The Group Grows
Growth and Expansion
The 'Children of God'
As hundreds of young lives began finding meaning and purpose through faith in God, and began banding together to spread the Truth, this growing group began to make national news.
It was at this time that a New Jersey newspaper reporter dubbed this band of travelling youth "Moses and the Children of God," and the names stuck.
In January 1970, the group, now double in size, settled at an abandoned ranch in Texas. Here David set about implementing his vision for a true New Testament community. He imparted his vision of an alternative society to these young idealists, encouraging them to be a living sample of true Christianity and to do all they could to reach out to others with God’s love. At the time he wrote:
What makes us unique is that we are living like Jesus intended for His Church to live. We are proving that it can be done. We are here to preach not a 50% or a 70%, but a total 100% living for God: living in a totally new society, loving one another and having the Truth. Our message will go over the whole world. They have heard from the Church that Jesus saves, but they don't want any part of churchianity. But they will hear about Jesus from you because you will be living it. You will be a living example of the Truth. You are preaching it in the greatest way of preaching -- by living it.
Maria
It was at this time that David met the woman who was to become his second wife, Maria, in Tucson, Arizona. Maria's background, humble nature, and college secretarial training made her an ideal addition to David's personal staff and household.
Though many years younger than David, they had everything important in common. Maria remained David's constant companion for 25 years, from the spring of 1969 until his passing in 1994.
The Pioneer
By late 1970, several Children of God (COG) communities had been established in the U.S., and David, ever the pioneering visionary, was already looking for ways to to help the youth of the world.
In late 1970 David and Maria left for Europe on a scouting mission. Soon, the Children of God began establishing communities across Europe and began to branch out across the world.
As David once said...
I 'll tell you...I'll never be satisfied till everyone on earth has found Jesus.
