How Northern Michigan became the center of two controversial documentaries
Art Bukowski February 10, 2024
America has long had a deep interest in cults and heretical religious sects. I wonder how these groups can muster so much power and influence. We see people (sometimes people we know and love) become victims of a powerful combination of their own deep desires for control and belonging. We binge-watch television series that explore the inner workings of these groups.
And while most of these groups seem far away to northern Michigan residents, two local groups accused of cult-like patterns have made national headlines in recent months. This is partly due to the documentaries that have put them in the spotlight.
northern express We look at these groups and their impact on the community as a whole.
Twin Flames Universe (Twin Flame Escape Theme)
By November of last year, all anyone in Traverse City and Leelanau County seemed to want to discuss was: Escape from Twin Flame, a show that has skyrocketed to the top of Netflix's service. The three-part documentary focused on what several people interviewed for the program described as the cult-like practice of the “Twin Flame Universe.”
Twin Flames Universe is an online community committed to its members finding true love in the form of a unique soul connection. Founded by Jeff and Shaleia Ayan (often called Divine rather than Ayan; Shaleia's birth name was Megan Plante), the company currently makes its home in his M-22 subdivision in Leelanau County.
The series explores how the Ayans claim to have a direct connection to God and can tell if another person has found their “twin flame.” It explains in detail about the species. Former members claim that Ayyan collected millions of dollars from supporters to fund a lavish lifestyle at the emotional cost of many current and former members.
The Aya couple has not been available for comment on the matter, but they have repeatedly defended themselves on social media.
“The allegations against Twin Flames Universe not only distort our true purpose, methods, and curriculum, they also distort the autonomy of our community members, who are free to participate in our resources,” they wrote on Facebook. In a post he wrote: Netflix shows have skyrocketed in popularity.
Despite all the media attention surrounding the couple's cheating allegations, the couple shows no signs of riding off into the sunset. They're promoting a Twin Flame Universe “Spiritual Life Summit” to be held in Traverse City in June, sparking a new social media firestorm.
In fact, the local conversation becomes more and more exciting. Traverse City's own National Writers Series will hold an event titled “Twin Flames: Burned!” on Thursday, February 22nd at the City Opera House. Survivor and cult expert speaks out. ” The event featured twin flame universe survivor Keeley Griffin and cult expert Dr. Janja Lalić, both of whom were featured in a Netflix documentary.
Grace Baptist Church (Let Us Prey target)
Perhaps “insidious” is the best word to describe the past events at Grace Baptist Church and School in Gaylord (which has since closed). Several former members claim that sexual abuse was rampant within the organization and that there was an attempt to cover it up.
Like Twin Flames, Gaylord's situation gained attention and notoriety last fall following a popular documentary series. Let's take the bait: Ministry of Scandal It aired on Investigation Discovery (part of Warner Bros.) and HBO's Max. The same company, Good Caper Content, produced both. Let's prey on it and Escape from Twin Flame.
This series explores several Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) churches and schools, including one in Gaylord. IFB's doctrine strictly adheres to the King James Version of the Bible, generally opposes the “secularity” of other churches, and supports anti-LGBTQ+ teachings. In 2018, Fort Worth Star Telegram released a report identifying 412 allegations of abuse at 187 IFB churches and facilities in 40 states and Canada, some dating back to the 1970s.
A similar tragedy occurred locally. Multiple Grace Baptist Church employees have been criminally charged with sexually abusing young women after several women came forward and a police investigation began. Aaron Willand, who worked at the school from 2001 to 2003, is currently in prison for abusing girls aged 12 and 14 at the time. Another former teacher, David Beckner, is also in prison for abusing students. Clark Martin, a former parishioner and volunteer bus driver, was also convicted of criminal sexual conduct against a former Grace Baptist student.
research by Petoskey News Review We have further identified several former Grace staff members who continued to face sexual assault-related allegations and criminal charges in other jurisdictions after leaving Grace Baptist.
