Intro to the Assembly Ministry of George and Betty Geftakys
George and Betty Geftakys began their Assembly ministry in 1970, and quickly developed it into a cult with all the characteristics of Robert Lifton's criteria for mind control. It came apart in 2003 when their serious moral lapses were exposed. Many members were outraged at George and Betty's failure, and the cultic aberrations that were revealed throughout the whole system.
A series of brief articles introduced below gives a birdseye view of the Geftakys Assembly ministry. Readers who are already familiar with the Assembly are referred to The Geftakys Assemblies - an Overview and the in-depth Irons' History of the Geftakys Assembly Ministry.
History of the Geftakys Assembly Ministry
At the crest of the Jesus Movement
in 1970 George and Betty Geftakys
left the Plymouth Brethren to
begin their own independent ministry in Fullerton, California. Their Assembly formula was initially a
mix of early Plymouth Brethren "church truth", early Keswick/Watchman Nee
"higher life" concepts, and the youth and enthusiasm of the Jesus People.
"Brother George" traveled across the U.S. and Europe visiting small home groups that followed the teaching of T. Austin-Sparks. At home, George's son Timothy and his friends zealously recruited on college campuses to "chapter summary" Bible studies. George consolidated all these groups under his authoritarian leadership, appointing loyal local leaders in every gathering. He called his ministry "the Work" and developed an elite corps of "Workers" to lead the movement. Read more background here....
Assembly Distinctives
George patterned his Assemblies after the Brethren concept of "simplicity of gathering" - chairs in a semi-circle, extended hymn singing and extemporaneous prayers, communion every "Lord's Day", preaching in an "open platform" format, where several brothers would "give a word". The concept of paid clergy was scorned, as were pre-printed church bulletins. Read more about distinctives....At the peak of the movement, there were perhaps 1,500 members in 75 or more locations around the world (not including Nigeria, where the numbers are unknown.) But due to a high turn-over rate, possibly 6,000 to 8,000 people or more have been affected over the years by the Geftakys cult.
Problems with Assembly Teaching and Practice
Within a few years the cultic tendencies began to appear: increasing control from top-down leadership, imposition of rules and pressure to perform, isolation from main-stream Christianity, skewed doctrine which motivated by fear. Communal living was instituted, and people were isolated from former friends and families of origin. Criticism was not tolerated and those who left were vilified. Read more about problems with Assembly teaching and practice, and more about the Assembly lifestyle...
2003 Implosion of the Geftakys Ministry
In January, 2003, George Geftakys was excommunicated from the Fullerton Assembly following revelations on this website of a decades-long cover-up of his son David's domestic violence, and his own immoral relations with several Assembly women. Most of the Assemblies disbanded that year, but a few still continue to meet. Some may still remain loyal to George, but most have renounced association with him. Read more about the demise of the Assemblies....
Challenges Facing Former Assembly Members
The spiritual betrayal was devastating, topping off what, for many members, had been years of spiritual abuse. To borrow a quote from Eugene Peterson in Working the Angles, "The sheer quantity of wreckage around us is appalling: wrecked bodies, wrecked marriages, wrecked careers, wrecked plans, wrecked families, wrecked alliances, wrecked friendships, wrecked prosperity.
"We avert our eyes. We try not to dwell on it. We whistle in the dark. We wake up in the morning hoping for health and love, justice and success, we build quick mental and emotional defenses against the inrush of bad news, and we try to keep our hopes up.
"And then some kind of crash or other puts us or someone we care about in a pile of wreckage....Are there any promises, any hopes that are exempt from the general carnage? It doesn't seem so."
Peterson was not referring to the Assembly "crash" in 2003, but the description is tragically apt. "Wrecked faith" can be added to the list. Read more about the challenges following the crash....
Current Concerns
Most of the former Geftakys Assemblies have disbanded. However, there are still concerns about the former leaders who are developing their own ministries, or have become involved in other churches.
They were trained exclusively in "the schoolroom of the believer", i.e. trained by G. Geftakys in his beliefs and practices. Many have not perceived the cultic structure of the system they led. They have not publicly acknowledged abuses nor apologized. They may be expected to bring their hidden Geftakys baggage over into a new context.
Former Geftakys Assemblies that are still meeting no longer identify themselves with the Geftakys ministry. However, Assembly beliefs and practices are still deeply embedded. It is disturbing that these groups are actively hiding their Assembly past and are positioning themselves as bland groups of simple Christians.
George and Betty Geftakys are not entirely out of the picture yet, either. They have meetings in their home for worship and Bible study at Plymouth Village, and have younger assistants who are actively recruiting. Now in their mid eighties, George and Betty cannot be considered innocuous. Read more about continuing issues here....
Introduction to the Geftakys Assembly Ministry »
2003 Implosion of the Getakys Assembly Ministry »
The Assembly Lifestyle »
Problems with Assembly Teaching & Practice »
Definition of
an Abusive Group »
Current
Concerns »
Challenges
Facing Former Members »
List of
Past & Present Assembly Locations & Outreaches »