Difference between revisions of "Stephen Bruce Ferguson"

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(Started article, based on article by Researher--thanks! Still needs lots of work)
 
(article rewrite, adapted from updated article by Researcher -- still needs lots of work, including links & ML excerpts)
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[[Image:Cog-find-new-home-in-libya.jpg|thumb|Stephen Bruce Ferguson (left), from a [[Newark Advocate: Children of God find new home|1977 article by the Associated Press]]]]
 
[[Image:Cog-find-new-home-in-libya.jpg|thumb|Stephen Bruce Ferguson (left), from a [[Newark Advocate: Children of God find new home|1977 article by the Associated Press]]]]
  
'''Stephen Bruce Ferguson''' (aka '''Stephen David'''), a US citizen, was a longtime member of [[The Family International]], known within the group for being "[[mated]]" to [[Jane Miller]] (aka Mother Eve David) after she and [[David Berg]] separated. Ferguson adopted the surname "David" apon marrying into the [[cult]]'s [[Royal Family]]. His union with Miller lasted several years.
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'''Stephen Bruce Ferguson''' (aka '''Stephen David'''), a US citizen, was a longtime member of the [[Children of God]]/[[Family International]]. He joined in [[1969]], when the group first formed. In the [[1998]] documentary ''The Love Prophet and the Children of God'' by DLI Productions (see the [[:Category:Video Archives|video archives]]), the narrator describes Ferguson thus: “In 1969, Stephen Ferguson is an acid-head going nowhere. Then Berg and his entourage, who now call themselves Children of God, come to town.” Ferguson converted and joined.
  
In the early [[1970s|70's]], Ferguson was a member of the so called "Fearsome Foursome" (with [[Jane Miller]], [[Paul Berg]] and another individual) who traveled around visiting the group's [[colony|colonies]]. Ferguson professed great love & loyalty for David Berg, and it is widely rumored that in [[1973]] he was the person who urged Berg to publicly distribute his [[Mo Letters]], initiating [[litnessing]].
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Within two years, Ferguson married into the family of [[David Berg]], the leader and "[[prophecy|prophet]]" of the [[cult]]. Berg had taken [[Karen Zerby]] on as a second wife, and not long after, Berg and his first wife, [[Jane Miller]] (aka Mother Eve), separated. Ferguson soon became [[mated]] to Jane Miller, and though it was an at-times odd relationship, marrying into the [[Royal Family]] entitled Ferguson to use "David" (from Berg's pseudonym [[Moses David]]) as his Biblical surname (see: [[Bible name]]) and afforded him special privileges.
  
After [[Ricky Rodriguez]]'s birth to Berg's ''soi-disant'' second wife [[Karen Zerby]], Berg summoned Jane Miller to help with childcare. She was accompanied by Ferguson, and while together in Tenerife he ran afoul of Berg. (See: ''[http://www.exfamily.org/pubs/ml/b5/ml1448.shtml Rebuke to Stephen!]'', DO 1448, 1975-12-04)
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In the early [[1970s|70’s]], Berg put a team together known as the "Fearsome Foursome", consisting of Ferguson, Jane Miller, [[Paul Berg]] (aka Aaron) and [[Judy Arlene Helmstetler|Judy Helmstetler]] (aka Shulamite). Together they travelled visiting the group's various [[colony|colonies]]. Paul Berg and Ferguson were both musicians/[[inspirationalist|inspirational leaders]], and after Paul Berg died in [[1973]], Ferguson came more into his own as a charismatic leader and "prophet." His devotion to the "music of the Spirit" (as defined by Berg in ''[http://www.exfamily.org/pubs/ml/b4/ml0032.shtml Sock It To Me!&ndash;That's the Spirit!]'' <small>(GP 32)</small> and ''[http://www.exfamily.org/pubs/ml/b4/ml0092.shtml Inspired and Uninspired Songs]'' <small>(ML 92)</small>), led Ferguson to declare himself a guardian of the Family’s musical heritage (see: [[:Category:Family Music and Audio]]).
  
When Berg instituted the ''Chain'' (Chain of Command) during ''[[The New Revolution]]'' (beginning 1975-02-18), Ferguson & Miller used their special status to keep out of the Chain & begin a group called "Mother's Team". By this time, however, the two had separated&mdash;Miller was mated to an American group member named John, & Ferguson to Adria (former wife of Berg's handyman, Dave).
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Stephen Ferguson professed great love and loyalty for Berg, who in turn trusted him as a faithful messenger. After Karen Zerby’s son, [[Davidito]], was born, Berg summoned his ex-wife, Jane Miller, to [[Tenerife]] to help with childcare, with Ferguson accompanying her. It was there, however, that he first ran afoul of Berg (see: ''[http://www.exfamily.org/pubs/ml/b5/ml1448.shtml Rebuke to Stephen!]'' <small>(DO 1448, [[1975]]-04-12)</small>).  
  
