3.29.26 / 5:12am

I want to respond clearly to G.O.D.'s recent public statement (PDF archive here) as a concerned family member. 

The claim that those speaking out had only "brief" or "limited" involvement is not even remotely true.

People very close to me have been deeply connected to this community for many years, and I was personally involved as well. Reducing that to "minimal contact" is extremely misleading and an obvious attempt to twist the reality of what G.O.D. is.

I would give anything to have my loved ones free from this high-control environment.

There have also been public statements made by G.O.D. and/or its members that downplay or misrepresent the nature of certain relationships and involvement with Gregg, which is hurtful and very harmful. These people are willing to manipulate and cover the truth rather than seek the freedom that full exposure could bring.

I understand that it's hard to hold space for accountability, and it can be scary to stand up for what is right when so much of what has built someone's identity is on the line, but I promise that you can only find genuine healing in the pureness of the truth. I also recognize that some people may intend to "do good" by covering up the truth, but I promise that the only path to total restoration is to live in the light of the truth.

Look at the chaos that decades of concealing the whole truth have landed this organization with.

We will still love you and help you rebuild, as the individuals we love, despite all the messiness and harm that may be exposed, I promise. We know that you all joined with pure intentions to become missionaries and serve the Lord. Those things can still happen - we aren't trying to take those things from you, I promise. We encourage those things and want to serve alongside you, just in a healthy way.

Speaking out has come at a real personal cost to me, including strained and broken relationships with people I love. This is not something I have done lightly or without deep consideration. I have only spoken out because I see real harm being done, and know that the only way to healing for my loved ones is in the light of the truth.

Framing this situation as the failure of a single individual (Gregg) does not account for the broader environment and patterns that enabled the harm to occur and persist.

Many members and fellow leaders have been approached with concerns of abuse for years, only to be told to keep quiet or be victim-blamed. That is part of what many people are trying to express.

I wholeheartedly agree that truth, accountability, and dignity matter. Those values require honesty, not minimizing, not mischaracterizing, and not dismissing the experiences of those who speak up.

I hope that members who have been conflicted about staying quiet find the courage and strength to stand up for what is right because the continual hiding and covering up years of abuse is only causing more harm to themselves, victims, and loved ones who truly want healing and restoration for those stuck inside this group.

We on the outside are not your enemies. I promise. We are people who love you, care for you, and want to stand beside you as you seek healing outside of this group that has taken far too much from all of us.

We love you and are here for you. We are ready to help you, no matter what repercussions the truth brings. I guarantee that the freedom will outweigh the temporary repercussions of telling the truth, which will pass.

I pray for the day when we can reunite and find peace beyond all of this.

Please chase freedom in truth with us, at least for the sake of the kids and older people involved.

We love you and are here for you.