Difference between revisions of "Main Page"

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**[[:Category:Deaths|Deaths]] — People who were current or former members at the time of their death
 
**[[:Category:Deaths|Deaths]] — People who were current or former members at the time of their death
 
***[[:Category:Suicides|Suicides]] — People who were current or former members at the time they committed suicide
 
***[[:Category:Suicides|Suicides]] — People who were current or former members at the time they committed suicide
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 +
<div style="float:right;margin:15px 0px 15px 15px;">__TOC__</div>
  
 
===People===
 
===People===
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[[Special:Categories|All Categories]] &mdash; Alphabetical listing
 
[[Special:Categories|All Categories]] &mdash; Alphabetical listing
  
=Children of God/The Family=
+
==Children of God/The Family==
The '''Children of God''' (COG), later known as the '''Family of Love''' and '''The Family''' and now '''The Family International''', is a [[new religious movement]] that started in [[1968]] in  [[Huntington Beach, California|Huntington Beach]], [[California]], [[United States|USA]]. It sprung from the [[Jesus Movement]] of the late [[1960s]] and early [[1970s]].
+
 
 +
'''The Children of God''' (COG), later known as '''The Family of Love''', '''The Family''' and now '''The Family International''', is a [[new religious movement]] that started in [[1968]] in  [[Huntington Beach, California|Huntington Beach]], [[California]], [[United States|USA]]. It sprung from the [[Jesus Movement]] of the late [[1960s]] and early [[1970s]].
  
==Criticism==
+
===Criticism===
 
The group has been often and heavily criticized by the press, the [[anti-cult movement]], and the [[Christian countercult movement]]. In [[1972]], an organization called [[FREECOG]] was founded by concerned family members of followers to "free" them from their involvement in the group.
 
The group has been often and heavily criticized by the press, the [[anti-cult movement]], and the [[Christian countercult movement]]. In [[1972]], an organization called [[FREECOG]] was founded by concerned family members of followers to "free" them from their involvement in the group.
  
==Notable members==
+
===Notable members===
Actors [[River Phoenix]], [[Joaquin Phoenix]], [[Summer Phoenix]], [[Rain Phoenix]], and [[Rose McGowan]] were members of the group during their childhood. [[Jeremy Spencer]], a former member of Fleetwood Mac, is currently a member of the group.
+
Actors [[River Phoenix]], [[Joaquin Phoenix]] and [[Rose McGowan]] were members of the group during their childhood. [[Jeremy Spencer]], a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted former member of Fleetwood Mac, is currently a member of the group.
  
==[[Statistics]]==
+
===[[Statistics]]===
According to the Children of God, there were 130 communes or "[[colonies]]" in 15 countries in [[1972]]. In [[1993]], 7,000 of the 10,000 members were under 18 years of age.  Recent statistics by The Family International puts full-time and fellow members at just over 11,200 in over 100 countries (around 4,000 adult full-time members and 4,000 children). Some estimates have placed the total number of people that have passed through the group at 35,000.
+
According to the Children of God, there were 130 communes or "[[colony|colonies]]" in 15 countries in [[1972]]. In [[1993]], 7,000 of the 10,000 members were under 18 years of age.  Recent statistics by The Family International puts full-time and fellow members at just over 11,200 in over 100 countries (around 4,000 adult full-time members and 4,000 children). Some estimates have placed the total number of people that have passed through the group at 35,000.
  
==Programs, projects, and productions==
+
===Programs, projects, and productions===
The Family International (as the group calls itself today) or The Family International Fellowship has various programs through which it operates. The main ones include [[Family Care Foundation]] (FCF), [[Aurora Productions]], and [[Activated Ministries]]. However, the group has many other local foundations and projects in various countries throughout the world, for example (note: Some of the following may no longer be active):
+
The Family International (as the group calls itself today) has various programs through which it operates. The main ones include [[Family Care Foundation]] (FCF), [[Aurora Production AG]], and [[Activated Ministries]]. However, the group has many other local foundations and projects in various countries throughout the world. The following are a few examples (note: some may no longer be active):
* World Services (WS; location a closely guarded secret; they can be contacted through a Post Office box in [[Zurich, Switzerland]] that has been open for over two decades with the mail handled by the European regional office (EURCRO)
+
* [[World Services]] (location of WS centers are closely guarded secrets; they can be contacted through a Post Office box in [[Zurich, Switzerland]] that has been open for over two decades, with the mail handled by the European regional office ([[EURCRO]])
* [[Family Missions Foundation]] in [[Zug]], [[Switzerland]]
+
* [[Family Missions Foundation]] in Zug, [[Switzerland]]
 
