Church experience of a daughter told

Chattanooga Times Bill Casteel January 12, 1980 Kirsten and Johanna Neilsen, twin sisters from the Vine Christian Community Church here – best known for several years as operator of the Yellow Deli restaurants, which have since been sold.  After they were “deprogrammed,” they held a news conference at which they denounced the organization, charging that…

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Relative of member saw truth

The Chattanooga Times/January 9, 1980 By Bill Castell Naomi Kelly spent several weeks as a member of the Vine Christian Community Church [now known as "Twelve Tribes], living in one of the church-owned houses in Dalton. Her sister, Sarah Mosley, visited her frequently in her repeated effort to persuade her to leave the church. What…

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Twins described as rebellious

Chattanooga Times Bill Casteel December 29, 1979 The Oakland, Calif., twins who spent four years in the Vine Christian Community here before being “rescued” and “deprogrammed” last week have a history of running away from home, Joyce Henrikson, a neighbor of the twins and the sister of church leader Gene Springs, told the Times Friday. Mrs….

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Community church Group Again Drawing Complaints

April 1979 The organization’s name has changed, and so has the location, but the charges being leveled against former Chattanoogan Gene Spriggs and his following are no different than those 19 that were brought against the group a few years ago.  Elbert Eugene Spriggs is the leader of the Chattanooga based Vine Community Church.  Today,…

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Inside view: Vine Community Christian Church (1979)

Carolyn Mitchell January 21, 1979 Stories about the People’s Temple in Guyana have sparked interest in religious cults and have increased the invitations Melinda Horton receives to address church groups and civic clubs.  A member of the Vine Community Christian Church for 15 months, Melinda refers to the group, which operates the Yellow Deli restaurants,…

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Controversy pervades Yellow Deli offerings -1978

Chattanooga Times Alan Murray January 15, 1978 There are six Yellow Delis in the Chattanooga area, and patrons of each agree that the restaurants offer delicious sandwiches and friendly service.  But the organization whose members operate those restaurants, a group known as the Vine Christian Community Church, has found itself the subject of increasing controversy…

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