A fundamentalist church accused of cult-like behavior, including drugging and indoctrinating potential converts
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Fundamentalist
Founded: 1999
Location: Wells, Texas, United States
The Church of Wells, originally named the Church of Arlington or You Must Be Born Again (YMBBA) Ministries, is a religious community located in Wells, Texas. This group, led by Sean Morris, Jacob Gardner, and Ryan Ringnald, is often characterized by its fervent, street-preaching origins and its radical approach to Christianity. Established by former street preachers in the early 2010s, the Church of Wells has attracted attention and criticism for various public disturbances and allegations of extreme indoctrination methods.
The Church of Wells aligns itself with fundamentalist Protestant Christianity, holding a Calvinist view of theology. They strictly adhere to the King James Version of the Bible. Their beliefs include separation from non-believers, a common tenet in fundamentalism, and a strong emphasis on their interpretation of biblical teachings. The group is known for its intense proselytizing efforts within the Wells community, often leading to strained relationships with locals.
Central to the Church of Wells’ belief system is a stringent interpretation of Christianity, demanding total surrender and separation from worldly influences, including one’s own family if necessary. This doctrine has led to dramatic lifestyle changes among its members, who express a distinct disillusionment with mainstream Christianity and modern culture, favoring a life of apparent spiritual purity and isolation. Their practices and beliefs have resulted in significant estrangement between members and their families, with the church being accused of fostering an environment that restricts personal freedom and contact with the outside world.
The Church of Wells has been involved in several controversial incidents. This includes the delayed reporting of a three-day-old infant’s death, disruptions at various church services, and allegations of kidnapping and indoctrination. In May 2012, the death of a three-day-old infant garnered media attention when church members chose to pray for hours instead of seeking immediate medical attention. The incident led to investigations by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Child Protective Services. Another notable case was that of Catherine Grove, a 26-year-old woman who abruptly left her home in Arkansas in 2013 to join the Church of Wells. Her disappearance and subsequent reemergence under heavy guard at the church led to widespread concern and accusations of the group being a cult. She later returned to the church after expressing intentions to leave.
The group’s approach to spreading their beliefs has also led to multiple confrontations with the public and the law. For instance, during the Wells community homecoming parade in April 2014, Sean Morris and Taylor Clifton were injured after causing a disturbance by preaching in a manner that was perceived as harsh by onlookers. In June 2015, six members of the Church disrupted a service at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, resulting in their trial and acquittal on charges of disturbing a public meeting. Their disruptive actions extended to various public events, including a Christmas parade in Lufkin, Texas, where their preaching led to Clifton’s arrest for disorderly conduct. Moreover, the Church of Wells has been implicated in more severe incidents, such as the alleged drugging and indoctrination of an outreach minister in 2016, as well as issues surrounding their operation of a sawmill, which faced legal and safety scrutiny.
Central to the Church of Wells’ belief system is a stringent interpretation of Christianity, demanding total surrender and separation from worldly influences, including one’s own family if necessary. This doctrine has led to dramatic lifestyle changes among its members, who express a distinct disillusionment with mainstream Christianity and modern culture, favoring a life of apparent spiritual purity and isolation. Their practices and beliefs have resulted in significant estrangement between members and their families, with the church being accused of fostering an environment that restricts personal freedom and contact with the outside world.
image via ABC13
