The Way Ministry II
"So, welcome to The Way Ministry, second generation. Welcome to The Way Ministry II."
Following his normal pattern, Rev. Martindale made this shocking announcement during the last Pentecost Service on May 18, 1997, closing the final chapter to the Wierwille name.
In an attempt to put to rest the shadow of founder Victor Paul Wierwille, Craig Martindale has been staying up nights making new classes, rearranging the "Board of Trustees" and initiating his own program for outreach, the Way Disciple program.
Since March 1994, Rev. Martindale has been working toward this goal by filming the new series of teachings with his name on it, "The Way of Abundance and Power". On April 19, 1997 he finished the final taping of the "Advanced Class" bringing closure to the Wierwille teaching series, Power For Abundant Living.
In August 1995, the Way Disciple Program was initiated. Being very similar to the former WOW program, this program consists of four intense hours a day spent recruiting new members, with a minimum of an hour a day in study time. Participants are required to be out of debt, "abundantly sharing", and an "Advanced Class Grad". The most obvious difference is this new program is only six months in length, as opposed to the former one year WOW commitment.
The WOW program was canceled by Martindale and the Board of Trustees the previous fall because of alleged "homosexual infiltration".
On October 6, 1996, the change was completed when V. P. Wierwille's son, Don, was retired to emeritus Trustee status. Rev. Rosalie Rivenbark was installed as the new Vice President, thus removing the final public connection of the Wierwille name from The Way International.