* [[Heaven's Magic]]
 
* [[Heaven's Magic]]
* Martinelli
+
* [http://www.sunny-sideup.com/ Sunny-Side Up Entertainment, LLC.] in [[United States|USA]]
 
* Fellowship of Independent Christian Churches
 
* Fellowship of Independent Christian Churches
* Donate Car for Charity [[Spring Valley, California]], [[United States|USA]]
+
* Donate Car for Charity in [[Spring Valley, California]], [[United States|USA]]
* Teaching, Education and More (TEAM) Foundation in [[Dallas, Texas]], [[United States|USA]] (EIN 75-2790783)
+
* Teaching, Education and More (TEAM) Foundation in [[Dallas, Texas]], USA (EIN 75-2790783)
 
* East European Christian Correspondence Center in [[Hungary]] (previously the "MM Home")
 
* East European Christian Correspondence Center in [[Hungary]] (previously the "MM Home")
 
* Asia Vision in [[Thailand]]
 
* Asia Vision in [[Thailand]]
 
* Los Angeles Missionary Base (LAMB)
 
* Los Angeles Missionary Base (LAMB)
* Bluebird Family Foundation in [[Hungary]]
+
* [http://kekmadar.org/en Blue Bird Family Foundation] in [[Hungary]]
* Golden Sunrise Productions Co., Ltd. in [[Taiwan]]
+
* [http://goldensp.com/eng/ Golden Sunrise Productions Co., Ltd.] in [[Taiwan]]
* The Spiritual Retreat and Missionary Training Program in [[United States|USA]]
+
* Spiritual Retreat and Missionary Training Program (SRMTP) in USA
* Mission Support & Humanitarian Services Program
+
* Mission Support and Humanitarian Services Program (MSHSP)
* Immediate Disaster Relief in [[India]]
+
* [http://www.familycare.org/network/idr.htm Immediate Disaster Relief] in [[India]]
* New Horizons - Student Interchange in [[India]]
+
* New Horizons &ndash; Student Interchange in [[India]]
* Action In Focus in Nairobi, [[Kenya]]
+
* [http://www.familycare.org/network/f08.htm Action In Focus] in Nairobi, [[Kenya]]
 
* Helping Hands
 
* Helping Hands
* Milk for Many/Mexcity Mission
+
* [http://www.familycare.org/network/020.htm Mexcity Mission] (formerly called Milk for Many)
* KidzVids International, based in [[Humble, Texas]], [[United States|USA]]
+
* [http://www.kidzvids.com/ KidzVids International], based in [[Humble, Texas]], USA
 
* [http://www.theextramile.org/ The Extra Mile]
 
* [http://www.theextramile.org/ The Extra Mile]
* The Family Singers (they usually perform at the [[White House]] every Christmas)
+
* The Family Singers (they have performed at the White House for Christmas on several occasions)
  
===[[Aurora Production AG]]===
+
====[[Aurora Production AG]]====
Aurora Production AG, based in [[Zug]], [[Switzerland]], is the copyright holder and owner of all of The Family International's revenue-producing productions. These include publications, music, and videos (i.e. ''Countdown to Armageddon'' and ''Treasure Attic''). Although ultimate control over this company is in Steven Kelly's hands, on paper the following people are listed as running this company [http://www.hrazg.ch/]:
+
Aurora Production AG, based in [[Zug]], [[Switzerland]], is the copyright holder and owner of all of The Family International's revenue-producing productions. These include publications, music, and videos (i.e. ''Countdown to Armageddon'' and ''Treasure Attic''). Although ultimate control over this company is in [[Steven Kelly]]'s hands, on paper the following people are listed as running this company [http://www.hrazg.ch/]:
* Claes Furusjö (Director; [[Johanneshov, Sweden]]; former WS finance manager)
+
* Claes Furusjö (Director; [[Johanneshov, Sweden]]; former [[World Services|WS]] finance manager)
 
* Richard Müller
 
* Richard Müller
 
* Barbara-Maria Buzzi
 
* Barbara-Maria Buzzi
* Ernst Steiner ([[Hünibach, Switzerland]])
+
* Ernst Steiner (Hünibach, Switzerland)
 
* Michael Andrew Darley ([[Houston, Texas]])
 
* Michael Andrew Darley ([[Houston, Texas]])
 
* Alconsa Finanz AG (Auditor)
 
