Former JWs Share Their Story: Simon and Maria 

I'm also an ex Jehovah Witness.. actually grew up as a JW for 40 year.. but now I am Christian.... Born again.. thank God

This is so good! I was a witness for 30 years and an elder too. I lost my wife, children, and grand children when I was disfellowshipped. Simon and Maria - you make me cry because we have travelled the exact same road on opposite sides of the planet. Jesus is so good, and Jesus is so GOD! I loved hearing your story here! Thankyou Mike Winger, and John Courson, who helped me in more ways than I can count! Most of all thank you Jesus!

Good job, I like the level of compassion. I too have been bamboozled, please pray for my heart is angry & have great distrust.

Great video, I'm currently a witness but I'm going through the phases. Very encouraging video, thanks!

I was a catholic, but I’m a bible reading born again Christian now. With leaving Catholicism it’s a much easier road versus JW’s and Mormons.

I just went to check out their channel and sadly, it "doesn't exist". I did a search first but then came back to see if you included a link and although you did, it's no longer there. I'm very sad to see it's gone. Simon and Maria, please consider coming back. You are so needed. God bless you both.

My former boss's wife is former JW. Her elderly mom is still. Please pray for her salvation. 🙏

I have just woke up myself after being in the dark for 55 years. I'm 57 now. I definitely could tell a story myself. Thank you so much for sharing! I was born into the religion. My father was an elder when the arrangement first started, presiding overseer, convention coordinator, news reporter etc. I remember in the first grade when they said Armageddon was coming in 1975. I survived elder abuse not in sexual situations but suffer severe PTSD from the mental abuse that these men inflict.

Mike Winger the link to Simon and Maria’s RU-vid channel is no longer there. I hope and pray they are okay. Their testimony is such a blessing. Thank you for sharing it ❤️🙏

I was a Catholic so i understand how they we're deceived

What a shame, their channel no longer exists.

What a blessing. Thank you Simon & Maria for your boldness to help others see the truth. Thank you Pastor Mike for introducing us to Simon & Maria. May the Lord continue to bless you all to teach others of Jesus Love!

Simon & Maria and Mike Winger: Thank you for the interview. After being in the organization for over 4 decades, I have decided to fade. I'm in the process of reviewing as much info as I can. I'll admit, it's overwhelming. I appreciate your interview style with this couple. For me I was not impressed with other ex jw channels that are still in the 'anger' phase of their journey. Although I do understand that anger is part of grieving. Thank you also for sharing the info about Michael the archangel. I'm definitely going to remember Heb 1:5 and Heb 2:5. I have so much to digest. I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in my journey. I will say that I'm taking my time as to where I want to go. I was seriously thinking about being agnostic. I'm not sure yet. I'm thinking that perhaps truth is relative. How can one know for sure which is true? There are so many different bible versions. How do I know which translation is true? I think that will be my path. Again, thank you for your time and efforts in sharing your story. May you all be blessed!

Oh wow this is such a blessing. Thank you Simon and Maria for agreeing to be interviewed by Mike Winger😊 Thanks Mike 👍 I followed the link to Simon and Maria's youtube channel but it says, "this channel does not exist." I'll pray for Simon and Maria and Mike too for God's blessing, his protection, his wisdom and great understanding 🙏 I imagine it is not easy to speak out in public about this.

If anyone tells you to never google them (a bank, a school, a restaurant, an airline, a doctor’s office, a church), your response should be to leave then immediately google them. Oh, and never return no matter what you find because that’s craaazy.

Why is their channel gone!?! ☹️ Do they have any other social media?

👍This was terrific. Thank you so much for being brave enough to speak out. Wishing you guys the best. 🤗💞🤗

So wonderful to hear testimony of those who did not turn away from God because of JWs. I think that is the biggest thing JWs will answer for. I too wound up in a Calvert Chapel! Such a gentle group but strong on Bible teaching & not afraid of Bible prophecy. Bless you two and bro Mike, who is also a blessing to me!

Fascinating insight into this religious group. God bless Simon and Maria for hearing the Holy Spirit guide them out of that church. It's incredible to see how God works on those who listen. I was baptised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the age of 14. Then I didn't step foot in that or any church over 30 years. Fast forward to last year and I met two sister Missionaries of the LDS church and I had convinced myself through prayer that going back to their church is what God wanted, and it went well for six months until I began researching their church. They told me the same, if I want to research their church it's wise I use their own doctrine etc. That surprised me because I thought they were an intelligent bunch and would have thought similar to my thoughts on that, that if you want to research something you have to look at it from the outside in, not the inside out!! Anyway 6 months after being back in their church the Holy Spirit confirmed to me that I was in the wrong church, because of all the work that they are doing. I seen their works and all I can say is. Truly I am blessed by God not to have wasted my entire life and lost me eternal life to a false idol. God works in mysterious ways!! God bless you Mike so happy I discovered your channel. Now I try learning all I can to witness to my Mormon friends , it might take a while :)

Praise Jesus our God and Lord. 💞

I looked for their channel but sadly it no longer exists. Do you keep in touch with them?

