Bill and Joyce: Our Stories
Brent T. wrote an introduction when this account was first published on the website on February 9, 2003. (Click Glossary link above for definitions of Assembly terminology.)
Joyce's Story
My name is Joyce Hines (nee Vacha); I was involved with the Geftakys Assemblies’ for 17 years. As I observe all that is occurring within the Geftakys Assemblies, I rejoice that the light is exposing the darkness, and yet sorrow for the many lives that have been hurt and damaged.
I have struggled much over whether or not to share my story. I’ve wondered if it would make a difference; my character had been so assaulted the last few years of my involvement with the ‘Assemblies’ I wondered if anyone would believe me.
But, as I have recently witnessed leading brothers, elders and former full time Workers position themselves for their own edification and remain unrepentant, even when God has given them an opportunity to come forth and humble themselves, I feel compelled to write this story. It is a rather lengthy story; primarily because I do not know which parts may edify or support the various readers, therefore, please be patient with my details.
Nursing School
I first came into contact with the ‘Assembly’ in Omaha in 1982 through a bible study being held at the University of Nebraska Medical School, I was in my first year of nursing school. Brother George was coming through in December and I was invited to hear him preach.
It was following one of these meetings that I prayed with two sisters to accept Christ. Within a matter of months I left the Catholic Church and by spring I was living with sisters.
In 1985, I moved into Mike Zach’s home, where I lived until September of 1993, a total of eight years. I labored as a Campus Worker on three campuses for several years. George Geftakys invited me into the ‘Work’ in 1992. I had a sister’s training home from 1994 through 1999.
In July of 1999 I left the Assembly. The telling of my experience with the Assembly is not a pleasant one for me. Although I have some fond memories and experienced dear friendships, the manipulation, oppression and controlling behavior of those in leadership have caused much grief.
Burden for the Mission Field
After graduating from nursing school, I shared with Mike Zach my desire for the mission field. I had a particular burden for Romania but was available for whatever the need may be.
Mike Zach encouraged me to pay off my student loans so that I would be available for the mission field. He believed that in order to be free to serve, a person must be debt free. This debt free idea is important to remember, because it has bearing on the rest of my story.
During the next few years while I was working to pay off my loans Mike Zach and I had numerous conversations regarding my involvement with the mission field. The day came when I had the joy of announcing to him that my loans were paid in full and that I was now free for the mission field.
Mike told me Tim Geftakys was coming to town and that I should meet with him to discuss God’s will for me. Having lived in Mike’s home I understood well enough that Tim and Mike had discussed the "will of God" for me and Tim was just the messenger.
Mike rarely addressed ‘issues’ in people’s lives, he would use others to exhort, correct or give direction to someone. I can recount many times when Mike would have me "go talk to that sister" about some issue. He frequently used the ‘good cop, bad cop’ method of addressing issues, you can imagine who was always the ‘good cop’.
Mike told me a good way to "deal" with the ‘saints’ is to use the principles found in the book, The One Minute Manager. Mike was very proud of the way he could "handle" people and once boasted to me of being "a master of the human nature."
A Different Burden Is Imposed
As I met with Tim Geftakys he said there was a need for a sister’s training home in Omaha and he ‘recommended’ that I buy a house and begin such a home. I had been led to believe by Mike that the mission field was God’s will for me but instead, I was being asked to go into greater debt and bondage by purchasing a house!
It bothered my conscience when I recalled that Mike Zach once told me that an employer likes his employees to be in debt because it makes them better employees since they are now motivated to show up for work.
As a Worker it was my desire to be "available for anything or nothing," and it was well understood that to obey the leadership was to obey God and if the leadership was wrong, God would honor my obedient disobedience anyway.
I could recount numerous situations such as this where the ‘saint’ would be encouraged to "seek the Lord for His will" only to have the leadership reveal what the true "will of God" was. The ‘saint’ would then doubt his/her ability to accurately find the "will of God" and therefore, become even more dependent on the leadership to seek it for them.
This was the first time it occurred to me that perhaps the leadership did not have my best interest at heart but their own agenda. However, I quickly rebuked myself for such a thought and repented of not believing the best of the brethren. Little did I know how accurate my thought was, and that it was really my conscience registering that something was wrong.
Almost Manipulated Into Marriage
On several occasions Mike Zach would tell me about some "dear brother" to test my interest level. However, on one occasion he expressed that he believed it was the "will of God" that I marry a particular brother. When I told him I had a great deal of respect for this brother but that I did not love him, he proceeded to tell me about a sister who did not love her husband before they were married but learned to love him later. Again, proving that God will honor those who obey the leadership.
I agonized over this, repented of my unbelief that God was directing the leadership and prepared to pursue marriage when Betty Geftakys came to Omaha for a visit. I knew in the hierarchy of leadership that only George or Betty could "know the will of God" above Mike Zach. So I asked Betty if a sister should ever marry a brother if she did not love him, and she answered, "certainly not, you don’t marry because of love but you don’t marry without it." This higher ‘will of God’ delivered me from my dilemma.
