The Living Word Fellowship
 A map of Living Word centres worldwide. | |
| Formation | 1951 |
|---|---|
| Type | Religious and Commercial |
Founder and Guru | John Robert Stevens |
The Living Word Fellowship is a group of nondenominational Christian churches located in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico,[1] often described as a new religious movement or cult.[2] The group was founded in South Gate, California, by John Robert Stevens in 1951.[3] It has been known in the past informally as "The Walk" or "This Walk", reflecting the view that every Christian should have a personal walk with Jesus Christ.[3]
At its peak in the 1970s, the fellowship had about 100 member congregations. It was based at Shiloh, a farm and retreat site near Washington, Iowa. Membership declined after founder Stevens' death in 1983.[2]
Anthony Cox's 1985 documentary film Vain Glory deals with his experiences as a member of "The Walk."[2] Cox, who was involved in the group from 1971 to 1977, described the Church of the Living Word as "a pseudo-Christian cult" and said that John Robert Stevens prayed for the deaths of several U.S. political leaders and practiced a form of mind control and hypnotism with the church's followers.[4]
References
- ^ Churches in The Living Word Fellowship, Living Word Fellowship website
- ^ a b c Another Gospel: Cults, Alternative Religions, and the New Age Movement by Ruth A. Tucker, Zondervan, 2004, ISBN 0-310-25937-1, pages 360–362
- ^ a b A Brief History of the Living Word Fellowship, Living Word Fellowship website
- ^ Jim Calio, Yoko Ono's Ex-Husband, Tony Cox, Reveals His Strange Life Since Fleeing with Their Daughter 14 Years Ago, People magazine, February 3, 1986