Editing Church of Wells

{{Short description|American religious group}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{confused|text=[[Church in Wales|Church of Wales]]}}
{{Infobox religion
| name                = Church of Wells
| caption_background  =
| image               =Church of Wells (cropped).png
| imagewidth          =
| alt        = 
| caption             = Church building in 2020
| abbreviation        = 
| main_classification = [[New religious movement|New Christian religious movement]]
| orientation         = [[Fundamentalist|Fundamentalist Christian]]
| scripture           = 
| theology            = [[Christian revival|Revivalist]]
| polity              = 
| governance          = 
| structure           =
| leader_title        = 
| leader_name         = Sean Morris, Jake Gardner, Ryan Ringnald
| leader_title1       = 
| leader_name1        = 
| leader_title2       = 
| leader_name2        = 
| fellowships         = 
| associations        = 
| area                = [[Wells, Texas]]
| headquarters        =
| founder             = 
| founded_date        = 2011
| founded_place       = Wells, Texas
| separated_from      = 
| parent              = 
| merger              = 
| absorbed            =
| separations         = 
| merged_into         =
| defunct             =
| hospitals           = 
| nursing_homes       = 
| aid                 = 
| congregations       = 
| members             = 90
| ministers           = 
| missionaries        =
| temples             =
| primary_schools     = 
| secondary_schools   = 
| tax_status          =
| tertiary            = 
| other_names         = ''Church of Arlington''<br>''You Must Be Born Again'' (''YMBBA'') ''Ministries'' (both formerly)
| publications        = 
| website             ={{url|thechurchofwells.com}}
| footnotes           = 
}}

The '''Church of Wells''' (formerly the '''Church of Arlington''', or '''You Must Be Born Again''' ('''YMBBA''') '''Ministries''') is an American religious group <ref name=autogenerated2 /> located in [[Wells, Texas|Wells]], [[Texas]] that some consider to be a [[cult]]. The group is led by Sean Morris, Jacob Gardner, and Ryan Ringnald, former [[Open-air preaching|street preachers]] who are all in their early thirties. It has approximately ninety members,<ref>{{Cite web|last=February 2014 0|first=Sonia Smith|date=2014-01-10|title=Sinners in the Hands|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/sinners-in-the-hands/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Texas Monthly|language=en}}</ref> many being young adults and children. 

In 2004, Morris and Ringnald met as roommates at [[Baylor University]]. Both students met and made friends with Gardner as regulars of [[Antioch International Movement of Churches|Antioch Community Church]] in [[Waco, Texas|Waco]], Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-03-11 |title=The Younger Years of the Church Elders {{!}} Texas Monthly |url=http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/younger-years-church-elders?fullpage=1 |access-date=2024-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311024528/http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/younger-years-church-elders?fullpage=1 |archive-date=March 11, 2014 }}</ref> After attending Antioch Waco for several years, they left and founded the Church of Wells in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Searching for Souls in Wells, Texas |url=https://www.texasobserver.org/searching-for-souls-with-church-of-wells-texas/ |website=The Texas Observer |access-date=January 5, 2020 |date=November 26, 2013}}</ref>

The church and its members have been involved in several controversies such as the delayed reporting of a three-day-old infant's death. Many church members have engaged in disorderly and disruptive behavior, such as disrupting a [[Lakewood Church]] service. Some of their disturbances have led to criminal charges and convictions. They believe this is consistent with biblical [[Persecution of Christians|persecution]]. Accounts of individuals abandoning their families and former way of life, such as Catherine Grove, have led to the idea the group could be an emerging [[cult]]. One man claimed he was kidnapped and drugged by the church; his story aired on the talk show ''[[Dr. Phil (talk show)|Dr. Phil]]''. In addition, one of the church's "side businesses", a [[sawmill]], has faced numerous complaints and citations by the federal [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration]] (OSHA) due to unsafe working conditions and use of [[Child labour|child labor]].

