I Escaped a CULT: How I Broke Free From Being Controlled | PT. 2 

I’m so glad that you didn’t turn your back on our Heavenly Father God because of people

My husband and I got caught up in the Mormon Church and as time went on you find out more and more. When we wanted to leave they said we needed to sign a paper to ex communicate ourselves from the church and was told we’d go to hell. I honestly was scared to death over all this. How they get you involved is they’re very family oriented and the women get together all the time with our children and you feel so close to all the wives. One Sunday my husband went to his men’s group and I was getting the children ready to go and he came running in saying we’re done and not going back. Once he heard they said man can become a God that was it for him. It took years to get away from them they were at our door all the time even found us when we moved to another state. It’s extremely scary to get involved with these cults. It took me years and years to get over the triggers. We were Baptized in the Mormon Church in October so every year as October got closer I’d want to go back. I could feel the pulling which now I know was the Devil to get back in before it was too late.

Hello Allison. I was converted in the Boston church in '90 when Kip was still in charge and prior to the ICOC spinoff. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The Belmont house church was awesome, but there was always this underlying feeling that you were being watched, evaluated and judged. I left when the Henry Kriete letter came out. I, like you had risen up through the ranks, so when I left, it shook a lot of peoples faith. I remember the day it was official that I had "fallen away", I was genuinely scared that I was going to go out and commit rape. Well, I didn't, and I realized I was the same non-rapist person I was the day before. But they had programmed me to think that without their discipleship, I was easy prey for satan and I would be helpless to resist him. There is certainly some truth to that, but I didn't instantly change into some demon possessed depraved lunatic the day I moved out of the brother's household. That was about 20 years ago. I have healed for the most part, but there is some lingering trauma. Now, I will disagree with you on one part of your presentation. You said there were two types of people: those who disowned and blamed God, and those who "dug deeper" into God. I would go further and say that a lot of people were like me...after it was over, we just kind of stood back and took big breath, and said, "What the HELL just happened"? Then we tried to figure out how go back to a "normal" life, albeit with the knowledge of God that we didn't have before. I still believe, and I'm still searching for a good church. Thank you so much Allison for sharing your story. God Bless.

I love your heart, dear. I too was in the church for 10 years around the time as you. Spiritual healing takes time. My prayers are with you ❤️

Former ICOC girl here who has watched your travel videos. I was baptized and left in 1998 in the Detroit, Michigan church. Everything you have shared resonates from the way I was invited to study the Bible to dating to my early marriage to being isolated from friends and family. Glad to see you made it out with your faith intact, I did as well. Looking forward to the rest of this series and I can guess where it’s going. I heard Kip started a new church!

If is tempting for a charismatic narcissistic person to want to be God and have followers. Many people especially young ones yearn for guidance, belongingness, love, and acceptance. I never would have thought you being in a cult because you seem very rational and independent. Thank you for sharing this part of your life.

My favorite verse of the Bible is Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. This was all I could think of when you spoke about the sheer tragedy of 9-11 being the impetus for you to leave the cult. God's grace can grant us a blessing even the midst of incredible suffering. Thank you for sharing this story.

I just subscribed to your channel because I was part of the OG discipling movement, the Crossroads Movement (where Kip McKean was baptized.) I got out around 1987, right around then was when the ICOC started. Your story is not unusual. I was converted as a college student.

🙏🏾✊🏾❤️ You got yourself out. I still have family and friends (former family and friends by their respective choice) caught up in the same Cult.

Wow that's an amazing story! I am glad you didn't turn your back on the Lord!

Thank you for sharing Allison. People trying to control other people is no joke.

Totally relatable! I’ve had numerous cult followers off the street run up to me with so much cheer. My mom attended a meeting years ago, with some cult group that sent her a letter claiming you can be your own God. She witnessed people sign up at some random location giving their personal banking details just to get a membership. Most recently, I was approached at Target at night a group of young males came up to me with a Bible encouraging me to join their growing group without even allowing me to question them.

