WASHINGTON -- Victor Paul Wierwille, founder of the often controversial The Way InternAtional, was buried Wednesday near New Knoxville, Ohio, where the headquarters of his ministry is located.
Wierwillle, 68, died after a brief undisclosed illness Monday at his home south of New Knoxville.
'In looking back over this ministry's brief history, I think it becomes obvious that my father was more than a preacher,' said Donald Wierwille, one of three surviving sons. 'He was a pacesetter, a sound businessman and an accomplished teacher -- one who brought new light to his generation.'
Wierwille was born Dec. 31, 1916 on the same farm near New Knoxville that today serves at the international headquarters of The Way.
In 1941, after graduation from Princeton Theological Seminary, Wierwille was ordained in the Evangelical and Reformed Church, now part of the United Church of Christ, and took his first pastorate at Payne. Ohio.
In the mid-1970s, Wierwille's unorthodox approach to Biblical studies and classicial Christian doctrine led the movement into conflict with anti-cult deprogrammers, who charged the group with 'mind control' of its young followers.
Wierwille, through a number of books, has developed an approach, outlined in his basic study course, 'Power for Abundant Living,' that challenges such concepts as the doctrine of the Trinity and that Christ is God, although followers say they recognize Jesus as the son of God.
Followers also are taught to speak 'tongues,' a seemingly nonsensical series of syllables that Pentacostal Christians believe is an ecstatic, God-inspired prayer. They are also taught how to interpret 'tongues' and to have the gift of prophecy. In 1942 Wierwille initiated a weekly radio broadcast titled 'Vesper Chimes' which eventually grew into what became known in 1955 as 'The Way.'
Although The Way is not an organized denomination with church buildings or membership figures, officials of the ministry estimated that more than 100,000 people have enrolled in Power for Abundant Living' courses.
The organization maintains an international college at Emporia, Kans., and two others in Indiana and Colorado that confer divinity degrees in Biblical studies.
In 1982, Wierwille retired from active leadership of the movement and transferred the presidency of The Way International to the Rev. L. Craig Martindale, 36, who continues in that capacity. Wierwille' oldest son, Donald, serves as the ministry's vice president.
'In my opinion, he was the greatest Biblical researcher and teacher of this century,' Martindale said. 'We who enjoyed the privilege of working closely with him are committed to continuing with the same truth, love and honesty that he portrayed in taking the word of God over the world.'
Wierwille is survived by his wife, Dorthea, his sons Donald, Ernst and John Paul and three daughters, Mrs. James Martin of Houston, Texas; Mrs. John Somerville, of North Fork, Calif., and Mrs. Kevin Guigou of New Knoxville.