It breaks my heart when I think of the number of singles that have been manipulated into marriage or have been hindered from marriage.
One of the most grievous conversations I had with Mike Zach was shortly before I left the ‘Assembly’. I asked him if he thought the single sisters in Omaha would ever get married. He proceeded to name them one by one, pointed out their faults and stated why it would be difficult for him to recommend them to an interested brother.
My heart was so grieved for these sisters because I knew many of them viewed him as a spiritual father who would guide them to an appropriate mate. Instead of wishing these women the best, Mike admitted that he would actually hinder a marriage.
On one occasion Mike stated to a brother, concerning a sister, "I will never, ever again recommend so and so to be married". To my knowledge, none of these sister’s have been married to this day.
I then asked him if he ever thought I would get married, he laughed and said, "Someone would have to love you a lot to tackle your debts." The topic of my debts leads me to the series of events that God used to reveal the true nature of the Geftakys Work and the character of these men.
Asked to Consider Starting a Business
In order to accommodate the many ‘Assembly’ meetings and various responsibilities, I worked as a ‘temp’ nurse through various nursing agencies. In September of 1989 a company that contracted out ‘temp’ engineers hired me to set up a division for ‘temp’ nurses.
After running this nursing agency for several years, Mike Zach asked me to consider starting my own agency. Initially his suggestion was nothing more than a comment, but since I was a faithful sister, I began praying about it.
The company I worked for was restructuring in response to the nursing market. Because these changes would potentially affect my position with the company I sought Mike Zach for counsel. I understood the seriousness of ‘seeking counsel.’ Once you were given counsel, if you didn’t follow it you would be viewed as rebellious. And, in my fervent desire to be a ‘good’ sister I was faithful to follow ‘recommendations.’
Unfortunately, the result of Mike’s counsel resulted in the loss of my position. Therefore, he again approached me on starting my own nursing agency. The thought of starting my own company was both overwhelming and yet exciting as we talked about the potential it could have in supporting the Work financially.
After gathering information and assessing the amount of capital required to start such a business, I told Mike that I could not financially afford it (I had just bought a house for a sister’s training home the year before), nor did I feel qualified to start such an endeavor. I said it was one thing to start a division in an existing company but much more difficult to start a company from the ground up.
I also told him that most nursing agencies have a second revenue source to supplement because the temp agency is such a cyclical business. Most temp agencies, with the exception of my previous employer, have a home health division and I informed him that I was not qualified to begin a home health agency.
Mike told me to call his brother, Dave Zach, and talk to him about co-signing a loan for me. I knew Mike would not have made such a recommendation without first talking to Dave. Consequently, Dave agreed to co-sign a loan during my first phone call with him.
Dave stated that he did not want to be involved with the day-to-day affairs of the business, but only needed occasional updates. Therefore, since Dave was co-signing for the loan, the only thing blocking me from starting my own business was whether or not I would "trust God and step out in faith."
Again, I found myself agonizing in prayer. First and foremost I was scared to death of the large amount of debt I would be accruing. On the other hand I knew the consequences of saying ‘no’ to a ‘recommendation.’ It’s never said out loud, "You will be put on the shelf if you do not follow our recommendation," but it is clearly understood, at least among the Workers.
Plus, as a Worker, you make a commitment to be available for ‘anything or nothing.’ Mike Zach told me of a couple in Omaha that was asked to relocate to another assembly and this couple said "no." Mike said neither he nor George would ever ask that couple for anything again (and this couple was not even in the Work).
Up until this time I had always followed the leadership’s counsel, to me it was synonymous with following the Lord’s counsel. But, here is where my faith broke and I went to Mike and told him I did not have peace about starting this business and again explained my reasons why.
His response to me was one of irritation and he said, "Brother George will be disappointed." Well, up until that moment George had not been mentioned in any of our conversations. Mike knew very well the affect that such a comment would have upon me and he was right, I was devastated. He might as well have said, "We put you to the test and you failed."
In an attempt to regain Mike’s favor and acceptance, I told Mike that I would take a job with a home health agency so I could learn the business and start a company at a later date. That is exactly what I did. I accepted a position with a home health agency, my future competitors, to develop a temp agency division for them. I spent the next year learning as much as I could about the home health industry while repenting of my lack of faith.
At the end of that year the company I worked for was being sold and I felt this was a good time to step out.
When I told Mike Zach in 1994 that I was available to start the temp-nursing agency he said to me, "Remember this is your idea, I did not tell you to do this." I clearly understood what he was saying. "Don’t put the Work at risk. If the business does well great, it’s another potential revenue source; if it does not do well you are on your own."
Little did I understand the full implications of this statement. I believed it to only imply the financial risk involved but it was to be much more than that. Even when the formation of my company was announced at a prayer meeting, it was presented as Joyce’s idea.