In the group's early days, Berg considered Ferguson a prophet, publicly stating in [[1973]], "I know that Stephen's a prophet". Ferguson later tried to imitate Berg in some aspects, however, even wearing a cape like Berg had done in Tenerife. Later, Berg declared that Ferguson was deceived & was controlled by Jane Miller, referring to him as "Steven Eve" instead of "Steven David".
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With [[The New Revolution]] (beginning February 18, 1975), Berg instituted a leadership structure called the Chain of Cooperation, commonly called [[The Chain]] (see the "New Revolution" series <small>(ML 328A &ndash; 332B)</small>). Jane Miller and Stephen Ferguson, however, used their Royal Family status to keep out of the chain of command and begin a group called "Mother’s Team." By this time, both Miller and Ferguson had [[mated]] other group members, though they maintained a sexual relationship.
  
Berg eventually published a Mo Letter stating that the two were part of a prophesied division in The Family's ranks, stating, "Stephen has had such a hard self-righteous attitude toward some people that he's even gotten into actual physical violence with some and threatened it with others ... threatening to break into homes to demand housing." Berg also complained about "Stephen's wild sexual forays on other people's wives without the consent of the people's mates, without agreement and unity, and insisting that he share, or even take away wives of others or their mates!"
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Later, Ferguson received prophecies to do a [[sackcloth vigil]] against regular Family members at the group’s [[Poorboy Club]] in Rome, [[Italy]], so he and a group of followers protested against Family band "Uncle Dave’s Fish Camp" and the "[[worldly]]" music they played to attract [[disciple]]s. Ferguson’s vigil caused a major division between him and the leaders of The Family in Italy at the time, Silas and [[Timothy Concerned]].
  
Mother's Team operated in [[Italy]], [[Malta]], [[Tunisia]] & [[Libya]]. Against Berg's orders, and against the wishes of Colonel Muammar Qaddafi, Miller and Ferguson insisted on having a permanent base in [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]]. Berg complained, "Stephen even had the nerve to ask Godahfi if he could live in his house with him so he could go to the University and study Arabic!"
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By [[1976]], Ferguson, Jane Miller and their team had begun to pioneer [[Tunisia]]. Ferguson began his own news magazine called "The Land of Not Too Much." He published and preached to Family members to drop out of the ''Chain'' in order to be free to [[pioneer]] new countries, especially in North Africa. Because of their special status, at the time there were no [[Mo Letters]] from Berg to Family members warning about them. As a result, many followers were recruited and [[border base home]]s were established in [[Malta]], [[Italy]], [[Switzerland]] and [[France]]. These communities were free from the lit quotas that existed in other Family Homes.
  
Some time later, Ferguson left the Family. Berg stated of his departure, "Stephen grew only grew worse, until both he & Eve departed from us!—May God help you to be warned by their horrible disobedient example!"
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By this time Jane Miller began telling of prophecies that Ferguson would become Berg’s successor. He even began to imitate Berg, wearing a cape and carrying a cane like he had seen Berg do in Tenerife (''False Prophets'' <small>(ML 1552:26-27, 27, 67, 106; 1979-01-25)</small>). In the group's early days, Berg had considered Ferguson a prophet (stating in 1973, "I know that Stephen's a prophet"), but now Berg declared that Ferguson was a deceived false prophet and that Miller had him wrapped around her finger.  Berg began to refer to him as "Stephen Eve" instead of "Stephen David."
  
Ferguson currently resides in Texas where he & Adria have several children and are known as the "Star Family" in their Bible-based "Star Family Show".
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Mother’s Team had operated in Malta, Tunisia and Libya. Then, against Berg’s orders, and against the wishes of colonel Muammar Qaddafi, Ferguson and Miller insisted on having a permanent base in Tripoli. Berg complained, "Stephen even had the nerve to ask Godahfi if he could live in his house with him so he could go to the University and study Arabic!"
  
[[Category:Current and Former Members]][[Category:Leaders]]
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Berg later published a Mo Letter titled "The Division", in which he claimed that Ferguson and Miller were part of a prophesied division in The Family’s ranks. Berg stated: "Stephen has had such a hard self-righteous attitude toward some people that he’s even gotten into actual physical violence with some and threatened it with others ... threatening to break into homes to demand housing." Berg also complained about "Stephen’s wild sexual forays on other people’s wives without the consent of the people’s mates, without agreement and unity, and insisting that he share, or even take away wives of others or their mates!"
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As time went on, Ferguson and Miller's followers began to defect and rejoin regular Family [[home]]s. Some time later, the two drifted away from the Family. Berg claimed, "Stephen only grew worse, until both he and Eve departed from us!—May God help you to be warned by their horrible disobedient example!" It’s unclear, however, whether this meant they had in fact left The Family altogether at that time.
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Shortly thereafter, Miller and Ferguson returned to the [[United States]]. Though no longer members of The Family today, they have remained generally positive toward the group.
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Stephen Ferguson currently resides in Texas, together with his wife Adria. They and their children are known as the Star Family in their Bible-based television show.
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[[Category:Current and Former Members]][[Category:Leaders]][[Category:Music Artists]]
 
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Revision as of 03:52, 11 December 2005

Stephen Bruce Ferguson (left), from a 1977 article by the Associated Press

Stephen Bruce Ferguson (aka Stephen David), a US citizen, was a longtime member of the Children of God/Family International. He joined in 1969, when the group first formed. In the 1998 documentary The Love Prophet and the Children of God by DLI Productions (see the video archives), the narrator describes Ferguson thus: “In 1969, Stephen Ferguson is an acid-head going nowhere. Then Berg and his entourage, who now call themselves Children of God, come to town.” Ferguson converted and joined.

