A Positive PFM Story, Sarah’s Story: The Potters Field Case
I want to share my Potters Field story. I have been heart broken to read all the stories this week. I am praying for healing and know God has a plan for even this. I do believe you! Even though I had such an opposite experience.
I was first introduced to PFR at 16 years old when I was at a therapeutic boarding school called Hope Ranch, just up the road from PFR. The first class class came up once a week to hang out with us. I knew the staff of PFR had a meeting with the director of the Hope Ranch. What Hope Ranch said was that they met to encourage them and offer a scholarship to any Hope Ranch girl who wanted to come to PFR. I decided to do this. Only to find out later that they actually met to confront Hope Ranch, as they were indeed corrupt. With my application to PFR, some of the staff felt like I was not a good fit. Pastor Michael stepped in and said “I am Hope Ranch”. Meaning that he had that kind of testimony. He then paid for the fake scholarship for me to attend the fall class of 05. I turned 18 my second day in. This was the last class with Chet Lowe as director. We did a lot of hard things! But it spoke my language, it was tangible learning.Â
During my term, God told me not to go back to my home town. Many options came up to where I could go instead, but when Pastor Michael offered for me to stay and work there, I knew that is what God’s will was. He immediately invested a lot into me. Bought me new clothes, groceries, arranged rides and thing. He flew me out to meet up with the PFM tour in California. I kind of helped haha, but they spent more time helping me. I spent Christmas with them, and they became like family. Back at the the ranch, I didn’t have anything I could really do besides clean. So I cleaned, then helped in the kitchen and coffee shop. All of the staff were like family, and I learned a lot from watching them. My childhood was messed up to say the least, so it was the first time seeing how functional families act. I stayed for 3 years.
A few times I went with PFM on part of their tour. One time they flew me out to help especially with a bigger service. Before the service started I went out with a friend. We got caught up and didn’t make it back in time. I knew I should have been there. PM told Dawn Marie to talk to me. We went out for dinner, and did not even address why I wasn’t back. I still remember our exact conversation about mercury poisoning. I felt the love and grace. Such a contrast to the stories shared. Work at PFR was intense. I looked forward to going out after with other staff and students. We even went on road trips on the weekends. When I felt like God was calling me away, Pastor Michael seemed sad, but set it up for me. I went to work at one of the board members Pastor Roger’s church. He became a mentor and father figure as well. I am blessed to have had so many invest in my life. 11 years later it still has shaped my adult life. I sometimes wish everyone had to go through some sort of training such as PFR. Its really difficult working with adults who do not have a work effort like taught at PFR. So many are still so full of themselves.
Here is a picture of my wedding day. Everyone on the picture I know from or was associated with PFR, I’m on the phone with Pastor Michael and Pastor Roger married us and really made our wedding possible in so many ways. Just to show how influential PFR/PFM is in my life.Â
Though I left 11 years ago, I do not believe PFR is a cult. It clearly needs to get back on track, but I pray God can continue to use PFM to share the love of Christ with many more. Â
I was honored when Pastor Michael called me earlier this week. He said he is so sorry if he hurt me. He said “ I’ve sinned, I’ve sinned, I’ve sinned”. I told him he did not hurt me, but please for the sake of the gospel, step down. It’s out there now, he said he has. So many pastors around the country are intensely working and praying to make it right. Please stand with them! These stories are not secret anymore, and they have to be faced. I believe that God will use these sins in PFM as a testimony of healing and redemption. We all fall short, and yet God uses us.Â
Thank you
Sarah CooperÂ
Boo
Thank you for sharing Sarah. I am so thankful you had a positive experience and we’re spared hurt and shame.
Sarah,
Say you attended this high school where you and around 30 (or more) other students were all abused by the same teacher. You brought it up to the principal and the issues began to be dealt with because of their seriousness, and what it would do to the school to keep this teacher employed. Story after story is told from abuse survivors. People share their gut wrenching tales and share their pain with one another yet feel a sense of relief for realizing others went through the same things. (It happened to you so you know they’re telling the truth. ) After things seemed to really be looking like they were headed in a positive direction, this teacher makes a phone call to one student he did not abuse. One unscathed among many many abuse survivors. This person then decides to make a public statement on this teachers behalf. What would this do to you and the countless survivors? How would this make you feel?
Are you vouching for this ministry to go on or are you saying you believe this is an abusive man? Seems contradictory. Is there EVER a time where the negative outweighs the positive? I would think in cases of abuse these nice stories about the time the person didn’t abuse, could wait for a bit. You were “honored” that he called you? This all seems very unsettling and it’s likely you were influenced by this man in ways you didn’t realize.
Were you asked to write this during that phone call? Or maybe not flat out asked but do you think maybe there was an ulterior motive to this random phone call after 11 years?
Seem like someone may be aware of this blog exposing him for all he is. Definitely not someone I would be defending.
