It was dear Russell Hinter who first phoned and informed me that I had been "demonized" by the entire Repairer of the Breach Congregation in Winfield BC (near Kelowna) Canada.  This is an Ephraimite, Two House congregation lead by Brian and Lucie Anderson, (who claim to be Torah Observant) followers of Y'shua.  I said "Russell I don't want to hear it."  He insisted I be brought up to speed on the latest gossip at their congregation.  Then after explaining how Elaine Dueck "demonized me in front of the whole congregation, Russ Hinter decided to call a meeting of all parties and see if we could work it on out, so he went on the infamous "fact finding mission."

     I explained to dear Russell that Elaine Dueck has been launching a life long slander campaign against me for a variety of theological reasons and third party offenses (on behalf of her mentor Eli Nessim another "Messianic gossiper") and that I saw it coming from the first day I arrived at his congregation, after I met her husband Mr. Alfred Dueck at a Passover seder, the writing was pretty much on the proverbial wall.

     Imagine, going to a Seder to hear teaching about deliverance, salvation, redemption etc. among Messianic Ephraimite folks, knowing that there is very high probability that you will be pulling daggers out of your back after you walk out their door.  As a child my father insisted that we wash one another's feet as part of the Passover Seder, as Y'shua washed his own disciples feet.  There were years when we discontinued this ritual, but my father become more insistent that we wash one another's feet during his aged years as a way of being introspective about our feelings towards others.  It would be a meaningless ritual without the exchange of forgiveness in one's heart, but for me, it's not whether I forgive those who trespass against me, it's easy to intellectually say we forgive someone, it's whether we forgive one another on the basis of righteousness and reconcilation.

     Being raised in a family that holds Torah values dear and to be hated by Christians for it, gives the opportunity to consider the greater cause of love and forgiveness far beyond the ritual or theology that made us different and the target of slander and gossip.  It was always a very special and blessed occasion to meet someone who didn't levy curses at me or my family because we were different.  We were "Sacred Namers", "Torah Observant", "Judaizers" or "Legalists" to most people, based on whatever made us different and therefore targets for the gossip.  On the other hand my family and I had friendships with many who weren't religion centered who valued friendship that is based on honour and nobility and one's religious choices either upheld that honour or didn't.  It's hard to try to explain that to religious people, that it's important to acknowledge each other's religion, but character conduct is very close to the heart of the Father, regardless of a person's religious or theological choices.

     Russell Hinter of course couldn't possibly understand my families background nor understand why Mrs. Elaine Dueck has a legacy of gossip  and slander mongering against us, but he was "concerned," so I agreed with Russ that we work together to bring about a meeting for reconciliation (between myself his pastor Brian Anderson and Elaine and Alfred Dueck).  Unfortunately I'll probably never forget that phone conversation, I was sitting on the piano bench at my parents place in Vernon when Russell began explaining to me about Messiah's forgiveness, how love works, how I need to be the bigger man, how this was an opportunity to show the elements of Faith that are needed at the Repairer of the Breach congregation where he attended.

     As I sat there about as broken as I've ever been, trying to hold back the tears, I couldn't see why or how these people would show any remorse for what they did.  In my heart I tried to resist the thought that there was no point, don't bother with them, but Russell spoke as if he was walking in deep spiritual insight, he thought he had some deep spiritual resources and knew about love and forgiveness that I needed to understand.  After Russell Hinter and I prayed over the matter, and prayed for everyone in the congregation and spoke about love and reconciliation and "repair" and how Russell was going to get things set straight... he did nothing thereafter, no meetings, no letters, no appeals regarding the gossip levied against me and my family.  Nothing.

     I spent several hours and wrote several pages for Russell Hinter that explained from my perspective why Elaine Dueck was on a slander attack against me, and a friend dropped the paper off at Russ's house, but, the weeks went by and I received no reply from Russ.  He talked about taking action but did nothing.  He asked that I call Brian Anderson to have a meeting about the matter and I did as Russell advised but that Mr. Anderson would have none of it.

