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Yellow Deli People: Mellow believers or cult of opportunists?
Turning the clock back 2000 years is no easy task.
Where members of the Twelve Tribes want to go, they don't need roads. Not only are roads unneeded, there is no need for cars or personal possessions. All the Twelve Tribes require for the journey is a community that shares — love, friendship, earthly possessions — everything in exchange for peace and salvation.
The Twelve Tribes is an “end times” Christian organization with communities worldwide; one of these is located in Vista. The group believes that humans must return to an ancient communal life, much like that lived by early Christians in first-century Judea, when the New Testament’s Book of Acts was written, in order to achieve salvation and to be one with God.
Members of the Twelve Tribes dedicate their lives and their possessions to the group. They live together, work side-by-side, and eat and pray together.
North County resident Gary Zuber, a former member who has considered rejoining the group, spent four months with them in 2009. Zuber attended weekly dinners and helped at a daily farm stand.
“If you join,” he says, “you give up all possessions. It’s a big step, but everybody there has done the same thing. They are such a community, in the true sense of the word. It’s like a real family. Everyone works for the benefit of the whole group.”
In trying to recreate biblical life, Twelve Tribes conforms to a patriarchal society, where older males are considered elders capable of making decisions for the group. In addition to turning the clock back on gender roles, the group also rejects multiculturalism. Members abhor today’s “I, me, my, mine” culture. They disagree with current Christian doctrine, which puts so much emphasis on personal salvation instead of focusing efforts on improving the entire nation, and on the search for the royal priesthood, as preached in the Bible. Nation-building, according to the Twelve Tribes, starts with them.
There are nearly a dozen chapters of the Twelve Tribes scattered throughout the U.S.; among them are groups in New York, Vermont, Tennessee, Colorado, and Florida.
In San Diego County, members are concentrated in the hills of Vista at a sprawling compound two miles from downtown. The “Community in Vista,” as it is called, has a two-story house on a large plot of land. The house is covered in vines and blocked by trees. Blinds cover the windows, preventing any glimpse into the house. Single men and single women stay in yurts on the property. Families live together.
Members keep busy when away from the house. They pass out religious newsletters at farmers’ markets or work long hours at one of three businesses: BOJ Construction, Morning Star Ranch, or two popular cafés, both called the Yellow Deli, in downtown Vista and in Valley Center.
The group follows three basic tenets: “leave, enter, become.” Before becoming a member, applicants must quit their job and give up all possessions, including houses, cars, and any cash in the bank. After being stripped of earthly possessions, they enter into a sacred covenant, similar to marriage, dedicating their lives to the entire community. Only then can they become a new person. The men adopt a new name and modify their appearance to resemble the Messiah, Yashua, the Hebrew term for the Savior.
Once the three tenets have been effected, members work at one of the businesses, do chores at the house, or watch and homeschool the children.
All work is performed in exchange for food, shelter, and clothing, much as was done in the mid-’70s, when the group’s leader, Eugene Spriggs — known as Yoneq by his followers — branched off from the Jesus Movement in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to start his own community.
After obtaining a psychology degree from the University of Chattanooga, and after three failed marriages, Spriggs, along with his future wife Martha and 50 other members of the Jesus People, moved into a house in Chattanooga in 1974. Shortly thereafter, they opened their first Yellow Deli. Within a few years, Spriggs and the others operated six cafés in the city.
Two years later, the Internal Revenue Service granted Spriggs and “T.H.E. Community Apostolic Order” 501(d) status. The designation, according to the IRS, is reserved for religious and apostolic organizations or corporations with a common treasury, “even if such associations or corporations engage in business for the common benefit of the members.”
In 1979, Spriggs and his followers sold their properties in Chattanooga and moved to Island Pond, Vermont, marking the birth of the Twelve Tribes.
The founders embraced the notion that they were descendants, spiritually speaking, from the original Twelve Tribes of Israel. The original 12 tribes lived as one people, a homogenous culture under God.
Today’s tribe is trying to relive those days, believing that it was a time when the land was the body of God, before possession by the Evil One, Satan. They have faith that restoration of a communal way of life will mark the beginning of the end — the beginning stages of the apocalypse — when Jesus, or Yashua, will return to reclaim the land from Satan.