Are Simon & Maria still because when I clicked on their link I could not find their channel... I hope they are ok x

Suggestion Mike Winger: Hey, you should interview other formers of other creeds and what caused them to convert; etc.

as a former JW going out in field service creates good and bad. maybe the purpose is to keep you occupied with learning the Bible (Not really) but it turns out your going out in service produces numbers. like only those pioneers get special training or special treatment etc. for me I wanted to preach out of concern for others. when I pioneered it noticed the clock /time too often. made me feel like a clock witness. people felt guilty for not making their time. I used to tell them what quilt or shame is there in sharing the message Christ commissioned us with? and yes I am no longer a JW. my wife and daughters don't see it my way. even when I showthem proof

God bless these two and keep them firm in the true faith. I hope all is well with them. Thanks for sharing, Mike.

Hi Mike! I love the work you are doing! It truly blesses my life. I was wondering if you knew what Simon and Maria's channel is named now, I can't find it. It says it doesn't exist and their videos are no longer available on RU-vid. :(

This is really good, thanks for posting. I know this is an old video, but their channel does not seem to be there. Any explanation?

I was praying the other day and went to the bible and for some reason God had me see Luke 1:16-17 and how that "him" in verse 17 totally refers to God... well, if it refers to God then John the Baptist was going *_before God_* which is Jesus. I ended up having to drive a few hundred miles that day and passed a JW kingdom hall. I pulled over a few blocks away, grabbed a few pieces of paper (which just happened to be in my very messy car) and I took a few minutes to simply write out 7 notes each reading: "Read Luke 1:16-17. The Him of verse 17 refers to God." There were exactly 7 cars in the parking lot and I put my note on each one's windshield. I pray the Lord uses these little notes.... It's funny bc if they looked out the window of the kingdom hall to see my license plate... it reads JCISGOD. lol praise God!

This was a good interview. It is a shame they don't have a Yt channel.

Hello Mike, do you know what happened to Simon and Maria? I just watched your interview with them. I clicked the link to check out their channel and it no longer exists.

Simon & Maria's youtube channel does not exist anymore.

Thanks for the info. Very enlightening.

True what they say as far as what it’s like at a Kingdom Hall. Non-denominational Christian here. I went to visit one, to open the door of conversation with my JW friend about it and maybe plant seeds and understand why he would go there and what the appeal is. It was so DEPRESSING and spiritually exhausting. I felt so sad for those people the whole time I was there.

Beautiful testimony

Any info on the folks now? Looked for them and cannot find them on RU-vid.

Great interview.

This would have been really good, but sadly, the audio is very difficult to understand. TY for trying.

Mike, you do such a service in your work of revealing the untruths and control of this cult. I studied with them for three years and still have feelings of guilt about leaving them. The indoctrination is deep, but I was recently baptized in the Calvary Chapel church. Thank you so much.

Praise the Lord!!!

This is the first time hearing about different magazines for the public and meetings. Sounds shady. Very good interview, I enjoyed it.

Great testimony. 1 Peter 3:15

Great interview thanks.

JWs are starting to get desperate. Either that or devious. They came to our door at 11:30, last Christmas morning. They said they were out that day because they _"knew people would be home"_ 😲 At first, we were shocked. The more I think about it, though, the angrier I get. They felt that it was perfectly fine to interrupt our family's Christmas festivities to try and give us their cult's propaganda. _How rude was that?!_ Not exactly the best way to get people to convert, is it? They were fortunate that my husband answered the door and not me. He's a much kinder person. _I'd have read them the riot act._

Simon and Maria, if I were to leave a note on an index card on the vehicles of JWs at Kingdom Hall, what would be the most effective message to get them to the truth? Thank you and God bless you in Jesus name! 💖

1:26:58 ..... oh you caught me! LOL. Excellent interview. Yahweh bless you all.

Beautiful story lost your friends but you now have God💞 Praise Jesus🐑 our God🦁 and Lord. 🕆💖

I was wondering if Simon and Maria have done any recent videos.I can't seem to find any

Thank you for this video. It allowed me to see the heart of the JWs. I knew this but need to be reminded. It is not about winning an apologetical argument.

Mike are you still in contact with them? I don’t see any channel on RU-vid. Hope they’re still in the faith.

Hi there😆 the organization actually is all about the money its just done in a very subtle way. Constant reminders and guilt about giving our all to Jehovah.. the example of the needy widow in the scriptures was a regular. We were always encouraged to donate for the publications we used personally as well and as the years went by ALL the demonstrations that took place during meetings included telling the householder we except donations.. all the while the organization has been involved in stocks and companies threat go against the doctrine. But rank and file JWs know nothing about those things or would even believe it if you tell them.. they're considered apostate lies.. Thank you Mike for interviewing Simon and Maria and opening up this conversation to the general public..

