Dookus’ story of Sydney hell Sunday, Mar 2 2008

I first heard of the doctrine associated with the GRC and affiliates from a long time friend in Sydney when I was twenty three years old, it was early 1983 .At first of course I rejected this and went about my ways, I used marijuana on a regular basis and was going through a rough, self destructive patch and after hearing of this so called “word” I tried hallucinates which did not leave me in a good state of mind leaving me vulnerable to the likes of the GRC and it’s affiliates.

Due to being somewhat affected by the substances and being a person who’s physiology does not bear well with the intake of any substance that would cause a degradation of physical or mental health I fell into a state of mental illness and became very fearful of death, this caused me to think on this “word” that I had heard.

I first of all sought out this friend, I arranged to go to a meeting in MB’s house at Condell Park Sydney, I was at the time sharing a house in an outer western suburb with another friend who had some insight into Pentecostalism and he came as well.

we both sat through “the word” and at the end of this we agreed to be baptised, I was amazed at the harsh responses towards my friend, he mentioned to MB that he didn’t wear under wear and this brought about a very strange reaction from MB, instead of what one would expect, the offering of the necessary clothing (the clothing for baptisms was always in a kit, so what was the problem?) and an understanding that all people are different, MB’s reaction was one of disgust and his muttering and mumbling about how “we don’t care for your flesh” or words to that affect, he acted extremely offended that this man would mention this fact , and went on about it for some minutes.

Eventually we were baptised in this house and were settled down to “call on the lord” shouting hallelujahs into the pillows on the chairs of this house, I did not speak in tongues at that point.

At a later date, probably the midweek meeting which was held at Springwood in the blue mountains at that point, I once again was given a lift to have my time hearing the word and calling hallelujah at a pillow while two men touched me on the back, one spraying forth in English loudly how the lord should fill me with the holly spirit etc and the other speaking in tongues, once again I did not speak in tongues myself. however later on that night as we were about to be driven home bibles were offered to each of us, and at this stage I was somewhat “weirded out” by all this and used this offering as a point at which to take offence and accuse MB of attempting to bribe us, little did I know it was my so called “saved’ friend who had bought them for us. (someone who I still miss and has had a woeful time under Mick)

We were taken home and had little to do with these people for some time.

At a later date when I was living alone and somewhat feeling the need to find out if this “word” which was preached to me was true due to my mental state not being at it’s best I sought out MB and once again was involved in this ritual of shouting hallelujah at a pillow while being touched on the shoulder by two men, I was constantly being told to “Speak it out” and at that point felt extremely silly and wanted the whole thing to stop, I decided then and there to just make up some babble and go with it, this was just what was wanted, and something that dogged me for years to come after, I at my first “prayer and fast” was once again calling Hallelujah at a pillow feeling somewhat dirty as I felt I had sinned being a fraud, MB came to me and encouraged me to speak in the language god had given me, I then proceeded to cry and admit my folly of faking the babble, to which MB proceeded to inform me that my thoughts were those the devil had given me to take tmy “joy” away.

I was learning fast that what you said was just put aside with some routine saying such as that, I quickly learnt that silence on most accounts was the best and almost all things I may have said were treated contrarily, MB has this ability to offer the opposite opinion to anything one may say if he chooses to treat that particular person that way, I was one who seemed to need to be contradicted.

I also quickly learnt the punishment for doing anything no matter how minor that may be construed as wrong or of need of correction, the consequences were brisk and embarrassing, almost always the offender needed to be briskly made to feel small and stupid in front of the whole assembly, MB would yell his rebuke and stare directly at the offender those of us who were a bit naughty soon referred to MB as mad Mick, a name he acquired during his bike riding days MB was before being a “saint” an only child of a domineering mother and a former bikie, (a typical pre-requisit for becoming an “oversight” in a place like this) with long red hair and a beard etc etc, my friend who originally “witnessed” to myself was the type of person who learnt slowly, his quirky traits giving MB regular opportunity to attack him from the rostrum.

I was soon able to (as one does) put aside my thoughts of how I deliberately faked the “speaking in tongues” learning as so many do to ignore the truth that is always at the back of ones mind and go on blindly adhering to the ways and doctrines of the “saints” I learnt to phone mick when I felt someone was erring (though I stopped that early on), and to hide my own problems as I felt all to often they would be mentioned every time I was in MB’s presence (nothing was ever forgotten and often brought back up) and he would make me feel like I could never leave anything I went through behind, slowly more and more I felt condemned and unable to live up to the level expected of me, I felt I had to keep the fasard up, if one let their guard down MB would pounce and the consequences were worse than trying to deal with it oneself.

Having had little to no experience in the “world” with women, I soon developed a desire to approach a particular woman (Known as a sister) and hopefully date and marry etc, after ten months of attending this church, I, one day in a very nervous condition (I hated approaching MB at the best of times) approached MB and told him of my desire, he in his usual way brusquely told me how I had not reached the mandatory one year mark necessary to reach before one can be involved with a “sister” and only then if the “pastor” approves, and if he don’t, move on, to say the least he made me as usual feel rather badly and condemned for having feeling of any kind, the “sister” and I had talked previously and she was as keen on me as I were on her, we were both given a cruel brow beating for our sins and weren’t to talk to each other for another two months.

I should add here, that this “sister” and I would sometimes talk, mostly in the company of other “saints” at young peoples meeting and if MB was the chair of such a meeting we would quickly be put into place, briskly, loudly and so everyone present could hear and learn from our misdemeanour (felt more like we had committed as major sin) that single males do not converse with single females even if the conversation was bland and of no sin in anyway, remembering that we were adults, there was no problem with me talking to a married “sister” just this particular single one.

We did eventually start dating, we were very much in love after a short time, and we were often in trouble.

At the first camp while we were dating, at Ocean Grove, I had to work, something that gave the ministry an excuse to attack those poor souls that could not get that time of year off to attend camp, I could only get a few days in camp, so I caught a bus down to Melbourne and was picked up by my girlfriend and taken to camp. on our way to camp we dropped by a supermarket to buy goods, at one stage during this shopping expedition we stopped and being very much in love cuddled as we felt no one was watching, this quick cuddle was noticed by some other “saint”, reported to NH and upon our return to camp my girlfriend was grilled intensely by NH, she did complain to me of the severity of the grilling and was in tears during this intense treatment and still after as she explained it to me, she was accused of having “done the deed” (the wrong thing as they call it) and after her expression of innocence was treated as a liar and accused further, we both at this point considered leaving this so called church, but felt there was nothing outside for us and we stayed, upon return to Sydney MB who had been over seas came to me and was extremely harsh threatening to break us up making statements such as he did not want my girlfriend to end up like another “sister” who was single as her husband quickly decided to not “follow the lord” and they soon after split.

In August 85 (August presents me with many milestones I have found) we were married, on the day my wife to be was late, the celebrant was threatening to leave, this gave MB much to”minister” to me about, it seems I should have kept him further informed as to the arrangements, something I found out he needed more input into after the wedding (now honestly, he knew were doing this thing, how did he not know we would be hiring a celebrant.. he was unable to marry us) and as usual I sat there and said yes sir rather than have what seemed to be brutal “ministry” if you at all questioned his words or reasoning.

Three months into the marriage my wife felt a strong urge to have a baby, we talked and decided to go ahead, we were extremely committed to each other and it seemed only natural, sadly we forgot to clear this decision with MB, I still remember the feeling of inadequacy as he flew into us for not coming to him so he could dish out to us his form of family planning, two weeks short of our first anniversary my son was born, to my surprise we were accused of having conceived this child outside of wedlock, I at that point realised how reactionary this man was and how little thought he put into his statements before verbalising them, a 50 week pregnancy would have been a first I’m sure MB!!!!!!

The years following this are somewhat a blur, there are many many things I will ad to this over the next few months, needless to say my time in that place from then on was truly one of a struggle, trying my best to hide my true feelings for the sake of this woman I loved so much and my new family which was to grow a little more before long, the constant fear of being pulled aside by MB and being accused of this or that, hiding my feelings of self condemnation due to my inability to live up to the expectations, hearing from those that had become hateful of him and knew if they voiced their dislike of this man that voicing it within earshot of myself would not bring about a pastoral visit, his ability to poo poo other peoples pain or grief and to develop what we titled “Mini Micks” who would strut around telling this one or that one they were wrong dispelling advice in a staunch “Mick” fashion, the times between meetings where he seemed to always end up opposite me as we ate, all to often setting me up by leading me in conversation to a point where he could spurt forward loudly some statement to make me feel two inches tall as the whole “assembly” had no choice but to stop and listen as their attention would be unavoidably taken by his loud outburst, one time a young child spilt boiling water on his lap and Mick loudly proclaimed the child was just acting (phreaking ouch Mick you fool!!!) the list is long and the bitterness deep. I now seven years forward of being told to leave my family home felt I may have moved on and have lost the bitterness, sadness and associated grief from what transpired, but it is still a big part of my life today and probably always will be.

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IN SEARCH OF TRUTH Tuesday, Jan 15 2008

A testimonial from David Erwin

My parents were members of the Geelong Revival Centre when I was born in 1964. While a Godly conscience was impressed upon me throughout my childhood years, I also learnt many values from working with nature, being raised on the family’s farm.

The relationship I had with my cousins from my father’s side of the family, strangely ended as a result of the 1972 split. The initiative of Mr. Hollins to become independent and break away from the then Revival Centres Australia, divided my family in half. Initially I was not able to understand how my cousins had become so vile. As I continued to grow in the elitist environment of the GRC, I developed and applied the same hatred towards these relatives, which was preached and demanded by Mr. Hollins.

During my childhood I felt very different and inferior to my cousins who are from my mother’s side of the family. My grandmother would often remind me that I was the ‘black sheep’. She would think nothing of it to belittle me for not having received the Holy Spirit in front of the cousins. I vividly remember the embarrassment I used to feel at the age of ten, onwards.

At the permissible age of fourteen, I knew I was expected to get baptised and so for the wrong reasons, I put my hand up to be baptised one Sunday night. This was also the permissible age that required my attendance at the Young People’s meetings.

Having only known a child hood which involved the social structure of the GRC, I became accustom to a life of fear. The constant drumming of prophetic Armageddon and nuclear war, crime, social dilapidation, politics, immorality, etc. instilled an overload of apprehension upon my pubescent mind. Attending Young People’s meetings in my early years seemed to be just another setting that intensified the fear and the guilt of my unworthiness. Being told the only way to escape was by receiving the Holy Spirit I naturally strived with God for this infilling and frequently condemned myself for being denied. The notion of ‘running away’ became more feasible with passing time.

The constant unavoidable hammerings from those who preached my certain damnation, and segregated me for not being able to ’speak in tongues’, all took its toll. I mixed with other teenagers who were in the same dilemma as my self. We earned our title, ‘the slackos’, and were frowned down upon rather than being understood or cared for.