==Beliefs==
The church's general Statement of Faith is near-identical to what is generally taught in [[Protestantism|Protestant Christianity]] within the [[Christian fundamentalism|fundamentalist branch]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement of Faith |url=http://www.thechurchofwells.com/statement-of-faith.html |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=The Church of Wells |language=en}}</ref> Their manifesto, however, distinguishes them from the remainder of Christianity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Manifesto |url=http://www.thechurchofwells.com/our-manifesto.html |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=The Church of Wells |language=en}}</ref> It holds to generally [[Calvinist]] theology (Manifesto I and II; their website prominently shows photos of Calvinist theologians such as [[Charles Spurgeon]], [[John Knox]], and [[Jonathan Edwards (theologian)|Jonathan Edwards]]), and calls for members’ [[Doctrine of separation|separation]] from [[Infidel|unbelievers]], similar to practices in other fundamentalist groups (Manifesto VI).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement of Faith |url=http://www.thechurchofwells.com/statement-of-faith.html |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=The Church of Wells |language=en}}</ref> 

In both its Statement of Faith and Manifesto, the church [[King James Only movement|exclusively uses]] the [[King James Version]] of the [[Bible]].

==Controversies==
In May 2012, a three-day-old infant whose parents were believed to belong to the group died. Instead of seeking medical attention, church members attended the apartment and prayed for the baby for "hours". Members of the [[Cherokee County, Texas|Cherokee County]] Sheriff's Office stated that the baby had died the previous day.<ref>{{cite news |last=Austin |first=Anthony |url=http://www.cbs19.tv/story/18660945/ba |title=Baby's death bringing attention to religious group |publisher=Cbs19.tv |access-date=February 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325161850/http://www.cbs19.tv/story/18660945/ba |archive-date=March 25, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Washington |first=Francesca |url=http://www.ktre.com/story/18659226/babys-death-draws-attention-to-wells-religious-group |title=Baby's death draws attention to Wells religious group |publisher=KTRE.com |date=May 30, 2012 |access-date=February 28, 2014}}</ref> The Sheriff's Office and [[Child Protective Services]] began investigating the incident.<ref>{{cite web |title=Church group explains 15 hour prayer for deceased 3-day-old |url=https://www.kltv.com/story/18699396/memorial-service-audio-sheds-light-on-wells-church-group-beliefs/ |website=kltv.com |date=June 5, 2012 |access-date=January 5, 2020}}</ref>

In July 2013, Catherine Grove, 26, disappeared from her home in [[Arkansas]] with out notice, abandoning her car and belongings, only to resurface weeks later under heavy guard at the Church of Wells. She said that she was not being held against her will, and was only "seeking the Lord."<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|last=Smith |first=Sonia |url=http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/is-the-church-of-wells-a-cult |title=Sinners in the Hands |work=Texas Monthly |date=January 22, 2014 |access-date=February 28, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=Leigha |url=http://www.kltv.com/story/24429745/nacogdoches-authorities-respond-to-911-call-at-church-of-wells-elders-wedding |title=Catherine Grove spotted in public after police respond to 'Churc – KLTV.com-Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, Texas &#124; ETX News |publisher=Kltv.com |access-date=February 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226135139/http://www.kltv.com/story/24429745/nacogdoches-authorities-respond-to-911-call-at-church-of-wells-elders-wedding |archive-date=February 26, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This is consistent with the accounts of several other members who have cut off nearly all contact with their friends and family.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> Based on these incidents, the Church of Wells has often been called an emerging [[cult]].<ref name=autogenerated2 /> On April 2, 2015, Grove called her father, said "I need you in Wells," and hung up the phone. Four hours later, Grove was seen walking down [[U.S. Highway 69]] headed towards [[Lufkin, Texas]]. A few minutes after crossing the [[Angelina County, Texas|Angelina County]] line, she called [[9-1-1]] using a motorist's cell phone. During the call, Grove sounded "frightened" and "confused." Deputies drove Grove to the Angelina County Sheriff's Office in Lufkin. Captain Alton Lenderman of the Angelina County Sheriff's Office described Grove as being "very meek and very afraid to speak." Captain Lenderman stated that he did not press Grove on why she left the church, but did state that she never mentioned wanting to go back. When asked if she was hungry she said that she wished to have a burger and fries from [[Burger King]]. Grove's father was contacted and they were reunited in Lufkin the next day at 1:00&nbsp;am. Grove initially showed intention to leave the church,<ref>{{cite web |title=Catherine Grove Leaves the Church of Wells |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/catherine-grove-leaves-the-church-of-wells/ |website=Texas Monthly |access-date=January 5, 2020 |language=en |date=April 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Osiadacz |first=Alex |url=http://www.ktre.com/story/28713546/breaking-catherine-grove-escapes-church-of-wells |title=Catherine Grove leaves controversial Church of Wells – KTRE.com &#124; Lufkin and Nacogdoches, Texas |publisher=KTRE.com |access-date=July 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721102052/http://www.ktre.com/story/28713546/breaking-catherine-grove-escapes-church-of-wells |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but she returned to the church twelve days later on April 14, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Beames |first=Caleb |url=http://www.kltv.com/story/28813130/catherine-grove-returns-to-wells |title=Catherine Grove returns to Wells – KLTV.com-Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, Texas &#124; ETX News |publisher=Kltv.com |date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=July 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711201725/http://www.kltv.com/story/28813130/catherine-grove-returns-to-wells |archive-date=July 11, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In October 2013, [[Lufkin, Texas|Lufkin]] police received a call that three men were seen approaching [[Lufkin High School]] at 4:50&nbsp;pm. When police arrived, the men were identified by a reporter as members of the Church of Wells. The police issued [[trespass|criminal trespassing]] warnings and the three men were banned from all [[Lufkin Independent School District]] campuses. According to Lufkin ISD spokeswoman Sheila Adams, the incident was "very peaceful."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Progress |first1=Ben TinsleyJacksonville Daily |title=Three alleged Church of Wells members asked to leave Lufkin ISD campus |url=https://www.jacksonvilleprogress.com/news/three-alleged-church-of-wells-members-asked-to-leave-lufkin/article_1edde7a6-e54d-5dc8-a9d2-85599c21f6ed.html |website=Daily Progress Jacksonville, TX |date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=January 4, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
 