I loved hearing your story sister. It sounds very similar to my experience. My husband and I were in the Phoenix ICOC. The leaders did some back room deals and fired one of their pastors as a power play and it split the church. At this time we left along with about 20 others. It was so hard but looking back on it, it was the best thing. We both have grown a ton in our relationship with God. I do miss the relationships as well. But God does not want his church to be a manipulative machine. He wants a relationship with us.

Your story brings up so many past emotions. The brainwashing and laying on of guilt. So glad you were able to get out. I'm so sorry your marriage came about in such an environment and that it was not able to survive once you got out. Divorce is always so sad. I'm happy you continue to grow in the Lord and encourage others.❤

Thank you for sharing. You do a great job of telling your story with kindness and a sense of humor. I appreciate that! :)

Allison - thank you for sharing your story. It is good for people to know that cults are borne out of corrupt people - not God. I am so glad you came out the other side rooted in your faith. You would find Amy Scobee who left Scientology and is now a Christian. She has. youTube channel where she discusses leaving that cult and finding Christianity - you would enjoy her.❤

I was a member of Atlanta ICOC for years and all you said is truth. You had to study to become a disciple and then be baptized and then get in more study groups several a week and get them baptized. They made Sure before joining you would always give at least 10% of everything you make. If you should stay married or divorce .Where to spend your money. Made me feel a bad guilt , do not understand why I did not quit sooner. They had such control because you did not want to disappoint God. All along it was not about serving God. Thanks for sharing. Bad memories but maybe good to share.

Its a grand confidence scam. Cult leaders are the best confidence men, no doubt. This was a great vlog Thanks Allison it held my interest the entire time..thats saying a lot because normally I can get kitty catted fairly easily

Thank you for sharing. I was in that same cult my whole childhood. Not fun.

Allison, Thank you for sharing your experiences. You are very brave to share your personal experience with this cult. I hope some young people who see this will wake up to realize that cults do exist in the so-called name of church. I hope you will find (if you haven't already done so) a church that "calls" to you and your beliefs. For me, after 68 years of being a Methodist, I was called to the Roman Catholic church, and could not be happier or feel more fulfilled. Each one of us should listen for our own calling. God is always calling us; we just need to listen to that still, quiet voice.

Amazing story. I was in a cult for several years but I haven't made it back to any church, unfortunately.

Hello Allison! My husband and I were also in a cult. We were there for six years and what’s interesting is we were also very young. I was 20 and my husband 24, we had just gotten married. The cult we were in was as actually a Presbyterian church, but not your normal kind it was apart of the CREC and started by a man named Doug Wilson. If anyone else is reading this, stay away from this group. When we decided to leave it was awful, we were shunned as well and my husband worked for a man from that church and he was fired. We had three small children that I stayed home with. And then I got pregnant with our fourth. It was SO stressful and my health really suffered. We don’t have any family nearby so we were alone. But like you said from your experience good things came from it, like our four kids. That church didn’t encourage birth control, I knew as a woman if we stayed there and I kept have a baby every other year I would probably die. I didn’t feel well and I was so exhausted. Thank God He delivered us. But we experienced some of the things you did as well like the love bombing and everyone in your business. I really enjoyed listening to your story, thanks for sharing! I’ve asked myself how we could have been so stupid to get involved in something like this but you know, your young and you want to be apart of something that you think is good and will make a difference and they get you. 🧡🧡

Thanks for sharing

Wow, thank you for sharing your story.

Interesting and thank you for sharing.

Fascinating!

A good way to know what a church believes before attending a service is to read their statement of faith on their website. It really sheds light on their biblical interpretations of who God is, salvation, etc. I understand though that if a person doesn’t know the Bible then it’s difficult to discern these statements. This is why personally studying the Bible and trusting God to show you the truth by his Spirit is needed.

🙏🙏🙏 ty 4 sharing

Yes! I've been looking forward to this!

