What is this site about?

Overview

• The Twelve Tribes is a conservative religious group based in the United States with locations in North America (primarily) and other continents (less extensive).

• This website provides details about the group, its history, its activities, and its beliefs.

• To read additional topics, use the menu (on the left or at the top). Or the “Next” button at the bottom of each page.

• Send your feedback or questions via Facebook Messenger or join our Facebook Discussion Group.

History

• The Twelve Tribes Communities were founded in 1972 by Gene Spriggs (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) is very influential and is still alive today.

• Gene was considered the lead apostle, and his right-hand man was Charles “Eddie” Wiseman (or Hakam). Eddie’s wife died from untreated cancer while in the group, and all of his children have left the Tribes.

• Gene Spriggs had one son with his first wife but had no children with Marsha. This means that both the founder and cofounder have no children currently living in the group.

• The group originally called itself the “Vine Christian Community Church” and was located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

• Being frustrated with the spiritual apathy and social pushback in their city (a story is disputed by locals), they moved their entire group to Island Pond (Vermont) and renamed themselves “Northeast Kingdom Community Church.”

• In 1995, the group renamed themselves again, this time to “The Twelve Tribes Communities.” Periodically, “The Commonwealth of Israel” was used as a tagline. By this time, they had started to establish additional communities in various parts of North America and other continents, which were divided into regions (or “tribes”).

• In 2006, the eastern United States (where the majority of communities existed) was divided into two Tribes, which allowed a twelfth Tribe to be formalized (eleven years after adopting “The Twelve Tribes” as their name).

Group Dynamics

• The Tribes have created a lot of structure related to their lifestyle, beliefs, relationships, and activities. They have created a fair amount of insider terminology.

• When someone joins the group, they move into Tribes’ housing, give the Tribes all their belongings & money, and receive a new Hebrew name.

• The Tribes also make money via their restaurants, construction businesses, farms, furniture business, etc.

• The Tribes began in the Hippie Era and continue to emphasize peace, love, and unity. The Tribes say that everything is shared in common (though at certain times some communities have lived in poverty while others have flourished).

• Recruitment and public outreach often happen in local communities (especially during Friday evening events), in their Yellow Deli restaurant chain, during “Open Forum” events, in their large “Peacemaker” buses & ship, and during other outreach efforts.

• Membership in the Tribes declined after it came out that the founder’s wife had sexual relationships with multiple younger men in the group, on multiple continents, over a 20-year period.

• Further disillusionment has come from situations of child abuse, harsh leadership, a homicide within the community, an elder convicted of child rape & battery, and the death of the founder.

• Yet, leaving the Tribes is often very difficult.