Later, when the sister’s went through the book, The Other Side of the Garden, which teaches that women should not be in a place of authority, my position as business owner was suddenly in question. Mike never privately or publicly stated his role in encouraging me to start a business.
In fact, one of his sons told me that he would never be interested in a sister who was in business. I was tempted to share his father’s influence in my business but I knew the Code of Silence all too well. It was difficult to be viewed as an ‘ambitious sister,’ when truth be known, even though I enjoyed business, it was not my heart’s desire.
The Lord gave me 2 Samuel 9 as an encouragement: Mephibosheth was lame in both of his feet but God provided one to care for him, King David. I felt lame in many areas of this endeavor but God promised that He would care for me. (And He did care for me. Had my businesses not taken the course I am about to outline, I never would have seen the true character of the men in leadership and I would still be there with the rest of you on Seward Street in Omaha trying to remain faithful and not forsaking the ‘place where God had planted me’.)
Within six weeks of leaving my previous job I opened the nursing temp agency called Excellence in Nursing, Inc. I was able to secure several large contracts and the business soon exceeded all of my projections.
It was a day of rejoicing, Mike and Dave Zach were excited at what the Lord had done, George visited the business when he came to town and prayed for it. I had been able to employ a couple of the ‘saints,’ which had been a goal that Mike and I had discussed. I felt like my relationship with the Lord and the Work had been restored.
Business Troubles, Leadership Support Wanes
Nine months later, September, 1995, several of the hospitals in Omaha formed a coalition called Alegent and announced they would not be using temp nurses for an indefinite period. These hospitals were my largest clients and in a short period my invoicing dropped dramatically.
However, the drop in my business was nothing compared to the response from certain men in leadership. As soon as I informed Dave and Mike Zach of my precarious position, they began positioning. Mike Zach completely pulled out of the picture and would no longer meet with me. He told me that I would now be accountable to Mark Sjogren.
He did however, on several occasions, remind me of my responsibility to pay Dave back. When I told Dave Zach that I would need to develop a second revenue source sooner than planned, due to this new development, he denied knowing that a second revenue source was ever discussed. This was simply not true.
So, what started as a "Praise God, sister, the Lord is with you" endeavor, was quickly becoming an embarrassment and they wanted to distance themselves as fast as possible.
As far as I knew Mike Zach, had told no one that he and George had ‘encouraged’ me to start this business. And, I understood only too well my responsibility as a Worker to protect the reputation of the Work and those in places of leadership. If anything went wrong, I knew it would be my responsibility. But, if things went well I knew it would be a feather in Mike’s cap.
Because the home health industry was undergoing dramatic changes with new Medicare and Medicaid regulations and because of my limited time and resources I formed a company, Life Links, Inc, to train home health aides and certified nursing assistants.
I counseled with Mark Sjogren and Dave Zach prior to starting this company and they did not oppose its formation. Dave co-signed for additional monies and the training program was up and running by December 1995. Life Links' primary revenue source was through a government contract that paid for the training and case management of welfare recipients who were receiving training and assistance to get off welfare, additional revenue came from general tuition.
I also contracted with Bellevue University in order to provide college credit for the training program. Working with the government was not easy due to the many welfare reform laws being made. However, I made every attempt to keep Mark Sjogren and Dave Zach aware of the status of the companies and how they were doing.
1996 was a difficult year with operating two companies, running a sister’s training home, maintaining the responsibilities of a Worker and attending Assembly meetings. But, nothing was as difficult as the accusations made by these men in leadership.
I should clarify that the Leading Brothers who were not in the Work were never included in our discussions and Jon LeG. later told me that he was completely unaware of what was happening.
Early in 1996, Dave Zach asked me to send all my financial records and business plans to Bob Ford so he could review and make recommendations on my financial situation. I dutifully obeyed, and sent the information and requested his feedback; I still have copies of everything I sent him.
Months passed and I did not hear from Bob Ford. Dave Zach told Mike Zach and Mark Sjogren that I did not send the information and that I deceived him. At the Workers Conference in August, Dave Zach asked me why I never sent the information to Bob Ford; I told him again that I had.
He marched me over to Bob with the clear intention of catching me in a lie. Bob Ford admitted to receiving my information and that he had failed to read it or respond. Dave Zach never apologized to me nor, to my knowledge, did he correct his false accusations of me to the other brothers. Bob Ford did eventually respond with some brief comments, which were no longer time appropriate.
At this same conference Dave Zach told me that if he owed someone a debt like I owed him, he would sell his house to pay it off. At another time (I am unsure of the date) Dave told me that the money he had tied up in my business was hindering the Work in other places. For example, he wanted to buy a new Suburban so he could use it on an MTT, but he wasn’t sure he could afford it since I owed him money.
This was very discouraging to me since the whole reason for me to go into business was to support the Work financially and instead I was being told I was a financial drain and hindrance to the Work.