Katie, this is not defending abuse. Those things did not happen to me, nor did I even witness them. I want the truth out there. My motive is for truth. And you cant get to the bad without the whole truth. So there.. He hurt those I love, and he knows it. Repentance will start to show when the calls are made to those who are hurt. This is not a one man organization. There is a baby in the bath water, if you get what i mean.
It’s interesting that Mike called you to apologize (who seemingly had a great experience), but not a single one of the many, many people who have shared how they were deeply hurt by him. Also, I agree with Katie’s comment above. It is disheartening and hurtful that you start the article with, “I believe you!” And end it with, “I sometimes wish everyone had to go through some sort of training such as PFR.”
I have to agree with J’s sentiments. My first thought was “hmmm… interesting that out of all the people Mike decides to call, it’s to someone who isn’t asking for an apology.”He could have apologized to MANY people, but he chose you. I wonder why? Just think on that for a moment…
I’m curious, before this, when was the last time he has taken an interest in your life or called you?
Could it be possible that you are being manipulated for his gain? Just a thought….
Also it would be wise to note that this isn’t the first time he’s put on an act of a repentant man to get what he wants. The crimes-yes-CRIMES-he has committed deserve more than a simple slap on the wrist. We can still forgive and demand justice.
If you believe us like you say you do, please don’t try to explain Mikes actions. He needs to explain for himself.
Geeeez Sarah! Way to rat me out! I was supposed to yell at you for hours, but decided to protect your precious little heart. I love you and I’m so glad you didn’t go through everything that we had to. You are so beautiful and I’m blessed to call you friend!
Love you Dawn!
To others, im sorry it offends you I had a good experience. The Rozels do need to show their repentance by calling all the people they hurt. I called him, that is why he returned my call. I probably could have said less, or different things, but please don’t misunderstand the internet. It was not all bad.
Thank you for sharing, Sarah. It’s important that this part of the story is out because it shows fully how this all transpired.
That is the problem here with abuse, Sarah, it rarely is all bad. If Mike was abusive all the time, even the most vulnerable of targets at PFM would never allow him to get to the point where his thoughts and actions mattered. Susceptible targets would not allow his calculating and manipulative behaviors to affect them and Mike would never be in the situation he finds himself in today.
Additionally, his staff that still believes his motives and actions were justified; they would never continue to follow him if he was constantly a source of malicious behavior. He is well aware of this and is adept at controlling what people think and say about him.
There is no question that Mike and Pam have done some good through PFM, and I think most people can recognize that God can use anyone that is willing to serve in His name for His glory. The overriding problem here is there are far too many credible stories coming to light of a manipulative man and woman that have abused their positions of authority in the name of God to exert control over people they are supposed to be guiding to the Lord.
In the face of all these stories, why hasn’t Mike come out and say to Phoenix Preacher that there is no truth to this? Why hasn’t he said that these victims are misguided? Why hasn’t someone that pushes his followers to sacrifice everything to an extreme and maniacal extent come out and speak on his own behalf? Why has Mike only expressed regret in one on one conversations with people he never had the opportunity to manipulate?
The answer is his manipulative behavior only works in a controlled environment where his words carry more weight than anyone else’s. When the curtain is pulled back and the secrecy is replaced with truth, everyone can see him for what he is. Just a petty man pulling strings behind the curtain for his own gain.
I hear the pain. I have been very heart broken to see how God’s name is misrepresented. For those who didn’t feel the love of God from their time there, all these years later, healing is still needed. Id like to apologize to those who I contributed to in misrepresenting God. Liz especially. God used even the boarding school I was in, but believe me, it was all God! I am thankful more girls are not being hurt. That place just about everyone left worse than they came in. My perspective anyway, is that more people left PFR stronger. The horrible things should have never happened! I want to share that I am an anarchist by nature. I cant in good conscious pick a political party. I dont even use the word christian anymore because it aligns with a group of people that often do not align with God. I now own a record store full of punks who’s whole thing generally is questioning authority. I think its unhealthy to work in full time ministry, as it is easy to loose perspective. Thats why I left. I just believe in a big God. I pray for His direction and perspective in this to be clear.
Sarah,
Your statement, “believe me, it was all God”, what do you mean in context?
“The person who is nice to you, but not nice to the waiter is not a nice person.”
Listen to Episode 35 of this podcast:
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/adam-young/the-place-we-find-ourselves
Unless Mike goes to the people he has harmed and gets specific about how he’s hurt them unless he asks questions like, “How did what I do make you feel? What was that like for you?” then I, for one, am going to be forever skeptical of his sincerity (if he can even manage sincerity). I am in no way saying this to attack you, I am very relieved to hear you were not victimized, but I’m worried you are being duped. Mike Rozell is a narcissist. And as others have said, it’s worth noting that he called you, someone who didn’t need an apology, and not call someone like Kenzie or Sonesta or Zach and try to make things right with them.