The ever present feeling of condemnation affected my behaviour. I lost respect for the church and those who assumed authority to lord their version of God’s Will upon me. Strangely, I knew in my heart that I desired to be right in God’s sight. The ministry seemed to make this unattainable. Inevitably, I rebelled. At fifteen going on sixteen years of age, I secretly began smoking cigarettes and casually drinking alcohol. I used foul language frequently in the presence of my ‘worldly’ friends. Learning to work hard at a young age provided me with the means to purchase many things for my pleasure. Inevitably, all these things failed me. I couldn’t find inner peace while knowing I was not being true to myself, or being who I assumed my God wanted me to be.

By my own freewill, I called on God unreservedly when I was seventeen years old. I was not thinking about Mr. Hollins, the GRC, or ’speaking in tongues’. I cried out to God to show me His mercy and His grace. I wanted to feel redeemed. I wanted a second chance to start a new life. I had had enough of my hopeless state.

I believed God answered my prayer with the most beautiful sensation I have ever experienced. I was completely overwhelmed and peace literally flooded my soul. At the same time, I began ’speaking in tongues’, but this was merely an expression of my joyful experience.

The overwhelming feeling of acceptance that followed impressed me and I impulsively threw myself toward the direction of the ministry. I soon became one of the many who competed for the admirable recognition of Mr. Hollins. Such condescending behaviour within the GRC was always encouraged. Eventually, on the 17th of November, 1985, I departed Melbourne’s international airport destined for Canada. My mission was to preach the things I had been told in hope to establish an assembly in Vancouver, which would fall under the pre-eminence of Mr. Hollins.

When Mr. Hollins visited Vancouver around two yeas later, we discussed my application for Canadian citizenship. I vividly remember the moment when Mr. Hollins stood up and with a raised indignant voice said words to the effect of; ‘this is a British Commonwealth Nation. The Lord would have it that a brother who ministers here, will reside and work in this country’. When my application for Canadian citizenship was denied, I simply accepted my time there was done. I assumed the will of God excluded any further participation by my self in the Vancouver assembly, so I returned to Australia on the 1st of July, 1988 .

In the months following my return to Australia, I began to hurt knowing that Mr. Hollins had approved transitory ministry, rotating every three months. Having self-funded my air fares and accommodation in Vancouver ; I was also at a loss to understand how the succeeding brethren had all of their expenses paid for by the GRC, which included the costs associated with taking their wives in many cases. The frivolous appropriation of funds seemed unjustified in my mind. I had difficulty coming to grips with the fact that I’d become sidelined, but I could never speak to anyone about it. Eventually permanent ministry was provided under a sponsorship arrangement. These options were never available to me. In these younger impressionable years, I assumed the ministry was ordained by God and for fear of Mr. Hollins I never dared question, or demonstrated any notion of disrespect.

While I was living in Canada, a cousin from the Adelaide assembly got married. I hadn’t given them a wedding gift. When I learnt that he was building a residential dwelling, I jumped at the opportunity to go over to Adelaide to lay bricks. Having exhausted all my personal savings to fund the Canadian visit, I deemed my labour to be a wedding gift for them.

One morning during tea break at the building site, my uncle (who is also the pastor of the Adelaide assembly) was talking with me alone. He steered the conversation towards my involvement with the establishment of the Vancouver assembly. I felt confused and perturbed by the nature of his comments and sensed he was ashamed with me. Suddenly, with his finger pointing at my face he yelled; “the reason Frank DeBooy is in a wheel chair is because HE CAME BACK!”

(The man my uncle referred to had gone to the Brisbane assembly from Geelong , to consider moving there permanently and fulfil the role as a helper. He decided not to move to Brisbane . Years later, he sustained serious spinal injuries in a motor vehicle accident. I only discovered in recent years that other pastors also used this example of God’s alleged punishment upon brothers who consider forfeiting a ministerial position.)

I felt utterly sick when my uncle made this statement. Immediately, condemnation and fear once again besieged me. My innocent assumption that my uncle was a ‘man of God’ caused me to block any thought or reason to question. For the very first time since I committed my heart to follow Jesus Christ, I began to doubt my righteous standing before God. I truly felt I had lost my Salvation.

Immediately my behaviour changed. This was noticed by others working at the site too. I began laying bricks like a man possessed with urgency. I just wanted to get away form everyone, especially my uncle, and the city of Adelaide.

Some months later, I was asked by Mr. Hollins to go to Bombay, India . Still being willing to only serve the ministry, I obliged. My short two month stay with the folk in Bombay was wonderful. To this day I have treasured my memories of having met these people. During one meeting in particular, a young man experienced a miraculous infilling of the Holy Spirit after I’d shared thoughts which had brought much joy to myself about the ?mercy seat’. The wonderful atmosphere this particular evening, temporarily relieved me of my personal condemning thoughts. However, the feelings of guilt and condemnation soon returned when I arrived back in Geelong. Hearing news and announcements about what was happening in Vancouver, only added to my perplexity.

The many years that followed while in the GRC were very unpleasant for me. My thoughts and feelings were constantly waring with various aspects of certain doctrines preached by Mr. Hollins. I couldn’t agree in my heart with many things that were being preached and that were happening within the church. The way Mr. Hollins’ always presented his doctrine made me feel I was wrong for not being in agreement with his ministry, and to question him on anything is equally shameful as to questioning God.

Having lost all my joy, I became reluctant to share my testimony in the meetings. My senses could easily detect the apparent stench of hypocrisy with certain people, who eulogised Mr. Hollins as equally significant to Jesus Christ.

Unknowingly, history was repeating itself throughout the passing years in my life. The ?ministry of condemnation’ had completely blinded me from seeing my worthiness or right standing before God. Naturally, I associated with many people who were just like me and were living a double life. Years of attending three meetings (or more) weekly, and being exposed to hearing abusive yelling and usurping of ministerial authority, obstructed my ability to see the mercy of God, which I myself had once preached to deliver other souls from inner torment.

Mr. Hollins conveniently used the New Years Eve meeting at the Ocean Grove Camp on the 31st of December, 1999, to impel his ideals for the new millennium. His entire sermon was a self acclimation that asserted his position of apostleship and the leader of the ‘Only True Church’ in the entire World. It was this sermon that gave me the most sickening feeling I had ever experienced. I sat during the sermon in a state of shock, finding it impossible to believe I was even hearing what Mr. Hollins said. For the first time in my life, I realised that the ministry I was taught to respect and obey had definitely crossed the line. At the time, I couldn’t apply logic to ascertain the GRC was actually a dangerous cult, but I knew Mr. Hollins was speaking contrary to God’s Holy Word.

Suddenly, Mr. Hollins’ doctrine concerning the infilling of the Holy Spirit outside of his ministry, also came to the forefront of my mind. I had always been taught that every Spirit filled person who was not in the GRC or associated assemblies were ‘backslidden Pentecostals’. Everything about the GRC agenda began to connect. This elitist environment was my world. I knew no other principle to follow than GRC initiatives. The realisation of what I was rapt in, exposed a new quagmire of obstacles and problems for me. To escape was impossible and by remaining, I became lost and confused within this familiar environment. The true demeanour of Mr. Hollins became apparent to me. The entire organisation was ALL about him. I began to perceive he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but I didn’t want to believe it. Occasional doubts, such as ‘what if he is right’ haunted me, and denied my ability to reason. Eventually inner turmoil caused me to lose control of my behaviour.

My deep seated psychological fear surfaced one Sunday during a Communion meeting at the Ocean Grove Revival camp. Mr. Hollins was speaking about the ‘perfection of the Church’. My thoughts were on ?mercy and grace’ while he spoke. I could not see evidence of the ‘perfection’ he spoke of, in the GRC. The fear of one day being chastised in a similar way to Mr. DeBooy emerged again. I decided to go out to the prayer line following the Communion Service. Although the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit infilling had become only a memory, I believed the onus was on God to prove himself to me. So I went out for prayer hoping some great blessing would come down upon me.

It so happened that out of all the pastors praying for people, Mr. Hollins came up to me. When he acknowledged my presence, I requested that I wanted to pray for Br. Frank DeBooy and without much thought I said ‘I believe he can be healed’. Mr. Hollins paused and then abruptly replied, ‘NO’.

Mr. Hollins refused to pray with me. I sensed he felt I was challenging him. Hundreds of pairs of eyes witnessed the silent standoff. I was completely lost for words not knowing his reason. To this day I have never found out why he refused to pray with me for Br. Frank DeBooy.

The GRC was fast becoming a very lonely place. There was no one I could talk to about all the subtle twists applied to Scriptures, designed to subjugate members to the ministry. Even while in camp with a thousand or so Christian believers all around me, there was no one I knew who I could confidently talk to. My wife had always been a lawful and loyal disciple of Mr. Hollins too. The oppression of GRC scrutiny haunted me, even in my own home. Naturally I suffered spiritually, physically, and mentally, by this cruel entrapment.

Inevitably, I descended to the lowest point a person could ever reach in their life and begun contemplating suicide. During this extremely torturous and difficult time, I began to confide in my cousin. To her credit, she was a good listener and made time to often speak with me. In my spiritually and mentally vulnerable state, I opened up to her and told her many things that were bottled up inside of me. She was my last attempt to reach out to some one who might at least understand.

My life of GRC indoctrination had inevitably taken its toll as I was made to believe the ‘cross of Christ’ was no longer enough for my redemption. Condemnation had driven me down to this point. I was not only contemplating suicide, but planning and making arrangements to do so. The ever present thought that maybe Mr. Hollins is who he claimed to be haunted me. I could no longer adhere to his ministry.

While I shared my pain with my cousin, I discovered she had many personal matters burdening her own life too. I soon learned she had had a terrible childhood and adolescent life, being brought up in a household with a cruel pastor for a father. Like me, she too had been living a double life while trying to cope in the GRC. My cousin and I agreed nothing could change our sub-cultural lifestyle, and that it was impossible to be what the ministry expected.

It was during this bonding with my cousin that I learnt about a matter that was seriously troubling her and adding to her misery. She told me about her next door neighbour, who was allegedly stalking her. She also shared details of her husband’s lack of concern. She began to cry as she told me how much she just wanted to move out of the rented co-op house and buy a house in another suburb away from her stalker. Her sad story immediately captured my focus. I thought if I could find a house that was affordable for them, maybe I could help her out.

I found a house which I believed could be made into a valuable asset, needing only minor renovations. During the inspection of this property, my cousin commented just how much she liked the house and the address. After she spoke with her husband, I was told they had invested their savings in shares and could not raise the deposit until the shares were sold.

I felt this was an easy obstacle to get around, and so I offered to give them an unencumbered interest free loan for up to twelve months. My offer would give them more than enough money for the deposit and the opportunity to sell their shares at an optimum time to repay the debt. They accepted my offer and obtained a home loan.

Immediately after the settlement date, I went to work on the renovations. The generosity I showed towards my cousin had further impact upon my marriage. It was a difficult time for all of us, but somehow we all got through alive.