By the middle of 1996 Excellence in Nursing was still struggling and the government had failed to come through with promised grant monies for Life Links, my financial situation was precarious. Although, I was accountable to Mark Sjogren, he certainly did not possess the business knowledge I needed for guidance.
On two separate occasions I asked Dave Zach to help me with some business decisions and both times he refused, stating he did not have the time. I knew going for help outside of the ‘Assembly’ was not acceptable.
Leadership Communicates That God Is Not In the Endeavor
The most painful experience to date was when these men began to tell me that they questioned whether or not God was in this because of my financial situation. They said that God was probably "dealing with some sin in your life," or was "trying to humble you." They would say that if God were in this you would be doing better.
It was as if they said God had left me or bailed out. After all, that is exactly what they did. They were clearly preaching a prosperity gospel: if you’re doing well God’s in it and if you’re not doing well God is not in it or He is judging you. I had become "a problem" and they consequently became harder and more distant.
They began to make various accusations, stating I never kept them informed and I was off doing my "own thing." This was a lie and when I brought to their attention the many documented letters and phone calls I had made to keep them informed they accused me of being defensive, argumentative and said that I was only "building my case." They were going to make it very clear that I was the problem.
Mike Zach told me that I had become George’s "fallen angel." George had referred to me as "his angel," because when he came to Omaha in the itinerant ministry or after most of the evening meetings at the Workers Conference’s I would give him foot and hand massages.
He would often say that if he were a younger man and I were his wife that he would want a massage every night. On several occasions George expressed his desire for me to come to Fullerton to be his secretary, but it was never possible due to my commitments in Omaha. (Praise God for His providential hand.)
Counsel Is Sought From Other Workers
I knew what these men were doing was wrong but I did not know what to do about it or where to turn. I knew I could not talk to anyone outside of the Work about my situation so at the Worker’s Conference in August I went to Wes Cohen for counsel. He and his wife Becky had been dear friends in the past and had prayed for my businesses faithfully.
I did not talk to him about the details of my situation, but I shared how the brothers had rejoiced and stood with me when my businesses were doing well but how they all pulled back and left me standing alone when things went poorly. I asked him how does a sister appropriately reconcile differences that she is having with a brother.
Predictably, Wes shared our private conversation with Mike Zach and Mark Sjogren. During this conference I also asked Nancy H. if it was ever appropriate for a sister to entreat or exhort a brother. After speaking to Betty Geftakys she told me that it was never appropriate for a sister to entreat or exhort a brother. When we returned to Omaha, Mike Zach and Mark Sjogren informed me that they wanted to meet with me, Bill H. was also present at the meeting.
I have clear documentation of what occurred in the various meetings I’m about to share.
Omaha Leadership Meets With Joyce and Bill
Mike and Mark were furious that I had met with Wes Cohen. They accused me of going "outside the house" with my problems. They told me that I was not to speak to anyone but them about my situation. I was accused of speaking against the leadership, of rebellion, of deception and many other things.
I knew I had only one choice and that was to humble myself and apologize to each one of their accusations. I apologized well over 15 times for any fault of mine or for miscommunications that had taken place. Not once did they apologize. Bill H. eventually came to my defense and said that the Leadership should wonder why I felt uncomfortable coming to them. Mike and Mark were silent.
A second issue came up at this meeting regarding a sister moving into my home. Earlier that summer, a sister expressed a desire to live with me but Mike wanted her to live with him. Mike wanted me to ‘encourage’ her to live with him, I told him the decision was hers not mine but he was welcome to call and ask her.
The sister chose to live with me and Mike was angry that I did not support him. He made various threats and accusations until again, Bill H. came to my defense. Once again they were silent.
I said this is why I did not want to meet with them because the goal would not be ‘lets make things right and restore fellowship’ but it would be ‘who is right and who is wrong’ (and they are never wrong). Mike said since there seemed to be other issues that we should have another meeting with Dave Zach present.
By the time the meeting was over I was so thoroughly thrashed and beaten down, that I became physically ill. Bill H. told me later that he was concerned that Mike and Mark never apologized for their part in any miscommunication, (he recalled Mark Millers report at the Workers Conference).
Bill addressed it with Mike and he said, "If you want me to I will apologize." In other words, he would do it to please Bill but not for my sake. The apology never came.
Mike misrepresented me to others in many ways but the two that I had ‘proof’ of was when he told others that Dave Zach did not have any knowledge of the formation of Life Links and second, that I was blaming the brothers for the financial state of my business.
I told Mike several times that he was misrepresenting the facts and in spite of this he continued to do so. (Isn’t it a shame that an Elder is not held to the same standards as everyone else--that if they misrepresent someone they are suppose to go and correct it).
The True Character of the Leaders Becomes Apparent
Mike made overt attempts to go out to Bill the next few weeks but never even greeted me, another of Mike’s manipulative behaviors. I don’t know if I was more discouraged about being beaten up or because of what I saw in these men’s character. They had no interest or even thought of wanting to restore our broken relationships or listen to my concerns. It was evident they had no love or concern for my spiritual well-being or me; and these men were suppose to be my shepherds.