Thank you for your channel 🙂

Yes, Kip is a true Narc!!!

Thanks for sharing your experience. ❤

I hope all of these videos go viral. GOOD job.

The Spirit led you out. Hallelujah

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm so glad you chose to leave and kept your faith ❤

This 2-part series has been very compelling, Allison. I was interested in knowing about your experience with the cult when you mentioned it a while ago, and I appreciate your sharing it! 💜

Thank you for sharing your story. My church has often been labeled a cult I can’t wait till your next vlog.

Thank you again for being vulnerable and balancing the good and bad of your experiences.

Thank you for sharing. Had never heard of that cult church before.

Wow it’s so interesting to hear you’re back story Allison ❤Thank you for sharing❣️

I’m really glad you got out of that cult and are now free

thanks for sharing the bloopers they were cute

I am loving this series! I too was a part of a cult unknowingly. Thank God the narcissistic leader I was under was verbally abusive and I had had ENOUGH which caused me to leave and block that person from being able to ever communicate with me again. Thank you for sharing.

Hi Chickie:) I totally get what your describing and saying.. I also believe families/a parent(god forbid both parents) can do and be the same as you described. Almost narcissitic, def narcissist's traits. (for sure the controlling and love bombing behavior, once your aware). I have removed myself from a manipulating, gaslighting, controlling, love bombing person in my family. Very similar to how you describe a cult. I do also appreciate your experiences, and the many others have endured. I would never dismiss that. HUGs to you and everyone that's aware, and growing awareness:). KIA KAHA. Smiles...Donna x

Thanks so much for sharing your testimony with us, there’s a lot of crazy stuff out there and it’s easier than most people think to get into them and not realize it right away. This experience has been part of your life journey and makes you relatable to others who have been through similar situations. God WILL use it for His glory! HalleluYah!

Sounds like I was in the church around the same time as you. I got out before 9-11 but I heard a lot of people left after it. It might sound crazy to outsiders that you would move away just to get away from eh church but they have SUCH tight control of you. They try to chase you down when you leave too. Thanks for sharing your story.

Oh Jesus Please Be With You !

I like that you’re shining a light on cultish organizations, and on balancing with the truth of God’s love. Also I always have enjoyed your energy and positivity, and I look forward to you bringing that to this topic. It’s helpful to show that there are positives about these organizations that draw people in, and so they shouldn’t feel bad that they “fell for it”. And also there are healthier places or organizations whee those positives are authentically expressed. It’s a tricky tightrope, but I fully believe you’re going to handle this with a helpful and hope-filled heart.

Thank you for sharing and for your honesty. Glad you are safe, learned who God isn't and continue to walk with Jesus. I also think its timely you share. The world is experiencing so much deception, your message is very important. God certainly is using you! ❤ Blessings to you.

Thank you, God bless you 🙏 l can relate coming from a woman hating cult, without Jesus we are nothing 🙏❤️

You are so brave. God did a wonderful work in you. Jesus is the answer.

Hi, ex NYC ICOC cult member here. Thanks for doing these videos, I'd really love to know what research you have on the Big Apple Church, ONe of the leaders in the LA church has been leading in NYC since 2011. It's wild I was baptized after watching the story you told about 9/11 with my own eyes.

Wow, for me a former child abuse victim I never gave up on God and faith and so glad you were able to keep faith in God throughout and believe it was God whom made a way for you to escape but it would have been a gradual escape and allowed you to see things which led to your escape. God looks after those he loves.

I was in the same cult back in the early 90s

This has happened so many times all throughout history. A great family of believers in Jesus Christ falls far from what God wants because of human greediness, love of power, etc. I'm so glad that you came to realize that Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. And we are saved by grace. The true "church" is the believers in Jesus Christ as their savior and Lord no matter where they are or what church they are in. God bless you Allison, for being open and vulnerable to share this with us. 💖♥️

I finally had to come out of the LDS CHURCH.

