A Christian movement that faced a major downfall due to leadership controversies and allegations of misconduct.
The Living Word Fellowship (LWF), also known as “The Walk,” was a Christian sect founded by John Robert Stevens in 1951. Originating in South Gate, California, this religious movement combined elements of Pentecostalism, charismatic Christianity, and what Stevens termed “present truth” revelation. The fellowship expanded rapidly, reaching its peak in the 1970s with approximately 100 member congregations across the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico.
Origins and Founding
Born in 1919 in Iowa, John Robert Stevens began his ministry as a teenager. In the late 1940s, he became the pastor of the Lynwood, California, Assembly of God church. Following a revelation that included a vision of the continuing restoration of the first-century apostolic Church, Stevens began teaching about the Church’s restoration, emphasizing the Lordship of Jesus Christ and a return to the pattern of church government outlined in the New Testament.
In 1951, after departing from the Assemblies of God, Stevens established Grace Chapel of South Gate, California, which became the first church of The Living Word Fellowship. This marked the beginning of a movement that would attract followers drawn to Stevens’ charismatic personality and promises of spiritual power and enlightenment.
The group established numerous churches and communities across the United States, with its headquarters initially located in South Gate, California, and later moved to Shiloh, a farm and retreat site near Kalona, Iowa. Stevens encouraged his followers to live in close-knit communities, often on shared properties or farms, where they could fully dedicate themselves to the teachings and practices of The Walk.
Stevens established a hierarchical structure within The Living Word Fellowship, with himself at the top as the primary apostle and prophet. He appointed other leaders, known as elders or shepherds, to oversee various aspects of the ministry and local congregations.
Beliefs and Practices
The Living Word Fellowship focused on several key teachings, including:
- The importance of waiting on the Lord
- Personal and church stewardship
- The gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Christian celebration of biblical feasts
- The concept of “present truth”
- Spiritual warfare and combating demonic forces
Stevens claimed to receive direct revelations from God and taught that he was a modern-day apostle and prophet. He emphasized the importance of spiritual gifts, particularly speaking in tongues and prophecy, and believed in the imminent return of Christ.
The fellowship developed its own unique vocabulary and set of rituals, including “personal prophecy” sessions where members would receive individualized messages supposedly from God through Stevens or other designated leaders. These prophecies often guided major life decisions for followers, including career choices, marriages, and relocations.
Controversies and Decline
Throughout its existence, The Living Word Fellowship faced controversy and accusations of cult-like behavior. Critics pointed to the intense control exerted over members’ lives, the emphasis on financial contributions to the ministry, and the isolation of followers from their families and wider society. Some former members reported experiences of emotional and spiritual abuse within the group.
After Stevens’ death in 1983, leadership passed to his second wife, Marilyn Holbrook, and Gary Hargrave, along with a group of elders. The organization struggled to maintain its cohesion and influence, with many members leaving the group, disillusioned by unfulfilled prophecies and the loss of their charismatic leader.
In 2018, The Living Word Fellowship faced a major crisis when allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct by leaders, including Stevens himself, came to light. These revelations led to the resignation of several top leaders, including Gary Hargrave, and the closure of many affiliated churches and ministries.
In November 2018, the fellowship announced its dissolution following the sexual misconduct allegations. Subsequently, Shiloh, which had served as the headquarters since the 1970s, announced the end of its affiliation with The Living Word Fellowship.
Legal Issues and Aftermath
In August 2020, five women filed lawsuits against The Living Word Fellowship, claiming sexual abuse by church officials and employees when they were minors. These lawsuits followed allegations of rampant sexual abuse within the church, as well as claims of a hypersexualized environment and assaults on children. The lawsuits detailed the operations of the church and sought compensation for the survivors’ pain, suffering, and treatment expenses.
The former headquarters at Shiloh was later destroyed in a controlled burn by the local fire department as a training exercise in October 2020, symbolically marking the end of an era for The Living Word Fellowship.
image via The Gazette