In addition to the abuse itself, victims and others involved in the situation allege that church leadership ignored or tried to cover up the abuse for years. Current pastor Derek Haglund served as assistant pastor for approximately 20 years before assuming the role of supreme leader in 2020. Former pastor John Jenkins resigned and moved in 2019 after his sexual abuse scandal first came to public attention.
Haglund did not respond to emails or phone calls seeking comment for this story.
keep moving forward and watching
Brianna Monroe was one of Becker's victims at Grace. She and other survivors have banded together to form the Blind Eye Movement, an organization dedicated to serving as a “safe haven for those affected by abuse in religious settings.”
“We want people to know that they are worth fighting for and that their stories are worth telling,” Monroe says. “We want to spread a message that is the opposite of what we were taught as children, which is that if you don't keep quiet, you need to feel ashamed and guilty about everything. .”
Although Grace Baptist was not a cult in the traditional sense, many people who survived their experiences there did escape from the cult, including painful isolation and a lack of direction on what to do next. Monroe says she faces the same obstacles as others. The Blind Eye movement (named after the leader who allegedly ignored ongoing abuse) works every day to bring these people in and help them begin healing.
“A lot of people who come out of cult places don't know where to go for help,” Monroe says. “I always thought we were alone.”
Michigan State Police, which investigated the Grace Baptist incident, said there was no active investigation into the church but urged anyone affected by the incident at the church or elsewhere to contact them. But that's not complete consolation for members of the Blind Eye movement. After documenting two decades of abusive behavior, they plan to keep the church in the public eye to deter future violations.
“We're scared that things could still be happening,” Monroe says. “Honestly, I feel like they need the spotlight, to keep them on guard so nothing else happens…because who's to say they've changed?”
When it comes to Twin Flames, the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office is very aware of their existence. However, despite the negative attention the group has received, authorities have yet to be given reason to open a criminal investigation.
“I have received at least 100 phone calls, emails, and verbal complaints regarding Twin Flames. [those people] What is going on that they consider illegal? And they say it's all wrong and needs to be investigated, but no one can come up with an actual crime,” said Sheriff Mike Borkovich. “We need facts and evidence, and if people have it, we want to take a serious look at it and investigate it.”
“We could all be that person.”
You may wonder why people get trapped and can't get out, especially in groups like Twin Flames. But Lisa Blackford urges you to realize that it can happen to anyone, and perhaps more easily than you expect.
“We tend to think of 'those people' who are vulnerable to these kinds of cults and ideologies, but in reality, we are all susceptible to what is being promised,” says North. said Blackford, a longtime psychology professor at Western Michigan University. . “We feel that people who give in must be easily brainwashed, but depending on the circumstances of our lives, anyone can fall into that category. We all become that person. There is a possibility.”
Blackford says the seeds are easy to plant. People naturally seek a sense of belonging and connection (especially if they're lonely), and groups like cults provide that. And once you're in the door, it's easy to get drawn further in.
“It always starts out good. It's like a domestic violence relationship, I can't imagine a relationship that starts out violent,” Blackford says. “It's very slow and usually starts with fulfilling the need to feel needed, to feel appreciated, to feel respected.”
Of course, there are enough warning signs.
“If someone isolates you from your community, your loved ones, your friends, or tells you not to contact anyone outside of our group, that's dangerous,” Blackford said. says. “And when there is little freedom of thought or the ability to question or debate ideas, demanding unquestioned authority are all big red flags.”
If a loved one shows up at a bath with one of these groups, the best thing you can do is stay connected to them as much as possible and “keep the door open,” Blackford said. says.
Leelanau's Borkovich said anyone who is asked to spend money with any group needs to be more aware of potential scams. He hopes that those seeking a sense of belonging can find it in one or more of the many civic and social organizations active in our region, rather than in dubious organizations. is.
“We have a lot of good organizations, like the Elks Club and Lions Club, Rotary and Masons. We also have school organizations, sports, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts,” he says. “There's a lot of work to do socially.”