❤️❤️❤️

For me it was exactly the opossite

They are getting more and more about money. I have come out after 50 years and have seen a great difference through the years

Hi Mike, which translation of the bible do you use?

Glad they’re going on line as many will accidentally find The Christian Truth.

If any created person could die for our sins then why did Jesus have to go to the CROSS. Then why not an angel or any of the preachers . 🤔

After the Ministry School they talk about How much Money they get from the Donation and How much More is needed for the World Wide Work they have a. Donation Box 2 in Front 2 at the sides etc etc and these Boxes is for Different. projects So its all about Money so do not be Fouled.

At first look at the thumbnail I thought that was Mike with Maria.

Long lost brother??? 🤣

there was a testimony of a born again believer who died and came back to life, Jesus showed him hell and heaven, he saw Charles T Russel in hell the founder of Jehovah's Witness, he asked Jesus why this man is in hell, Jesus said Charles taught lies, he removed the Jesus word in the bible and replaced it with Jehovah,hell i he also removed hell in the bible and also he denied the deity of Jesus Christ.

The Body is corrupt.

Matthew 7:21 .Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 2 Timothy 4:3, 4 For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the wholesome teaching, but according to their own desires, they will surround themselves with teachers to have their ears tickled. 4 They will turn away from listening to the truth and give attention to false stories. Are todays Christians DOING the WILL of the Most High?

WOAH conviction 24:35there you are

This video is so hard to understand, I gave up

16 dislikes from "the brothers"

So they decided not to be JWs anymore? Luke 15 When they return we will be there arms open wide. Matthew 7:21 - 23

You will here things that do not sound correct to you so write it down then either ask your preacher or go home and do your research. You will have to relearn the real word of God and learn about why Jesus was on earth. I am very blessed to never have to correct wrong teachings.

I can show also former evangelicals stories trashing evangelicals churches, I dont pay attention to any former of anything, if you have to prove someone is wrong doing using logical reasoning and proofs ...not Emotional arguments.

I was deceived for 28 years by the JW Org. Sooo disappointed !! I'll probably never totally get over the disappointment

Would you try to help Jesus to stop being a JW? Was Jesus a Jew or not? >>>> Isaiah 43:10 You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none.

You guys are liars no one said Jesus is not Michael the archangel and secondly speak for your selves if your really dedicated to go out door to door then of course they like to preach it’s not about going slow it’s nice to talk to ones about the Bible you hear different experience this are all bias strictly your opinions not truth

39:23

Who was the Good for nothing slave who buried his talent? When Jesus paid the ransom to his Father could he then take it back? Which Christian church is there that has not been contaminated by Babylon the Great? Now what is the name of theirs and your God? Was Jesus not the Alfa and the Omega of the creation of the Father? If you are happy to speak with a JW mike Go ahead and see why we are not weed Christians ok?

I am not saying that all the teachings is Bad. Some are Good But is the Control that they have on you and a Guilt. Feeling you have and I think that is not a good spirit to have.

I wish I could get you to vet your understanding of Greek pronunciation. I even heard you say “I know it’s a ‘Y’ but it’s pronounced ‘U’.” The only way to make the ‘U’ sound in Greek is ‘ou’. (‘au’ is pronounced ‘af’). Sorry, but I am Greek and I just want to get you to look outside your Greek echo chamber.

I could never take the JWs seriously as their publications are like a cross between a comic book and Ad Council propaganda. In short, the JWs have, amazingly, created materials that are at one and the same time lurid and insipid! The theology and artwork in their publications appear as for children.

From an outsider perspective, even though the comparison may sound derisory and slightly worn out at this point, it's like one group thinking Superman is the best super hero ever and the other group favouring Spiderman and the former celebrating after some members of the latter changed camp.

Colossians 1:15 1 Peter 1:3. 1 Corinthians 1:3. 2 Corinthians 1:3 John 17:3 John 20:17 Psalm 7: 17 Psalms 83:18 John 3:16 Sorry You can't un-ring the Bell of Truth

So they left one cult to join another

Hi, I think theres nothing wrong with JW's, its just another Christian denomination. They have more thruth than others. The thing I dont agree with is the separation with members of a same family if they are not JW's. I can understand they want to protect themselves, kinda like Amish do, but with your own family its wrong

Yah is the Father, Yahshua is the Son Halalu yah he comes in his fathers name it has been hidden from you by the Jesuits he comes in there fathers name Jesus, take IT out of Jesuits spells Jesus you are purposly whorshipping and paying tribute to the name of God will Yah say to you I know you not this is Truth

Well why do you think your present Religion is True all is in the same Boat going down stream.

One important thing to note simon makes it sound like Christianity and evolution are incompatible and this is definitely not the case

are you crazy jesus is not god

mike what’s your email??