COG movement 1971-1978

I was surprised to recently learn that the COG still exists (even if by a different name), and deeply saddened to learn of the many horrors those born into it have experienced. After reading a few 'histories' of the COG, I noticed that there seem to be some broad strokes and gaps.

I'm not sure if this is the best place for this, but I'd like to add some detail to the COG history from 1971 - 1978 while keeping the names of my family members out of the record.

My mom joined the COG during her first year at Michigan State University in 1971 while on a full ride academic scholarship. The charismatic leader of the group persuaded most new members of the COG to drop out of college in early 1972 to evangelize the world for Jesus. My biological father joined the group on one of its first stops, attracted to the communal living that same year. I was born into the COG in Syracuse NY in late 1973.

Between then and 1976, the COG traveled to Pasadena CA, Seattle WA, then onto Edmonton Alberta in Canada where my brother was born into the COG. Each member had their job ... workers, beggars, cleaners, cooks, and evangelizers. Clothing was kept in a communal closet with all garments shared among COG members. The COG didn't acquire many possessions. They traveled light and didn't stay in any one place for very long. I don't know all of their stops from 1972 - 1978, only the few I listed.

My mom joined the group as an idealist, bent on changing the world for God. She loved Jesus and his Word. For the most part, the COG practiced true Christianity ... pure love of God and others. Sacrifice of worldly belongings had been part of the COG teachings from the start.

But, by 1976 my mom had grown skeptical of the cult leader's manipulation of the Bible, and his unquestioned authority. The once good teachings surrounding love and sacrifice had morphed into relinquishing your right to exclusive sex with your spouse. My mom was told that she needed to prove that her husband wasn't an 'idol' to her ... by allowing him to have sex with other women and for her to allow other men to have sex with her. That's when she began looking for an exit strategy.

Pregnant with my sister, a smart woman with no college degree, two young boys in tow, and a husband with no degree or ambition to work, she got our immediate family out of the COG in 1977. I have only a few brief memories from that time, as I was only 5 yrs old. My biological father took refuge in alcohol and girlfriends. My mom stayed with him until his words and actions grew so disturbing that she feared for our lives.

My mom escaped, moving back in with her parents. We lived with them for the next few years until my mom figured out how to support 3 kids with government assistance. She gradually improved our situation through hard work, education, and child care via grandparents & church programs. Her devotion to God wasn't shaken despite her unsettling experience within the COG. My biological father eventually granted her a divorce ... something he was withholding despite being absent (we had no idea where he was) for years. A few years after being granted a divorce, my mom married a man she met at church when I was 11. He adopted me and my two siblings, and we are blessed to have him in our lives.

We did move a few times as my mom was trying to make our lives better. No matter where we lived, she made it a priority to find a church that taught the Bible as the ultimate authority. She personally read with us from the Bible and prayed with us daily. I'm grateful that she listened to the Holy Spirit when COG teachings didn't ring true, and that she had the courage to leave despite having no money or possessions to her name.