Within two years, Ferguson married into the family of David Berg, the leader and "prophet" of the cult. Berg had taken Karen Zerby on as a second wife, and not long after, Berg and his first wife, Jane Miller (aka Mother Eve), separated. Ferguson soon became mated to Jane Miller, and though it was an at-times odd relationship, marrying into the Royal Family entitled Ferguson to use "David" (from Berg's pseudonym Moses David) as his Biblical surname (see: Bible name) and afforded him special privileges.

In the early 70’s, Berg put a team together known as the "Fearsome Foursome", consisting of Ferguson, Jane Miller, Paul Berg (aka Aaron) and Judy Helmstetler (aka Shulamite). Together they travelled visiting the group's various colonies. Paul Berg and Ferguson were both musicians/inspirational leaders, and after Paul Berg died in 1973, Ferguson came more into his own as a charismatic leader and "prophet." His devotion to the "music of the Spirit" (as defined by Berg in Sock It To Me!–That's the Spirit! (GP 32) and Inspired and Uninspired Songs (ML 92)), led Ferguson to declare himself a guardian of the Family’s musical heritage (see: Category:Family Music and Audio).

Stephen Ferguson professed great love and loyalty for Berg, who in turn trusted him as a faithful messenger. After Karen Zerby’s son, Davidito, was born, Berg summoned his ex-wife, Jane Miller, to Tenerife to help with childcare, with Ferguson accompanying her. It was there, however, that he first ran afoul of Berg (see: Rebuke to Stephen! (DO 1448, 1975-04-12)).

With The New Revolution (beginning February 18, 1975), Berg instituted a leadership structure called the Chain of Cooperation, commonly called The Chain (see the "New Revolution" series (ML 328A – 332B)). Jane Miller and Stephen Ferguson, however, used their Royal Family status to keep out of the chain of command and begin a group called "Mother’s Team." By this time, both Miller and Ferguson had mated other group members, though they maintained a sexual relationship.

Later, Ferguson received prophecies to do a sackcloth vigil against regular Family members at the group’s Poorboy Club in Rome, Italy, so he and a group of followers protested against Family band "Uncle Dave’s Fish Camp" and the "worldly" music they played to attract disciples. Ferguson’s vigil caused a major division between him and the leaders of The Family in Italy at the time, Silas and Timothy Concerned.

By 1976, Ferguson, Jane Miller and their team had begun to pioneer Tunisia. Ferguson began his own news magazine called "The Land of Not Too Much." He published and preached to Family members to drop out of the Chain in order to be free to pioneer new countries, especially in North Africa. Because of their special status, at the time there were no Mo Letters from Berg to Family members warning about them. As a result, many followers were recruited and border base homes were established in Malta, Italy, Switzerland and France. These communities were free from the lit quotas that existed in other Family Homes.

By this time Jane Miller began telling of prophecies that Ferguson would become Berg’s successor. He even began to imitate Berg, wearing a cape and carrying a cane like he had seen Berg do in Tenerife (False Prophets (ML 1552:26-27, 27, 67, 106; 1979-01-25)). In the group's early days, Berg had considered Ferguson a prophet (stating in 1973, "I know that Stephen's a prophet"), but now Berg declared that Ferguson was a deceived false prophet and that Miller had him wrapped around her finger. Berg began to refer to him as "Stephen Eve" instead of "Stephen David."

Mother’s Team had operated in Malta, Tunisia and Libya. Then, against Berg’s orders, and against the wishes of colonel Muammar Qaddafi, Ferguson and Miller insisted on having a permanent base in Tripoli. Berg complained, "Stephen even had the nerve to ask Godahfi if he could live in his house with him so he could go to the University and study Arabic!"

Berg later published a Mo Letter titled "The Division", in which he claimed that Ferguson and Miller were part of a prophesied division in The Family’s ranks. Berg stated: "Stephen has had such a hard self-righteous attitude toward some people that he’s even gotten into actual physical violence with some and threatened it with others ... threatening to break into homes to demand housing." Berg also complained about "Stephen’s wild sexual forays on other people’s wives without the consent of the people’s mates, without agreement and unity, and insisting that he share, or even take away wives of others or their mates!"

As time went on, Ferguson and Miller's followers began to defect and rejoin regular Family homes. Some time later, the two drifted away from the Family. Berg claimed, "Stephen only grew worse, until both he and Eve departed from us!—May God help you to be warned by their horrible disobedient example!" It’s unclear, however, whether this meant they had in fact left The Family altogether at that time.

Shortly thereafter, Miller and Ferguson returned to the United States. Though no longer members of The Family today, they have remained generally positive toward the group.

Stephen Ferguson currently resides in Texas, together with his wife Adria. They and their children are known as the Star Family in their Bible-based television show.

This article is a "stub". This means it is an incomplete article needing further elaboration.

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