In April 2014, Sean Morris and member Taylor Clifton were injured following a physical altercation during the Wells community [[homecoming]] [[parade]]. Witnesses report the two men caused a disturbance by "preaching harshly and screaming 'You're going to hell' to children, parents and parade-goers."<ref name=knbc-injured>{{cite web|url=http://www.ketknbc.com/news/update-church-of-wells-members-injured-following-p |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413131729/http://www.ketknbc.com/news/update-church-of-wells-members-injured-following-p |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 13, 2014 |title=Home &#124; East Texas – Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville &#124; KETK and Fox51 |publisher=Ketknbc.com |access-date=July 1, 2015}}</ref> 

[[File:Lakewoodchurch.jpg|thumb|Lakewood Church where Church of Wells members disrupted a service in 2015.]]
On June 28, 2015, six members of the Church of Wells interrupted a service of [[Lakewood Church]] in [[Houston]], heckling Pastor [[Joel Osteen]] and calling him a liar.<ref name="Lakewood">{{cite web | url=http://abc13.com/religion/video-hecklers-escorted-out-of-joel-osteens-lakewood-church/812485/ | title=Hecklers escorted out of Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in SW Houston | publisher=ABC Inc., KTRK-TV Houston | date=June 28, 2015 | access-date=June 29, 2015}}</ref> In June 2016 four of the members of the Church of Wells involved in the incident were tried and acquitted of [[Breach of peace|disturbing a public meeting]] by a Texas jury.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Joel-Osteen-headed-to-court-8318493.php | title=Men cleared in heckling case at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church | work=Chron.com (Houston Chronicle) | date=June 23, 2016 | access-date=June 23, 2016 | author=Rogers, Brian}}</ref> 
[[File:Downtown Lufkin, TX IMG 3942.JPG|thumb|left|Downtown Lufkin where church members disrupted a Christmas parade in 2015]]

On November 30, 2015, the [[Lufkin, Texas|Lufkin]] Police Department received several calls claiming church member Taylor Clifton and other members were yelling, following people, and interfering with parade floats during the 2015 annual [[Christmas]] parade. They were accused of yelling "He doesn't want you to burn" and "it is an [[Abomination (Bible)|abomination]]." When police arrived, they explained the church could continue to share their message as long as it didn't disrupt the parade. All church members complied except Clifton, who continued to yell, scaring young children and upsetting parents. Police attempted to calm Clifton (as well as the parents and children), but he refused to comply and was arrested. During the incident, one church member was [[assaulted]] by a civilian, but no charges were filed. Clifton was charged with [[disorderly conduct]] and [[Breach of the peace|interfering with an event]]. Judge Derrick Flournoy found Clifton guilty of [[disorderly conduct]] and not guilty of [[Breach of the peace|interfering with an event]]. He posted bond for $1000, was released on December 1, and was fined $100.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beames |first1=Caleb |title=Angelina County judge finds Church of Wells member guilty of disorderly conduct |url=https://www.ktre.com/story/34031082/angelina-county-judge-finds-church-of-wells-member-guilty-of-disorderly-conduct/ |website=ktre.com |date=December 12, 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref>

