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Sunday, September 8, 2013

In an area considered to be part of the Bible Belt, 
many of the citizens of east Texas have come to realize that the beliefs, practices, and doctrine of The Church of Wells are extreme and dangerous.  


The Church of Wells vs The Family

Local news media began following the story of Catherine Grove, daughter of Andy and Patty Grove of Fayetteville, Arkansas in late August.

Continuing Coverage Church of Wells Controversy
Arkansas family fears for 26-year-old daughter who quit college, moved to Wells to join religious group
26-year-old disappears from home, parents find her at 'The Church of Wells'
Daughter's involvement in controversial religious group concerns family
Confrontation between parents, Wells church leads to community meeting
Town hall meeting focuses on 'Church of Wells'
Wells meeting about Catherine Grove gets heated

News media coverage along with information shared via social media revealed that Catherine Grove is not the first person to be told that they must sever familial ties after joining the Church of Wells.

Ryan Ringnald, one of the elders of the church no longer communicates with his family.
Part 1 of statement from Ryan Ringnald's father

Part 2 of statement from Ryan Ringnald's father

Statement from Ryan Ringnald's mother



Miranda Corriz also severed ties after joining.
Statement from Miranda Corriz's mother







































Along with Justin Southworth
Statement from Justin Southworth's mother




The church 
The doctrine and statement of faith include the church manifesto.  The "Doctrine of Judgment" written by Sean Morris, specifically "Familial Judgment & Familial Idolatry," is the basis on which the church defends its destruction of ties between a member and the member's family and friends.  In this "Judgment" Morris uses various Bible scriptures which he interprets and then twists to fit his own agenda.  That agenda is to separate members of the church from not only their own loved ones, but from all outsiders.  


Morris then goes on to add 5 scenarios of familial judgment along with his own the "severity" and "consequences" of those judgments.  It it with great reluctance that I will include a link to the website of the church which refers to these judgments. 

http://www.thechurchofwells.com/judgment-6.html
http://www.thechurchofwells.com/judgment-10.html

The Elders
The Church of Wells, originally called The Church of Arlington due to its location in Arlington, Texas, is led by founding members, Sean Morris, Ryan Ringnald, and Jacob (Jake) Gardner. Referred to as "The Texas Boys" by fellow open-air evangelists, they are affiliated with the organization YMBBA-"You Must Be Born Again" Ministries and are now the self-appointed "elders" of the church.


(Left to right)
Sean Morris
Ryan Ringnald
Jacob Gardner







Photo Credit Andy Adams



The trio has traveled across the U.S., typically focusing their evangelizing, which some would refer to as recruiting, on college campuses including stops at The University of North Texas, Texas A&M University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, The University of Arizona, The University of Las Vegas, San Francisco State University, Baylor University, The University of Minnesota.












Please note that this blog is a work in progress. Every effort will be made to ensure all information is factual and true. Minor details may be edited if further research indicates the need.










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