"God was pricking my conscience to get out"

April 2001
By a former member of the Geftakys Assembly

I want to share what I went through when I tried to leave the George Geftakys Assembly. I was involved in one of the Assemblies in California.

I had been involved with the Assembly since my conversion experience. I was eighteen years old and fresh out of my parent's house. I did not know any other "church" but the Assembly. This was where I was saved, and it was where I stayed for the next eight and a half years.

I knew from the beginning that something was off about this group. I noticed first off the way that the women were treated. They were not allowed to teach. In fact, they were not able to talk at all during the meetings. I found this rather odd, but because I was a "babe in Christ", I figured that the leaders knew the bible better than me. The women also wear veils on their heads (1 Corinthians 11). Also, it was the women who had to take the screaming babies in and out of the meeting. They were not allowed to work, but stayed home to take care of children. Although I found these practices rather odd, I continued to be involved in the group.

From the beginning, it was made clear to me who the leading brothers were, and that they were in charge. You did not question a leading brother. They were God's special, anointed mouth-piece. If I ever had to make a decision, even minor decisions, I had to talk to them first (i.e. if I were really spiritual). Especially George's oldest son. Although he rarely came to the meetings, when he did, it was made clear that he was the "Head Honcho". His messages were often long and drawn out, and I remember having to take little breaks in the rest room when he preached, for fear of falling asleep! He could easily preach for two hours at any given time. When asked what one got out of his preaching, many would just shrug their shoulders.

I was also troubled by some of the preaching I heard. I heard that:

1. Not all believers are part of the body of Christ.

2. It is sinful for a woman to leave her husband, even if she is being beaten.

3. All other churches are worldly and compromised, and they lack in "Heavenly vision."

4. People who leave the Assembly are miserable.

5. Christian rock music can have some demonic force behind it.

6. Women should not wear pierced earrings.

Like most people, I had a desire to get married. I was constantly told that I needed to "work on my issues" before any man would be interested in me. I was labeled as having a "critical eye" towards others, and that I complained all the time. So, I worked hard at changing such things about myself, but I still could not overcome these issues. Year after year went by, and I was still unmarried. There was one brother who was romantically interested in me, but he held back because I did not "overcome" my issues. I spent the next six years of my life praying the "selfer's prayer" and working on "flags charts" to change myself. It never worked. So, I never wed. I just helped serve at everyone else's weddings!

While in the assembly I lived in two homes called "sister's training houses." I wound up being kicked out of both due to my "bad attitude." The second home in particular was a real nightmare. The head steward there and George's older son controlled exactly how the sisters were to be trained. I actually was required to pay a deposit (equal to one month's expenses).

Because I was also labeled "lazy," I was given more chores to do than anyone else. I worked more than 40 hours a week and some days after 11 hours working two jobs I came home write menus and shopping lists, water plants, sweep the porches, clean bathrooms and bedrooms, hose out garbage cans and cook! I was also expected to go to ALL assembly meetings, outreaches, workshops, etc.

Who wouldn't have a "bad attitude" under such circumstances.

One night I decided not to go to outreach. I was tired and wanted to go to bed early. But my steward quickly reminded me that this assembly activity was required. I explained that I was exhausted. But she threatened me and forced me to go. Ironically, she didn't attend that outreach herself. Over this I was accused again of having a "bad attitude" and told I did not want to serve the Lord! Next they told me to leave the home!

When a Christian gets involved in fringe groups like this your goal is to one day be considered a "servant of God," become a "worker" or a "leading brother." Imagine how it felt to be told they didn't want me to serve the Lord! I moved out feeling dejected. To this day those words of condemnation still ring in my ears.

After years of involvement with the Assembly, I began to sense that something was wrong with the group. When I tried to talk to the leading brothers about it, they told me that I was "in the flesh," that I needed to repent of my unbelief, and that I should plunge into the bible and service. So, being that they were my spiritual leaders (and God's representatives), I listened to them and did what they said. For years, I followed this path: going to all the meetings (and there were many), going to all the outreaches, driving my health into the ground to "serve the Lord," or so I thought at the time. I now realize that I was simply serving the GROUP and not the Lord!

After my eighth year of involvement, I knew I had to get out--fast! I again confided in one of the leading brothers. And I was accused of being a "complainer," a "whiner" and that I did not know what God wanted for me. I was labeled a "reviler". I was told that it would be SINFUL for me to leave the Assembly. The Leading Brother then prayed for me and walked away in a huff! I was shocked! I did not know what to do. Now, my battle was with God? According to the leader, to leave would cause me to sin before Almighty God. But, in my heart, I knew that to stay would cause me to sin! I believe now that God was pricking my conscience to get out of that group.

On a prayer meeting night, I skipped the meeting, then e-mailed the leader. I told him that I was leaving.

My life has changed dramatically since I made that decision. It took me awhile to get out of the "Assembly mode." I now pray that my friends somehow left in the group too and had their eyes opened to the reality regarding such group involvement. A born-again believer has not experienced true freedom until they are "free in Christ."