* Alconsa Finanz AG (Auditor)
  
===[[Family Missions Foundation]]===
+
====[[Family Missions Foundation]]====
 
Family Missions Foundation, based in Zug, Switzerland [http://www.zug-branchenbuch.com/soc175499/sozialwesen-page1.htm], receives and processes the tithes of members. The board has many of the same names as for Aurora Production AG. The two key people are:
 
Family Missions Foundation, based in Zug, Switzerland [http://www.zug-branchenbuch.com/soc175499/sozialwesen-page1.htm], receives and processes the tithes of members. The board has many of the same names as for Aurora Production AG. The two key people are:
 
* Christopher Smith (aka [[Steven Kelly]]; registered in Luzern, Switzerland)
 
* Christopher Smith (aka [[Steven Kelly]]; registered in Luzern, Switzerland)
* Thomas Mestyanek (registered in Los Angeles, USA; also Finance Manager of The Family International)
+
* [[Thomas Mestyanek]] (registered in Los Angeles, USA; also Finance Manager of The Family International)
  
===[[Activated Ministries]]===
+
====[[Activated Ministries]]====
 
A Family International–operated charitable foundation in Escondido, California (EIN 33-0857142). All the Directors are Family International members. Thomas Hack, a high-ranking Family International officer and former director of FCF, is the President. Activated Ministries is a licensed distributor of Aurora products worldwide, including the magazines ''Activated'' and ''The Wine Press'', both of which promote Family International beliefs and practices. It is The Family International's largest outreach operation. Activated Ministries openly acknowledges its support of The Family International and links to The Family International website. Activated Ministries has also made at least one cash donation to FCF. [http://www.activated.org] [http://www.activatedministries.org]
 
A Family International–operated charitable foundation in Escondido, California (EIN 33-0857142). All the Directors are Family International members. Thomas Hack, a high-ranking Family International officer and former director of FCF, is the President. Activated Ministries is a licensed distributor of Aurora products worldwide, including the magazines ''Activated'' and ''The Wine Press'', both of which promote Family International beliefs and practices. It is The Family International's largest outreach operation. Activated Ministries openly acknowledges its support of The Family International and links to The Family International website. Activated Ministries has also made at least one cash donation to FCF. [http://www.activated.org] [http://www.activatedministries.org]
  
===Productions===
+
====Productions====
 +
Family productions include the following:
 
* ''[[Activated]]''
 
* ''[[Activated]]''
 
* ''[[The Wine Press]]''
 
* ''[[The Wine Press]]''
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* ''[[Countdown to Armageddon]]''
 
* ''[[Countdown to Armageddon]]''
  
===Active areas===
+
===[[:Category:Places|Active areas]]===
 
Areas where The Family International have remained active for many years and are generally active today include:
 
Areas where The Family International have remained active for many years and are generally active today include:
 
* [[Tateyama, Japan|Tateyama]], [[Japan]]
 
* [[Tateyama, Japan|Tateyama]], [[Japan]]
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* [[Washington, D.C.]], [[United States|USA]]
 
* [[Washington, D.C.]], [[United States|USA]]
  
==Leadership, Regional Offices, and Management==
+
===[[:Category:Leaders|Leadership]]===
 
The leadership of The Family International is headed by:
 
The leadership of The Family International is headed by:
 
* [[Karen Elva Zerby]]
 
* [[Karen Elva Zerby]]

Revision as of 16:41, 6 April 2005

Welcome to xFamily.org, a collaboratively edited encyclopedia about The Family/Children of God group.

Featured Pages

New Articles - Most recently created articles.


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  • xFamily Forum — xFamily.org's Forum is a place to request and contribute information as well as find out what our latest research is on.



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  • Karen Zerby — Info about "Mama Maria", current leader of The Family. Includes photos & audio clips.



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  • FBI — Contact information for FBI investigations on The Family.

Due to the secrecy that shrouds many of The Family's activities we work together to collate and divulge information.

The position of this website is neither for or against The Family as it is a collaborative work that is aimed at supporting contributions from diverse individuals. Individuals contributing to this project might have taken up a favorable or unfavorable position on The Family but through peer review we maintain objectivity. If you have a factual correction to make, feel free to contact us. While we may not agree with the facts as you see them we will take your suggestion into consideration and present the information here as fairly as possible.