During the last year prior to my expulsion from the GRC, I desperately tried to set many things right. I tried my best to apply my understanding of Scripture with the desires of my heart, in an attempt to get my life back on track. I made several attempts to speak with my uncle about the ?Frank DeBooy’ doctrine. However, he avoided me and refused to speak with me each time. I also tried to express my disagreement with Mr. Hollins regarding the ‘Only True Church in the World’ doctrine. Mr. Hollins avoided me too on this topic, and changed the subject to my relationship with the Lord.

Avoidance by the ministry to address my issues became obstacles which prevented me from seeing past the errors of their ministry. It became obvious that Mr. Hollins and the Elders were more concerned about keeping me under their subjection, rather than the care for my soul.

My hatred towards partiality, hypocrisy, and abusive church practises continued to build as I considered many inconsistencies within the GRC ministry. Unable to restrain myself, I began to question various things and voiced some of these questions to Mr. Hollins and other GRC members. It seemed that no one would tell me the truth, but rather suggested I just tow the party line. Instead, I towed a line that was testing the fragility of my GRC membership.

Midway through the year I discovered my cousin and her husband were in financial difficulties. I became alarmed by the possibility that I may not be repaid the money in the agreed time frame. This became another unwanted concern during my already much troubled life. Previously, I had never told my wife about the loan. I assumed there was not going to be any problems, knowing that they owned shares to the equivalent value of the debt. When I asked my cousin about the shares she confessed and told me, ‘there are no shares’. Torn between compassion and anger, I was left stunned.

It was difficult to come to terms with the fact that I’d been lied to. To this day, I still don’t know when my cousin first became aware that the shares never existed. I wanted to believe she too was deceived by her husband, as that would mean she didn’t take advantage of my vulnerable state. Strangely, I also felt guilty towards her now knowing I was the catalyst for placing them in debt for 100% of the house valuation.

Naturally, I felt compelled to tell my wife about what had happened. I decided to contact Mr. Hollins and inform him about the situation too. Mr. Hollins immediately went into damage control mode. I discovered from my cousin that Mr. Hollins had had to involve himself previously with his son’s financial matters. The manipulative tactics used by Mr. Hollins, in an attempt to relieve his son of the debt and the appearance of any wrong doing, were appalling.

My wife was told by Mr. Hollins that she was to have nothing to do with the situation and was instructed very sternly not to speak to anyone about the matter. For loyalty and fear of Mr. Hollins, she obliged to his request. Mr. Hollins had set the stage for me to take the fall alone.

Circumstances had forced things to turn around. Rather than concede defeat, I chose to fight to survive. I needed to know the truth for my defence. I wanted answers. I wanted to know the truth about the shares. I even began to doubt my cousin’s story about being the victim of a stalker. One day, I indicated to my cousin that I would like to speak with her previous neighbour, just to see her reaction. She pleaded and begged for me not to speak to him. I felt I had gotten my unwanted answer, and so I decided to visit him anyway. (This person is not involved with the GRC. For the sake of his privacy the content of my conversations with him will remain confidential.)

After some time and consideration, I still believed that we should and could sort out the mess. I requested from Mr. Hollins an opportunity for all of us to get together and resolve the issue. I believed this was also right according to the Bible, and so I was astounded when my request was declined. Mr. Hollins told me over the telephone that he would only speak to me alone but with Mr. Carey present as the witness. With no other option given, I felt I had to comply.

I went to the residence of Mr. Hollins to speak with the ministry. After a short and formal greeting, Mr. Hollins sat forward in his chair at the outset and said; “If you mention any person’s name other than your own, the conversation will cease immediately”.
My mind went blank. It became apparent that everything I wanted to say was not wanted to be heard. Mr. Hollins then began to talk about my ?spiritual state’ and accused me of being the only person with a problem. I then asked him about the money situation. Mr. Hollins referred to Scriptures that conveniently favoured his son and claimed that all my problems were the result of me ?walking in the flesh’. He also told me that I should forgive them and let them have the money out of my supposed abundance.

This cut me very deeply, but not the way Mr. Hollins hoped. He made my sweet gift become very bitter. I had renovated the interior of the house for my cousin, which took about six weeks and working in excess of 60 hours per week. My gift was never considered in the equation. Besides this, I knew Mr. Hollins was not privy to my own financial situation and he had no right to assume that I could afford to throw away $20, 000.00.

While still in the early stages of the conversation, the telephone rang. As Mr. Hollins talked on the telephone, I leaned across towards Mr. Carey and quietly asked him, “Who do you speak to when there is a problem between two people”. Mr. Carey replied, “The ministry”.

I raised my shoulders with hands out and upwards as to say, ‘Well, here I am and the other brother is not present’. Mr. Hollins became so agitated by our quiet conversation on the side, he told the caller to wait a moment and then sternly instructed Mr. Carey not to speak with me.

During the few controlled minutes of basically being told to shut-up and wait, I had time to realise my present hopeless position. I knew I was not going to get anywhere without forfeiting the money. When Mr. Hollins came off the telephone and began judging me as being ’spiritually dead’, I decided to leave. It was so clear to me that this matter was not going to be resolved except that I was going to be made wear it.

Some time later my wife was accused by Mr. Hollins of getting involved in the situation, which was against the direction of his ministry. He accused my wife of speaking inappropriately about my cousin and her husband, to the innocent neighbour. She assured Mr. Hollins that she didn’t, and that she had never even met the man. I decided to go around to this unfortunate man’s house again, to speak with him. I discovered that he knew someone from the GRC assembly who had told him certain details. I also discovered how this information got back to Mr. Hollins.

The next meeting was the Wednesday night I got expelled. I approached Mr. Hollins with my wife to talk to him about the matter. I believed Mr. Hollins was obligated to hear the truth and acknowledge that my wife was wrongfully accused.

When my wife began talking and he realised where the conversation was going, he interrupted and stopped her from speaking. It was immediately obvious that he did not want to hear anything about his son and daughter in-law. That was it. I couldn’t contain myself anymore. I said to Mr. Hollins, “YOU ARE SO PARTIAL”! I then said to my wife, “Just forget it. Let’s go home.”

As I proceeded to walk out the door, Mr. Hollins said, “You are not permitted to attend meetings anymore”. Whatever else he said wasn’t heard as I just kept walking out the door.

The feeling of being so devastated and hurt by my partial pastor brought me to tears. I gave up on both these men (my uncle and Mr. Hollins) who I assumed were men of God. Nothing hurt me more than the partiality and the deceptive lying heart of the ministry. More so than the money, or even being lied to by my cousin and her husband to enable them to buy the house, partiality in the ministry was what hurt me the most.

On t he 23rd of December, 2002ate>, my solicitor sent a letter of demand to recover the debt, under my instruction. (The money was repaid immediately after the holiday period.)

I endeavoured to speak with my uncle at the Ocean Grove camp to see if there was still a chance of resolving the dispute over the ‘Frank DeBooy doctrine’ and the issue about the loan. He was so angry (like a man possessed) there was no way he could be reasoned with. I was threatened and driven out of the camp by a large posse of proud men.

My wife and children remained in the camp, and the ministry made their stay an absolute hell. Men armed with ?walkie talkies’ were assigned to stalk my nine year old son. Also, several people who engaged in conversation with my wife were interrogated by the ministry afterwards. It wasn’t long before she also found herself isolated. Although being taunted with smug expressions by family members who enjoy unconditional immunity, she managed to attend meetings without confrontation.

During the next six months or so leading up to my wife’s expulsion, paranoia tore Mr. Hollins apart. He couldn’t handle the fact that she new the truth and that it was difficult to re-write history while she was still in the fellowship.

In the weeks leading up to my wife’s expulsion, she was harassed continually by the ministry. Mr. Hollins had expressed on many occasions to her that I was a very dangerous ?backslider’ and our marriage would need to end for her spiritual well-being. Now knowing the truth about the money and my issues with the ministry, she could not agree with Mr. Hollins on how our relationship must end on his terms. This placed her in a very tenuous and precarious position.

One attempt to invent evidence for reasons to expel my wife, failed. Mr. G. Carey used Mrs. D. Preece as a false witness to accuse my wife of murmuring against the son and daughter in-law of Mr. Hollins. She immediately approached Mrs. Preece who was being used by the ministry as a false witness and exposed the plot. This only made the ministry more determined to expel her.

My wife was caught in the cross fire. She had always obeyed the ministry after being warned not to become involved within the dispute. At the end of every GRC meeting leading up to her expulsion, she was approached by the ministry. They endeavoured to talk about the dispute with her hoping she would say something they may use against her. They insinuated claims that she was holding a grudge against my cousin and her husband.

I arranged for my solicitor to send Mr. Hollins a warning to stop harassing my wife. Mr. Hollins then instructed an Elder to do his dirty work. I then arranged for my solicitor to address the same warning to the appropriate Elder. Mr. Hollins then appointed a different Elder to do his dirty work, and so he too was given a solicitor’s letter of cautioning. This went on, and on, and on, until she was eventually expelled by Mr. A. Morton without reason, under the instruction of Mr. Hollins.

Approximately six months later, my wife’s mother, who was still attending the GRC, became critically ill and was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Melbourne. It is perceivable that her health had been adversely affected by the eviction of her daughter from the GRC. My wife is her only child and was required to care for her mother when released from hospital 5 weeks later.

As her health improved, she indicated she wanted to attend Sunday Communion meetings at the GRC. I decided to write a detailed letter, without prejudice, explaining to the GRC administration exactly what had happened to her, which had also caused her absence from meetings for the two month period. A signed copy of the letter was sent by registered mail to Mr. Hollins, Mr. H. DeVries, Mr. G. Carey, and Mr. P. Morgan. The letter also requested for the ministry not to expel her for living with us during recovery, as this would not be in the best interest for her physical and psychological wellbeing.

The following Sunday, my mother in-law was not well enough to attend the meeting. The weekend after that she wanted to attend but was apprehensive. My wife and I decided that it was not good for her to go alone. We arranged with a private nursing service to provide a professional carer, who transported her and attended the next Sunday Communion meeting with her. Feeling nauseous when the meeting was near ended, she asked her carer to take her home. As they walked out of the hall she was given a letter by Mr. H. DeVries, who did not acknowledge her with a greeting or show any concern.

The letter was a conditional expulsion, signed by the ministry. It was not possible for my mother in-law to physically meet the demands placed upon her by the ministry. Ironically, the GRC letter was dated a few days after my letter had been sent. Obviously, this GRC letter of conditional expulsion was carried by the Elder in previous weeks, awaiting her attendance. The impudence and uncaring demeanour of Mr. Hollins was affected painfully upon my wife’s mother. To this day she still has not recovered from this vindictive expulsion and is at a great loss to understand the shunning she receives from current GRC members.

This was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I decided it was time to do something about the cruel and callus spiritual abuse Mr. Hollins affects upon people. I not only knew for myself that the immoral and unjust ministry of Mr. Hollins was destroying people’s lives, but I perceived it was demonically inspired.