     What eventually evolved was that Russell Hinter decided that I was the big problem, if I hadn't attended his fellowship all that wouldn't have happened.  I posted the information that transpired between myself and Pastor Brian Anderson on the internet, because he refused to meet with me along with witnesses.  I noticed that a small number of people read what I posted on the website and responded, people who had also been abused by his "ministry".  I set cookies on the webpage so I would know where the visitors were coming from and who they were.  A few weeks after posting the first pages about Mr. Anderson I posted stuff about Elaine's gossip against my family, then I posted what transpired with Russ Hinter and myself hoping that might spawn some reconciliation.  Nothing happened except Russell became angry that I went on public record and made statements about things within his church.

     Then Russell Hinter demanded I take down all disparaging comments about his brethren and him, and it's true that I did in fact make lower level comments that resounded around the theme of cowardice yes-men.  My attempts to support their Two House congregation were met with disdain.  Russ brought himself to my house in August 2007 unannounced and demanded that I immediately take down statements about him which he saw slanderous and untrue about his character.  He gave me the ultimatum that I remove all material about what happened at the Repairer of the Breach fellowship, but I refused.  I couldn't see the point of removing everything because I had lived in the Okanagan Valley most of my life, I was a youth leader, pastor, minister, rabbi and did business there and know many people who don't go anywhere for fellowship because they reject the social club gossip-fests and over the months and years after the event the same people of his congregation continue their gossip about me. 

     In December 2010, gossip about me that originated with Elaine Dueck and Brian and Lucie Anderson at the Repairer of the Breach Two House congregation in Winfield BC (near Kelowna) Canada followed me into the USA after I appeared on a brief internet broadcast.  People who attended that Ephraimite congregation in Winfield BC aren't likely to every stop their gossiping and slander because it is tied together with their religious identities.

     Over the ensuing months after Russ Hinter tried to force me to remove his name from the website, he insisted I was making slanderous statements about his person and also stated that he had left the Repairer of the Breach Congregation permanently because of the issue of the pastor demanding solitary veto authority over all the men in the congregation.  Simply put, Mr. Brian Anderson (the pastor) believes that he has sole authority over other men with regards to all decisions within the congregation, all the time.  Russ found that to be unacceptable and that the one-man-show grand standing of the pastor was the main reason he left.  It's ironic that this was one of the things used to slander me, it was said that I was trying to infiltrate their congregation and take over the leadership.

     My reason for posting Russ Hinter's name online was because he became the liaison between myself and others at the Repairer of the Breach congregation and the gossip about me was then being spread by Russ Hinter himself.  I had obviously been un-invited from the congregation, but, I let Russ speak for me and I answered all of his questions about myself and my family and my intentions and what transpired between myself and individuals at the Repairer of the Breach congregation Lake Country (Winfield BC).  My elderly parents were initially delighted to meet with the Repairer of the Breach congregation, as I was, Russell and his family were very highly regarded by my father and mother, but the slander campaign against us by the dissenters began when we first walked in the door.

     Unfortunately, it wasn't only Elaine and Alfred Dueck who mounted their long term slander campaign against us they also recruited John Aaron and Brian and Lucie Anderson (the "Ephraimite" pastor and his wife) and the entire congregation.  Russel Hinter was right, we were thoroughly demonized and after that all contact was cut off, there were a few brothers from our area who tried to maintain friendship with some in the congregation, but these relationships were stressed and failing as well.

     I have no doubt that YHWH had brought me to that "Repairer" Congregation for His purpose and for mutual benefits, but in many ways it has also brought a conclusion of the matter between myself and a slanderous group of Christians (Elaine and her friends) that I have known for years.  Many are upset with me for posting things on the internet, they would rather I sweep their evil behaviour under the carpet, for my own benefit, so that I don't fall from their form of "grace."  But the problem is that if we don't resist evil conduct within the body of Mashiyach who will, if we don't do it now then when will we?

     The fact of the matter is I have yet to hear of anyone at the Repairer camp who has resisted the gossip and slander and called it wrong, this group of people gossip as a way of life, it is part of their religious experience, they sit around in circles on Shabbat and gossip as a community!

     Slander and gossip for many "believers" is an essential part of "ministry".  One visitor at Repairer was very upset by the slander against me, he wrote an account of the matter, which I have in front of me as I write this,  the regulars did nothing (the fellow who wrote the matter was a visitor who has since moved out of Province). 