Categories

Beliefs and Practices

History and Events

  • History
    • Timeline — Articles that contain lists of events for a particular year
    • Legal Action — Information on any legal action currently or previously taken against The Family International
    • Deaths — People who were current or former members at the time of their death
      • Suicides — People who were current or former members at the time they committed suicide

People

  • Current and Former Members — Information about people who are or have been members of the Family
    • Abusers — Collecting information about abusers
    • Leaders — Here you will find the pages for the leaders of The Family
    • Pseudonyms — Pseudonyms used by Family members
  • Non-Members — People who never were members of The Family but are involved in some way

Documents and Articles

  • Documents — Documents about The Family International
    • Legal Name Changes — Documents of court orders for legal name changes
    • Testimony — An archive of testimony relating to The Family
    • Press — An archive of press relating to The Family from around the globe

Multimedia Archives

Operations

  • Places — Articles that connect events to places
  • Fronts — Organizations behind which The Family has operated or currently operates

Miscellaneous

  • Glossary — An index of definitions for terminology particular to The Family
  • References
  • Links — Here you will find external links categorized


All Categories — Alphabetical listing

Children of God/The Family

The Children of God (COG), later known as The Family of Love, The Family and now The Family International, is a new religious movement that started in 1968 in Huntington Beach, California, USA. It sprung from the Jesus Movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Criticism

The group has been often and heavily criticized by the press, the anti-cult movement, and the Christian countercult movement. In 1972, an organization called FREECOG was founded by concerned family members of followers to "free" them from their involvement in the group.

Notable members

Actors River Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix and Rose McGowan were members of the group during their childhood. Jeremy Spencer, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted former member of Fleetwood Mac, is currently a member of the group.

Statistics

According to the Children of God, there were 130 communes or "colonies" in 15 countries in 1972. In 1993, 7,000 of the 10,000 members were under 18 years of age. Recent statistics by The Family International puts full-time and fellow members at just over 11,200 in over 100 countries (around 4,000 adult full-time members and 4,000 children). Some estimates have placed the total number of people that have passed through the group at 35,000.

Programs, projects, and productions

The Family International (as the group calls itself today) has various programs through which it operates. The main ones include Family Care Foundation (FCF), Aurora Production AG, and Activated Ministries. However, the group has many other local foundations and projects in various countries throughout the world. The following are a few examples (note: some may no longer be active):

Aurora Production AG

Aurora Production AG, based in Zug, Switzerland, is the copyright holder and owner of all of The Family International's revenue-producing productions. These include publications, music, and videos (i.e. Countdown to Armageddon and Treasure Attic). Although ultimate control over this company is in Steven Kelly's hands, on paper the following people are listed as running this company [1]:

  • Claes Furusjö (Director; Johanneshov, Sweden; former WS finance manager)
  • Richard Müller
  • Barbara-Maria Buzzi
  • Ernst Steiner (Hünibach, Switzerland)
  • Michael Andrew Darley (Houston, Texas)
  • Alconsa Finanz AG (Auditor)

Family Missions Foundation

Family Missions Foundation, based in Zug, Switzerland [2], receives and processes the tithes of members. The board has many of the same names as for Aurora Production AG. The two key people are:

  • Christopher Smith (aka Steven Kelly; registered in Luzern, Switzerland)
  • Thomas Mestyanek (registered in Los Angeles, USA; also Finance Manager of The Family International)

Activated Ministries

A Family International–operated charitable foundation in Escondido, California (EIN 33-0857142). All the Directors are Family International members. Thomas Hack, a high-ranking Family International officer and former director of FCF, is the President. Activated Ministries is a licensed distributor of Aurora products worldwide, including the magazines Activated and The Wine Press, both of which promote Family International beliefs and practices. It is The Family International's largest outreach operation. Activated Ministries openly acknowledges its support of The Family International and links to The Family International website. Activated Ministries has also made at least one cash donation to FCF. [3] [4]

Productions

Family productions include the following:

Active areas

Areas where The Family International have remained active for many years and are generally active today include:

Leadership

The leadership of The Family International is headed by:

- spiritual leader of The Family International
- American
- legally changed her name to Katherine Rianna Smith, 4-Nov-1997
- Aliases: Maria David, Maria Berg, Maria Fontaine, Mama Maria and Queen Maria
- head-leader of The Family International
- American
- legally changed his name to Christopher Smith
- Aliases: Peter Amsterdam or King Peter
- senior leader under Karen Zerby and Steven Kelly (less officially Grant Montgomery)
- American
- legally changed his name to Kevin Anthony Brown, 29-Sep-1993
- Aliases: Matthew or John PI