Up until this time since my expulsion, I was unaware that I had begun my journey, searching for ?the truth’. I knew first hand the injustice I had experienced in the GRC and rightfully assumed that many other people had experienced a similar cruel fate. I discovered many people were spiritually bruised and batted by Mr. Hollins, and their stories grieved me. For want of knowing the truth about why several people had been labelled ?backsliders’ by Mr. Hollins, I found that many of them had been traumatized no less than my self.

Suicide, extortion, damaged marriages, severed family ties, partiality, depression, lies and cover-ups were all there to be found as I dug beneath the surface to unearth what Mr. Hollins had buried throughout previous decades.

With consent from my mother in-law and my wife, I took the story to the press. This started the ball rolling. People called in to speak with the reporter who had written the article and inspired her to write more. Eventually four stories were written but only three made it to print. Mr. Hollins had used his law firm to threaten action against the press, but it didn’t matter. The desired affect had been achieved and Mr. Hollins realised I wasn’t going to go away quietly. He had managed to stifle many of the schisms he had confronted in the past, but this time the wounded were gaining strength and unity.

I was contacted by an ex-GRC member who informed me that an article appeared within a discussion forum on the internet. We didn’t have internet connection at home and so I requested a printed copy from my friend. After reading the article, I felt that the defamatory comments made against me should be brought to the attention of Mr. Hollins. I wrote him another letter requesting an apology from the author, who I believed was a current GRC member. After waiting patiently in vain to receive a response, I decided to use the forum too. Being consistent with his usual display of partiality, I believe this has proven to be an invaluable mistake on behalf of Mr. Hollins.

At the time when the newspaper articles were being published, my cousin and I met by chance in a supermarket shopping isle. We were both equally surprised to see each other but when I said ?hello’, she became infuriated. She started off by asking me, ?What do you think you’re doing’! I replied with words to the effect that I was still waiting for an opportunity for all of us to come together and discuss matters (as instructed in the Bible). That did it. She went completely off her tree. Shock seemed to have glued my boots to the vinyl flooring. She was so overcome with hysteria, she didn’t realise the growing number of onlookers watching in line at the cash registers.

At the end of her seemingly long, raging verbal fit, a violent threat was made against my life. Her unfortunate outburst caused me great concern for the safety of my wife and children. I knew deep down that she would not commit such an act herself, but what frightened me was knowing someone else might be capable. Having witnesses present to back my claims, I reported the matter to the authorities, just for the record. Admittedly, I contacted the TV media too, to do a story on the GRC in retaliation for my cousin’s violent verbal attack. Today/Tonight took on the story and wanted to visit Mr. Hollins at the GRC hall. Mr. Hollins was asked by the reporter to explain why I had been expelled. Mr. Hollins refused to answer. To this day he has never responded to any of my letters requesting the reason why I was expelled initially. I vowed to Mr. Hollins when the camera crew decided to leave; “I will never stop speaking the truth until the day I die. You can even arrange that to be sooner rather than later too, can’t you”?

The reason why I continue to stand up and speak out against Mr. Hollins and Mr. Addison is because they refuse to acknowledge and recant from their HERESY. It is their choice to preach what they choose, just as it is my choice to preach what I believe is right too.

My ongoing recovery from ’spiritual abuse’ has been achieved up to this point by discarding everything I’d been told by the GRC ministry. What I’ve been through was necessary for me to be delivered from Satan’s greatest lie. I do hope that by sharing my experiences, other people will detour early and avoid the pain and agony that I was made to suffer. I was deceived by the lies and believed the man who positioned himself before me was to be revered as though he was Jesus Christ.

The ?Frank DeBooy’ doctrine is also a lie from the pit of Hell. I lived in superstitious fear of this doctrine for fifteen years. It was taking me to Hell with it. The administration of condemnation is in direct conflict with Christ’s ministry of love, grace and compassion. Mr. Addison is a FALSE PROPHET.

The ‘Only True Church in the World’ doctrine (being the Geelong Revival Centre and associated churches) is also a lie from the pit of Hell. This doctrine was introduced by Mr. Hollins immediately after the 1972 split, to incarcerate and subjugate members under himself as the ‘chief corner stone’ designed for his own personal hierarchy with himself positioned at the top.

I once had a conversation with Mr. Hollins regarding the ‘Only True Church in the World’ doctrine. I said; “The Geelong Revival Centre is not the only true church in the world. It never was and it never will be. The Geelong Revival Centre is merely a vehicle that if the Lord sees fit, He will use it to bring souls to His True Church.” Mr Hollins privately conceded his doctrine did oppose the teachings of Christ. Mr. Hollins hardened his heart and continued to preach his doctrine that included me with the alleged ‘backsliders’.

Mr. Hollins is a FALSE PROPHET.

“ALL THESE ARE THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS: MANY FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE AND SHALL DECEIVE MANY”. (Matthew 24.)

My love for the truth is my strength. In search of truth I also discovered that the people, who I thought were my friends, were unveiled to be my enemies. People who I was told were my enemy have become true friends. This too was all sorted out once I became true to myself. I have only become an enemy of the GRC because I chose to search for the truth.

I know I am far from righteous in mind. My behaviour is not above reproach, and I do not deserve recognition for any seemingly good thing I have done. I have shared my testimony in hope that my experience may save someone from the pain and misery I encountered by placing my trust in the ministry of the Geelong Revival Centre.

Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Psalm 40:4

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Dear Mr Hollins Tuesday, Jan 15 2008

DearMr. Hollins, I used to call you Pastor Hollins, but that was whenI believedyou were a man that I could trust and rely on, one that,I thought, cared for my soul. I thought your purpose was to teach God’s children of His glorious grace and mercy; to guide and direct; to restore and edify.

As I put my trust in the Lord, I essentially put my trust in you, Mr. Hollins. I was persuaded that this was the right thing to do. I was convinced that this was the only way to live my life in order to be blessed and I was terrified to do otherwise. Yet, when I became confused and concerned about certain situations and I needed your help and support, you refused to let me ask and insisted that there was nothing wrong. Your actions have clearly demonstrated to me that I cannot put my trust in you and you show very little consideration for my soul, not to mention the souls of my brothers and sisters. Instead of extending love and compassion for one of God’s children, that was obligated to trust and obey you, Mr. Hollins, you repudiated my questions, then, you proceeded to lie to the rest of the assembly and say thatIwas rebellious and a troublemaker.

Little did I realise that over time I was living my life to fulfill your rules, regulations, guidelines and instructions that were enforced upon some members of the assembly, but notall. Only my desire for truth and justice could reveal the depth of corruption that permeatesyourungodly place.

Well, Mr. Hollins, I would like to thank you for your cruelty, unkindness and lies, for they have caused me to call out to the Lord for myself and find once again His goodness and mercy.I would like tosharewith you a scripture that might be of some help to you:Mic 6:8He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to dojustly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God Even ‘unsaved’ man understandeth mercy.

One of your favorite authors, Shakespeare himself wrote about mercy…The quality of mercy is not strain’d, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:…It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God’s When mercy seasons justice……we do pray for mercy; And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy… Portia to Shylock in Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’

Finally Mr. Hollins, I would like to ask a few questions that have never been answered satisfactorily.why – are new people told to listen with an ‘open heart’; then after ?conversion’, slowly and subtly that precious heart is forced to obey and comply with every rule, regulation and guideline (spoken and unspoken) removing the need to look to the Lord and the Word themselves for enlightenment?why – do you say that the Lord’s sheep do not attack the Pastor’s wife and family, and the Lord’s sheep do not do?those things’: If this were true, there would be no need for the shepherd.why – don’t you just say ? I don’t know’ rather than ?talk in riddles’ or lie when you don’t know…?

why – do you say ?I don’t know’ or ?I don’t recall’ when you do know…?why – do youdemandrespect from your brothers and sisters, yet fail to respect them?why – don’t you rule with the same force and cruelty towards the families of the ministry for things that ‘regular’ members have been excommunicated for?

why – is your church full of lies, deceit, hypocrisy and double standards?

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Control Tuesday, Jan 15 2008

I feel I need to warn people about the churches they attend.

For twenty-five years I attended what I thought was the family orientated Geelong Revival Centre in Thompsons Rd, Norlane, preaching the word of God, only to find out in the last twelve months that because I looked after my 18 months old grandson while my son was fighting for custody of his son.I am no longer welcome at the centre because I looked after my grandson during this turbulent time.I have been stood down from the church, made to feel bad and guilty, my grandson worth nothing and my family indoctrinated in to believing I am disobedient, using the words “we are in the world but not of this world” and “let the world take care of instead”.

In 1998 I was told “to get rid of him now” (my grandson) within six weeks and send him to welfare to be placed in foster-care as there were 10,000 like him according to the pastor (Noel Hollins).

Admittedly my son had made mistakes and was put out of the church but there was no reason to take it out on my grandson and me personally.If I wish to return to the church I must not see my grandson again and must apologise to pastor (Noel Hollins).

I will not apologise for looking after my grandson.I only want to warn other people to look very carefully at whatever church they attend as I have noticed things were happening over the past ten years but I could never put my finger on what was wrong.It has now struck me how indoctrinated we can be and how powerful ministers\priests\pastors are and how judgemental religion of any doctrine is. They use our inability read between the lines and people’s emotions and authority to control us, without us realising until it is sometimes too late..

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INSTITUTIONALISED Tuesday, Jan 15 2008

What does it mean to be institutionalised? To be institutionalised is to be incorperated into a well established organizationor grafted into a structure. After time it is impossible for some to adapt back to any normal way of life after being INSTITUTIONALISED.It appears to me this may be the case with-in the GRC.

I will just explain myself briefly I myself from the age of 20 started having problems with-in my own walk, relating to certain problems I was having with the ministry & GRC doctrines & what is being practiced here in the Sydney Assembly GTF.It wasn’t until November last year I made the decision to sever all ties to this hypocritical doctrine of Legalastic control over people.

In this time frame from last November ?04′ back dating until I was 20 years of age was a period of 7 years. It was in this period I found myself confused & some what disillusioned with myself fitting into society & living under condemnation, that, what if in the end result”I was wrong “(I knew I wasn’t wrong in the circumstances that I stood against & the hypocrisy I had seen) but felt I was wrong because I still wasn’t attending the body of Christ no longer.

So it was in this period I felt compelled to go back, thinking that some how things may have changed or maybe I would have changed & adapted to a different way of thinking.As it turned out things were worse upon my return, sin had increased with in the Gospel Truth Fellowship in Sydney & I was hearing other head turning & remarkable stories of things happening in other assemblies.

I had no other choice but to get out of this system of corruption that calls itself the ONE & ONLY TRUE BODY OF CHRIST.

But as I was saying I felt under condemnation for leaving & compelled to return thinking that it was I that had a problem & that I could not do with out this system GRC based doctrine with-in my life, thus making me feel INSTITUTIONALISED.Why did I leave?Because I saw things were not right, Now don’t get me wrong no one is perfect & we all have troubles in the flesh but we live by the grace of God.But when things considered & deemed not spiritual are carried out & tried to be kept a secret from the assembly & YOUR PASTOR IS LYING then you have no choice but to rack your brain & ask yourself WHAT IS GOING ON?