On December 28, 2015, church members Matthew DeRouville and James Robert MacPherson III were arrested in [[Alto, Texas]] for refusing to leave an auto parts store after telling an unmarried pregnant employee she would go to [[Hell]] if she did not repent. In June 2017, DeRouville and MacPherson were found guilty of [[trespass|criminal trespassing]], sentenced to spend 90 days in jail, and fined $2000; however, they paid their fine within 14 days and spent only 45 days in jail.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mayfield |first1=Whitney |title=Two Church of Wells members given jail sentence, time behind bars reduced |url=https://www.ktre.com/story/35779616/two-church-of-wells-members-given-jail-sentence-time-behind-bars-reduced/ |website=ktre.com |date=June 29, 2017 |access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Arnold">{{Cite news |url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/investigates/arrests-mount-for-members-of-controversial-church |title=Arrests mount for members of controversial church |last=Arnold |first=Robert |date=April 12, 2016 |work=Click2Houston (KPRC Channel 2 television, Houston, TX) |access-date=January 4, 2020}}</ref>

In March 2016, members of the church disrupted a [[Baptist]] church service in [[Saranac Lake, New York]].<ref name="Arnold" />

In October 2016, a young outreach minister named Jordan Reichenberger alleged he was drugged, kidnapped, and [[Indoctrination|indoctrinated]] by church members. He claims to have been approached by two church [[Elder (Christianity)|elders]] in [[downtown Austin]], and he says that he became disoriented after drinking a bottle of water offered by the two. Shortly after, they drove Reichenberger to the church complex in Wells, where he claims that he was habitually drugged and physically held against his will in an effort to brainwash him.<ref name="CP">{{cite web |title=Dr. Phil Exposes 'Cult' That Some Say Is Masking Itself as Christian Church in Wells, Texas |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/dr-phil-exposes-cult-that-some-say-is-masking-itself-as-christian-church-in-wells-texas.html |website=The Christian Post |date=May 3, 2018 |access-date=January 5, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> After five days, his brother Ian tracked Jordan's location down via cellphone and his family travelled to Wells to get him out. Upon arrival, Reichenberger's family had a verbal dispute with church members, and after several hours, were finally able to get him out of the compound. A subsequent hair and blood analysis verified evidence of the drugging.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harper |first=Faith |date=2018-05-01 |title=Austin man chronicles five days with Church of Wells with Dr. Phil |url=https://tylerpaper.com/lifestyle/faith/austin-man-chronicles-five-days-with-church-of-wells-with-dr-phil/article_f8303818-4d77-11e8-b969-ffee9875c41e.html |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=TylerPaper.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-27 |title=Dr. Phil Investigates Controversial Church Accused Of Drugging And Indoctrination - CBS Texas |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/dr-phil-investigates-controversial-church-accused-of-drugging-and-indoctrination/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2018, Reichenberger recounted his story on the talk show ''[[Dr. Phil (talk show)|Dr. Phil]]'' in a two parter of season 16, episodes 144-145.<ref>{{Citation |title=Inside the Church of Wells: One Family's Struggle to Save Their Daughter |date=2018-04-30 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8342544/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |series=Dr. Phil |others=Phil McGraw}}</ref> During the show, local [[Mainline Protestant]] pastor James Maddox discussed his opinion of the church. He believed the camera crew had spotted "[[Sweat lodge|sweat lodges]]" where people were deprived of sleep, water, and nutrition as a form of indoctrination. The parents of Catherine Grove also appeared and discussed their story on the show.<ref name="CP"/>

