The municipality of Dussen must beware of the religious organization Frontrunners Ministries. The Association against Quackery says this in a letter to the mayor. Frontrunners organizes all kinds of healing and deliverance services and wants to build a large meeting center in the village for this purpose. “We think it is a good administrator’s job to protect people against this kind of quackery.”
The Association Against Quackery is concerned about the activities of Frontrunners Ministries, they write. Frontrunners claims that their services can cure diseases such as MS or leukemia. “We are very concerned about these types of faith healings.” There is no doubt in their minds that it is quackery.
And it’s not just about so-called treatments for real diseases, Frontrunners also wants to ‘liberate’ people from ‘demons’ such as homosexuality. The board of the association writes: “These are unproven treatments for sometimes non-existent conditions.” In addition, participants in Frontrunners services are frequently asked for money. “False hope is given to unsuspecting people for a lot of money.”
Similarities with Jomanda
The board finds the services of Frontrunners similar to the meetings of ‘healing’ medium Jomanda in the 1990s in Tiel. There she held healing meetings and drew packed halls. In 2001, Jomanda was discredited due to the death of actress Sylvia Millecam. Sylvia had breast cancer and sought relief from alternative doctors and Jomanda. She stopped her regular health care.
The Association against Quackery then worked hard to prosecute Jomanda for the death of Sylvia Millecam. After years of struggle, Jomanda was acquitted, but two alternative doctors were convicted.
Kicking up dust
The association decided to send the warning letter to the mayor after hearing the Omroep Brabant podcast Op Hoop van Zegen and other media reports. In the episodes you can hear what happens during such services. For example, people are said to be ‘cured’ of incurable diseases after a visit. De Wal also calls homosexuality and autism ‘demons’ from which you should be freed.
Frontrunners Ministries’ plan to establish itself in Dussen has been causing a stir in the small village for some time now. Villagers previously said that they are concerned about the crowds during the events that Frontrunners wants to organize there. In addition, many of them also make a similarity with what happened earlier in Tiel. Several local residents indicated that they do not want ‘a new Jomanda’ in their village.
Mayor does not intervene
Mayor Lichtenberg informed Omroep Brabant that he is aware that there is a lot of fuss about the activities of Frontrunners Ministries. “It’s good that people ask questions and get informed. I was therefore interested in hearing about Omroep Brabant’s podcast and the investigative journalism that comes with it.”
But he doesn’t intervene. “As mayor, I must adhere to the administrative procedures that we have agreed upon in this country. There is currently no reason for the municipality to rule on the content of Frontrunners’ activities or to take action on them. When Frontrunners does something punishable, the police and the Public Prosecution Service are called in.”
It is still unclear whether the new construction plans will go ahead. De Wal hopes to submit his permit to the municipality of Altena at the end of this year. The location already has a permit with a catering destination for 1,400 visitors and a parking lot for 400 cars.
Curious about the services of Frontrunners Ministries? Then watch this video:
Or listen to the Omroep Brabant podcast Op Hoop van Zegen here: