OMAHA — In a Tuesday press release, the Omaha FBI field office called out to the public to help in identifying victims of abuse that occurred within a religious group dating back to the 1980s. “The group traditionally does not have a name. It is referred to by others outside the group as ‘2x2’, ‘The Way,’ ‘The Truth,’ and ‘The Church With No Name’. The group is active in Nebraska, the United States and internationally,” stated the press release.

This is an ongoing investigation, and the Omaha FBI field office asks that if you have any information, have been victimized or believe your child or other children may have been victimized by individuals affiliated with this religious group, go visit fbi.gov/2x2 or call the FBI Omaha field office at 402-493-8688.

While this organization has no official name, it has been called “The Truth”, “The No-Name Church”, “The Church Without a Name”, “The Friends”, “The Way”, “The Fold”, “The 2x2s”, “the fellowship of friend and workers”, and “The Cooneyites” to name a few. Started in 1897 by William Irvine, a Scottish missionary, they became an international organization in the early 1900s.

This organization does not allow for: watching movies or television; listening to stereos; smoking, drinking, or illegal drug use; swearing; gambling; dancing; reading Christian books or literature; Christian symbols; jewelry except for wedding rings, watches, or hair pins; short hair for women; make-up; pants of any kind for women; long hair for men. They push for marriage to members of the group.

They do not think of themselves as a religious organization. Their members are estimated to be 150,000-200,000 by their own count. They believe that they are the only correct interpretation of God, and all religions are false.

On March 20th, 2023, a letter was released by Doyle Smith (called by many ‘The Dean Letter’), an ‘overseer’ of the Oregon and Southern Idaho chapters, detailing that one of their members, a Dean Bruer (1955-2022) had been sexually abusing members of the organization. Many survivors and abusers have since come forward, and the FBI is now investigating the organization.

The group WINGS for Truth was created by and for survivors of abuse at the hands of “the fellowship of friends and workers” and provides resources for those in need.

Anyone affected by sexual assault, whether it happened to you or someone you care about, can find support on the National Sexual Assault Hotline. Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.