ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A controversial North Carolina church is in the spotlight again.

• Word of Faith Fellowship was on People Magazine Investigates: Cults.
• The church has been accused of abuse in the past.
• They have responded to allegations publicly on their website. 

Word of Faith Fellowship in Spindale was picked to be featured on the July 8 episode of People Magazine Investigates: Cults.

Word of Faith has gained attention in recent years when abuse claims surfaced from prior congregants.

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The show featured testimonials of former members who chose to leave the church.

Pastor and founder, Jane Whaley, who is now 79, was presented as, not just the leader, but as a sort-of puppet-master for the church and town.

Matthew Fenner, who has publicly accused the church of “blasting”, punching and strangling him for hours after members learned he was gay, was also a primary focus; as was his failed attempts at getting local authorities to press charges against the members he accused of beating him.

The church, which has faced public scrutiny before, has been very public in their responses to various claims, as well as the specific reasons for their beliefs. 

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The show is available to Spectrum customers OnDemand, as well as on ID's website with a Spectrum login.