In 40 years, the Twelve Tribes has grown. Today, the man known as Yoneq oversees ten communities, seven farms in the United States (and one in Germany, three in Canada, and one in Australia), and eight Yellow Delis. The growth of the Yellow Deli has caused some to accuse Yoneq of preying on the weak and then reaping what they sow.
In San Diego County, the tribe has been busy. In two years’ time, they’ve opened two delis. They grow produce at Morning Star Ranch, which is sold at farmers’ markets throughout Southern California, from Ocean Beach to Redlands, in San Bernardino County.
Turning the clock back 2000 years is no easy task. The tribe is embroiled in a four-year battle with the California Division of Labor Standards, after labor commissioners fined each of the three businesses for failing to pay minimum wage and for not providing workers’ compensation. After a judge upheld the fines in March of last year, the group filed an appeal in superior court.
Comments
acas107 Jan. 3, 2013 @ 7:47 p.m.
My daughter's male friend joined the cult and was forced to sever ties with his sister, mom, and all family members. The only way for this person to bring in his girlfriend was f they married. There are anti gay components and racist elements to this organization.
Jay Allen Sanford Jan. 4, 2013 @ 2:58 p.m.
Good food at the Yellow Delis. Eating there doesn't equate supporting the ideals and philosophies of the operators any more than buying a Donny Osmond album equals supporting Mormons. Sometimes a banana (colored deli) is just a banana (smoothie) -
acas107 Jan. 5, 2013 @ 11:34 a.m.
Donny osmond does not represent a cult. big difference
Gidon Jan. 5, 2013 @ 4:58 p.m.
I hear a lot big words being thrown around by a seemingly small mind. Cult, forced,racist!! You clearly have no idea what you are talking about. I grew up in the 12 tribes community and spent a lot of time in Vista and on the farm.
No one is forced to do anything and certainly no one is forced to be there.
I've been gone for 6 years now and have become quite successful. I visit occasionally and I'm always treated with respect. The intention of the community is to live a whole lifestyle and serve God in sincerity. I'm not particularly religious which is why I'm no longer there, but if you wanna talk about cults maybe you should keep an eye on the new. We live in a society where our children grow up to become all manner of phycos and sociopaths. Perhaps you re aware of a shooting recently occurring at an elementary school. I would spend more time being honest and less time picking on a small sincere group PDF people who have never harmed anyone..
STEVEN666 April 3, 2013 @ 10:48 p.m.
Hello Dorian Hargrove, Concerning The Yellow Deli People, I can say that if it were not for the absolutes, that are demonstrated and lived every minute and with everyone at the Deli, Farm and ANY place that they venture I might not be here to tell you this most incredible tale. That I have defied the Nation's percentage of casualty's due to the recently enacted legislation and the social taboo's attached to certain group of citizens of the US is against all odds. Why is it so hard to admit that maybe we are not the same country that we use to be? When did we loose the 'Dream'? What are cultures? is it not the same word as the 'Alarmist' word 'CULT'? Many cultures that are forced to accept what they don't understand will absolutely eventually come into conflict, that is inevitable. So, what culture do you want? Roman, Greek or so other Famous one of the past? I have been in many cultures for many years, US Army, Corporate America, American Christian and several others in my 61 years of living in the 'Land of the Brave'. But there is one culture that the 'Brave' have a difficult time accepting. That is the culture of Peace, Love and Understanding. Yes it does live in the hearts of a very special people, if only it is allowed to LIVE. I challenge anyone to do what I have done and that is to spend your valuable time with those that really know the value of time. See if after only 24 hours that you find yourself in a place that is absolutely the same place that those in ANY culture long for. Genuine, authentic, stable, lawful, wonderful and totally safe place-that is hidden in plain sight. For those that can see. Instead of believing the actions of the IRS is in accord with the Framers of the Constitution intent on who are the true Patriots are. And Dorian, Email me the next time you want to know the truth from someone who has had the incredible luck-ha-of spending not 24 hrs but 24 months. Within the past 4 years. I am still in the Vista. After serving almost 30 years with the CA Nat'l Grd, responding to emergencies of this state from Riots to Deployment and also fulfilling my job at the Telephone Co during that same period.
to be continued.
STEVEN chesed99@gmail.com
STEVEN666 April 3, 2013 @ 10:51 p.m.
continued from previous post.
I am suppose to be completely financially secure, but due to the culture that was created to fear men of all sorts and after seeking assistance from every agency that this American Culture has to offer to returning heroes and capable father's, I am homeless, receiving only half of my well deserved retirement from the US Army and had 27 yrs of Tel Co. retirement forced into the stock market $400k-lost. Being betrayed by the culture I worked and trusted completely for for over 55 yrs. How many shootings, Gang deaths, Abortions, Wars and the list goes on, must we endure before the truth shines? I have lived a wonderful life only to see my 11 yr old son loose his rights to see his Dad and the right to live in his home because a rumor was started and never questioned. The Deli were the ONLY people that could understand. I know that every person I have met at the Deli, Farm or wherever for no matter how long, was able to understand the truth that is self evident and not allowed to evaporate, like so many 'cultures' that are everywhere, Newest being the Social community. Please write about the Deli again soon. And call on me as a Believer in the Hope that this country can return to it's roots and live the words that are in our Constitution and in the arms of Miss Liberty in the New York Harbor. "Send..." The Starving World needs the BEST Sandwiches that can be found Anywhere on this Earth. STEVEN chesed99@gmail.com
Dorian Hargrove April 4, 2013 @ 11:23 a.m.
Thanks for the comment Steven. I am glad you found a place among the 12 Tribes. I am happy for anyone that is able to find their place in any religion, group, culture, tribe, anything. The article wasn't intended to bash a religious group and wasn't meant to label them a cult. The article instead revealed facts about the labor violations -- which had never been reported-- and the opinions/objections from residents. I apologize if you felt that was not the case.
Thanks for the comment.
couragehome May 28, 2013 @ 6:13 a.m.
Twelve Tribes Community Communal Cult
17+ hour work days while standing most of the time.
All believe and do what the founder Gene Spriggs has taught.
All of Christianity and the Christian Jesus is condemned as
demonic, and the satanic scarlet whore of the Bible book of Revelation.
Birthdays, Christmas and other holidays are not celebrated.
Children are frequently hit with balloon sticks by any adult
member for any form of disobedience or “foolishness.”
Childrens toys, dolls, and stuffed animals are not allowed.
Claim Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. deserved to die.
Claim black people should still be slaves to whites unless they join.
Claim to be the only people forgiven and being saved by God.
Claim to be the only people who have the Holy Spirit.
Claim to be the only people who will bring Jesus back to earth by
eventually birthing 144,000 celibate male evangelists and being
perfectly obedient to God for 49 years.
Claim to be the only place on earth where anyone can be saved by God.
Founder Elbert Eugene Spriggs “Yoneq” is unquestioned Prophet Pope.
Home births and home circumcisions are required.
Childbirth pain is God’s will and is not to be lessened in any way.
Males must wear fur-face beards, short ponytails, and untucked shirts.
Medical and dental neglect is common with no health insurance.
Medications of any kind are generally not allowed.
Non-Tribes reading material of any kind is not allowed.
Shaving any part of the male of female body is not allowed.
Telephone calls to non-member family and friends is by permission.
Television, radio, personal music devices and internet aren’t allowed.
Women are not allowed in any leadership positions.
You can leave, but you’re damned to Death for 1000+ years or eternal Hell.
You’re rarely be able to visit friends and family “in the world.”
Your whole life is scrutinized and completely controlled everyday.
“It is through many trials and tribulations that we enter the kingdom.”
“You just need to die, and give up your rotten sticking life in the world.”
“Where did you learn to think anyway? In the world?”
“You just need to die and take off your head (personal reasoning),
and take on the mind of the Body (Twelve Tribes).
“You just need to die, and receive your brothers and let them handle you.” (If the Twelve Tribes is not a cult, then what is a cult?)
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