Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals

Did You Know?

• The series was produced by Good Caper Content, which also created the 2023 docuseries Escaping Twin Flames.
• Initially produced for Starz, Investigation Discovery handled distribution.
• The first two episodes premiered on November 24, 2023, and the third and fourth episodes released on November 25, 2023.

Summary

The series explores accounts of alleged physical and sexual abuse within the Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) movement, a network of churches with approximately 8 million members. According to the series, influential IFB figures including Jack Hyles, Jack Schaap, Bruce Goddard, and Jon Jenkins covered up claims of abuse. One account features Ruthy Heiler, who was allegedly raped and abused as a minor by Aaron Willand, her Bible teacher and volleyball coach at Grace Baptist Church in Gaylord, Michigan. Some abuse allegedly occurred in Washington state. Willand pled guilty in Washington in 2006 to offenses including four counts of sex with a minor and was sentenced to five years in prison, serving two years and 10 months. In 2022, he pled guilty in Michigan to crimes including first-degree criminal sexual conduct and received a sentence of 135 months to 40 years. Heiler is President of the Blind Eye Movement, a nonprofit supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse by religious leaders. The series also documents alleged crimes at IFB boarding schools in Missouri, including the Circle of Hope Girls Ranch, which closed after 24 girls were removed by Missouri Child Protective Services in August 2021. Lawsuits allege girls were raped, molested, denied food and water, handcuffed, chained, and forced to stand for hours. The series incorporates reporting by Fort Worth Star-Telegram journalist Sarah Smith, who has documented over 400 allegations of abuse across nearly 200 IFB churches and institutions.

Reception

John Anderson of The Wall Street Journal wrote that the series aims to evoke outrage, indignation, and empathy, and noted that its significance lies in the institutional structures that enabled abusers. Nick Schager of The Daily Beast called Let Us Prey a scathing exposé of the IFB movement and praised the courage of abuse survivors, describing it as a moving celebration of courage and hope. He critiqued the use of slow-motion and swelling music during legal proceedings but concluded that the survivors' brave actions made the emotional techniques feel earned. Rick Pidcock of Baptist News Global observed that the series examines similar IFB ministries as Amazon Prime’s Shiny Happy People and noted that its blunt communication and sexually focused themes make it difficult to watch.