These Brethren members stepped out of line. Then the threats and intimidation started

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, also known as the Exclusive Brethren, is a small but secretive religious group with a vast network of companies and a significant presence in countries like the US, Canada, and the UK. But behind its seemingly innocuous facade lies a complex web of surveillance, intimidation, and threats aimed at those who dare to challenge its teachings or leadership.

At the center of this story is 18-year-old Trent Waskey, an American who grew up in the Brethren but began questioning its ideology as he entered his teenage years. After secretly accessing the church's computer system, he was confronted by two senior leaders, Mick Strange and Rod Diplock, who warned him that hacking into the church's systems was a serious issue and would be investigated. This encounter marked the beginning of Waskey's journey out of the Brethren.

Exiling himself from the only family he knew

Waskey recalled the moment when he decided to leave the church: "I went and put my hamper in the back of the car and shoved it in the trunk and hoped that nobody would open it before we left that morning." He had printed out a letter to his family explaining his decision not to return home, and after reading it aloud at work, he knew he had made the right choice. With a newfound sense of freedom, Waskey began to formulate an escape plan.

Months later, Waskey officially excommunicated from the church, severing ties with his siblings and mother. He has since built a new life in Miami, where he now works as a successful marketing executive alongside his wife Flanders.

A desperate attempt to silence Richard Marsh

On the other side of the world, another Brethren member, 43-year-old Richard Marsh, had also reached out for help. As a whistleblower who had exposed a sanitation device called Deprox, which was linked to a lucrative contract with the UK government, Marsh found himself at the receiving end of intimidation and threats from the church.

When Marsh decided to leave the Brethren, he became aware that he was being hunted by private investigators hired by the church. He recalled: "You're constantly on the alert. It is just something you're conscious of every day." Marsh's experience has left him feeling paranoid, always looking over his shoulder, worried about being followed or receiving strange emails or calls from unknown numbers.

A system of surveillance and intimidation

The story of Trent Waskey and Richard Marsh highlights the extraordinary lengths to which senior leaders in the Brethren are willing to go to protect their reputation and its business empire. This includes using high-profile law firms to track down individuals who speak out against them, employing private investigators to follow people's movements, and even intimidating those who dare to question their teachings.

According to documents obtained by our investigation, past investigators hired by the Brethren had access to a list of phone numbers dialed from Marsh's wife's phone, as well as monitoring her every move. In another instance, Trent Waskey was threatened with severe consequences if he continued to question the church's ideology and leadership.

A warning sign of cult-like behavior

Many experts have described the Brethren as a cult, citing its authoritarian structure, rigid rules, and intense loyalty towards its leaders. While it is impossible to label any religious group as a cult without more context, Trent Waskey's experience suggests that the Brethren exhibits some alarming characteristics.

As he reflected on his journey out of the church, Waskey said: "Being in the Brethren is your entire identity… It consumes you." He echoed this sentiment when describing his decision to leave: "It's terrible. There's no other way to put it. You have to grieve the loss of pretty much everyone in your life."

A call for accountability

As our investigation highlights, the Brethren Christian Church has become increasingly reclusive and defensive in its response to criticism. The use of private investigators and intimidation tactics against those who speak out against the church raises serious concerns about its commitment to transparency and accountability.

In light of this extraordinary story, it is essential that we hold these powerful institutions accountable for their actions. We must create a culture where individuals feel empowered to challenge the status quo without fear of reprisal or intimidation.

By shedding light on the practices of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, we hope to raise awareness about the dangers of cult-like behavior and the need for accountability within our communities.