I was born & raised a c of C preacher’s kid. It’s a cult too, so I’m not surprised that there are spinoff cults. At 45, I’m still working through the trauma. I’ve forged my own path of spirituality & I have more peace in my life after deconstructing my indoctrination. Good job leaving & taking your life back!

Allison, In recent previous videos you have mentioned not exactly knowing where to go with your future RU-vid videos. As I watched this one, I realized, since you are so well versed in the Bible, how about doing some bible study videos? I know it's not for everyone but I for one would definitely watch them. I was brought up catholic but incredibly, don't have a lot of experience with reading the Bible. I have always wanted to learn more but have been somewhat turned off by some preachy individuals, and to tell you the truth I trust and like you! I've been following you for years and feel like I could really relate to any bible related Info you would share. Something to think about.

I was apart of this church back in 1991. At first after my baptism in March 14th everything seemed great. All these people at my baptism saying nice things to me. But i was installed fear from a leader I didn't know saying i was going to hell by being reluctant in joining. Fear brought me in. In time i realized it was too money based and controlling. It became too overwhelming. I was often taken advantage of by members. The term deny yourself was what they used to manipulate me. I left a year later and i was damaged inside. Not knowing if i did the right thing or not. I was scared but in time i realized i did the right thing.

I belonged to that church in the early 90's, in LA. I didn't find it too bad, it was my first church, grew up Buddhist. I left because I got burned out, I was going to college at the time. Wasn't in leadership at any level, so I imagine that adds a lot of pressure

Sinead O'Conner said we need to save God from religion.

Wowwwww. As controlling as I understood the church was, I never thought they would be so low as to challenge you on being selfish attending an impromptu vigil!! That's disgusting and heartless.

We still struggle with feeling God is mad at us, all these years later. We were in the same time as you.

"It's not the way our loving God is" Allison, I am not a Christian, but I greatly value folks, who practice genuine non judgemental, kind and loving acceptance and a true wish for love and a personal and evolving relationship with God (or whatever idea is helpful) I want to cry and am angry when I hear so many "christians" who do the opposite. These churches, church leaders and practitioners have totally missed the point (purposefully or where mislead because of human frailty) much to the detriment of many many damaged by religion. I was fortunate to be involved an a very loving and accepting church in my teenage years, which meant that I had extremely positive experiences (I was in a methodist church in a smallish town) I also sought comfort and acceptance in difficult times with Quakers and Buddhists. I know that organised religion can and does do good. But sadly, may people in many organisations do a lot of damage and because of this so many folks are (rightfully) angry with religion. But those who still find the love of God/Spirit without the church or without a damaging church are lucky. I personally am not religious in a traditional sense, but I find comfort in the idea of a divine spirit and rooted in my belief of basic goodness in the world. I seek answers in my heart and hope and guidance from others I feel kinship with. That's all.

Reminds me so much of cult I grew up in called World Wide Church of God

My husband and i went through something nearly identical. Different denomination, same controlling spiritual abuse.

I remember 9/11 too. I came home from work and my mum said "The World Trade Centre s been bombed!" I looked at the screen and saw the planes hit the towers. It was shocking

Hello Allison, I'm glad you escaped this situation. I don't know this church because I am from another religion but I was reaserching a little bit about this church and I found out really scary stuff😢 Even in 2023😮 I'm not from USA but from Holland, need to say. Anyway, live your best life and be happy❤ Well, I am raisd in community where you may choose to believe in God, because the thought is, only if you choose to believe than is that truley belief and divotion to God. If you don't, also good, that is your choise, because God does not make presure at anyone. YOU HAVE TO FIND IT!. And also, the community has not to pay any money if you or do not want to or you do not have to, because God does not want money but your divotion. So, all those payments that you had to do...😮 So, I have respect for the religion where I am grew up, where I had a choise and today I live together with people, inside my family who are as religieus as also not but everyone together. So, my question is, to all your people is....what kind of religion is that if people inside church asks for money??? What for? My, my, my, this is not good. This is not what God wants. What kind of bullshit is that??😮