A short time afterwards, George Geftakys came to Omaha. He met with Bill H. and exhorted him for not "standing with the brothers" during our meeting. It was very evident that George was not interested in supporting the truth, but in supporting his ‘boys.’ Although, I spent a lot of energy trying to believe the best of these men, I could no longer deny the fact that this was nothing more than a ‘good old boys club’ and they were watching each other’s backs. It was at this time I began praying about leaving the ‘Assembly.’
The next meeting took place in my home with Dave Zach, Bill H. and Mark Sjogren. (Mike Zach was taking George to the airport.) I shared what the Lord showed me at the Workers Conference regarding living by the "knowledge of good and evil." That God is sovereign and for me to judge according to apparent facts (or according to what is ‘right and wrong’) instead of believing God for His plan (i.e. the men in leadership) is sin. (What a shameful example of how biblical truths have been twisted to provide a place of manipulation and power for these men).
Therefore, I agreed it was not my place to judge or correct the brothers. Mark told me it was good to "confess our sins one to another" and that I should share how I had been wrong. May it suffice to say that it was a ‘difficult’ meeting. To Dave Zach’s credit he did admit misrepresenting me on two separate issues. I do not know if he went back to the people involved to make appropriate corrections.
Since Mike Zach was not able to attend this meeting another was scheduled for Mike Zach, Mark Sjogren and myself. I again shared what I learned at the Workers Conference and that I wanted to apologize for living in the "knowledge of good and evil." Mike said, "Well, I’m glad to hear you say that," He said it several times like it was a threat.
At this time Mike asked if I felt the brothers were responsible for my business condition. I dutifully said, "No, that has never been the case and I take full responsibility." Mark backed me up and agreed that was not a problem. I know Mike had told others that I was blaming the brothers for my business, which I found very interesting since I had never made such an accusation. I believe it was his guilty conscience.
After we again discussed why I should not have spoken to Wes Cohen, Mike asked if I agreed that "my thinking was off" and that I was wrong. I said, "Yes." He said "I think you should meet with Mark once a week to check your thinking."
I was so broken and hurt by this time that I didn’t care, I just wanted out of this ‘good old boys meeting’ so badly I could have screamed. This is a clear example of Mike Zach’s conniving and controlling behavior.
What better way to invalidate any of my concerns or anything I might say against him by getting me to agree that, "my thinking is off" and just to prove it I will meet with Mark once a week to "keep it straight." He might as well have said that he felt I was emotionally and mentally unstable and incompetent.
Following this meeting I wrote in my journal, "I feel so violated by his (Mike Zach’s) controlling ways. How can I as a single sister entrust myself to this leadership who have made it very clear they are not looking out for me but for themselves."
Weekly Accountability Meetings
Consequently, I began meeting with Mark Sjogren and Bill H. weekly. These times rarely began or ended with prayer and Mark never gave me a promise in the entire time I met with him.
These meetings became a most dreaded event. Mark would lead the time and Bill would usually remain silent. Mark Sjogren is one of the most oppressive men I know. There was never a spirit of ‘how can we help you sister,’ it was always a time of exhortation and shaming.
Mark primarily wanted to know how much money I either lost or gained. Even after meeting for over two years, he was still unclear on how my businesses worked or what they even did.
There was never any business advice, and he even admitted that he was not qualified to give any because he was not familiar with my field. Because he could not discern my business situation it made it that much easier to find fault with me and make various accusations.
The situation was unbearable. When I would try to explain my business situation he would become impatient and disinterested, and when I tried to defend myself against various accusations I was accused of being "independent" and "unentreatable."
The bottom line was that God was no longer in this and Mark believed himself to be God’s instrument of discipline. After each of these meetings I would often have to spend hours with the Lord just to be reassured that He had not left me and that He still loved me.
Even as I write this I am brought to tears again as I recall the hurt and rejection I felt from men that I once believed had a true spiritual love and concern for me, only to realize that this was not about me but about their own selfish interests and ambitions. I had once been useful but now I was just unwanted baggage and I was being hung out to dry.
March of 1997, I sold Excellence in Nursing. It had become too much for me to run both companies nor did it make a strong enough come back into the market. By the middle of 1997 I was physically, emotionally and spiritually depleted. Besides meeting with Mark and Bill on a regular basis I also met with Dave Zach, Mark and Bill occasionally after Worker’s Meetings.
I worked hard to silence their accusations that I was doing my "own thing" and not keeping them informed. These were meetings that often brought me to tears. I remember on a couple of occasions having to go to the restroom because I was hyperventilating due to the stress.
I never told these men that Mike and George had coerced me into starting these businesses nor did I ever blame them for my situation. I often verbalized that I took full responsibility for my situation and my debts.
However, it became ever more apparent that they felt the need to discredit my character just in case I ever started to blame them. I felt very bitter and betrayed, and my attitude began to show it.