Then you pray about it & even try to confront your Pastor about it & you get told to either seek the Lord about it or get told no one else has a problem with it or a scripture is thrown back out you out of context to justify the circumstance the are breaking or at worst GET TOLD TO LEAVE & NOT RETURN.

Then you get people who say ?ok I agree with you that its not right’, BUT then they say, we just turn a blind eye to these things. So virtuallythey are openly admitting they are walking blind.

Then you get ones who help or get used to do little chores, hand out communion glasses, count the collections, get to sit out the front with the Pastor often, & even the Helps, who profess to be the Right hand men to their Pastors. Now not all these people are effected but some carry on & support their Pastor even though he is wrong in the event that some how they will earn extra Pastor points & accelerate them into greater prosperity or future promotions. Unfortunately they don’t understand that they segregate themselves apart from the body of Christ & form an alliance with there Pastor in a Us & them type of set up.So as it turns out there is no UNITY with-in the assembly the men in charge are un-approachable & cannot & will not be told of any errors that either themselves have committed or others who are on the protected species list.As it stands now with myself I have been told that I am not allowed to return because I have left twice!

But it was alright for my wife to commit adultery & still attend there today & start making preparations for herself to get married again.The Sydney Assembly has lost all CREDIBILITY to function properly with a Pastor who finds it ok toencourage his daughter into representive Golf at tournament level & compete for prize money & miss meetings in order to do this. A Pastor that allows people to continue in fellowship full knowing they have committed Adultery.

Now you got to ask yourself? Can I leave this place? I understand people that have followed 10 , 20 , 30 ,maybe 50 years may feel some what disappointed that after all this time the TRUTH has dwindled away with in this place they are attending now.

But it is not the end DON’T FEEL INSTITUTIONALISED Don’t tell your self WE KNOW ITS WRONG WHATS HAPPENING but feel you can not leave the current administration because its ALL you KNOW & its what your are used too.There is help!Stay in contact with your Brothers & Sisters who are are walking in the spirit.God will provide adequate ministry when the time is right!

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The Geelong Advertiser Tuesday, Jan 15 2008

Church bars woman

by SARAH BIESKE, 16 March 2004, p.5

A WOMAN given just two years to live says she has been ostracised from her church because she moved in with her family.

Zivka Igic, 62, arrived at the Geelong Revival Centre with a personal carer last month after being released from hospital, only to be turned away because she is living with her daughter and son-in-law who were ex-communicated from the assembly last year.

The Yugoslavia-born woman, who suffered a ruptured artery and was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver in January, was given a letter and told she would have to meet with pastor Noel Hollins before returning to the church again.

“She’s a very sick lady who needs looking after and we’re the only family she has,” son-in-law David Erwin said.

“But basically what the church is saying is that if she wants to go back there she must also go back to living on her own.”

Lyn McCarter, from Best of Care, accompanied Mrs Igic to the revival centre and said her patient, who she labelled as frail, did not receive a welcome reception.

“She was given the letter and although she couldn’t understand what it said because she needed it to be interpreted, she was concerned about what was in it,” Mrs McCarter said.

The letter from Mr Hollins informed Mrs Igic, a member of the church for 18 years, that the only other people to attend the meeting about her future with the assembly would be two elders and a translator if needed.

Mr Erwin replied to the church and said his wife, who has power of attorney for her mother, would be present if a meeting took place.

He has not had a response.

“We gave them seven days to reply, that’s now over two weeks ago and have since confirmed that Zivka has been ostracised from the church fellowship, ” he said.

“It’s not the first time this has happened. It happened to myself and my wife but to do it to an elderly lady is just wrong.”

Mr Erwin and his wife Helena were ousted from the church but have never been given an official reason for their ex-communication.

Mr Hollins could not be contacted yesterday but an elder from the church said the centre would not comment on the matter.

Church is tearing us apart claim: Members lose faith in centre

by SARAH BIESKE, 6 April 2004, p.7

THE GEELONG Revival Centre has come under attack from former members who claim it is tearing families and marriages apart.

The former members have joined together to speak out against the born-again Christian church which forbids its members to form close relationships with non-members, including their own families.

Several ex-members of the centre have contacted the Advertiser since it was revealed three weeks ago a woman, Zivka Igic, was under pressure from the church’s Pastor Noel Hollins to disown her family because they were no longer members.

Her son-in-law, David Erwin, a former ministry worker with the church, said he was told about two years ago he was no longer welcome at the centre after questioning Mr Hollins about many rules and regulations.

The doctrines, posted on a noticeboard at the back of the church, forbid members from visiting ex-members and taking part in discussions on principles contrary to Assembly teachings.

The doctrines also tell members to report any disturbing points to the Pastor.

Mr Erwin said he questioned many doctrines, but was not given any answers.

He also said after he left the centre, his wife Helena was given an ultimatum to leave her husband or leave the church.

She stopped attending the centre’s meetings last year.

Mr Hollins, who founded the centre in 1972 after breaking away from Revival Centres Australia, has repeatedly declined to comment about the concerns.

But Ansje Avietti, who was a member of the church for 25 years, said Mrs Igic’s heartache was all too familiar.

Mrs Avietti said she would have lost her grandson if she had stayed with the church.

She left the centre five years ago.

“I only have one daughter that speaks to me because I left the church and I just want all of this to stop,” Mrs Avietti said.

“Because one of my sons was put out of the church I was told (by the church) I would not be allowed to attend the church because I was seeing my grandson.”

Mrs Avietti said her husband Bruno was told by Mr Hollins she could only return to the church if she cut ties with her son and grandson.

John Pierri has his own story after leaving the church of his own accord in 2001.

Mr Pierri said, like Mr Erwin, he began questioning the centre’s teachings.

Mr Pierri said leaving the centre had thrown him into a world he had become unfamiliar with.

“One of the first things that got me thinking was their non-acceptance of other Christians who believe the exact same salvation message,” he said.

“When I eventually got the courage to leave I found myself lost. What did I like? What didn’t I like? I was so much into the group and what it wanted that I really didn’t think for myself.”

The same went for Tony Lucas, who said he was also told to obey Mr Hollins’ ministry “unconditionally” before leaving the church almost two years ago.

“I’m not out to undermine the church in any way or anyone who goes there but I do want to warn people who are naive to the controlling nature of the organisation because there’s no avenue to question any of their decisions,” Mr Lucas said.

Another former member, who did not want to be named, left the centre after 40 years.

The man said he had witnessed a number of changes within the church over the past 10 years.

The final straw for him came just under a year ago.

“When I was told I was not allowed to take my Aboriginal neighbours to the church any more, I decided to leave myself,” he said.

He said he was now happily involved with another church.

Adrian van Leen, director of religious monitoring group Concerned Christians Growth Ministry, said he had dealt with many revival centre members over the years who had concerns about what the groups were preaching.

“People are beginning to speak out and have been deeply concerned so it is one of the groups we try to monitor fairly regularly.”

Church Guidelines

THE following guidelines are practical applications for the teaching of scriptures to the church. It is necessary for the trouble-free running, and continued joy of the Assembly in general, that these principles be adhered to.

ALL newcomers must be introduced to Pastor. This includes those who may have received the Holy Spirit elsewhere;

NO visiting of new members, or accepting of invitations to visit new members, without first checking with Pastor;

NO private meeting for prayer, or for getting around the Word to be arranged, or held, without first checking with Pastor;

NO literature, including Full Gospel literature, (other than literature available at the Assembly book stall) to be brought into the Assembly, or passed between members, without first checking with Pastor;

NO interest in, or membership of, other churches;

DOCTRINES contrary to Assembly teachings not to be discussed between members. Such teachings to be discussed with Pastor if desired. Bring Bible.

DOCTRINES from other assemblies not to be debated or criticised by Assembly members.

NEVER criticise one Assembly member to another.

REPORT anything definitely out of order, that is, any strange doctrine, behaviour, or situation within the Assembly.

GIFT of tongues — not more than once every four weeks. Pause between each operation of the spiritual gifts.

NO loud praise while someone is speaking with Tongues, Interpreting or Prophesying;

A PERSON disciplined, but not stood down from the fellowship, not to be comforted concerning his fault, or listened to by others. To be accepted as a brother, but not for private discussion about the fault;

BOYS under 18 years of age not to pair off with girls;

NO young boy or girl to be encouraged in a romantic affair until at least nine months saved;

IF a young couple going together break off their friendship, they must not embark on a new venture of this nature for at least three months.

YOUNG people who desire to pair off must notify the Pastor.

Family `torn apart’ by church’s edict

by SARAH BIESKE, 29 April 2004, p.5

A GEELONG teenager fought back tears yesterday as she told how her parents chose life in a church over their love for her.

“Sue” (not her real name) left the Geelong Revival Centre more than a year ago because it forbids its members from making friends outside the church.

But the 19-year-old never imagined her decision to leave the church would also mean cutting ties with her family.

“I just wanted to live, I wanted to have a career and I wanted friends but when I told my mum I was leaving the church she basically said `There’s the door, get out’,” Sue said.

“I don’t think I ever really believed they’d tell me to leave but in the end it was either stay there and go to church and put my whole heart into it or leave home.”

Sue’s father spoke in private with the Geelong Advertiser yesterday but declined to comment publicly.

Sue said she wanted to tell her story after reading of the heartache experienced by other former members of the centre who spoke out against the church earlier this month.

She said she longed to be a part of the “outside world” and told of her struggle to fit in at school.

She also dreamed of being a ballerina, but knew it was nothing more than a dream because she said she “was never allowed to do anything if it wasn’t with the church”.

For almost 17 years Sue said she accepted the church was her way of life — even its doctrine forbidding members from visiting ex-members, which in her case included her older sister who she did not see for four years.

Sue now lives with her grandparents, who were also members of the church for about 18 years.

But they, too, have become strangers to their son and daughter-in-law, Sue’s parents, after being told by a church leader they could not return to the centre while their granddaughter was living with them.

Sue has only seen her parents twice since leaving the church 13 months ago.

They missed her high school graduation and are not expected to join her for birthday celebrations.

She said the loss was not getting any easier, but she was slowly coming to terms with life in a world that was very unfamiliar to her.

“I miss them, the first few months were really, really hard,” she said.

“When you leave the church you lose everybody and everyone you’ve ever known because going to church is all you do.”

Sue’s grandmother blames the church for tearing the family apart and said she would have left sooner but was too scared she would lose her grandchildren.

She also pleaded for her son and daughter-in-law to reunite with their daughter.

“I’ll never understand how a parent can do this to their child, all because someone tells them it is what they should do,” she said.

But for Sue, life has only just begun.

She is taking ballet lessons and studying nursing. She only wishes she could share her new life with her parents.