I was restored in 2001 in Germany right before 9/11. I deployed to Afghanistan and in 2003 I was in Iraq when I got letter from someone in Munich ICOC telling me that the church imploded was no more. When i returned to the States I attended mainline COCs, and they were all old people; dead churches. We finally found a COC we enjoyed. I later found a copy of the Henry Kriete letter that pretty much destroyed the church. The ICOC still exists today but they're independent churches. I went to one service here in Phoenix and it reminded me of the old people COCs that I attended years back; dead! Kip McKean started the ICC now I attended and was "restored" with them, even though I never stopped following God. After a year and a half, I began to see the things that Henry Kriete wrote about in 2002 for the ICOC. I left and I attend a Christian church. I still struggle with the fact that I still don't "accept Jesus into your heart/sinner's prayer". It isn't biblical, and no one has been able to convince me of it otherwise. Alls I can do is live according to what Scripture says and not church leaders. Man is imperfect. The Bible is infallible!

I left that church in 97

I just read a new book called The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith. It dives into a cult that is terrifyingly like the one you were in. The only difference was that the members had to live on the church grounds

Have you ever listened to Cults to conciseness here on RU-vid? She also has a pod cast. Very interesting and you should collaborate or like I said on the last one, Eli Yoder, former Old Order Amish. You would have a great reception on her channel!

Where can I find the next video about this? Couldn’t locate it for some reason.

👍👍👍👍

I was driving my son to school & we’re listening to the radio, when they interrupted the morning show with news of the first plane hitting the Towers. I dropped my son off at first grade and drove as fast as I could to my parents house. I ran inside, yelling at my mom to turn on the TV. My dad had gone fishing, my mom kept calling him on his cell, dad had left his cell in his truck while he was on the lake in his boat. Mom & I kept staring at the TV. I didn’t know what to do, I thought, they are going to need blood. So I went to donate. I stood in line almost an hour to get registered, there were so many people wanting to donate blood. Many saying that they had never donated before

Hi Allison, find PCA ( Presbyterian Church America), many conservative reformed church across states under those denomination. Before join this church, I was experience from charismatic, evangelical, baptist, and more than 10 different church. Trust me, Conservatives reformes church is the best, very biblical, strong doctrinal. of courses no perfect, one we go home to heaven than perfect bliss. God bless you and take care.

They had a divorce when I was in the church they made the woman in the church step down until the divorce was final then she could come back in the church.

Hey there 🙋‍♀️ real quick what software do you use for editing thanks

Call me crazy but I think everything is essentially a minor 'cult'. It's just how much power over your life are you willing to give over to said cult. When its the church it's more difficult though because it is tampering with our true spiritual relationship so we begin to resent our faith. For ex, I worked for a union company for only 1 year but the way the culture bled into your daily and personal life was cult like. Everyone knew everyone's business and if you tried to be an independent thinker and not succumb to the toxic seniority you were outcasted imho. I admire your thought process to set yourself up for more freedom but I hate to spread negativity but in today's economy it's just where do we want to sacrifice our time that will give us the most peace and joy in life. This video really made me think.

How did your parents feel about the cult & new husband in the cult? No admonishment? They seem like good people & very supportive but kids will be headstrong as well.

Sadly cults continue to thrive. I have heard many similar stories about people who have been involved with other cults, some who left and were forever shunned from the people they knew, loved and trusted going forward. One of the most well known examples of these cults dominates a whole state. I’m sure that someone will take offense to me saying that, but I won’t be silent about it. What I am getting at is the word of God is found in the Holy Bible PERIOD! Read it, study it, meditate on it, pray for wisdom and understanding. God will guide you in what is really the truth. Never add nor subtract from the word of God. The test of whether or not a church is a true church of God is found in the scriptures, not in what the church leaders say it is without question. Never be afraid to question. If what they say doesn’t line up with the Bible scriptures THEN RUN! God will guide you and He will never abandon you. Amen ✝️ Seek Him.

Satan comes as an Angel Of Light even through the cults. In order to believe a BIG lie there has to be a little truth that's either shared or promoted. You may have learned some good things about that cult (that's the truth) but you left it due to the obvious reasons (which was them promoting a BIG lie that was much greater than the truth).

It has to be the young people who didn’t have a strong relationship with their own family, as you said, trauma. Very sad. I don’t really have a lot of faith anymore, internet ruined religion. Not sure everything you are looking for or need is in the Bible, which was written by regular men over 2000 years ago. Maybe look for answers in different places also.

See what doesn’t make sense to me is like when you get baptized aren’t you like forgiven for all your sins at that point cuz you acknowledged you’re a sinner & wanna follow Jesus? & therefore going to heaven no matter what as long as you show remorse for your wrong doings. & try to be good the majority of the time. ??? like. How can you let someone tell you you’re going to hell if you don’t follow a specific church?

I was raised in the JW cult took years to get over it and there’s still triggers even after therapy

Wolves in sheep’s clothing

Man, it sounds horrible, but thank God your husband at the time wasnt completely brainwashed and authoritarian about questioning it all. Did your parents ever ask what is going on when you joined? I was with a guy out of high school who was pretty brainwashed in his beliefs, there is no way he would give them up.

When people use God to abuse. So un-Christlike.

I think whatever you believe should be sacred to you and I dont see why we need churches or need to connect with others to prove we believe in a god God knows you believe in him. Thats all that matters right? too much fear in religion, too many rules too much abuse, safer to keep it private. Sacred between you and God no one else, and not have to answer to man check with man or listen to man but go with listening to God. Just my thought. stay safe.

There is no way God would want "one" church. If there was not a real church near you ....God does not care about your address. God does cares about your heart.

Omg that sounds so much like Jehovah’s Witnesses.

So we are supposed to just believe you and no proof. Yeah

banana 🍌

This sounds exactly like Jehovah's Witnesses.

Your testimony is breaking mental and emotional chains for those who get to hear it. Stay safe and TFS 🧡🩵

There is only ONE true church and that is the Body of Christ! There is not one single church that can get you to Heaven! The Southern Baptist Church, The Northern Baptist Church, the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church, the First Christian Church, the Church of Christ, the Lutheran Church etc…. ALL OF THESE CHURCHES are just buildings… they are not the way! There is only ONE WAY…. That is through Jesus Christ! Jesus said, "I am the way the TRUTH and the LIFE… NO ONE comes to the Father but through ME!" (JOHN 14:6) None of These so called churches will get you to Heaven… they will not get you to the Father… only through Jesus Christ can you get to the Father! Trust in Jesus Christ for it is He that brings you to God the Father.

Sounds like seventh-day Adventist or Jehovah's witless

Sounds like Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. They think they are the true church/congregation. They have their own special bibles

I was a member of Atlanta ICOC for years and all you said is truth. You had to study to become a disciple and then be baptized and then get in more study groups several a week and get them baptized. They made Sure before joining you would always give at least 10% of everything you make. If you should stay married or divorce .Where to spend your money. Made me feel a bad guilt , do not understand why I did not quit sooner. They had such control because you did not want to disappoint God. All along it was not about serving God. Thanks for sharing. Bad memories but maybe good to share.

I was a member of Atlanta ICOC for years and all you said is truth. You had to study to become a disciple and then be baptized and then get in more study groups several a week and get them baptized. They made Sure before joining you would always give at least 10% of everything you make. If you should stay married or divorce .Where to spend your money. Made me feel a bad guilt , do not understand why I did not quit sooner. They had such control because you did not want to disappoint God. All along it was not about serving God. Thanks for sharing. Bad memories but maybe good to share