By the time the next Worker’s Conference rolled around in 1997 the Lord showed me my sin of not loving these men. I repented and asked them to forgive me.
They never sought my forgiveness or ways to make the relationship better they just accepted my apology. I asked Mike Zach why he refused to ever meet with me regarding my business and he simply walked away.
I spent the next year with the goal of learning to love these men. I knew my loving them would not necessarily make things different, and it didn’t. My times with Mark and Bill did not go any better. Mark remained demanding, oppressive and terse and Bill remained silent. Finally, in October of 1998, I could no longer take meeting with Mark and refused to meet with him again.
Character Assassination, Bankruptcy, Departure From the Assembly
I began to experience first hand what I had seen occur in the lives of others, a systematic assassination of their character. Leading Brothers and Workers exhorted me from different ‘Assemblies’ for speaking against the Leadership and being a rebellious sister.
I knew recovery from such a ‘fallen’ state was unlikely. I was beginning to believe that God had left me. In November 1998 I closed Life Links and started the process of settling financial debts with my various creditors.
In April 1999 I filed a quit claim transferring the deed of my home to Dave Zach. In July 1999 I sold my home with all equity going to Dave Zach ($50,000). By the end of July, I had left the ‘Assembly.’
By April 2000, I was unable to effectively settle with two of my creditors, one of them being Dave Zach. On April 10, 2000, I told Dave I could continue to pay him the balance of my debt but the interest rate was too high for me to stay ahead of. I asked him to help me by paying the accruing interest or by assuming the loan personally and stop the interest rates. He refused to do either. After seeking Christian counsel I felt I had no choice but to claim bankruptcy in order to stop the accruing interest rates.
Despite my desire to leave the ‘Assembly’ peacefully, I knew there would be a tremendous onslaught against me. So I decided to take a short vacation and spend some time in prayer and fasting before I announced my leaving.
Prior to leaving on my vacation, Bill Hines informed me that he was leaving ‘fellowship.’ I was very surprised. It was completely unexpected. I was happy for him but a little irritated because it was going to complicate my leaving. I told him I was also leaving and asked if he wanted me to delay my announcement since it looked like we were leaving together. He said, "No, we have spent too many years being concerned what others think, just do what God has shown you to do."
The following Wednesday Bill Hines told Mike Zach and Mark Sjogren that he was leaving. They asked him to write a letter to be read at the prayer meeting. Bill called Mike the next day to tell him he could drop his letter off at his home. Mike said it was no longer necessary since they (Mike and Mark) had written their own letter saying how deceived he was. Bill was accused of "losing the vision" and of being "unentreatable."
I called Mike Zach Friday morning and told him I was leaving ‘fellowship.’ All he said was, "Thank you for calling, I don’t know what else to say." I expressed my desire to leave in peace and told him I would like to call some of the sister’s and let them know myself.
I shared with these sisters that I believed God was calling me to leave but that I did not want to discuss the reasons why. I knew this would leave a lot of unanswered questions and leave me open for all kinds of accusations but I did not want to be "an accuser of the brethren." I expressed my desire to stay in contact with them and hopefully maintain our Christian fellowship.
I called George Geftakys to let him know I was leaving and he told me I was moving into great darkness and leaving the protection of the flock. I also called Wes Cohen, he said the only acceptable reason for leaving was for doctrinal differences. He said he and his family would no longer pray for me since I was leaving the covering of the leadership.
One sister from Omaha wrote me a letter of exhortation; another exhorted me on the telephone, obviously having been coached on what to say. Only one sister from the Work called to inquire as to why I was leaving.
Another sister who had been a dear friend called asking to meet with me, only to call back and say she has been counseled not to meet with me. I found out later that the leadership told the ‘saints’ in many areas of the ministry that I did not want to be contacted, which was a lie.
Later, a sister met with me secretly and told me not to tell anyone for fear that Mike Zach would find out.
Warnings To Others
Why have I taken the time and effort to write my story? It is not to "get back" at these men. It is to help those still in ‘fellowship’ and for those who are healing from their own experiences of abuse.
I know Mike Zach well, and when a person begins to recognize his controlling and manipulative behaviors they can start to minimize his abuse and its damaging effect. I have revealed some of his tactics but here are a few more.
Mike feeds on people’s sympathy. He often plays the role of the sacrificial lamb. I have no doubt there are many in Omaha feeling sorry for him. Don’t! Get out a sheet of paper and write down the facts, look at this man objectively and not emotionally, it’s not a pretty picture.
This is an appeal to the wives in the Omaha Assembly: Do not let Mike Zach or his messenger’s use you to influence you husbands. You know what I am talking about, because I’ve seen it done many times. Mike will flatter the wife for being the more spiritual one and together they will pray for the husband’s repentance or recovery. Which means they’ll pray for the husband to do what Mike wants them to do.
