Released by "You Must Be Born Again" Ministries:
To whom it may concern,
We are not ignorant of the slander of many, nor are we desirous to answer all of the accusations which have been cast in our teeth, adding sorrow to sorrow. Nevertheless, we thought it expedient to inform all of the earnest desire which we (here at the church of Wells) have to walk in the light and do the truth. We have done nothing "in a corner", but have sought to do all things openly, for, "he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God" (Jn. 3:21). We have nothing to hide, and yet we did not (neither do we plan to) make a statement to our earnest inquirers (the news reporters)… We find it inconsistent with holiness to thus join hands with backbiters and talebearers in their fabulous tales. Thus have we refrained our feet from this way, and have declined open communication with such reporters.
We desire the sermon preached at the memorial service of Faith Shalom Pursley to suffice as a response to the many reports given (public and private). This sermon was preached to the purpose to answer the questions surrounding the the death of Faith, and various beliefs of the church which have been deemed (by the general public) everything but moderate. This is our humble stance upon these matters. There are specific allegations that were made concerning Kristin Pursley (who was saved earlier this year at the church), the mother of Faith, which are answered directly in this sermon.
A more extensive post to come shortly, Lord permitting.
(Any further questions concerning these matters may be submitted to the author of this post, Jake Gardner, at the contact given on that page).
For Peace,
Ryan Ringnald, Sean Morris, Jake Gardner
To listen to audio...click here.
WELLS (KYTX) - We're learning more about the East Texas parents who reportedly prayed over their dying baby instead of calling 911.
The parents of the baby girl, who they named Faith, said the baby appeared to have respiratory problems before she died.
The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office received a call Sunday around 4am.
It was from the baby's father at the Wells Manor Apartments on Wright Patman Drive. Wells is a small town between Alto and Lufkin.
The father of the child said his daughter had been dead since Saturday afternoon. But he and 20 more people had been praying over her body.
When deputies arrived, the baby was bright red at the top of her body and dark and purple at the bottom.
Deputies said the baby was in a bassinet in the corner covered with a blanket.
CBS 19 knocked at the door of the Wells Manor apartment where this all happened. No one answered.
But soon neighbors were rushing to tell us about the people who lived inside.
"They have their heads dropped, they usually have a bible or a backpack on their shoulder," said Teresa James.
Teresa James lives near the family and said she didn't know the mother was pregnant. She could hear people inside the apartment praying over the weekend.
"For about three hours they had a constant hum coming out of the apartment. A lot of different members walking to and from the apartment and of course we didn't know what had happened," said James.
She said the family is extremely religious often knocking on their doors at all times of the day. They would tell them they needed to be saved from the sins of this world.
"They walked in and they turned my Dad's television off. They told him they needed to talk and they don't even know my dad. I think that's really bold," added James.
The sheriff's report said at the time of the baby's death the father told investigators he had delivered his daughter by himself. He reportedly said the baby would not drink milk from the mother's breast. He fed the baby girl breast milk with a dropper.
The report said when the baby started having health problems he asked members of his religious group to come and pray.
The sheriff's report said when they arrived, the people with the group would only tell them their names were "Christian."
"There were several church members. I believe they came out of the Dallas area," said Cpt. John Raffield, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.
People in the community said something needs to be done immediately about the child's death.
"I just believe what they did was wrong cause that baby may have had a chance to live," said Kristy Toburen.
"I was angry. You just can't let things like that happen in your community and let it go unnoticed," added James.
The sheriff's office is not releasing the names of the people involved. No arrest or charges have been made at this time.
Charges are possible in the future.
Child Protective Services was called out to investigate, because the parents have other young children. No word if those children are in CPS custody.
