Letter to Mr. Tkach from Jules Dervaes
Copyright © Jules Dervaes
June 12, 1995
Mr. Joseph Tkach, Sr.:
It has been years since I last contacted you directly, although I tried for three and a half years to send you a message via my banners on the streets around Ambassador College. The last time you “heard from” me was the Feast of Tabernacles in 1991. And the circumstances were, to say the least, adversarial.
Now I’ve heard the news that you are ill (with cancer?) and I would hope that you would take my contacting you this time in a different light. A lot has happened in the interim but I didn’t want to let this opportunity be lost without trying once more to see whether or not you would like to discuss what has transpired in both our lives.
God knew what I needed and I am learning rather belatedly that what “bad” has happened to me was for my good. Deep personal sins—hidden from me from my birth—have had to be exposed and these revelations have not been easily received. Providentially, my being disfellowshipped by you in 1986 was the event that triggered the dismantling of my former life. My regret is that my downfall didn’t occur sooner because now my children will carry a much heavier burden of my sins into their own families.
During the time when I was displaying banners to you, I certainly did not have the godly attitude which Christ taught. I swung back and forth on the pendulum as I wrestled, trying to find the right balance in dealing with such a unique and sensitive situation.
Today, although it is still difficult to approach you, I can look back and know that I never took anyone away from the Worldwide Church of God, that I never wanted to form another “church” to be in competition with the one you were leading, and that I never led a coup to topple your rulership.
When the choice was the WCG or none at all, I chose none. I would hope that this would prove to you that I wasn’t out to destroy you by taking your place; rather, I wanted to assist you in doing what you had promised that you would do, that is, follow in Mr. Armstrong’s footsteps. With hindsight you should see now that what I was doing would have been beneficial to you, showing you the way to actually keep your place as head.
I want you to know that I am more than willing to meet with you to discuss on God’s terms how all of us can get ourselves ready and take the Church of God into the Kingdom of God. You only have to look at what’s happened to know that changes are needed before it’s too late. Now, as always, for you and for me, there is God’s way or nothing. My prayer is that you will choose His way and set matters in that order. In the end this is the only true healing.
Be aware that God will take back His Church as He was poised to do in His time. It will be God who will do it, taking it from you now, if necessary, by taking away your very life.
And, should you not return His vineyard to Him, then it will be God who will take it also from anyone you appoint who does not give up “the property” to The Rightful Owner. Above all, that is certain.
With this letter I pray that God will forgive me my offenses as I forgive you yours.
Jules Dervaes