Cult families see sliver of hope

Denver Post/April 6, 1999
By Kevin Simpson

Relatives of Concerned Christians, followers of self-proclaimed prophet Monte Kim Miller, see a sliver of hope in the news that one member apparently has left the group.

John Bayles reportedly returned to his New Jersey home, and to family, about a month ago and has been in "counseling" since then, according to cult-watcher Mark Roggeman. No details have been released, and family members have not returned phone calls.

But others with relatives still in the group were heartened by the development.

"I don't know details, so I'm just hoping all of them wake up and walk away," said Sherry Clark, whose daughter remains in the group. "(Bayles) was one of the 14 deported to Denver, so he knew Kim Miller's prophesy was not true - they were walking on Denver soil, there was no earthquake."

Miller had prophesied Denver's destruction last fall when he and 80 members of the Concerned Christians disappeared. Fourteen of his disciples were held in Israel, where authorities fears they planned violence to hasten the apocalypse, and later deported.

But after weeks holed up at the downtown Denver Holiday Inn, the 14 slipped out of town.

"I know Kim Miller still has a great deal of control," Clark said. "I'm thrilled he's out, I'm delighted, and I will be praying that he makes full reconciliation with his family. That's my hope and desire for all of them. I'm excited about that.

"Not a day goes by that I don't think about my daughter and pray for her. Not a day. I consider this an answer to my prayer that one boy is out."

Jennifer Cooper, whose father, John Cooper, is believed to be financing much of the group's activity, also has high hopes that others may break away from Miller, who has predicted that he will die in the streets of Jerusalem in December, in fulfillment of biblical prophesy.

But she, too, suspects that Miller's hold over his followers remains powerful.

"It could be the beginning of the whole group being disbanded," Cooper said, "but I don't see that as being the case. I've heard nothing from my father - no e-mails, nothing. I feel as if Miller's still pretty strong over there.

"At least, that's my sense. I hope I'm wrong."

Cathy Davidson, whose sister, Connie Blythe, remains with the group, said she hoped the emergence of one Concerned Christian would begin a "domino effect."

Many of Miller's group are reportedly living in Greece - and Davidson, who lives in Yukon, Okla., has subscribed to an English-language newspaper from Athens so she can scan the pages for even a mention of Concerned Christians.

"I think it's neat he's out," she said of Bayles' return. "I just wish my sister would see the light. It's just so frustrating. Time's running out. Sometimes I wake up really angry, like I want to go over and walk the streets and find her. Other days I figure I'll just leave it to the big guy upstairs."

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