Second-generation member of The Family International

I am writing this statement in defense of my personal beliefs which I feel has been attacked far too many times in recent years and as such I would like to set the record straight.

My name is Nicholas D. Zalevich; I am Canadian and 20 years old. I have lived for all of my life inside the religious group known as “The Family International” and have lived in more then 10 countries around the globe. I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters, some of which remain as me inside this group, while others have chosen to make a life for themselves elsewhere. I have been appalled to hear of some of the stories and accusations that some disgruntled ex-members of our group have been leveling against our group. The list of the accusations go on and on but I find the most interesting one, and when I say interesting I mean the most absurd, is that young people in our group have no free choice, and are manipulated by the older “leaders” of our group. I would find this a funny accusation if it were not such a sad pathetic one. (more…)

From Tamar Villalobos, 25 years old
Location: Brazil

To all of you who are intent on saving us “abused Family children.” I really didn’t know what to write about, at first I thought I should write about the difference in our lives, and then I thought I’d write and tell you off and now I am just going to write about the facts and you decide which side to believe in. I was born and raised in the Family; I am 25 years old and the 3rd of a family of six. I am from Venezuela and my name is Tamar Villalobos. (more…)

But none of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto myself that I might finish my course with gladness and the mission I have received of the Lord Jesus Christ to teach and preach the gospel of the grace of God.”

Name: Mark Brown
Age: 18
Location: Croatia
Nationality: Canadian/Italian

Hey everyone, to start off I want to say that this site has been a great inspiration to me. I’m one of those people who prefer not to type out stuff if they can help it but just today I saw that the number of contributions to the “My conclusion” site has reached 360…wow so hey if I can make that 370 it’s worth the effort. I’ve lived all my life in the Family International and I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was raised for 5 years in the Rome combo but that too is a part of my life that I am thankful for and wouldn’t change at all. I have always preferred to look on the small handful of vindictive ex-members as one would look upon an annoying fly that up until now I have been content to shrug off as no consequence. But they are proving to be one “sick” little fly. (more…)

My name is Gisela Leda Barbosa (Gigi), I am 32 years old. I know the Family for 8 years. I am in the Family for 5 years of my life – which are truly the best ones ever! I am Brazilian. I am very happy that the Family is preaching the gospel in every continent – that’s why I was reached at the first place. The Family is fully obeying Jesus’ commandment to go into all the World and preach the gospel to every creature. (more…)

Name: Sven Franke
Age : 20
Location: Ukraine

First off I’d like so say hats off to all of you fellow young people in the Family speaking out on this site. It’s been great reading the opinions and statements that so many of you have written concerning the recent tragic events. I am very proud to be associated with every single one of you and am also prouder than ever to be in a Family that has as much fighting spirit and resolve as I have witnessed over the past weeks.

Wash us away? Keep dreaming! (more…)