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IN SEARCH OF TRUTH Sunday, Jan 13 2008

IN SEARCH OF TRUTH

A testimonial from David Erwin

My parents were members of the Geelong Revival Centre when I was born in 1964. While a Godly conscience was impressed upon me throughout my childhood years, I also learnt many values from working with nature, being raised on the family’s farm.

The relationship I had with my cousins from my father’s side of the family, strangely ended as a result of the 1972 split. The initiative of Mr. Hollins to become independent and break away from the then Revival Centres Australia, divided my family in half. Initially I was not able to understand how my cousins had become so vile. As I continued to grow in the elitist environment of the GRC, I developed and applied the same hatred towards these relatives, which was preached and demanded by Mr. Hollins.

During my childhood I felt very different and inferior to my cousins who are from my mother’s side of the family. My grandmother would often remind me that I was the ‘black sheep’. She would think nothing of it to belittle me for not having received the Holy Spirit in front of the cousins. I vividly remember the embarrassment I used to feel at the age of ten, onwards.

At the permissible age of fourteen, I knew I was expected to get baptised and so for the wrong reasons, I put my hand up to be baptised one Sunday night. This was also the permissible age that required my attendance at the Young People’s meetings.

Having only known a child hood which involved the social structure of the GRC, I became accustom to a life of fear. The constant drumming of prophetic Armageddon and nuclear war, crime, social dilapidation, politics, immorality, etc. instilled an overload of apprehension upon my pubescent mind. Attending Young People’s meetings in my early years seemed to be just another setting that intensified the fear and the guilt of my unworthiness. Being told the only way to escape was by receiving the Holy Spirit I naturally strived with God for this infilling and frequently condemned myself for being denied. The notion of ‘running away’ became more feasible with passing time.

The constant unavoidable hammerings from those who preached my certain damnation, and segregated me for not being able to ’speak in tongues’, all took its toll. I mixed with other teenagers who were in the same dilemma as my self. We earned our title, ‘the slackos’, and were frowned down upon rather than being understood or cared for.

The ever present feeling of condemnation affected my behaviour. I lost respect for the church and those who assumed authority to lord their version of God’s Will upon me. Strangely, I knew in my heart that I desired to be right in God’s sight. The ministry seemed to make this unattainable. Inevitably, I rebelled. At fifteen going on sixteen years of age, I secretly began smoking cigarettes and casually drinking alcohol. I used foul language frequently in the presence of my ‘worldly’ friends. Learning to work hard at a young age provided me with the means to purchase many things for my pleasure. Inevitably, all these things failed me. I couldn’t find inner peace while knowing I was not being true to myself, or being who I assumed my God wanted me to be.

By my own freewill, I called on God unreservedly when I was seventeen years old. I was not thinking about Mr. Hollins, the GRC, or ’speaking in tongues’. I cried out to God to show me His mercy and His grace. I wanted to feel redeemed. I wanted a second chance to start a new life. I had had enough of my hopeless state.

I believed God answered my prayer with the most beautiful sensation I have ever experienced. I was completely overwhelmed and peace literally flooded my soul. At the same time, I began ’speaking in tongues’, but this was merely an expression of my joyful experience.

The overwhelming feeling of acceptance that followed impressed me and I impulsively threw myself toward the direction of the ministry. I soon became one of the many who competed for the admirable recognition of Mr. Hollins. Such condescending behaviour within the GRC was always encouraged. Eventually, on the 17th of November, 1985, I departed Melbourne’s international airport destined for Canada. My mission was to preach the things I had been told in hope to establish an assembly in Vancouver, which would fall under the pre-eminence of Mr. Hollins.

When Mr. Hollins visited Vancouver around two yeas later, we discussed my application for Canadian citizenship. I vividly remember the moment when Mr. Hollins stood up and with a raised indignant voice said words to the effect of; ‘this is a British Commonwealth Nation. The Lord would have it that a brother who ministers here, will reside and work in this country’. When my application for Canadian citizenship was denied, I simply accepted my time there was done. I assumed the will of God excluded any further participation by my self in the Vancouver assembly, so I returned to Australia on the 1st of July, 1988 .

In the months following my return to Australia, I began to hurt knowing that Mr. Hollins had approved transitory ministry, rotating every three months. Having self-funded my air fares and accommodation in Vancouver ; I was also at a loss to understand how the succeeding brethren had all of their expenses paid for by the GRC, which included the costs associated with taking their wives in many cases. The frivolous appropriation of funds seemed unjustified in my mind. I had difficulty coming to grips with the fact that I’d become sidelined, but I could never speak to anyone about it. Eventually permanent ministry was provided under a sponsorship arrangement. These options were never available to me. In these younger impressionable years, I assumed the ministry was ordained by God and for fear of Mr. Hollins I never dared question, or demonstrated any notion of disrespect.

While I was living in Canada, a cousin from the Adelaide assembly got married. I hadn’t given them a wedding gift. When I learnt that he was building a residential dwelling, I jumped at the opportunity to go over to Adelaide to lay bricks. Having exhausted all my personal savings to fund the Canadian visit, I deemed my labour to be a wedding gift for them.

One morning during tea break at the building site, my uncle (who is also the pastor of the Adelaide assembly) was talking with me alone. He steered the conversation towards my involvement with the establishment of the Vancouver assembly. I felt confused and perturbed by the nature of his comments and sensed he was ashamed with me. Suddenly, with his finger pointing at my face he yelled; “the reason Frank DeBooy is in a wheel chair is because HE CAME BACK!”

(The man my uncle referred to had gone to the Brisbane assembly from Geelong , to consider moving there permanently and fulfil the role as a helper. He decided not to move to Brisbane . Years later, he sustained serious spinal injuries in a motor vehicle accident. I only discovered in recent years that other pastors also used this example of God’s alleged punishment upon brothers who consider forfeiting a ministerial position.)

I felt utterly sick when my uncle made this statement. Immediately, condemnation and fear once again besieged me. My innocent assumption that my uncle was a ‘man of God’ caused me to block any thought or reason to question. For the very first time since I committed my heart to follow Jesus Christ, I began to doubt my righteous standing before God. I truly felt I had lost my Salvation.

Immediately my behaviour changed. This was noticed by others working at the site too. I began laying bricks like a man possessed with urgency. I just wanted to get away form everyone, especially my uncle, and the city of Adelaide.

Some months later, I was asked by Mr. Hollins to go to Bombay, India . Still being willing to only serve the ministry, I obliged. My short two month stay with the folk in Bombay was wonderful. To this day I have treasured my memories of having met these people. During one meeting in particular, a young man experienced a miraculous infilling of the Holy Spirit after I’d shared thoughts which had brought much joy to myself about the ?mercy seat’. The wonderful atmosphere this particular evening, temporarily relieved me of my personal condemning thoughts. However, the feelings of guilt and condemnation soon returned when I arrived back in Geelong. Hearing news and announcements about what was happening in Vancouver, only added to my perplexity.

The many years that followed while in the GRC were very unpleasant for me. My thoughts and feelings were constantly waring with various aspects of certain doctrines preached by Mr. Hollins. I couldn’t agree in my heart with many things that were being preached and that were happening within the church. The way Mr. Hollins’ always presented his doctrine made me feel I was wrong for not being in agreement with his ministry, and to question him on anything is equally shameful as to questioning God.

Having lost all my joy, I became reluctant to share my testimony in the meetings. My senses could easily detect the apparent stench of hypocrisy with certain people, who eulogised Mr. Hollins as equally significant to Jesus Christ.

Unknowingly, history was repeating itself throughout the passing years in my life. The ?ministry of condemnation’ had completely blinded me from seeing my worthiness or right standing before God. Naturally, I associated with many people who were just like me and were living a double life. Years of attending three meetings (or more) weekly, and being exposed to hearing abusive yelling and usurping of ministerial authority, obstructed my ability to see the mercy of God, which I myself had once preached to deliver other souls from inner torment.

Mr. Hollins conveniently used the New Years Eve meeting at the Ocean Grove Camp on the 31st of December, 1999, to impel his ideals for the new millennium. His entire sermon was a self acclimation that asserted his position of apostleship and the leader of the ‘Only True Church’ in the entire World. It was this sermon that gave me the most sickening feeling I had ever experienced. I sat during the sermon in a state of shock, finding it impossible to believe I was even hearing what Mr. Hollins said. For the first time in my life, I realised that the ministry I was taught to respect and obey had definitely crossed the line. At the time, I couldn’t apply logic to ascertain the GRC was actually a dangerous cult, but I knew Mr. Hollins was speaking contrary to God’s Holy Word.

Suddenly, Mr. Hollins’ doctrine concerning the infilling of the Holy Spirit outside of his ministry, also came to the forefront of my mind. I had always been taught that every Spirit filled person who was not in the GRC or associated assemblies were ‘backslidden Pentecostals’. Everything about the GRC agenda began to connect. This elitist environment was my world. I knew no other principle to follow than GRC initiatives. The realisation of what I was rapt in, exposed a new quagmire of obstacles and problems for me. To escape was impossible and by remaining, I became lost and confused within this familiar environment. The true demeanour of Mr. Hollins became apparent to me. The entire organisation was ALL about him. I began to perceive he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but I didn’t want to believe it. Occasional doubts, such as ‘what if he is right’ haunted me, and denied my ability to reason. Eventually inner turmoil caused me to lose control of my behaviour.

My deep seated psychological fear surfaced one Sunday during a Communion meeting at the Ocean Grove Revival camp. Mr. Hollins was speaking about the ‘perfection of the Church’. My thoughts were on ?mercy and grace’ while he spoke. I could not see evidence of the ‘perfection’ he spoke of, in the GRC. The fear of one day being chastised in a similar way to Mr. DeBooy emerged again. I decided to go out to the prayer line following the Communion Service. Although the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit infilling had become only a memory, I believed the onus was on God to prove himself to me. So I went out for prayer hoping some great blessing would come down upon me.

It so happened that out of all the pastors praying for people, Mr. Hollins came up to me. When he acknowledged my presence, I requested that I wanted to pray for Br. Frank DeBooy and without much thought I said ‘I believe he can be healed’. Mr. Hollins paused and then abruptly replied, ‘NO’.

Mr. Hollins refused to pray with me. I sensed he felt I was challenging him. Hundreds of pairs of eyes witnessed the silent standoff. I was completely lost for words not knowing his reason. To this day I have never found out why he refused to pray with me for Br. Frank DeBooy.

The GRC was fast becoming a very lonely place. There was no one I could talk to about all the subtle twists applied to Scriptures, designed to subjugate members to the ministry. Even while in camp with a thousand or so Christian believers all around me, there was no one I knew who I could confidently talk to. My wife had always been a lawful and loyal disciple of Mr. Hollins too. The oppression of GRC scrutiny haunted me, even in my own home. Naturally I suffered spiritually, physically, and mentally, by this cruel entrapment.

Inevitably, I descended to the lowest point a person could ever reach in their life and begun contemplating suicide. During this extremely torturous and difficult time, I began to confide in my cousin. To her credit, she was a good listener and made time to often speak with me. In my spiritually and mentally vulnerable state, I opened up to her and told her many things that were bottled up inside of me. She was my last attempt to reach out to some one who might at least understand.

