Cultists seen relaxing seaside in Greece

Denver Post/February 12, 1999
By Jim Kirksey

A large contingent from the apocalyptic cult Concerned Christians has been located outside a Greek seaside town near Athens.

At least 30 members of the Denver-based religious group led by former Denverite Kim Miller have turned up living quietly in apartments and villas with scenic views along the Aegean coast and driving expensive cars, 9News has reported.

According to the Associated Press, Greek security officials are investigating reports that members of the cult are in that country, and Greek media reported that followers may have rented apartments and villas in the hillside community of Neo Voutza, near the town of Rafina, which is about 15 miles from Athens.

Authorities have ordered surveillance of the two sites and have worked with immigration officials to try to determine whether members of the group could be in Greece, sources told the AP. Attempts to communicate with members of the cult were unsuccessful.

But 9News aired videotape of cult members in Greece and reported that family members of cultists had recognized their relatives.

Tom Clark, whose daughter Maleen, son-in-law Steve Malesic and at least four grandchildren are with the Miller group, was heartened that he saw at least one of his daughter's brothers-in-law. But he said he was disappointed that he didn't see her, her husband or any of the grandchildren.

"I would certainly like to know the health of my grandchildren and my daughter is good,'' Clark said. He said he also wonders whether the family has grown in the two years since he talked with his daughter.

Clark has mixed feelings about locating some of the cultists. He noted that problems of disastrous proportions occurred with other cults in Jonestown, Guyana, and Waco, Texas, only after the authorities and the press became interested in their situations.

"The fact that they (the Concerned Christians) are now located and are committed financially to being there causes me worry,'' said Clark. "The fact that I know where they're at gives me some comfort.''

His ex-wife, Sherry Clark, didn't see all of the footage but did see what was telecast. She believes she saw three of her son-in-law's brothers. But she didn't take away a sense that her daughter and her family are in Greece.

"It's questionable,'' she said. "I kind of think that wherever Kim Miller is, is where she is.''

Seeing the newscast "gave me a lot of hope, because they're not hidden like they'd like to be. The more things are revealed, the more pressure is put on them,'' she said. "I see it as a good step, a positive thing.'' But she, too, hasn't talked to her daughter in two years.

Last month, Israel deported 14 members to Denver for allegedly plotting violence at holy sites in Jerusalem in an attempt to hasten the apocalypse. The cultists denied any wrongdoing, and no charges were filed by the Jewish state.

That group stayed at Downtown Denver's Holiday Inn for more than three weeks before checking out earlier this month and disappearing. Their whereabouts are still unknown.

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