Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Assembly

Ginger and Betty Geftakys devised a system of child training based on the behavior modification principles laid out in William Glasser's 1975 book, Reality Therapy: A New Approach to PSychiatry. The system incorporated the methods of Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo, Richard and Virginia Fugate, and Michael and Debi Pearl, which included spanking and 'first time obedience'. Incidents¹ have been reported by various former Assembly members.

This method was painstakingly taught in the Geftakys Assemblies and implemented at Cornerstone Academy. With the exception of spanking, it was implemented in all the children's ministries - Children's Hour, the high school ministry, summer camp, Teen Teams, etc. It was also taught and employed at various levels throughout the Geftakys ministry, in training homes, and even in marriages,

Assembly children were adversely affected by these training methods, as evidenced in their stories:

There are many accounts like these from The Assembly. What we have not addressed is how these experiences affected the children.

¹ Reported in the following articles:

"Infant Abuse"
"Cornerstone Academy"