     I submitted a paper to Russell listing Torah standards and legalese to help him approach the head slanderer Elaine Dueck to help her find her way out of the gossiping lifestyle that her mother and she so enjoy.  But even still, Russell did and said nothing about the letter, it sat in his home for months and he didn't even acknowledge receipt of it. 

     Many times when I was attended, and while leaving that congregation I had a heavy heart because of the low levels of conversation, lack of fellowship, lack of vision and disciplines, and this was not my problem alone, what is normal and acceptable for some is a vexation for others.  We obviously have different perspectives about the Kingdom of Elohim but I was saddened and disappointed that rather than sitting together or making charges or complaints against me for what I said or did, they just gossiped and slandered about all my imaginary failings.  If they wanted to know about my failings I could write them out for them, I have failings which are not uncommon to mankind and this perhaps would help them see that I don't see myself as higher or lower than anyone else, but I do expect to treat others and be treated myself in a way that is honouring to YHWH and His Mashiyach.

     There aren't huge numbers of souls in the Okanagan Valley who are interested in what YHWH has to say in Torah, so the Repairer fellowship had offered a glimmer of hope for a local fellowship.  Throughout my life I've been in home fellowships that are more intimate and personal and meaningful than large groups, but even that lifestyle of meeting in home groups is cause for some Christians to gossip and criticise because it doesn't fall within what some feel as acceptable "church-going" criterion.  I've had people suggest that I hold "un-authorized meetings."

     FIRST, let's remember Torah principles, Scriptures tell us that lies, slander, gossip and carnal living is evil.  It is easy to point out things that were said and done that are objectionable to YHWH but it is more difficult to curtail the carnal nature and bring it into subjection to Mashiyach.

THEN, it's obvious to see the evil effects of slander.

"And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies:

but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth;

for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, says YHWH." 

Jeremiah 9:3

     Unrepentant slander, gossip and lies are not "under the blood", not until a person has a change of heart to go to a brother, confess their sins and make restitution.  The theology of cheap grace and no restitution is an evil thing.  Nothing has been done with the matter of the slander and gossip.  Russ and the Repairer crowd can pretend to forget all about it and go on to slander others, but those they slander and gossip about won't forget the source of their hatred.  Yes of course, I can forgive and pray for those who slander and gossip, but while a person continues to be a gossiper they are also far too cowardice to confess their transgressions.  The only way we really know if a person has overcome that carnal behaviour is if they can openly confess their sins, it's just like any other transgression.  If a person can't speak about their sins it's because they are too proud to admit that they can't face their own demons.

     When a whole congregation sits as gossipers and slanderers over someone else, and feel justified because their pastor and his wife sat with them and endorsed it, this is very high level evil.  Do you think YHWH forgets this kind of stuff?  NO.  Only a fool thinks that cumulative transgression goes away by itself.  There are many Scriptures that tell us that YHWH hates liars and talebearers (gossipers) so He will take it up with them Himself in due course of time.  Our responsibility though is to try to help other recognize that this is carnal and evil behaviour.

     In over a dozen years Elaine Dueck has had plenty of opportunity to levy charges against me personally.  There has been an ongoing effect of Elaine's slander, she makes up stories and tells them around, the her lies return to her like boomerangs and she believes in her own lies, at this point she wouldn't be able to tell the truth if her life depended on it.  Elaine is in the company of others like Mr. Eli Nessim, who use gossip as a full time ministry, he plants spies in his congregation to pick up the gossip and report it back so he knows how is cowing down to everything he says and who disagrees with his theology.

     Witches use "magic" to get what they want, sorcery, lies, gossip, steal peoples good name, murder them with deceit, that's the ministry of witches, but this doesn't mean there's no hope for them.  I know of one ex-Jezebel who repented and asked for forgiveness, she was also under the spell of a "the Pastor" and the Messianic Jewish gossip crowd in Vancouver, it took deliverance, truth, courage and purity to go from wretched Jezebel to wise woman in Y'shua, but each person has their own choices to make.

     Talk isn't cheap, we are all being judged according words that come out of our mouths.  Talk isn't cheap especially when it's wrong and sinister talk that is condemned by YHWH.  Russell has not repented for listening or spreading the gossip and slander.  Anyone with any decency would try to stop a gossip session or walk out of the congregation rather than take notes and try to reason with a gossiper, then use it to promote his own interests.  YHWH says that we are not to listen to gossip about others, that's not so difficult to understand.