Because the Work was virtually a "secret society," Mike would flatter people by telling them information to make them feel like they were part of the ‘inner circle.’ Gossip can be a powerful tool and Mike wields it well. Over the years Mike told me things about the ‘saints’ I had no business knowing and to my shame I listened; do not make my mistake.
One way Mike "rallies the troops" together is by identifying a common enemy. That’s one of the reasons he marks those that leave as an enemy, resulting in the ‘saints’ "filling in the gap" and reaffirming their commitment to the Assembly. ‘Divide and conquer’ is also a common manipulative tool. I challenge those of you, like the Millers, who have had their families divided, ask yourself – why? And, if it has been divided in defense of this ministry, I pray you will seek reconciliation.
One cannot qualify sin. However, I believe one of the most serious sins facing the leadership is the way they systematically set-up people who are leaving ‘fellowship’ to fail in their walk with the Lord.
I think of the many, who were so beaten down spiritually and emotionally before they left ‘fellowship’ that they never recovered. But, what is so sobering is that the beatings were given with the intent of ruining their faith. So they could then be pointed out as an example of what happens to your walk with God if you leave.
What devastating control and manipulation to keep sincere people, who want to walk with God, trapped in ‘fellowship.’ I have never seen the leadership go out to some one who has left in order to help them in their walk with God. This despicable shunning behavior is not scriptural nor is it the norm in most of Christianity.
Bruised and Beaten Down
Although it was my desire to prove these men wrong and continue strong in my walk with God after leaving the Assembly, I was so bruised and beaten I could hardly function for several months.
I felt like Job with everything taken from me, my family and friends, my home, my business, my finances, my health, but most of all I wondered, "Who is God and what is all this about?"
In previous years I had spent a tremendous amount of energy trying to believe the best of these men because I couldn’t bear to admit I was involved in a lie. It was easier in many ways to agree "that I was the problem" and simply repent than to consider the alternative.
I wanted the ‘Assembly’ to be what it professed to be. And when I could no longer deny what it really was I began to wonder if I knew who God really was. Do I really know Him for who He is or for who I want Him to be?
For months the only truth I could stand on was that He loved me and I loved Him, everything else was in question. I felt like a tremendous failure at every juncture of my life. I felt incapable of having normal relationships with people, because in the Assembly you were either the one being ‘discipled’ or the ‘discipler’.
(May I interject here my sincere regrets and apologies to those whom I have offended. Many times I was more concerned with upholding the ‘standard’ than I was in caring for the needs of the individual.)
Upon leaving I knew for my own spiritual well being I needed to be in a place of service so I began ministering to the youth in the Douglas County Correctional Unit. I also started attending an Evangelical Free Church.
I was surprised to find out that the pastor knew about the ‘Assembly’ and that he and many other pastors’ in town were very concerned about it. Bill Hines proved to be a real support and friend. He apologized for the many years that he remained silent when I was being spiritually and emotionally beat up. I might add that outside of the meetings with the leadership, Bill had gone out of his way to encourage and support me.
Relationship With Bill
I would like to share briefly how my relationship with Bill Hines progressed, for a testimony of how God is able to heal relationships and restore true and healthy fellowship.
Although, Bill had befriended me in the ‘Assembly’ he was also a part of the many abusive meetings I attended. So, when several months passed and he expressed an interest in pursuing a serious relationship with me, I said "no."
I had every intention of eventually leaving Omaha and starting over. The last thing I wanted was to be in a relationship with someone from the ‘Assembly’. I always thought how ironic it was that I was accused of leaving to be with Bill.
Even though he and I were good friends I wasn’t free to share with people the difficult role he played in my life. Prior to selling my house I had a major garage sale and sold everything, yard tools, washer and dryer, everything except what would fit into a one-bedroom apartment, because I was preparing to relocate.
If I intended to leave so I could be with Bill, I certainly would not have sold the majority of my household goods. But, I understood the position the ‘saints’ were in and they simply believed what they are told.
More time passed and after counseling with my pastor’s wife, I began to seek God’s will concerning a relationship with Bill. I had to admit that I was still making decisions based on what others would think of me instead of what God wanted. I did believe Bill was free to remarry because his first wife had left him for another man.
Once again, I took an extended weekend for prayer and fasting to seek God’s will. I began the time saying, "Surely, You won’t make me marry Bill." But, the Lord gently showed me that He wouldn’t "make me" marry Bill but instead He was lovingly providing a godly man for me.
I was able to lay aside what others would think and begin a healthy relationship with this man. We have now been happily married for a little over two years and have a beautiful 6-week-old baby girl, Lydia Rose. God truly is able to restore the years that have been eaten away, Joel 2:25.
Healing can take place but it must first begin with humility and repentance.
Entreaty
I entreat all the leadership but especially Mike Zach, Mark Sjogren and Dave Zach to humble your selves and repent. Let God begin to restore and heal all the damaged and broken relationships in your lives.
