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Michael Rood's WAY Days

By 1981, 29 year old Michael John Rood of "A Rood Awakening" had been in The Way International cult for nine years. 1 Today, at age 51 his current presentation of religious beliefs seem to be a reflection of The Way International theology and indoctrination practices plus. It would not be a surprise that he does employ that form of teaching because Michael Rood was in leadership as, at the very least, Limb Coordinator of The Way cult in Washington D.C. 2
Having joined The Way International in 1972 at the age of 20 and claiming to be a former Marine marksman in 1981, Michael Rood was introduced to a Way Twig meeting as "The Rev. Mr. Michael Rood," according to the October 13, 1981, Washington Post article called, Giving Thanks for Array of Blessings,

"....The Rev. Mr. Michael Rood," The Way's Washington area director -- "limb coordinator" in Way parlance -- and the honored guest at this twig. A nine-year veteran of the Way, Rood, 29, still displays vestiges of his years as a Marine Corps sergeant...
... he leans forward intently, elbows on the knees of his gray garbardine trousers, and announces the topic of his sermon. It is "The Word of God is the Will of God," which also happens to be the group's motto...The Pharisees, he says, were "jerks."
"You can't trust anyone these days," he says in his flat, twangy Grand Rapids, Mich., voice. "You can only trust God and his word."
"All the negatives, fears, questions about life, insecurity complexes -- all that goes" if you believe in The Way, Rood says. The members nod in vigorous assent. "The word of God is still the will of God and if that's the only thing you have to believe, it's pretty simple..." 3

Being Limb coordinator of Washington D.C is not to be taken lightly. In order for an individual to attain the leadership position of Limb, they would have to have totally embraced The Way International theology. They would have believed fully in the purposes and procedures and have proven themselves, resulting in being hand picked by the top Way leadership. Their obedience to that leadership had to be unquestionable because TWI was/is an authoritarian leadership.
Update: In a letter to SeekGod.ca an attendee of the 2005 National Religious Broadcasters Convention (NRB) spoke with Michael Rood's associates including his wife Judith. When asked about being in The Way International, the following was noted:

Email: "...Michael Rood's wife, Judith, the same question. She told me that, yes, Michael had been a member of The Way, but that was just when he was 17."

That goes entirely against public record, and eye witness information. Michael Rood may have joined The Way International at the age of 17, but that also contradicts what he told a reporter in 1981. For the complete letter please see: The 2005 National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention With Focus On Michael Rood.
The lowest level of leadership in The Way is twig coordinator (home fellowship group), then a twig area coordinator (overseeing a few nearby twigs). Above that is Branch Coordinator, which is roughly a city-wide position, depending on local geography. The Limb leaders are generally over a state or two, depending on size of state and of TWI following in that area. Above that is president and cabinet, so readers must understand that being a Limb is high up and clearly a position of authority.
The Greasespot Cafe is a web site for former and current Way people. In a discussion thread about the 7th Corps members, of which Michael Rood apparently was a graduate, Michael is remembered fondly by his fellow Way members. Being 7th Corps means he graduated Way College in 1979, with probable attendance approximately 1976 to 1979. According to John Juedes, "7 Corps graduated 279 in 1979. The Way College of Emporia opened in 1975, so odds are Michael spent a couple of years there." 4
The people in the 7th Corps discussion also posted Michael's current "in costume" pictures from his old 6001.com site, which is no longer his site as he lost the domain name. The same photos are found on his current site, michaelrood.com.

"June 11, 2002 "...Look. It's our Corps brother Mike Rood. (shows Rood's old link) I remember when he was hawking car buffing franchises in residence. Interesting site. I suppose we have all changed tremendously in the last 23 years in one way or another. Mike if you are reading this I mean it as a compliment, really, but when I saw this pic I was reminded of a ZZ Top concert I went to..."

June 13, 2002 "....that's quite a faxxintin' pic ya got of ole Rood...I mean....i think he was once in the military too once wasn't he...was he training fer something bigger..."

June 17, 2002 "...Wow - Mike looks, well, alot older than I do. I never would have recognized him. I remember that ex-military, ramrod straight posture who was being groomed for leadership. Was he ordained?..."5
According to former Way member, Karl Kahler, in his book, The Cult that Snapped, "The Corps is the priesthood of the ministry, the pool from which the clergy is chosen and all top posts are filled." 6
In the 9th Corps thread on the Greasespot Cafe Forum, Michael's ex-wife Sara Rood or Sara Myers, aka Sally Myers was discussed. Sara divorced Michael December 7, 1994, with the divorce ratified March 14, 1995, leaving Sara with custody of their four girls and Michael apparently free to embark on his "ministry." The divorce was just prior to Michael embarking on his stated Torah Observant lifestyle and the release of his book, The Mystery of Iniquity. It is also just prior to launching, what is described by his staff as, "his speaking career." In 2002 Michael married Judith Dithers. It is unclear how Michael justifies divorce, while claiming to be a leader of God's people and Torah Observant.
It can be concluded by the discussion thread that Sara was also 7th or 9th Corps in The Way International.

