2/1/08 - In the Feb-April 2007 issue of the Free Minds Journal I began telling my story for the first time in 27 years. That issue was entitled, “Surviving My Youth and the Early Bethel Years,” followed by the May-Oct 2007 issue with the installment, “Trouble At Bethel.”

This issue focuses on probably the most important changes in my life, and I call it “My Return to Christianity: The Early Years.” The reason I am late on getting this printed is the overwhelming volume and quantity of experiences that occurred during those years, basically from 1980 to 1993.  I was born in 1952, so it covers my life from the age of 28 to the age of 41.

I feel very privileged to be able to share this ongoing story. Over the years many people have asked why I have never put it in print, but I felt that it was too early. Now, at the age of 55, I think it is time.

A few months ago I began to dwell a lot on the number of old-timers in the ex-Jehovah’s Witness movement that will not be with us a lot longer, due to age and infirmities. Twenty-five years ago I was just beginning to speak in the churches about Jehovah’s Witnesses, and began a ministry that would become well-known among Witnesses and ex-Witnesses, known as Bethel Ministries.  I began to network with many evangelical Christian ministry leaders including Keith and Lori MacGregor and Bill and Joan Cetnar, Jim Penton and Len Chretien, Wilbur Lingle and many more. I had met Raymond Franz (author: Crisis of Conscience) at a wedding outside of Bethel before I left. In the 80s and 90s I had several ministry trips to Australia, Japan and many parts of the United States to lecture about the Witnesses.

Eventually I became good friends with Steven Hassan (author: Combatting Cult Mind Control and Releasing the Bonds) and met the cult experts Margaret Singer, Rick Ross, and many more.

In 1993 we changed our name from Bethel Ministries to Free Minds, Inc. to better identify our goals and to be a separate entity from organized religious institutions. This has been a distinct advantage in reaching the Jehovah’s Witnesses, as they do not favor other religious groups, to say the least!

In 1996 the website www.freeminds.org became operative, and that will be the subject in the next issue. I hope you enjoy the story! Eventually it will be expanded upon and written in book form. May God bless you and keep you!

 Randy