New-Directions-after-the-Assembly

New Directions after the Assembly

What are FAM's (former Assembly members) doing and thinking today? Relocation, recovery, struggles, prayer requests, new interests, career moves, education, accomplishments, graduations, ministries.....And new ways of thinking about their Assembly experience, different approaches to God, the Bible, prayer, church, etc.

Prayer Requests Even though this phrase may bring shudders to some, we'll put it first, as there are some urgent needs. It's great that we can now pray and support one another in our own personal needs and prayer requests, which seldom happened in Assembly prayer meetings. Latest update Jan 10, 2008.

~·~ January 21, 2008 Dave Mauldin posted this update: " I have just finished to the final interview of my Oral History Project on the Assembly. I feel extremely privileged to have obtained the current-member-leader interview. As this material will be held in archives at Cal State Fullerton and be made available for research and possibly publication, I feel as if I have completed the most significant work of my life! While working on the interviews both interviewer (myself) and narrator were amazed at the insights revealed in our discussions. Also the spontaneous laughter was priceless. I know now that research of this kind will be a big part of the rest of my life. A wish I have would be for current members and former members to be able to find some common ground to communicate on as I have on this project!" ~·~ An unnamed FAM has a blog, TH in SoC: Who broke my church? Who broke my faith? Who can fix this mess?, on a number of important issues in society and in evangelicalism, as well as a couple of posts on his/her Assembly experience. ~·~ Gordon W., formerly of the San Luis Obispo Assembly, shares what he has learned about personal evangelism since leaving the Assembly.

~·~ Flora, formerly of the Ottawa Assembly, has suffered from chemical sensitivity since at least age 13. She became completely disabled in 1987. She has written a book, Convenient, "Safe" and Deadly, detailing the health impacts of our chemical lifestlye, which was published last year. Read her article, The Value of a Human Life, and visit her website, Health Risk Navigation, Inc. ~·~ AK Becky E., formerly of the Fullerton Assembly, went on a three-month mission trip to Africa, after completing training at Torchbearers International in Capernwray, England. She gave us permission to post the emails she sent home to family and friends.

~·~ An AK who had a wild and rocky time after the family left the Assembly in 2003 found the US military a productive place to channel the hyperdrive. "There is nothing I love more than the challenge of doing well..." ~·~ The following obituary was published in the Orange County Register: "David S. Kennedy, 41, passed away October 13 2007. Survived by wife, Christine; children, James (11), Rachel (9), Ben (5), Faith (3); mother, Peggy, and sister, Kathy...." The Kennedys were in fellowship in the West LA Assembly prior to 2003. Please pray for the family.

~·~ Tamilla P. is in China, and has published a book about her experiences, This Mysterious Love: Hard Lessons Learned by a Black Girl in China. Tamilla also contributed the excerpt from Henri Nouwen's book Out of Solitude, in which he makes the point that being is more important than having or doing. ~·~ Report from Annandale "Overall, the post-Assembly folks here in Annandale are doing well. They're using their many gifts to serve God in new places and new ways. Music, missions, youth ministry, small group Bible studies, hospitality, prayer, & drama are just a few areas that come to mind when I think of the ministries the families and couples here have been involved in. It didn't happen overnight, but I really think we're all moving on in positive and healthy ways." --Becky W.

~·~ Information on Dr. Sunday Ochenjele's medical endeavors in Nigeria is profiled, and he explains his position vis a vis the Assembly.Wayne Mathews , Champaign, IL, talks about his current medical missions project. ~·~ Marine Lance Corporal Abraham Simpson, nineteen-year-old son of Jim and Maria Simpson, formerly of the Fullerton Assembly, was killed in action in Fallujah on November 9, 2004. Abe had a strong Christian testimony, and wanted to serve his country in a good cause. In October, 2005, Maria Simpson found an essay Abe had written in his senior year of high school, which shows a turning point in his life. Here is the 2008 newsletter from Jim and Maria. Their middle son, Paul, has joined the Marines. All Hartman has alerted us to a website put up by Xerox Corporation to give everyone a way of thanking our troops overseas.

~·~ Dan Buss, formerly of the St. Louis Assembly, was taken to glory in 2007. He left some last words for us. ~·~ Therapist Mary Jo Cysewski runs a monthly support group for people born or raised in high-demand groups. Mary Jo has an extensive background in counseling people from groups of this kind, and has led two support groups for adult former Assembly members.

~·~ Former Assembly members are beginning to realize they need some specialized counseling after their experience with such a high-demand group. Several have gone to Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center and received real help. The article explains the ongoing need for donations to Wellspring to give these folks the treatment they need. (Donations are tax-deductible and can be designated specifically for the Victims Assistance Fund: The Assembly.) ~·~ There are a few "third anniversary" (2006) updates on St. Louis folks.

~·~ Kathy C., who was involved in the Fullerton Assembly from its beginnings until the 1980's, tells about finally finishing college in 2006. ~·~ Gretchen W. of Omaha writes in 2004 about the steps their family has taken toward healing in the past year and presents a penetrating analysis of the former Omaha Assembly.

~·~ Two of the Sjogren boys in Omaha raise money on a regular basis for what they say is an orphanage for children with AIDS. A number of comments have been made on this by Brent T. and "Anonymous in Nigeria." 2/08 Update: It has come to our attention that Herbert in Tanzania in involved in an orphanage ministry. Possible the Sjogren boys contribute to him, rather than to Samuel. ~·~ Remedy Drive, now based out of Lincoln, NE, is trying to run their band like a business and expand their fan base. Their MySpace is here. You Tube shows David Reisinger doing a segment on Remedy Drive for MyScene. Here is another YouTube clip.

~·~ Joe D. writes about getting involved in Pro-Life Ministries. "The goal of this article", he says, "is not to bash George Geftakys but to take a fresh look at a critical issue that may have been largely ignored by us in the past." ~·~ Brad Mathias, who grew up in the Tuscola, IL, Assembly, tells about his second career in Christian music production, (after being a successful chiropractor), plus his current plunge into seminary in 2005.

~·~ Ginger Geftakys is part-time faculty at CSUF in the Elementary and Bilingual Education Department. In 2006 she was a winner of the Titan Education Excellence Award. She is also selling her artwork, and can be reached at gingergift@aol.com. ~·~ The information on David Geftakys' current activities posted 2005 on the Assembly bulletin board has now been added here, as well as more current info from 2007.

~·~ Al Hartman gives his testimony, from the time of his salvation, through his years in the Assembly, through years of discouragement after leaving the Assembly, and up to July, 2003 and his involvement on the Assembly bulletin board. ~·~ Joe Miller tells about his time in the Assembly, why he left in 1991, and where he is now.

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