JUNIOR CORPS STORIES (What Really Happend) !!!

[Joe Purpura (aka Joe Hanson)]

Being the first one here, I thought I should keep it fairly tame!Well, Here it is...When I look back on those days at Rome City and those ever wild Corps Week and R.O.A. extravaganzas, I can certainly say that we had some great times!(But let's face it, we went through a fair amount of crap too, which ultimately lead to most of us rebelling, ANY WHICH WAY WE COULD!)We all came into the ministry as young, naive and very impressionable children and as we grew up, I believe we all began to see the bull that was creeping in around us…This I believe is what ultimately lead us all to rebel!(that and the fact that through it all, we were just kids being kids!)THERE WERE SO MANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS!Here are a few that come to mind…I remember the time I climbed Rome City’s Bell Tower - how I made it all the way to the top and actually had the gall (or perhaps the stupidity) of actually ringing the bell (twice).Of course I wasn’t aware then of the fact that the Bell Tower was architecturally unstable!(What on earth was I actually thinking? Actually, come to think of it, I was only 13 years old!)I remember how Bob, Greg and Cindy were all ready to ship my ass back to Kansas (where my family was finishing out their interim year).(Summer of Family 4 and Family 6 - 1980)Remember how we (us Junior Corps) nearly drove Greg Bernardini into utter madness!(But I must admit, I really felt bad how we all treated him (even to this day), to which I apologized to both him and Cindy some years later)…I remember how Greg was trying to teach us the Advanced Class (the entire class and how it seemed like he was trying to get it all done in one sitting, keeping us in those Fireplace Room seats for 3 STRAIT HOURS EACH AND EVERY NIGHT!)(Now let’s remember, we were just kids at that time and it was starting to drive us all crazy!)I remember how he gave us all a set of Advanced Class Retemory Cards and told us…“That if we were to loose them, to forget about showing up!”(Of course, Ron, Ben and I just had to toss our retemories in the trash, thus preventing us from being able to attend!)I will never forget the night that the 3 of us waited for all our parents to get in the Chapel for Corps Night (so that we could get out of dodge for a little while)…(This was of course the absolute worst night of the week to do what we were about to do!)We then headed for the lake on the southern edge of the property…And yes, we were spotted by Bless Patrol, who contacted Bob, who actually cut the Corps Night telephone connection, got up on stage and actually instructed our fathers to meet us outside the front entrance of the building. He also sent the Bless Patrol vehicle into town to retrieve us (but we never intended to go that far)…BOY WAS BOB PISSED THAT NIGHT!(and we each got an earful from him!)(Family 5 and 7’s year at Rome City, 1980-81)And let’s not forget those 2 weeks in Ohio every August…I wonder if Doctor knew that by way of those “pizza and beer” nights during the Corps Weeks, that he was introducing alcohol to a whole lot of Way Corps kids that were ready and waiting for the chance to let loose and rebel...Basically driving the Bless Patrol and those “Rent a Cops” INTO A STATE OF PANIC!…Remember “The Party Pavilion” ??? (I know Johnny and his 3 companions do!)How we put the tent up in the middle of the open field (so not to keep other campers awake at night) and how those “Rent a Cop's” van kept driving around us all night?How about “Fantasies International” ???(Founded at R.O.A. 1986)Including..President Steve HuffmanVice President Linus MathisSecretary/Treasurer Joe HansonI still can’t believe how Craig actually had the nerve to contact each of our parents, asking them if we had actually lost our minds (that is after everyone got a copy of Steve's letter)!(He couldn’t seem to get the joke!)And let’s not forget those insane parties (30+ people strong) at the Best Western in Botkins!(And the legend of John Smith and the bathtub soap dish – I still have the photo's!)(Boy, John must have gotten into a world of touble!)Who ever thought you could actually get that many people in a small motel room at one time...(and how we tried to get everyone in the bathroom for a picture – a photo that I also still have.)YES, THOSE WERE SOME TIMES !!!*** THIS AND ALL FUTURE JUNIOR CORPS STORIES WILL BE WORKED INTO MY BOOK..."Vision - Life through the Eye of the Second, First Generation" ***AND NOW, A BIT OF PERSPECTIVE...Although I (and perhaps you) chose to "disconnect" from The Way Ministry, I do still remember all the good we got out of it.I truly do believe that Doctor meant well (especially in the early years – and he did actually help a lot of people), but somewhere in there, things just went wrong.But it’s all water under the bridge at this point!The basic principles taught in PFAL still ring true today as is done back then. Despite all the subsequent crap, I still believe I am much better off today having been part of it all!I know that many are still hurting from everything that happened with the ministry…Well, all I can say that all of my life’s experiences and lessons gives me an inner strength and peace that I doubt I would have attained if I wasn’t raised in the ministry...(Especially if I remained that short, chubby kid growing up in Brooklyn!)(not to mention my WOW year – can you still believe that my WOW brother’s and sister’s, all 5 of us, still pretty much keeps in touch today – this after almost 25 years!)Needless to say…I WOULD NOT TRADE ANY OF MY LIFE’S EXPERIENCES FOR ANYTHING !!!It is my hope and prayer that perhaps someday, all those who feel that the ministry had done them wrong…(And still are having a hard time with it)Can ultimately come to terms with it and that we all can move forward…Together…As the family that we were all truly meant to be!(Call me the eternal pragmatist)This is what I believe Doctor was really after all along!(And I do believe that this Way Corps website is definitely a step in the right direction!)MORE STORIES TO COME !!!

