PersonalAccounts

Personal Experiences

These are individual stories of how people came into fellowship in the Assembly, what life was like, what it was like to leave, and much more. They are pieces of the puzzle that help fill out the picture of what the Assembly was. Many of them focus on sad and even tragic events that now have the light shined on them after years of being hidden by the code of silence. Some will object that such things ought not to be dragged up again, but the Bible itself is full of raw stories of human sin. These accounts are instructive and necessary to understanding the true nature of the Geftakys Assemblies. (Click Glossary link at left for definitions of Assembly terminology.)

Rachel Geftakys, daughter of David and Judy Geftakys and granddaughter of George and Betty Geftakys, wrote an extensive account of her family's abuse. When Brent T. published her story on this website in November of 2002, along with the restraining order (large PDF file) against her father David, it was the beginning of the collapse of the Geftakys ministry.

Judy Geftakys has written briefly about of her experience. She also wrote a letter to a former Assembly member in answer to questions about Mike and Sheryl Zach's part in the cover up of the abuse.

In January 2002 a former member of the SLO Assembly published a personal account on the Rick Ross website of how her eyes were opened to what was happening in SLO.

Susan M., a former Assembly wife, tells her story of domestic violence (reposted from the Assembly Bulletin Board).

Brinda M. has written an extensive account of the beginning and development of the Geftakys Assemblies in the Midwest and Tuscola. She recounts in detail how lives and families were impacted, both for good and for ill. This article provides the most comprehensive picture on the website of how the Geftakys ministry operated.

Kristin's story is about a man who preyed upon her, poured out his sexual fantasies upon her, and took advantage of her innocence. George Geftakys, the "servant of the Lord", was the perpetrator.

Flora, formerly from the Ottawa Assembly, Canada, tells of her experiences in the Geftakys organization. She has keen biblical insight into the dynamics that developed in the group.

Delila H., also from Ottawa, is now a writer. From the perspective of her grandmother's World War II experience she offers insight into the Assembly experience, recovery from it, and the effects of its dissolution.

Chris and Mary B., formerly from the Ottawa Assembly, recount the control, racial prejudice, and lies they encountered from a Fullerton Leading Brother at the beginning of their relationship.

Robb Middleton tells his impressions as a teenager about the upheaval in the Tuscola Assembly when a number of families left in 1988. Brinda M.'s story of how the Assemblies in the Midwest began has been moved to the Assembly History section.

Anonymous in Tuscola recounts a childhood of incest in the Tuscola Assembly that was known to the leadership but ineffectively dealt with.

Stranger-Rape and Worse reveals extreme thought reform methods in the Assembly.

Bill and Joyce H. tell us what happened to them in the Omaha Assembly. Joyce says, "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."

Gretchen W. has written an incisive article about the former Assembly in Omaha, Nebraska. She tells her story using Robert Lifton's eight criteria for mind control. She says, "My experience in the assembly fits these cult criteria perfectly."

Marcia M. has written the story of how she and her family left the Assembly in Ottawa, Canada.

A former Campus Worker from the West Coast has written An Issue of Control, about the courtship of his wife while in the Assembly.

A former Leading Brother from Omaha made an appeal to the leadership to end the abuse, manipulation, superior attitudes, arrogance, lying, pretending, and cover-ups. "I don't want to see another generation perpetuate the wrongs that George and others who stood beside him lived and taught."

"Denise Stanford" was one of George's personal secretaries. Her named has been changed in this account, written up by Steve Irons in 1990 from a Workers' Meeting tape.

Getting Hooked is a true and insightful little story of how a young couple got involved in the Annandale Assembly, Virginia. It clearly shows the initial deceptiveness of the Assembly in concealing who they really were until the couple was definitely hooked.

Joe Sperling tells why he was drawn to the Assembly, and points out several elements in his experience that may be common to others.

Navigating the Deeper Life is Brent T.'s book-length account of his own spiritual journey.

Fully Commmitted describes what it is like to be fully committed in the Assembly. Written by Brent T.

Tom Maddux recalls an incident of unbelievable cruelty in one of George's kangaroo courts.

Steve Irons tells the story of how it came about that the Irons family left the Geftakys ministry in the Spring of 1990. In January, 2003, he posted a message of sorrow for his part in causing the pain in so many lives.

Scott McC. posted a poignant description on the Assembly bulletin board of what it was like to be an Assembly kid. His post is republished here with his permission in an adapted version.

Brad Mathias also posted some brief comments on the Assembly bulletin board, which are posted here with his permission. He shares some behind-the-scenes insights into the 1985 crisis in the Tuscola Assembly, IL.

Eulaha L. has written the story of her nine-year Assembly sojourn. She shows very clearly how her natural personality was gradually changed into what was approved of by the Assembly, with devastating results.

Lydia is 15. She is an AK (Assembly kid) who spent 14 years in a California Assembly.

This anonymous contribution enumerates how normal human longings and aspirations were thwarted in the assembly experience.

Dan N. (not the former Leading Brother in Fullerton) describes how he almost got caught in the Assembly system.

This writer observes how the Assembly stole the rite of passage into manhood for some men.

Garth relates his experiences in the Lombard Assembly, IL.

Dave Sable reflects on the last conversations he had with his dad.

Kevin W. shares his story. He writes, "I was a boy without a man in the home and was an easy victim."

Margaret Irons sees a connection between the Gerson therapy and indoctrination into proper Assembly-think.

A friend of someone who got involved in the Assembly blogs her reaction on Jan.23, 2003, when she stumbled upon the news on RickRoss.com that G. Geftakys had been excommunicated and the Assemblies were crumbling.

An international exchange student recounts her experience in a midwest Assembly, and what happened after her engagement to a non-Assembly man

Bill W. found this website and noticed the similarities beween the Local Church, which he had come out of, and the Assembly. His story shows many parallels.

Stories George Told Us is a collection of claims George made both publicly and personally to individuals. Some are disputed by readers.

More stories and comments about the Assembly can be found on the Rick Ross website under "The Assembly and George Geftakys."

(Back to top)

Submit a comment or a contribution for publication on this page, or contact us if you would like to talk or email with someone about the Assembly.
Comments from readers....
(No comments at this time - feel free to begin a conversation...)