Dear Friends,
This is a very difficult letter to write, as it is something close to my heart and not taken lightly.
A little back story about my introduction to the church: I came to my first meeting in February 2003, when I met my husband Cole. He brought me to Sunday morning meeting and later to Gospel meeting. I had attended Catholic school and the United Church growing up, so being among people of faith was not unusual for me. I professed the following year at Boring, Oregon convention. Over the last 22 years we have raised three children—Noah, Roselin, and Levi.
I’ll be honest—getting to meetings was not always easy. I have struggled with social anxiety, and when I shared this with workers, most often I was told I didn’t have the right spirit or wasn’t praying enough. The only one who truly listened to me was Dennis Morris, and I believe his compassion helped me hold on during those last years.
Three years ago, my son Noah began dating someone outside of the church. It was difficult for me, but more difficult still was when he moved in with her. When he told the workers, they asked him not to attend fellowship meetings, though he could come to gospel meeting. That was a turning point for me, the hypocrisy was/is blatantly evident. I realized that at any moment, if we didn’t follow the “company line,” as in if we sinned the wrong sin in the eyes of the workers, we too could be excluded from what we once thought was our only way of salvation.
Then came the situation with Dean Bruer. Afterward, more and more stories of abuse came to light—child sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and worker-on-worker abuse. To my sorrow, victims were pressured into silence, told not to disturb the faith of others. As a mother, this shook me deeply. Why weren’t we warned? Why wasn’t there transparency? Where in Scripture does it say to quietly move perpetrators to a new area, rather than protect the flock?
One of those convicted, Aaron Farough, had even been in my home—around my children—while presenting himself as a spiritual guide. The realization that wolves in sheep’s clothing were among us, while still being permitted in meetings, was devastating. My trust as both a parent and believer was betrayed.
For months we waited for our overseer, Michael Hassett, to address this. Instead, we were told, “There is no crisis in the kingdom.” Spiritually, those words broke something in me. God’s kingdom is indeed perfect, but this organization—this system of men—is in crisis. And it has allowed abuse to flourish under silence and pretense.
I thank God my children have been spared harm, but I grieve for the hundreds who cannot say the same. This religious sect has been corrupted by exclusivity, fear, and misplaced loyalty to men rather than Christ. Yet the Bible is clear: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Salvation is not through workers, but through Christ alone.
Leaving has opened my eyes to the simplicity of God’s way. He does not care whether I wear a skirt, keep my hair in a bun, or own a TV. He cares about the heart—how we love others and follow Him in sincerity. Though I know some will say I have “fallen away,” I pray we remember that not everyone who leaves is walking away from God. Sometimes He is calling us to walk more closely with Him, free from man’s distortion.
For that reason, I ask that my children and I be removed from all lists.
I continue to pray for all of God’s children, that healing and truth will prevail.
With sincerity,
Nadine Sharman
Yellowhead Co., Canada
September 22, 2025