     Gossip sessions are fertile soil to pick up unclean spirits (demons), if we don't speak against evil we come into agreement with it.  It's easy to invite demons in and then try to "cope" with stuff rather than get the victory.  All the prayers and talk and sermons on earth aren't going to help overcome the carnal flesh, we must repent of the evil tongue and seek reconciliation.

     YHWH says that if you forget Him, He will forget your children.  I never attended the Repairer of the Breach congregation looking for a following, as Mrs. Elaine Dueck suggests.  I was looking for fellowship in Mashiyach with souls who walk in Torah as equals, but I realize that was impossible.  Mr. Brian Anderson and others are not equal, they feel they are higher up, they can get away with slander, gossip and lies because they believe themselves to be on the cutting edge of truth and the rest of the congregation are happy to oblige.  It's a very sad commentary for those who claim to live under the "Repairer of the Breach."

     Hopefully my going on public record will help others gird up strength and oppose the gossip in their own congregations, it's evil, it's from the enemy.  If we accept low level, carnal attitudes to prevail in our congregations then we are also culpable.  Yes we can try to avoid people like Alfred and Elaine Dueck who have made slander their full-time "ministry", but the best thing is learn to minister according to righteous conversation, equality, common good and purpose, honesty and blessings for everyone.  If the pastor does not have this vision and gives gossipers an audience in his church, the house needs Repair and Renovation and it starts with you and me.

Shalom U'Vrachot,

Baruch Ben Daniel

ps Russ, please pardon all the revisions to this paper, I found myself in plenty of hurt and anger when I found out that you and the "Repairer" people, who I thought to be my friends, were in fact more interested in using me as your gossip target.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

August 14, 2007:

Russ Hinter made an impromptu personal visit followed by a written statement with charges that Baruch Ben Daniel sinned (and continues to sin) against his person by writing for public view, slanderous and/or libellous statements as follows:  1) That Russ has no balls and 2) is a butt kisser

In his defence Russ stated that he and his wife left the fellowship for three weeks (after nine years of continuous fellowship) and that it has been unanimously decided among "the Repairer" leadership and registered board members that the 'plurality of eldership with equal authority must be thoroughly researched' and that "we have been studying eldership, and continue to study it and positive changes are happening."

Furthermore Russ stated, "this proves that this action is not the action of someone who could rightly be labelled as Baruch has done." (Russ felt he was making headway)

MY RESPONSE: (updated)

     Russ emphasized that the gossip levied against me "could be true" and that by me putting up the story on the internet "proves that it might be true," and therefore my motives for visiting the congregation might have been for evil as the gossip about me has suggested.  So in other words, according to Russ I shouldn't have said anything against the gossip.

    Russ didn't know for sure and couldn't comment or provide and assessment on what level of culpability might exist.  He demanded I immediately pull down all pages concerning Repairer of the Breach and all souls I've indicted in the gossip mongering. Russell also elected to find witnesses to prove that I've made inappropriate statements online.   However, none of the charges that I made for his un-Messiah-like conduct were addressed, he was concerned about protecting his own name and reputation in lieu of my writing about my most undesirable experience with he and his congregation.  Russell expended the energy to meet with me over this matter (one on one) he drove to my house unannounced and began ranting that I was not returning his phone calls and emails and am very difficult to contact.  Even though my name and businesses are all over the internet and my family lived in one location for 40 years and have had the same phone number for 40 years.  But during our private conversation it became apparent that Mr. Russell Hinter was unwilling to address any issues, he was only concerned that his own personal name was being put on public record.

February 9th, 2008:

     Again Russell Hinter showed up with a mission, he booked a room at a coffee shop and had three witnesses listen and judge the matter between us.  Russ demanded I remove "slanderous statements" about him.  To back up his claim that my statements were slanderous and untrue Russ left the congregation in December 2008 with no plans to return.  For this I congratulated him and shook his hand, after 10 years of being a Repairer groupie this was obviously a very big move forward.  So, I have removed two charges (rants) I made about his person and also mentioned to him that I was sorry that I felt I had to make them to get his attention so something might be done about the gossip and slander.

