We came to this church because we needed a place to live and the church rents out small houses for relatively low rents. They advertise as a ministry and we actually thought it was a legitimate ministry, but were surprised to find out that we were wrong. We had to sign the rental contract which states that we must attend a minimum of two church services per week and follow a few other rules (no smoking, drinking alcolohic beverages, no pornography). This did not seem like a big deal for getting a place to live after having lived on the street, so of course we took it. My uncle smokes and really could not stop smoking though he was planning to try, but we went to the services and actually enjoyed it at first (at least I did). But one day in a Sunday service something happened that we were uncomfortable with and we decided to sit in the back from that time on. Also, on another day after that, when the pastor's wife walked by us during the service and waved to us and we did not turn and look at her with a return smile, she never smiled at us again. She scowled at us from then on and we knew that they had turned against us. (some other things happened too, involving my uncle working for them at extremely low wages in order to pay the rent and then hurting his back on the job which they didn't have insurance for) The more services we attended the more uncomfortable we became and felt a lot of pressure to conform to doing things during the service that were against our faith (we thought we only had to attend services, not obey every word out of the master's mouth), and the pastor continually spoke in a demeaning manner to the people during the services (and this is still continuing). One day I felt that God wanted me to write a letter to the pastor actually trying to help him to see what was wrong (and I actually really thought he would have an open mind and pure heart to receive it). I wrote and sent the letter by e-mail but he never responded. Instead, 3 weeks later we received a notice stating that "the board of directors has decided not to renew your lease after...." So I went to the Human Rights Commission and filed a complaint. An investigation was begun but cut short in the middle of it by some political pressure which is carefully being kept hidden from us. We are now still living in the house, but the battle is not finished and we are awaiting direction from God on what to do next. Through this whole thing we have been talking with our neighbors and found that this has been going on for about 12 years now. We certainly are not the only ones that have been targeted in this way, but probably the first ones to even make a dent at restraining their madness. Our closest neighbor had been living here for 6 years when our battle began and he was working for the church and his wages were free rent with utilities paid and about $20.00 per week (or per month?, I forgot), and actually expected to live on that, and take care of 3 children at the same time. And we have heard story after story of other people who have been severely oppressed by them, all of us people who refused to "worship" them. I was told by a reliable witness that they used to force people to move out with a week's notice when they simply decided they didn't want them around anymore. (every time they evict someone the sherriff has to come out to take them away - that's where the taxpayer dollars come into play.) Their whole game is played for money and power and simply the enjoyment of getting revenge on people whom they hate - God's people. They are getting away with it by lies - lies that are very skillfully crafted and filled with power and, yes, slander. It's amazing how easily they lie and how easily people believe it. I have been slandered very badly and found that no matter how much I tried to explain what really happened, no-one would believe me because the power of the lies was so extreme. In fact I couldn't even get anyone to listen to the explanations. Now I no longer try to defend myself. Instead I'm working to expose them. The truth of the matter is that they are shifting the blame for their own sins onto anyone else that they can dump it onto in order to get out of being punished. So far it has worked, but it will not work forever. And in fact I believe that their sand castle is beginning to crumble now (which is why they have not been able to get us out of the house yet, unlike all of the people who came before us).

Scriptures of God's promises that I placed on my refrigerator / walls in relation to this situation:

"No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and this is their vindication from me declares the Lord."

" Every Word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar."