What is this site about?

History

The Twelve Tribes Communities were founded in 1972 by Elbert Eugene “Gene” Spriggs Jr. He was born in 1937, died in 2021, and was known within the group as “Yônêq.”
His 3rd wife Marsha (known as “Hâ-Êmeq” in the group) was very influntial and is still alive today.
Gene had one son (Tyrone) from his first wife, but had no children with Marsha (and so no children in the group).
Gene’s original right-hand man was Eddie Wiseman. Eddie’s wife died, and all of his children have left the Tribes. This means that both the founder and cofounder have no children in the group.
The group was originally called the “Vine Christian Community Church” (Chattanooga, Tennessee).
They report receiving pushback (though the story is disputed by locals), so they moved to Island Pond (Vermont) and renamed themselves “Northeast Kingdom Community Church.”
The group again renamed themselves, this time as the “Twelve Tribes Communities.”
They then established communities in various parts of the world. Different regions of the US and the world were identified as “tribes.”

Recruitment and public outreach often happen in local communities (especially during Friday evenings), in their Yellow Deli restaurant chain, during “Open Forum” events, in their large traveling buses and boat, and during other outreach events.
When someone joins, they move into Tribes’ housing, give the Tribes all their belongings and money, and receive a new Hebrew name.
The Tribes also make money via their restaurants, construction businesses, farms, furniture business sales, etc.
Membership declined after it came out that the founder’s current wife had sexual relationships with multiple younger men on multiple continents, over a 20-year period.
Further dissolutionment has come from difficult situations including child abuse, harsh leadership, an on-site homicide, an elder being convicted of child rape and battery, and the death of the founder.