History of Gwen Shamblin Lara in Timeline
Gwendolyn Shamblin Lara founded the Remnant Fellowship Church and the Weigh Down Workshop, a Christian-based weight-loss program. Her program grew in popularity throughout the 1990s, expanding internationally and incorporating teachings on family relationships. It faced controversy and criticism for its rigid doctrines, emphasis on outward appearance, and Shamblin Lara’s leadership style. In 2021, Shamblin Lara, her husband, and five other church leaders died in a plane crash. The Weigh Down Workshop continues to operate. Shamblin Lara authored several books, including "The Weigh Down Diet" which detailed her approach to weight loss through faith.
February 18, 1955: Gwen Shamblin Lara's Birth
Gwen Shamblin Lara was born on February 18, 1955.
1978: First Marriage
Gwen Shamblin married David Shamblin in 1978.
1980: Weight Control Consulting Practice Begins
Gwen Shamblin Lara started a weight control consulting practice in 1980.
1986: Weigh Down Workshop Founded
Gwen Shamblin Lara founded the Weigh Down Workshop, a Christian weight-loss program, in 1986.
1994: Weigh Down Workshop Expansion
By 1994, the Weigh Down Workshop was offered in approximately 600 churches across 35 U.S. states.
January 1995: Weigh Down Workshop Reaches Wider Audience
By January 1995, the Weigh Down Workshop expanded to over 1,000 churches in 49 states, Great Britain, and Canada.
July 1996: Weigh Down Workshop Continued Growth
The Weigh Down Workshop grew to approximately 5,000 churches by July 1996, with about 10 percent located in Tennessee.
December 1996: Weigh Down Workshop in Britain
Around eight churches in Britain hosted Weigh Down Workshops by December 1996, with some U.S. participants also holding meetings in their homes.
1996: Weigh Down Workshop Headquarters and Desert Oasis
In 1996, Weigh Down Workshop established its headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, with a staff of 40, and began hosting the annual Desert Oasis convention in Nashville.
1997: "The Weigh Down Diet" Published
Gwen Shamblin Lara published "The Weigh Down Diet" in 1997, a book that sold over 1.2 million copies and advised readers to use spirituality to manage overeating.
August 1998: Weigh Down Workshop Global Reach
By August 1998, Weigh Down Workshop had hosted over 21,000 classes with more than 250,000 participants worldwide, including classes in every U.S. state, Canada, and Europe.
1999: Remnant Fellowship Church Founded
Gwen Shamblin Lara founded the Remnant Fellowship Church in Franklin, Tennessee, in 1999.
August 10, 2000: Shamblin Questions Trinity Doctrine
On August 10, 2000, Gwen Shamblin Lara emailed her followers questioning the biblical basis of the Trinity doctrine, leading to backlash, including some evangelical churches dropping her program and the cancellation of her next book.
2001: Financial Scrutiny of Weigh Down Workshop
In 2001, Nashville CBS affiliate WTVF investigated the financial practices of Weigh Down Workshop leaders, with Gwen Shamblin Lara stating that half of the proceeds were used for taxes and the other half reinvested in the program.
October 8, 2003: Death of Josef Smith
Eight-year-old Josef Smith died on October 8, 2003, due to "acute and chronic" abuse. Members of the Remnant Fellowship Church, led by Shamblin, funded the legal defense of Josef's parents, the Smiths.
2004: Remnant Fellowship Church Building Completed
The Remnant Fellowship Church building was completed in 2004 on a 40-acre property in Brentwood, Tennessee, purchased by Gwen Shamblin Lara.
March 27, 2007: Smiths Sentenced
On March 27, 2007, the Smiths were sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison for the death of their son, Josef.
2018: Divorce and Second Marriage
Gwen Shamblin divorced David Shamblin and married Joe Lara in 2018.
May 29, 2021: Gwen Shamblin Lara's Death
Gwen Shamblin Lara died on May 29, 2021, in a plane crash.
2021: Accusations Against Shamblin and Remnant Fellowship
A 2021 HBO Max docuseries explored accusations against Gwen Shamblin Lara and the Remnant Fellowship Church, including claims of promoting corporal punishment for children.
2021: Shamblin's Will and Legacy
Following Gwen Shamblin Lara's death in 2021, it was revealed that her will left none of her multimillion-dollar fortune to the Remnant Fellowship Church, despite her previous emphasis on members donating to the church.
2021: The Way Down Docuseries Release
The HBO Max docuseries "The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin" was released in 2021, exploring Shamblin's life and controversies.
2023: Lifetime Movie Release
A Lifetime movie about Gwen Shamblin Lara, starring Jennifer Grey, was released in 2023.