success N Lifes of yore, but Bob Tilton Lite was better than no Bob Tilton at all, Amen? Keep those dishes pointed to heaven.