How the Message Is Delivered

A sampling of local activity by the Family/Children of God:

* Juvenile homes: Performances of skits and songs--along with one-on-one prayer and evangelization--at various juvenile halfway houses, including Boys Republic in Santa Ana and Chino Hills and Robertson Memorial in Redlands. Teens in the Family appeared weekly at Robertson from August through February. The juveniles at first enjoyed the visits--”because of the girls,” an official says--but asked the Family to stop coming because the presentations became repetitive and boring.

Requests to visit McClaren Children’s Center in El Monte were rejected by chaplain Pat Mecado, who demanded a letter of recommendation from a local pastor. “They’ve been trying to come in every which way . . . but I told them (that without a letter) we have nothing to talk about.”

* Fund raising: Sales of Kiddie Viddies (music videos for children) and inspirational audiocassette tapes with such titles as “How to Win.” Members also solicit donations for work with gangs and the homeless, and anti-drug-abuse efforts--or in exchange for Bible studies and religious tracts called “Daily Bread.” Organizational aliases, such as Project Outreach, are often used.

* Beaches and colleges: Distribution of apocalyptic literature and posters at nearly every university and community college in Southern California, and at beaches from Oceanside to Huntington Beach, where Family members use songs and skits to draw crowds. The group has also done extensive witnessing among Russian immigrants in the L.A. area.

* Charity events: Family teens sang at two annual Thanksgiving meals for the homeless in Fullerton. The event sponsor invited the teens after they visited his restaurant and told him of their missionary work. During the past three years, he has donated about $900 in food and $100 in cash. Last summer, he let the group hold weekly “music and drama” nights for potential converts in his banquet center.