My life of GRC indoctrination had inevitably taken its toll as I was made to believe the ‘cross of Christ’ was no longer enough for my redemption. Condemnation had driven me down to this point. I was not only contemplating suicide, but planning and making arrangements to do so. The ever present thought that maybe Mr. Hollins is who he claimed to be haunted me. I could no longer adhere to his ministry.

While I shared my pain with my cousin, I discovered she had many personal matters burdening her own life too. I soon learned she had had a terrible childhood and adolescent life, being brought up in a household with a cruel pastor for a father. Like me, she too had been living a double life while trying to cope in the GRC. My cousin and I agreed nothing could change our sub-cultural lifestyle, and that it was impossible to be what the ministry expected.

It was during this bonding with my cousin that I learnt about a matter that was seriously troubling her and adding to her misery. She told me about her next door neighbour, who was allegedly stalking her. She also shared details of her husband’s lack of concern. She began to cry as she told me how much she just wanted to move out of the rented co-op house and buy a house in another suburb away from her stalker. Her sad story immediately captured my focus. I thought if I could find a house that was affordable for them, maybe I could help her out.

I found a house which I believed could be made into a valuable asset, needing only minor renovations. During the inspection of this property, my cousin commented just how much she liked the house and the address. After she spoke with her husband, I was told they had invested their savings in shares and could not raise the deposit until the shares were sold.

I felt this was an easy obstacle to get around, and so I offered to give them an unencumbered interest free loan for up to twelve months. My offer would give them more than enough money for the deposit and the opportunity to sell their shares at an optimum time to repay the debt. They accepted my offer and obtained a home loan.

Immediately after the settlement date, I went to work on the renovations. The generosity I showed towards my cousin had further impact upon my marriage. It was a difficult time for all of us, but somehow we all got through alive.

During the last year prior to my expulsion from the GRC, I desperately tried to set many things right. I tried my best to apply my understanding of Scripture with the desires of my heart, in an attempt to get my life back on track. I made several attempts to speak with my uncle about the ?Frank DeBooy’ doctrine. However, he avoided me and refused to speak with me each time. I also tried to express my disagreement with Mr. Hollins regarding the ‘Only True Church in the World’ doctrine. Mr. Hollins avoided me too on this topic, and changed the subject to my relationship with the Lord.

Avoidance by the ministry to address my issues became obstacles which prevented me from seeing past the errors of their ministry. It became obvious that Mr. Hollins and the Elders were more concerned about keeping me under their subjection, rather than the care for my soul.

My hatred towards partiality, hypocrisy, and abusive church practises continued to build as I considered many inconsistencies within the GRC ministry. Unable to restrain myself, I began to question various things and voiced some of these questions to Mr. Hollins and other GRC members. It seemed that no one would tell me the truth, but rather suggested I just tow the party line. Instead, I towed a line that was testing the fragility of my GRC membership.

Midway through the year I discovered my cousin and her husband were in financial difficulties. I became alarmed by the possibility that I may not be repaid the money in the agreed time frame. This became another unwanted concern during my already much troubled life. Previously, I had never told my wife about the loan. I assumed there was not going to be any problems, knowing that they owned shares to the equivalent value of the debt. When I asked my cousin about the shares she confessed and told me, ‘there are no shares’. Torn between compassion and anger, I was left stunned.

It was difficult to come to terms with the fact that I’d been lied to. To this day, I still don’t know when my cousin first became aware that the shares never existed. I wanted to believe she too was deceived by her husband, as that would mean she didn’t take advantage of my vulnerable state. Strangely, I also felt guilty towards her now knowing I was the catalyst for placing them in debt for 100% of the house valuation.

Naturally, I felt compelled to tell my wife about what had happened. I decided to contact Mr. Hollins and inform him about the situation too. Mr. Hollins immediately went into damage control mode. I discovered from my cousin that Mr. Hollins had had to involve himself previously with his son’s financial matters. The manipulative tactics used by Mr. Hollins, in an attempt to relieve his son of the debt and the appearance of any wrong doing, were appalling.

My wife was told by Mr. Hollins that she was to have nothing to do with the situation and was instructed very sternly not to speak to anyone about the matter. For loyalty and fear of Mr. Hollins, she obliged to his request. Mr. Hollins had set the stage for me to take the fall alone.

Circumstances had forced things to turn around. Rather than concede defeat, I chose to fight to survive. I needed to know the truth for my defence. I wanted answers. I wanted to know the truth about the shares. I even began to doubt my cousin’s story about being the victim of a stalker. One day, I indicated to my cousin that I would like to speak with her previous neighbour, just to see her reaction. She pleaded and begged for me not to speak to him. I felt I had gotten my unwanted answer, and so I decided to visit him anyway. (This person is not involved with the GRC. For the sake of his privacy the content of my conversations with him will remain confidential.)

After some time and consideration, I still believed that we should and could sort out the mess. I requested from Mr. Hollins an opportunity for all of us to get together and resolve the issue. I believed this was also right according to the Bible, and so I was astounded when my request was declined. Mr. Hollins told me over the telephone that he would only speak to me alone but with Mr. Carey present as the witness. With no other option given, I felt I had to comply.

I went to the residence of Mr. Hollins to speak with the ministry. After a short and formal greeting, Mr. Hollins sat forward in his chair at the outset and said; “If you mention any person’s name other than your own, the conversation will cease immediately”.
My mind went blank. It became apparent that everything I wanted to say was not wanted to be heard. Mr. Hollins then began to talk about my ?spiritual state’ and accused me of being the only person with a problem. I then asked him about the money situation. Mr. Hollins referred to Scriptures that conveniently favoured his son and claimed that all my problems were the result of me ?walking in the flesh’. He also told me that I should forgive them and let them have the money out of my supposed abundance.

This cut me very deeply, but not the way Mr. Hollins hoped. He made my sweet gift become very bitter. I had renovated the interior of the house for my cousin, which took about six weeks and working in excess of 60 hours per week. My gift was never considered in the equation. Besides this, I knew Mr. Hollins was not privy to my own financial situation and he had no right to assume that I could afford to throw away $20, 000.00.

While still in the early stages of the conversation, the telephone rang. As Mr. Hollins talked on the telephone, I leaned across towards Mr. Carey and quietly asked him, “Who do you speak to when there is a problem between two people”. Mr. Carey replied, “The ministry”.

I raised my shoulders with hands out and upwards as to say, ‘Well, here I am and the other brother is not present’. Mr. Hollins became so agitated by our quiet conversation on the side, he told the caller to wait a moment and then sternly instructed Mr. Carey not to speak with me.

During the few controlled minutes of basically being told to shut-up and wait, I had time to realise my present hopeless position. I knew I was not going to get anywhere without forfeiting the money. When Mr. Hollins came off the telephone and began judging me as being ’spiritually dead’, I decided to leave. It was so clear to me that this matter was not going to be resolved except that I was going to be made wear it.

Some time later my wife was accused by Mr. Hollins of getting involved in the situation, which was against the direction of his ministry. He accused my wife of speaking inappropriately about my cousin and her husband, to the innocent neighbour. She assured Mr. Hollins that she didn’t, and that she had never even met the man. I decided to go around to this unfortunate man’s house again, to speak with him. I discovered that he knew someone from the GRC assembly who had told him certain details. I also discovered how this information got back to Mr. Hollins.

The next meeting was the Wednesday night I got expelled. I approached Mr. Hollins with my wife to talk to him about the matter. I believed Mr. Hollins was obligated to hear the truth and acknowledge that my wife was wrongfully accused.

When my wife began talking and he realised where the conversation was going, he interrupted and stopped her from speaking. It was immediately obvious that he did not want to hear anything about his son and daughter in-law. That was it. I couldn’t contain myself anymore. I said to Mr. Hollins, “YOU ARE SO PARTIAL”! I then said to my wife, “Just forget it. Let’s go home.”

As I proceeded to walk out the door, Mr. Hollins said, “You are not permitted to attend meetings anymore”. Whatever else he said wasn’t heard as I just kept walking out the door.

The feeling of being so devastated and hurt by my partial pastor brought me to tears. I gave up on both these men (my uncle and Mr. Hollins) who I assumed were men of God. Nothing hurt me more than the partiality and the deceptive lying heart of the ministry. More so than the money, or even being lied to by my cousin and her husband to enable them to buy the house, partiality in the ministry was what hurt me the most.

On t he 23rd of December, 2002ate>, my solicitor sent a letter of demand to recover the debt, under my instruction. (The money was repaid immediately after the holiday period.)

I endeavoured to speak with my uncle at the Ocean Grove camp to see if there was still a chance of resolving the dispute over the ‘Frank DeBooy doctrine’ and the issue about the loan. He was so angry (like a man possessed) there was no way he could be reasoned with. I was threatened and driven out of the camp by a large posse of proud men.

My wife and children remained in the camp, and the ministry made their stay an absolute hell. Men armed with ?walkie talkies’ were assigned to stalk my nine year old son. Also, several people who engaged in conversation with my wife were interrogated by the ministry afterwards. It wasn’t long before she also found herself isolated. Although being taunted with smug expressions by family members who enjoy unconditional immunity, she managed to attend meetings without confrontation.

During the next six months or so leading up to my wife’s expulsion, paranoia tore Mr. Hollins apart. He couldn’t handle the fact that she new the truth and that it was difficult to re-write history while she was still in the fellowship.

In the weeks leading up to my wife’s expulsion, she was harassed continually by the ministry. Mr. Hollins had expressed on many occasions to her that I was a very dangerous ?backslider’ and our marriage would need to end for her spiritual well-being. Now knowing the truth about the money and my issues with the ministry, she could not agree with Mr. Hollins on how our relationship must end on his terms. This placed her in a very tenuous and precarious position.

One attempt to invent evidence for reasons to expel my wife, failed. Mr. G. Carey used Mrs. D. Preece as a false witness to accuse my wife of murmuring against the son and daughter in-law of Mr. Hollins. She immediately approached Mrs. Preece who was being used by the ministry as a false witness and exposed the plot. This only made the ministry more determined to expel her.

My wife was caught in the cross fire. She had always obeyed the ministry after being warned not to become involved within the dispute. At the end of every GRC meeting leading up to her expulsion, she was approached by the ministry. They endeavoured to talk about the dispute with her hoping she would say something they may use against her. They insinuated claims that she was holding a grudge against my cousin and her husband.
I arranged for my solicitor to send Mr. Hollins a warning to stop harassing my wife. Mr. Hollins then instructed an Elder to do his dirty work. I then arranged for my solicitor to address the same warning to the appropriate Elder. Mr. Hollins then appointed a different Elder to do his dirty work, and so he too was given a solicitor’s letter of cautioning. This went on, and on, and on, until she was eventually expelled by Mr. A. Morton without reason, under the instruction of Mr. Hollins.