[Nancy Schempp]

It's been over a year & we miss you more than ever.  I pray for Suzanne, she is so special to me.  She was so crushed by losing Ginger & Joe.  God bless your heart to bring such joy as your manner was.  You were the best friend to all these guys & we cannot wait to see you again soon........

In memory of Joe, keep the stories coming.  I see wonderful kids here whom God was shining his heart on for all their frolicking.  God is a God of love and not religion.  We've had too much religion.  Go have fun, enjoy life.  I for one am so thankful that many of you lived life with a free spirit heart....God made your heart that way, your gift of holy spirit is unique to you.  So you didn't obey man.....yay for that but you had a great time & God had one with you.  Without the outlet you made, TWI could have turned you away from God.  I too had my stories from my childhood and I can tell you that GOD was always with me.  Keep building this blog that Joe started, I know he's gone but Sue & Philip come here to reflect.  Joy to all of you, may God continue to keep you unique.

[Michael Prahm]

Acquire an indepth spiritual perception and awareness

1-1 Isaiah 26:3

1-2 Proverbs 2:1,5

1-3 Ephesians 1:18

1-4 Philipians 2:13

1-5 Ephesians 3:16

Receive training in the whole word, so as to be able to teach others

2-1 Psalm 119:130

2-2 Hebrews 4:12

2-3 Titus 1:9

2-4 II Timothy 2:2

2-5 I Thessalonians 2:4

Physical training, making your physical body, the vehicle of communication of the word as vital as pssible

3-1 Psalm 18:29

3-2 Isaiah 40:31

3-3 Mark 1:35

3-4 I Corinthians 9:27

3-5 Hebrews 12:1

Practice believing, to bring material abundance to you and the ministry

4-1 Psalm 37:25

4-2 Malachi 3:10b

4-3 II Corinthians 8:14

4-4 II Corinthians 9:8

4-5 II Thessalonians 3:10

Go forth as leaders and workers in areas of concern interest and need

5-1 Acts 1:8

5-2 II Corinthians 5:20

5-3 Acts 5:20

5-4  II Corinthians 4:1

5-5 Philippians 4:9

 

Here they are,  Bless!

[Joanne Richardson]

Does anyone have The Way Corps Retemories? 

[John Richeson]

Rest in Peace Joe. We will miss you and your Mom.

[Susan Propst]

I loved reading these stories ... I got involved with the Way when I was 16, but not with my family. I often wondered what life was like for the Mini Corps and Junior Corps ... looks like it wasn't ALL bad! I agree with Vince ... I'm thankful for what I learned ... glad I got involved with the Way, glad I ceased my involvement on January 11, 1996.

[crae akerson]

That comment sounds so mean spirited to me Gail. I have to say Joe that you stories made me laugh and I think that you have a great heart Gail, there are always worse horror stories but it's inappropriate to bring them up. Think loving kind thoughts and you won't be tempted to make remarks that aren't kind. Put on the thoughts ot Jesus Christ. Love you

[Gail Spicer]

you were so protected from the outside world..and don't even know it!try being raised in a "real" bar!!have fun with your "water down version o life!!

[Dolores (Coffman) Diedrich]

Hey Joe,
Very sorry to see hear about your mom. How is your Aunt Cookie? She was a great friend of my sister Teresa. You were a wonderful friend to my daughter Julie. She is still in LV as is Eric. I am in CA. Some day I will get Julie and take a trip up to Washington. Your site is great as are the pics.
Love,
D

[Vince McHugh]

Joe,

I think that your "Perspective" is right on. Yes there were serious problems with The Way International, but I am the better off for having been a part of it. I like to say that two of the best decisions that I ever made were going into the Way Corps and resigning from the Way Corps. Both decisions took courage, and both led to spiritual growth. Thanks for the stories (they mad me laugh) and especially for your insight and perspective!

Best Regards,
Vince McHugh

[John Richeson]

Kelly is here now! We spoke on the phone too! Thanks, Mike and Lisa for that awesome reconnection.