Letter of Apology from Karen Zerby (Maria) and Steve Kelly (Peter) to Former Members of the Family International (formerly the Children of God)

November 2009

To former members of the Family (or the Children of God)‚

We pray that this letter finds you and your loved ones well. We wish you all the best and hope that your lives are filled with God’s many blessings. We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your years of missionary service with the Family. Your contributions have played an important role in our mission of reaching the world with God’s love.

As you may be aware, the Family is currently in the process of restructuring and reformation, what we have referred to as the “change journey.” Although we have undergone a number of reorganizations throughout our history, the changes currently underway are monumental. Our hope is that they will enable Family members to better serve God and fellow man, while also developing their potential and pursuing their personal goals.  Continue reading →

January 1, 2008

Dear Current and Former Second-Generation members of the Family International,

Although we have written a number of apologies in Letters published since 1993, we felt we could express these more personally if we published an apology specifically addressed to each of you, the second generation of the Family, whether you are still a member or have chosen another path for your life.

Peter and I, as the Family International’s current leadership, want to personally apologize to you for anything negative or hurtful which may have happened to you during your youth or time in the Family. We acknowledge that from the latter part of the ’70s to the mid-1980s the Family wasn’t as safe an environment for children and young teens as it should have been. We sincerely apologize that you were not better protected when you were younger. We are very sorry if you had any untoward sexual experiences. We apologize if you were treated harshly in any manner or received excessive discipline at any time, or if any of you did not receive an adequate education. Continue reading →