Officials mum on WOFF hearing

Daily Courier/May 8, 2003
By James Lewis

Rutherfordton -- A juvenile court hearing regarding children inside The Word of Faith Fellowship was called off on Wednesday after attorneys apparently reached an agreement outside the courtroom.

The exact details of the proceedings are not public record, but court papers were delivered to persons at the church property off Old Flynn Road in Spindale on Monday.

The hearing was set for 11 a.m., but the proceedings were called off shortly after the court recessed at 12:35 p.m.

Several former members of the Word of Faith Fellowship attended court for the hearing.

Several current members of the church were also in the courtroom.

Tom Hix, an attorney who has appeared on behalf of church families in past proceedings, and Brad Greenway, attorney for the Department of Social Services, were seen meeting several times throughout the morning at the courthouse before the motions were dismissed.

Earlier this year, DSS filed motions requesting the names of all children 5- years-old and younger who were members of the church.

Court and DSS officials did not comment on the proceedings.