Approximately six months later, my wife’s mother, who was still attending the GRC, became critically ill and was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Melbourne. It is perceivable that her health had been adversely affected by the eviction of her daughter from the GRC. My wife is her only child and was required to care for her mother when released from hospital 5 weeks later.

As her health improved, she indicated she wanted to attend Sunday Communion meetings at the GRC. I decided to write a detailed letter, without prejudice, explaining to the GRC administration exactly what had happened to her, which had also caused her absence from meetings for the two month period. A signed copy of the letter was sent by registered mail to Mr. Hollins, Mr. H. DeVries, Mr. G. Carey, and Mr. P. Morgan. The letter also requested for the ministry not to expel her for living with us during recovery, as this would not be in the best interest for her physical and psychological wellbeing.

The following Sunday, my mother in-law was not well enough to attend the meeting. The weekend after that she wanted to attend but was apprehensive. My wife and I decided that it was not good for her to go alone. We arranged with a private nursing service to provide a professional carer, who transported her and attended the next Sunday Communion meeting with her. Feeling nauseous when the meeting was near ended, she asked her carer to take her home. As they walked out of the hall she was given a letter by Mr. H. DeVries, who did not acknowledge her with a greeting or show any concern.

The letter was a conditional expulsion, signed by the ministry. It was not possible for my mother in-law to physically meet the demands placed upon her by the ministry. Ironically, the GRC letter was dated a few days after my letter had been sent. Obviously, this GRC letter of conditional expulsion was carried by the Elder in previous weeks, awaiting her attendance. The impudence and uncaring demeanour of Mr. Hollins was affected painfully upon my wife’s mother. To this day she still has not recovered from this vindictive expulsion and is at a great loss to understand the shunning she receives from current GRC members.

This was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I decided it was time to do something about the cruel and callus spiritual abuse Mr. Hollins affects upon people. I not only knew for myself that the immoral and unjust ministry of Mr. Hollins was destroying people’s lives, but I perceived it was demonically inspired.

Up until this time since my expulsion, I was unaware that I had begun my journey, searching for ?the truth’. I knew first hand the injustice I had experienced in the GRC and rightfully assumed that many other people had experienced a similar cruel fate. I discovered many people were spiritually bruised and batted by Mr. Hollins, and their stories grieved me. For want of knowing the truth about why several people had been labelled ?backsliders’ by Mr. Hollins, I found that many of them had been traumatized no less than my self.

Suicide, extortion, damaged marriages, severed family ties, partiality, depression, lies and cover-ups were all there to be found as I dug beneath the surface to unearth what Mr. Hollins had buried throughout previous decades.

With consent from my mother in-law and my wife, I took the story to the press. This started the ball rolling. People called in to speak with the reporter who had written the article and inspired her to write more. Eventually four stories were written but only three made it to print. Mr. Hollins had used his law firm to threaten action against the press, but it didn’t matter. The desired affect had been achieved and Mr. Hollins realised I wasn’t going to go away quietly. He had managed to stifle many of the schisms he had confronted in the past, but this time the wounded were gaining strength and unity.

I was contacted by an ex-GRC member who informed me that an article appeared within a discussion forum on the internet. We didn’t have internet connection at home and so I requested a printed copy from my friend. After reading the article, I felt that the defamatory comments made against me should be brought to the attention of Mr. Hollins. I wrote him another letter requesting an apology from the author, who I believed was a current GRC member. After waiting patiently in vain to receive a response, I decided to use the forum too. Being consistent with his usual display of partiality, I believe this has proven to be an invaluable mistake on behalf of Mr. Hollins.

At the time when the newspaper articles were being published, my cousin and I met by chance in a supermarket shopping isle. We were both equally surprised to see each other but when I said ?hello’, she became infuriated. She started off by asking me, ?What do you think you’re doing’! I replied with words to the effect that I was still waiting for an opportunity for all of us to come together and discuss matters (as instructed in the Bible). That did it. She went completely off her tree. Shock seemed to have glued my boots to the vinyl flooring. She was so overcome with hysteria, she didn’t realise the growing number of onlookers watching in line at the cash registers.

At the end of her seemingly long, raging verbal fit, a violent threat was made against my life. Her unfortunate outburst caused me great concern for the safety of my wife and children. I knew deep down that she would not commit such an act herself, but what frightened me was knowing someone else might be capable. Having witnesses present to back my claims, I reported the matter to the authorities, just for the record. Admittedly, I contacted the TV media too, to do a story on the GRC in retaliation for my cousin’s violent verbal attack. Today/Tonight took on the story and wanted to visit Mr. Hollins at the GRC hall. Mr. Hollins was asked by the reporter to explain why I had been expelled. Mr. Hollins refused to answer. To this day he has never responded to any of my letters requesting the reason why I was expelled initially. I vowed to Mr. Hollins when the camera crew decided to leave; “I will never stop speaking the truth until the day I die. You can even arrange that to be sooner rather than later too, can’t you”?

The reason why I continue to stand up and speak out against Mr. Hollins and Mr. Addison is because they refuse to acknowledge and recant from their HERESY. It is their choice to preach what they choose, just as it is my choice to preach what I believe is right too.

My ongoing recovery from ’spiritual abuse’ has been achieved up to this point by discarding everything I’d been told by the GRC ministry. What I’ve been through was necessary for me to be delivered from Satan’s greatest lie. I do hope that by sharing my experiences, other people will detour early and avoid the pain and agony that I was made to suffer. I was deceived by the lies and believed the man who positioned himself before me was to be revered as though he was Jesus Christ.

The ?Frank DeBooy’ doctrine is also a lie from the pit of Hell. I lived in superstitious fear of this doctrine for fifteen years. It was taking me to Hell with it. The administration of condemnation is in direct conflict with Christ’s ministry of love, grace and compassion. Mr. Addison is a FALSE PROPHET.

The ‘Only True Church in the World’ doctrine (being the Geelong Revival Centre and associated churches) is also a lie from the pit of Hell. This doctrine was introduced by Mr. Hollins immediately after the 1972 split, to incarcerate and subjugate members under himself as the ‘chief corner stone’ designed for his own personal hierarchy with himself positioned at the top.

I once had a conversation with Mr. Hollins regarding the ‘Only True Church in the World’ doctrine. I said; “The Geelong Revival Centre is not the only true church in the world. It never was and it never will be. The Geelong Revival Centre is merely a vehicle that if the Lord sees fit, He will use it to bring souls to His True Church.” Mr Hollins privately conceded his doctrine did oppose the teachings of Christ. Mr. Hollins hardened his heart and continued to preach his doctrine that included me with the alleged ‘backsliders’.

Mr. Hollins is a FALSE PROPHET.

“ALL THESE ARE THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS: MANY FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE AND SHALL DECEIVE MANY”. (Matthew 24.)

My love for the truth is my strength. In search of truth I also discovered that the people, who I thought were my friends, were unveiled to be my enemies. People who I was told were my enemy have become true friends. This too was all sorted out once I became true to myself. I have only become an enemy of the GRC because I chose to search for the truth.

I know I am far from righteous in mind. My behaviour is not above reproach, and I do not deserve recognition for any seemingly good thing I have done. I have shared my testimony in hope that my experience may save someone from the pain and misery I encountered by placing my trust in the ministry of the Geelong Revival Centre.

Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Psalm 40:4

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GRC Oppression leads to depression Sunday, Jan 13 2008

I left the GRC group about 5 years ago…give or take…and for much of that time have been suffering a depression/anxiety disorder. I didn’t develop this illness after I left, but moreover that I started suffering it whilst attending the group (I cannot call it a church nor a cult). while attending the group I recall on many occasions that fear. guilt and ridicule (mainly racial slurs) were preached from the platform. not to mention the times when I heard far worse in fellowship with various people regardless of the assembly within the group.

Anyway, I digress. I started suffering depression within a few months of being in the group as I was told by one that I was unblessed because I was out of work. I was also called a no-hoper by another. I was then lucky anough to find a decent job which I throughly enjoyed but at camp time was forced to give it up because I had to work. I was told the Lord would bless me with something better if I put him first…so I did. I was also encouraged NOT to apply for benefits as this would get in the way of the Lords will…so with great expense, I did as was directed by the minstery and went to camp. During camp time in OG that year I hardly ate or fellowshipped but I did get fat on the words that were spoken and filled myself with times in the prayer tent. As I am a fairly quiet type of person I never really put myself out there to be asked, nor was I one to intrude and ask. As most do in the group, I virtually cut ties with my family who didn’t want to know about the group I was involved in and made it quite clear how they felt. Before going to the group I had a pretty good albeit small group of friends whom I associated with, I played sport (I was encouraged to give that up too as it might interfere with meetings/fasts etc.). So over the first few months I was so excited about being part of a group that seemed to care…at least until the first camp…they did.

Once faced with camp, I threw myself into helping people set up and trying to help with anything I was asked to do. I helped a guy who I thought was a great bloke with a place to stay at camp…he was allowed to work but I had to leave my job…(go figure). Remember I had very little funds at camp as I was not working and didn’t apply for the dole either. Anyway all the guy did was drink all my drinks and eat all my food, he would invite others around as well and he would give them what was there. I brought enough to camp to last me about 10 days which was all I could afford to stay at the time…my food was gone in 3 days. Because I am not one to complain about these things I just thought oh well…and went on my way trying to get some fellowship at camp. Unlike the Benzie boys, I wouldn’t just invite myself for dinner.

 Because I didn’t have any food left I spent what money I had (of course my camp fees) to make sure I could eat something…I was then called by the guy who took my fees…I could only afford $20 its all I had left…i was called a scab. so 3 times in my first 6 months by people I thought were my friends i was called things which hurt me, these things never happened with the friends i had before.

Anyway, I started to feel depressed about things and was told by the ministry to pray about it.  what the hell type of answer is that! After a while I met someone in the Lord and got married and had kids. One of which passed away…after the death I was told not to discuss it as it is unedifying. I tried talking to my wife about it but she shunned me telling me to get over it and pray about it. I needed to talk about it and counselling wasn’t an option (not until after I left anyway) as that was a big no-no.

 Needless to say I headed down the road to depression and the worse I felt the more anxious I got, and the more anxious I became the deeper I sunk into depression,and so on and so on…. No-one at the group cared too much about how I was and whenever I spoke to the ministry I was told to pray about it…but I guess in reality these issues are out of their depth. I remember when WF started having problems how they stepped in and tried to help only to make things worse by dragging the net over him again. NHH claimed he knew more than the doctors but I can tell you this NHH knows sweet Fanny Adams about mental issues. I have dealt with my depression and I know WF has dealt with his issues too. After other bad experiences with the group I decided to leave…that was almost 5 years ago and it has taken me up until now to realise that a big source of my depression disorder was caused by the ministering of fear by those who ruled over me.

I had counselling and now I am in a proper relationship both with my partner and with God without the influence of GRC and their blind followers. After praying many times thinking God has forsaken me I know that he hasn’t I just didn’t know he was there. He is not there because I am one of them as they claim, he is here helping me without them because I call on HIM.

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