    Russ booked a room at "the talking donkey" coffee shop in Vernon BC with one agenda, it was on his terms and for his exclusive benefit.  He did say that he would "think about" whether any of his actions were negative or condescending, but he wasn't clear about any of that, a heavy fog rolled into the room every time someone asked him a question, a very, very heavy fog.  Quite frankly every indication is that he really doesn't give a damn, as long as he gets what he wants.

     Sorry Russ. 

     But if someone slandered you or anyone else while I was sitting at a round table discussion on Shabbat, believe me, if they didn't stop it and apologize right there and then I would see to it that they leave the room.  That's where you and I are really different.

     In fact Russell, one time I was in a congregation in northern Alberta and a fella just like Elaine Dueck stood up and slandered the pastor while he was teaching.  I realize it was unorthodox, but I publicly asked the man to stand down, he refused, so I bunched him up into a package, dragged him out of the room and gave him a "grass landing" (I was 28 at the time).  Shortly after that (before the sun had set) the fellow and I had a nice talk about life and truth and how to address concerns properly.  It turned out the fellow was in love with the Pastors daughter and felt that the Pastor was not being fair by refusing to give him her hand in marriage, she wasn't interested in marrying him so he was in a predicament and lashed out at the pastor because of it.

     Shame on you Russell Hinter for trying to exonerate yourself by using a loophole and bringing witnesses against me, who were not witnesses at all, they were men and brethren who asked you repeatedly but you tried to duck everyone.  I asked you repeatedly about addressing the gossip matter but, no, the matter became that Baruch would be so brazen to go on public record and actually expose anything bad that happened among "the Believers" so it's back to square one...

2011

As we enter 2011 the Russell Hinter and "Repairer" congregation gossip mill continues to churn, in late 2010 visits to his congregation by Bruce Balfour.  Bruce Balfour informed me that the natives are hostile against me and that Elaine Dueck (the chief gossiper) is now held in honor within Russell Hinter's congregation in BC.  If you can't stop a lying Jezebel gossiping spirit then you will become one.  Well, it's obvious that this was the case of many (if not most) souls who were trained within the original parent Repairer of the Breach fellowship.

     Additionally, one of Russell Hinter's "brothers", Kim Mitchell (husband of Holly Mitchell), dug deep into his soul and placed a gossip call into the USA in mid December 2010 to warn brethren there that Baruch Ben Daniel is a wolf in sheep's clothing... or some such thing.  Kim and Holly Mitchell are also Ephraimites who imbibe themselves in ministries of gossip and slander against me along with their Ephraimite Two House friends Christopher and Curtis Johnson (aka Israel ben Avraham or "Izzy").  As it were, the Ephraimite gossip machine of Brian and Lucie Anderson and Elaine Dueck is now following me with interest through their other affiliated "ministers" of gossip and their "ministry" of condemnation.

     Truth be told, I gave Izzy (Curtis Johnson or Israel ben Avraham) and his brother Christopher Johnson the boot out of my home for trying to ply Jezebellian tactics in my own home.  When asked to give an account of his deceitfulness Israel Avraham replied "I haven't responded to your questions because I find your approach to be very rude" and after Izzy and Holly Mitchell discussed the matter of me extricating he and his brother she wrote an email saying, "It's unhealthy for sheep to be talking with wolves so I won't be continuing this conversation" but obviously her husband Mr. Kim Mitchell has continued the ministry of condemnation towards me along with their brother Russell Hinter.

     I've recorded all the conversations and emails of the aforementioned souls because they've demonstrated a desire to run a ministry of character assassination.  Why?  Obviously, they don't have much of a vision for the Kingdom of Elohim.  These Two House folk are busy running full time religious gossip ministries while they claim to be "Torah observant"... what a shame.

      You should know in advance therefore, that if you invite me to your congregation and these folks happen to find out about it... you'll likely be getting a phone call or something about how terrible they think I am.  But there's always two sides to every story, I haven't made everything public, I only acknowledge that yes these people hate me and want to bring destruction to my person and my ministry, that's why they gossip about me and that's why I continue to post these pages because their gossip is cruel and hurtful and untruthful.

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