A religious group with a vision of New Testament gathering, marred by leadership controversy and cultic dynamics.
The Assembly, a religious group founded by George and Betty Geftakys in 1970, began with the aim of reverting to a New Testament pattern of Christian gathering. George Geftakys, a graduate of Talbot Seminary and an ordained Baptist minister, became disillusioned with the Plymouth Brethren’s approach, which led him to establish his own organization. Born in 1926, Geftakys was a Greek-American who claimed to have had a powerful religious experience during his time in the U.S. Navy. After his discharge, he became involved with various Christian groups before founding the Assembly.
The group’s origins can be traced back to weekend seminars held by George Geftakys in his home in Fullerton, California. These gatherings were attended by about 35 young people, including Christian students involved in the “Jesus movement.” The seminars aimed to inspire a deeper Christian faith and introduce the concept of believers becoming “overcomers” and corporately expressing Christ according to Geftakys’s interpretation of the New Testament pattern.
Initially, the Assembly conducted weekly Sunday services and Bible studies in Fullerton, following a Brethren-like pattern of preaching. George Geftakys was the predominant preacher, especially during the Sunday afternoon sessions and weekly Bible studies. The group also engaged in various gospel outreaches, including campus Bible studies and open-air preaching. This emphasis on evangelism and outreach remained a key characteristic of the Assembly throughout its existence, with members encouraged to engage in street preaching, door-to-door evangelism, and other forms of proselytizing.
Following a six-month trip by George and Betty Geftakys across the U.S. and Europe, people from various locations began to visit Fullerton for seminars, and assemblies were established in other areas. Over time, the Assembly grew into a network of about 50 affiliated small churches across the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, and Nigeria. These smaller assemblies typically had 2 to 5 men designated as “leading brothers,” who were directly accountable to George Geftakys. The leading brothers in each assembly were expected to have full-time jobs in addition to their church responsibilities, although George Geftakys and some others were supported full-time in the ministry.
The organizational structure of the Assembly was highly hierarchical, with George Geftakys at the top, followed by a group of elders and workers who held authority over the general membership. This structure was justified through a particular interpretation of biblical passages relating to leadership and submission. The Assembly was characterized by its strict interpretation of Christian teachings, emphasis on communal living, and hierarchical structure centered around the charismatic leadership of George Geftakys.
Members of the Assembly were expected to adhere to strict behavioral and dress codes. Women were required to wear long skirts or dresses, keep their hair long, and refrain from wearing makeup or jewelry. Men were expected to maintain short hair and dress modestly. The group discouraged secular entertainment, higher education, and close relationships with non-members, including family members who were not part of the Assembly.
One of the most distinctive features of the Assembly was its emphasis on communal living. Many members lived in shared houses, often with multiple families or individuals residing together. This arrangement was seen as a way to foster spiritual growth, accountability, and mutual support among members.
The Assembly’s teachings on marriage and family life have been particularly criticized. The group promoted a patriarchal family structure where wives were expected to submit completely to their husbands, and children were to obey their parents without question. This dynamic, combined with the group’s emphasis on corporal punishment, led to allegations of domestic violence and child abuse within Assembly families.
Despite its growth and apparent success, the Assembly faced significant issues throughout its existence. The group was known for its authoritarian leadership, rigid control over members’ lives, and a culture of secrecy. Allegations of abuse and misconduct emerged, particularly regarding George Geftakys and his family. These issues came to a head in 2003 when George Geftakys was excommunicated following revelations of moral failures and abuse cover-ups involving his son.
The authoritarian leadership style of George Geftakys and other Assembly leaders reportedly created an environment where questioning or dissent was not tolerated. Members who expressed doubts or disagreed with the leadership were often subjected to public shaming, isolation, or expulsion from the group. Financial exploitation was another serious concern raised by former members. The Assembly encouraged members to give generously to the organization, often beyond their means. There were reports of members being pressured to take on debt or sell personal possessions to contribute more to the group. Questions about how these funds were used and allegations of financial impropriety by the leadership added to the growing list of concerns about the organization.
The downfall of the Assembly began in the early 2000s when allegations of sexual abuse by George Geftakys and other leaders came to light. These accusations, combined with the mounting evidence of other forms of abuse and misconduct, led to a crisis within the organization. Many members, confronted with the reality of the abuses taking place, began to leave the group. In 2003, George Geftakys was formally excommunicated from the Fullerton Assembly, the original and central congregation of the movement. This action, taken by some of the elders who had finally acknowledged the validity of the abuse allegations, effectively marked the end of Geftakys’s leadership and the beginning of the disintegration of the Assembly as a cohesive organization.
The fallout from these scandals led to the disbandment of many Assembly groups. However, some continued to operate, distancing themselves from the Geftakys name and attempting to reform. These efforts were met with mixed success, as the remnants of the Assembly struggled with their controversial past and the cult-like behaviors ingrained in their practices. After George Geftakys’s death in 2014 and Betty Geftakys’s death in 2022, most former Assemblies have disbanded. However, some groups continue to meet, with various degrees of connection to the original Assembly and its practices.
In the aftermath of the Assembly’s collapse, many former members struggled to adjust to life outside the group. Some faced significant challenges in rebuilding relationships with family members, pursuing education or careers that had been discouraged or forbidden, and addressing the psychological trauma resulting from their experiences in the Assembly. The betrayal of trust among former members of the Assembly is profound, with deep and enduring emotional, psychological, social, relational, and spiritual damages.
In the years since the Assembly’s dissolution, several support groups and online communities have emerged to help former members process their experiences and recover from the effects of their involvement with the group. These resources have played a crucial role in helping individuals understand and come to terms with their experiences in the Assembly.
image via Geftakys Assembly