"...Sally's name was Rood, but she became Sarah Myers (changed back after the divorce, I think she said on the old trancechat), and AirForce nurse, and mother of 4 daughters...the oldest of which I believe is grown..." December 05, 2002 21:20
"...michael looks a little different from when he was in the military..." December 09, 2002 06:16
"...Mikey...aged a bit. Good thing it hasn't happened to the rest of us!!!!!!!!!?? wow. Sara (Sally) had said that Michael had gone kinda off the deep end, spending time in Israel proclaiming the apocalype or something like that. He's not the way I remember him. (clean shaven!)..." December 09, 2002 5b" [spelling as seen]

On a pub7.ezboard.comForum, run by Grease Spot Cafe, and which has been locked down, we see discussion which includes Rood, and his co-worker James Louis. Jamie has the YaakovLevi.com web site , the fundraiser and Tour site for Rood. Stevie Kay is Jamie's first wife, whom he divorced around 1995. He is now with Connie Louis, nee Adams. The discussion thread reveals Jamie Louis's involvement in The Way International and also reveals that Michael Rood was still conducting and teaching in Way home fellowships as late as 1994 or 1995. [This information has been confirmed via others directly connected with Michael Rood, through private email correspondence.] The posters names have been removed for privacy reasons:

(6/10/01) Comment: Stevie Kay and Jamie Louis
"They brought so much good fun good fellowship good word of God and music into our lives...
Can anyone tell how/where they are now?..."
(6/10/01) Re: Stevie Kay and Jamie Louis
"I am sorry to say they are no longer married; been at least 5 yrs ago or more. Don't know where they live."
(6/10/01) Re: Stevie Kay and Jamie Louis
"...I knew them way back about 1978-1979. They were the BC's [Branch Coordinators] for Richmond , VA. and had branch meeting at lest monthly. Stevie would always sing a few songs while accompanying herself on the guitar. ...I remember their little girl...Sure sorry to hear they broke up. But that's the norm for TWI marriages. Staying together is the exception. Jamie had a job selling used cars back then. If I remember correctly and all his co-workers called him "REV". He liked that, I think, even though he didn't get ordained until later..."
(6/16/01) Jamie Louis
"...As of a few months ago Jamie was traveling with Michael Rude teaching on the feasts and such. Debi Morrow saw them at a broadcasters convention in Dallas. You might be able to find Michael Rude through "T Prophecy Club"..."
(6/16/01) Re: Jamie Louis
"Michael Rood's website is at www.6001.com [please note--that is no longer his domain]
"Last time I looked, a little over a year ago, the Web site included photos of Jamie Louis and Michael Rood and some other people I didn't know. ..."
(8/19/01) Re: Jamie Louis
" I remember seeing Jamie Louis at a CES conference back in June, 1998, and I guess he is traveling with Michael Rood.
Michael Rood came to teach at our home back in 1994 or 1995. He was teaching about the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. It was quite a teaching...scared us half to death...I'm not so sure of the accuracy of it all but it was good to get together with believers at that time. He also was teaching many customs of the Jewish religion and such...interesting stuff...." 7

Please understand the reference to "get together with believers." Way doctrine teaches that only fellow Way people are believers. So we have "fellow believers" noting that both Michael Rood and Jamie Louis were ordained into the Way and placed in leadership positions.
Update: Due to the 2007 controversial breakup of A Rood Awakening Ministries, the organization was split into two groups. One held by Jamie Louis in the original A Rood Awakening! Ministries Oregon office, and one held by Michael Rood and some new staff. Michael Rood launched a new corporation in Michigan, where his new office is, called A Rood Awakening! Ministries International. Two new websites were launched by the Rood camp, one called reallyrood.com in competition with the original aroodawakening.tv, unroododespertar.tv and aroodawakening.com, all of which have since been shut down. The new michaelroodministries.com was launched in direct competition to the original michaelrood.com, which has been shutdown. Jamie Louis also included in his Ya'akovlevi site the name of a new business called Torah to the Nations, based in Oregon. On December 14, 2007, Michael Rood's Michigan attorney's filed lawsuit against Jamie Louis.
http://www.seekgod.ca/rood.htm