In June 2022 [[Texas Monthly]] reported that one of the church's side businesses, a [[sawmill]], was responsible for 25% of all reported sawmill accidents in the entire state, along with allegations of [[Child labour|child labor]] law violations and unreported accidents.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/church-of-wells-sawmill/ | title=A Fundamentalist East Texas Church Bought a Sawmill. Injuries and Child Labor Violations Began to Pile up | date=March 28, 2022 }}</ref> The sawmill would later be cited by [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration|OSHA]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/church-of-wells-sawmill-inspection/ | title=More Trouble at the 'Lord's Mill' | date=December 28, 2022 }}</ref> In addition the sawmill's purported owner was sued by [[Green Mountain Energy]] for over $16,000 in unpaid electric bills.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thechurchofwells.org/16000-in-unpaid-electricity-leads-to-lawsuit-against-church-of-wells-sawmill-custom-cut-lumber/ | title=$16,000 in unpaid electricity leads to lawsuit against Church of Wells sawmill - Custom Cut Lumber - | date=May 12, 2022 }}</ref>

In May-June 2025, the Church of Wells led a protest against the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2025 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage - Drexel Route |url=https://www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org}}</ref> a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] event held in multiple sites across the United States. The Pilgrimage has groups of several young adult Catholics carry the [[Eucharist|Holy Eucharist]], which is the [[Transubstantiation|consecrated]] [[Sacramental bread|Host]] believed to have the [[Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist|true and real presence]] [[Jesus Christ]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Eucharist {{!}} USCCB |url=https://www.usccb.org/eucharist |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=www.usccb.org |language=en}}</ref> The pilgrimage began in [[Indianapolis|Indianapolis, Indiana]], and stopping at Catholic [[Cathedral|cathedrals]] and churches in ten states for [[Eucharistic adoration|adoration]] of the Blessed Sacrament,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zentner |first=Sarah |date=2024-03-18 |title=A Beginner’s Guide to Eucharistic Adoration |url=https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/a-beginners-guide-to-eucharistic-adoration |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Busted Halo |language=en}}</ref> [[Mass (liturgy)|Masses]], and completing the [[Works of Mercy]]. The Church of Wells followed the event route, protesting with megaphones and engaging in [[Anti-Catholicism|anti-Catholic]] street evangelization, as well as disrupting attendees’ prayers; this attracted additional anti-Catholics from outside their group. Participating Catholics did not engage church members,  continuing the event and growing their numbers while praying for Christian unity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-03 |title=National pilgrimage leaders urge large procession turnouts to counter anti-Catholic protesters |url=https://catholicreview.org/national-pilgrimage-leaders-urge-large-procession-turnouts-to-counter-anti-catholic-protesters/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Catholic Review |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Figge |first1=Jack |title=‘The monstrance is a monstrosity!’ - NEC pilgrims face protestors |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-monstrance-is-a-monstrosity-nec |access-date=9 June 2025 |work=The Pillar |date=5 June 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The Church of Wells soon began harassing individuals by name, leading to event organizers tightening security.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Figge |first1=Jack |title=Protest prompts perpetual pilgrims' pull from procession |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/protest-prompts-perpetual-pilgrims |access-date=10 June 2025 |work=The Pillar |date=7 June 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.thechurchofwells.com/ Church of Wells website]
* ABC Nightline Prime special on the Church of Wells: [https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/church-wells-tracking-controversial-religious-group-23210454 Part 1] [https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/church-wells-worry-motivations-23210504 2] [https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/church-wells-confronting-elders-23210553 3]
* Theological Arguments Against the Church of Wells: [http://www.thechurchofwells.org 1] [http://carm.org/church-of-wells 2] [http://strivingforeternity.org/questions-church-wells/ 3] [http://www.crossencounters.us/2014/04/will-elders-of-church-of-wells-answer.html 4] [http://libertyforcaptives.com/2014/04/07/does-the-church-of-wells-teach-a-false-gospel/ 5]
* [http://www.contendingfortruth.com/?tag=church-of-wells Four-part podcast series on the COW by Dr. Scott Johnson]
* [http://www.texasmonthly.com/daily-post/catherine-grove-leaves-church-wells Texas Monthly]
* [http://www.thechurchofwells.org/ Discerning the Church of Wells]

{{coord|31.49216|-94.94989|type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-TX|display=title}}

[[Category:Churches in Cherokee County, Texas]]
[[Category:Christian fundamentalism in the United States]]
[[Category:Christian denominations founded in the United States]]