Douglas Wilson, Two by Twos, Heaven's Gate
"Doug Wilson's political project to 'stop making God angry."
Evangelical pastor Douglas Wilson doesn't mind if you call him a theocrat. He thinks America began as a Christian nation and should become one again.
He wants a society that acknowledges Jesus' authority over politics and patriarchal rule in the home.
For a long time, his style seemed like a throwback, but in 2025, he's having a moment in the cultural spotlight. Is he just being hyped by his critics as a Trump-era villain? Or does America's religious future really lie in a recovery of its zealous Puritan past?"
"The overseer of the controversial Two by Twos church has stepped down and will leave New Zealand after a "tough year" and "constant pressure" at the helm of the secretive organisation.Wayne Dean has been overseer of the church, which has no official name, for at least three years.
This week, he sent an email to members announcing his resignation from the role.
The letter was shared with the Herald.
"As most of you are aware, I needed to take a break from the responsibility of the work here in NZ last year," he wrote.
"The break was a help and, after conventions, I felt uplifted enough to resume that role again. It has been another challenging year.
"Constant pressure or force on anything eventually has an effect. Something eventually must give.
"So, before that happens, it seems the best thing to do is remove the object from the pressure. It brings me no pleasure to have to say that, again, I feel the need for a break."
The letter from Wayne Dean to church members was provided to the Herald.
The Two by Twos is a controversial home-based fundamentalist Christian church.
It was founded in 1897 by Scotsman William Irvine, but some profess its beginnings can be traced back to Galilee, where Jesus Christ is said to have been raised.
Officially, the church has no name, no official buildings, and is not registered as a charity.
Its members meet at private homes for "House Church" on Sundays and gather at community halls for gospel sessions led by "workers" – pairs of preachers – several times a week.
The church is thought to have several thousand members in New Zealand.
Last year, the FBI launched a global investigation into the church, described by some as a cult, after several former members made allegations of sexual abuse.
In February, New Zealand Police became involved, and members here who had contacted the FBI received an email from the national adult sexual assault team.
Dean has been contacted for comment about his announcement.
The Herald has also reached out to Tim Hamilton, who will step into the role of overseer.
"None of us know our future," Dean said in his letter to members. "I could not have foreseen where I would find myself now when I look back over 3 years ago when I first arrived in New Zealand.
"It seems the wisest thing for me, at this time, is to return home to Australia for an extended break."
"The Madisons' Danielle Vasinova is the latest addition to writer-director Michael J. Gallagher's new thriller, The Leader. The film is about the shocking true story of the infamous leaders of the cult known as Heaven's Gate — Bonnie Lu Nettles and Marshall Herf Applewhite — who convinced hundreds of followers to abandon their families and adopt their "UFO religion" with the promise of ascending to heaven alongside extra-terrestrials through mass suicide."
The selection of articles for CultNEWS101 does not imply that Patrick Ryan or Joseph Kelly endorse the content. We provide information from multiple perspectives to foster dialogue.
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