Not only will you be greatly blessed but also many others. What a joy it would be in my heart to have old relationships restored and made right. And, yet I fear for those who, because of arrogance and pride, will not humble themselves at a time when God is knocking loudly at their doors.
I entreat parents who have raised your children in this ministry, humble yourselves before your children and acknowledge that you have been a part of an abusive and controlling ministry. Have the courage to take your family out and pursue a healthy Christian environment in which you can grow together.
Parents if you try to preserve what God is destroying, your children will see through it and will eventually be divided against you. This ministry has divided enough families; it’s time for it to end.
Joyce Hines
Bill’s Story
My name is Bill Hines. I was saved and came into ‘fellowship’ in Omaha in March 1981 and I left 18 years later in July 1999. I was in the ‘work’ from 1991- 1999 and a leading brother from 1992 - 1999. As the story of George Geftakys’ life began to unfold I sat in my living room looked at my blessed wife and new daughter thanking God that I, at least for the last 3-� years of my life, had not been in limbo. On July of 1999 I finally had the courage to say, "I am out of here."
What Joyce has shared about her business I can, to my shame, confirm. For too long I sat silent as these men manipulated and berated this dear woman. When I read the account of Judy’s abuse and those who had been silent I wept for Judy and her family.
I also knew one day when Joyce would write her account of spiritual abuse I would be at the top of the list of those who were silent. I can assure you she was all too kind in telling my part. Since I left ‘fellowship’ I regret two things most, 1) that I was silent in Joyce’s situation, and 2) that when Jon LeG. was accused by Jim Hayman of having a "heart of darkness" because he said George Geftakys had too much authority in this so called ‘autonomous assembly’.
To my shame I did not stand against Jim or the others in leadership who unanimously agreed with him. I can assure you there were many other situations where I remained silent when I should have spoke and times when I spoke when I should have remained silent. I am sure there are others I have offended because of this and I would ask for your forgiveness.
The situation with Jon, as sad as it is, was one of the many things that woke me up. During the next few months I read the life of Billy Graham, Just As I Am, and was in awe of how God had used this humble man and all the barriers he crossed to preach Christ. It opened my eyes to how exclusive and elite the ministry I was involved with was. His biography also began to awaken me to my divorce situation regarding remarriage.
For those who do not know me, I was divorced 3 years prior to my coming to Christ and was raising my 8-year-old daughter. This is when through the witness of many I trusted in Christ. I could not read the Bible enough and am very thankful for the many things I learned in that work.
When I left I even called George to tell him how I was thankful for all I had learned. He told me he had the gift of discernment and after I left I would "walk in greater and greater darkness" (he was so appreciative of my phone call).
When I left I met with the brethren and cited three reasons for my leaving: 1) the elitism and exclusiveness of what I was involved with, 2) I no longer agreed with the assemblies perspective on divorce and remarriage, and 3) I was appalled at how Joyce was put into bondage with her business financially.
When I look back I would certainly have left differently, as many have already stated, but I am just glad I left. As Joyce has stated, somehow she agreed to marry me. I can say without reservation the greatest difficulty in our relationship is still shedding what we learned at the assembly and how it has and still effects our lives.
Neither of us relished the idea of writing these accounts, but perhaps in doing so we can put all this behind us and continue to enjoy our lives with one another, with family and with Christ. Our intention in writing these accounts is with the hope that there may be ‘true’ repentance even as we see it described in the article Biblical Repentance on this website. May there be an end to the abuse, manipulation and controlling behavior that so many have experienced and may families that have been broken apart be restored and healed.
In Matt 19:12 it says some are eunuchs naturally and some are made this way by men. In the book of Esther the king had eunuchs looking after his harem. He had powerless (castrated) men taking care of his household.
George Geftakys was very similar to King Ahasuerus, in the book of Esther. He surrounded himself with men whom he made eunuchs. He castrated them spiritually so they were powerless to stand against him in situations that were clearly wrong.
How else could so many men have remained silent when they knew of Judy’s abuse? How else could men be silent when they saw the way George and David Geftakys treated Rachel and her son. How else could I have been silent when I saw the way Joyce was treated by these men, men George had trained? Or how else could I have been silent when I saw how Jon LeG. was accused falsely.
Even now with the veil taken away and the wickedness clearly exposed, many still hesitate to call it so or to acknowledge their part in it. How many times have we stood against what we knew was right to maintain the ‘unity’?
Tradition tells us how the apostle John in his later years, upon hearing how a young man whom he had discipled left the Lord and was running with thieves, went into the very den of these thieves to rescue this young man.
I know without a doubt that with the accounts Joyce and I have written we enter into hostile territory. Our desire is that perhaps in the middle of this "shaking" a few more might escape. We want you to know our home and lives are open to any and all weary ones.
Bill Hines
"You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we." 2 Corinthians 10:7
Editors note: To date, Mike and Dave Zach have not made things right with Joyce and Bill H., who in fact moved away from Omaha because of the hostile environment created by members of the Zach extended family.
