Thanks for sharing. I was getting towards the end of the Bible studies for the same church, until i got fed up with their manipulation. They wanted me to attend to every meeting and telling how their church is the only church. That didn’t sit well with me and i started doing some research about that church. I will never go back, but i will continue my path with Jesus.
I'm glad I got out too. I went to a meeting and they told us people might tell you this is a cult, but it's not a cult! I went back home to the college dorm and messaged everyone else who was at an earlier point from me in their Bible studies about that and said I think it's a cult. Later I remembered that the one girl I messaged was actually the sister of one of the church leader guys. They all shunned me after that except for one other girl who left their church with me who became my best friend.
Yes, sista. It’s important to remember that Jesus wasn’t the biggest fan of religion. He wants relationship and community for us because we have differing gifts and are stronger when we share and care. But oh, the many times he handed it to the religious leaders….. I may worship at a church but I follow Jesus, not religion. I can’t wait for Part 2! (P.s.,It took me a bunch of years to get past my church wounds, and I’m grateful that I finally overcame!)
The funny thing about cults is that they don’t tell you they’re a cult upfront. I was part of that group in 1994 to 1995 for a few months. Thank God that He got me out!
Ah yes this same organization recruited myself and my roommate in college. We fell in hook line and sinker and we even went on a weekend retreat with them. Luckily my boyfriend at the time did some research and found out they were a “cult”. My roommate and I immediately cut them off. Thank God!
I can't say that I was an ex member of ICOC but they tried recruiting me. I was out within about two months. I was waaaaaaaaaay too resistant for them to suck me into their cult. Only then I didn't know that it was a cult!!
I began my walk in the regular Church of Christ (not yours, thank goodness) -- this experience really messed with my relationship with God, never feeling secure in my salvation, always afraid i wasn't saved. I left that church and began attending Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa where i grew and thrived under Pastor Chuck Smith for 4 years. Even though i grew as a Christian, that first super legalistic experience still affects my walk today. Your testimony is incredible, Allison, so much it is similar to my own, i can't wait for your next video. I, too, was told my family wasn't saved because they weren't in the "the one true church." Did your church have musical instruments, in mine they weren't allowed. That tithe requirement, wow! The sheep beater atmosphere sounds toxic. Thanks for sharing, i would have never guessed this about you.
I lost my best friend to the ICOC. It happened a decade ago, but still sucks. He is the type to always need the validation of others, so the love bombing really got him.
@@Lotterywinnerify Okay, so it is very common the members cut off family, friends, or any form of support system both directly and indirectly unless your “Sharp”. Indirectly because the church keeps you so busy and directly because the church tells you to distance yourself from relatives, friends, and anybody they feel that can or is pulling you away from the church. And if you don’t align either directly or indirectly you are talked to.
@@Hello_gorgeous1 Yes this can happen. Sometimes such actions are justified. Though I agree cutting off family and friends without really strong cause is wrong and should not be encouraged. And, this has not been my experience in the ICOC.
Grandpa was only partially right. There is no such thing as a relationship with God apart from God's people. Whether that is ICOC is ultimately up to God but we can't discount that God has created for himself a people, a nation, a race, a royal priesthood not a collection of random individuals. @@travelsnacks
I was in the ICOC in the mid 90s after a bad breakup. The love bombing got me. It's a long story but I eventually saw them as a cult and ran away. Multiple disciples kept trying to get me back. Crazy times.
Hi Allison, I was in the London Church of Christ in 1991 (aged 19). I was only in it for about 6 months, so didn't have the length of time or experience of getting married and having a family inside the ICOC. But it is amazing listening to your account and how many memories it jogs for me. I'm also really heartened to hear that you still love God and follow Jesus, and that this experience hasn't caused you to blame him or turn your back on him. I haven't listened to your two follow-up videos yet, but I look forward to doing so.
Thank goodness you got out! From dealing with a Domestic Violence caseload for years, the isolation tactics are case book for DV abusers. Divide and conquer and prevent victims from hearing the truth at all costs. Constantly breakdown emotionally for control.
Wow, Allison, I had no idea and I've been following you for years! My sister is a Jehovah's Witness and it has been a great sadness to my family. It's driven a big wedge between us. So sad.
There’s no shame in making mistakes when you’re vulnerable - that belongs to the people who take advantage. Describing how you were lulled into it will help others recognise it when they or their loved ones experience the same thing. And good on you for naming names! These places need to be exposed! ❤
Allison I am so sorry you have gone through this. You are in my prayers sweetie. This sounds like LDS (mormons), Scientology and so many other cults out there.
Just recently came across your channel. Got an eviction notice and at 48 years old going to live in my car. Holy moly. My father was a church of Christ preacher. Thank God, he saved me from that cult. Subscribed!!
Something happened to my comment, so I will re-type. This is an amazing video that honors Christ and compares true Christianity (which is healthy...falling in love with Jesus and following Him) to a toxic cult. You are really helping people with videos like this and I admire you. LOVE IT! Looking forward to your next video. Would love you to keep these types of videos rolling. Reminds me of Leah Reminy's exposure of the Church of Scientology. Go girl!
Wow! I am so sorry to hear that this happened to you at such a young age and for so long. This sounds very similar to Scientology - I have followed Leah Remini’s story. I am eager to hear more details about your experience and how you and your family were able to leave. Thank you for sharing this very personal story ❤️
I've watched almost all of the Scientology shows and it is fairly similar. It's really wild how deep you can get into an organization before you're like.... wait, what the heck!
You were taken advantage of and manipulated. You were very young and vulnerable. Many actors in Hollywood were also taken in by Scientology. They use religion to scheme people out of their money and freedom.
Yikes! I wasn't in a cult but we were in a church for years and our pastor retired and a new pastor came in. It got scary after that and we were deeply hurt there. We ended up pretty much being forced out. Thankfully we had a strong foundation in the Lord and didn't give up on God, but it sure takes a while to heal from something like that and trust people again. Looking forward to hearing the rest of your story. ❤
Thank you for sharing this very important story. God has a plan for all of us, and your story will help others who are in the same situation. Really enjoying your new content 🙏
My ex-husband had just left a cult when I met him. Followers would continue to come to his business and call him to try to get him back. Even though he didn't go to the church anymore, he would gaslight me and try to shame me with this cult mentality during our entire marriage.
We went through all these studies, wrote the sin list, cross study, and had all the experiences you describe. It all just got all too personal. I have some still very good friends from the remnants of that church as it got disbanded. Interesting time.
Oh my gosh. This is sooo interesting. I can't wait until the next edition. You should write a book. You are helping a lot of folks here. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank goodness you got out. Thank you for giving your testimony. My sister was recruited when she was younger. She was a college graduate and just like you they love bombed her! She too had to give account of all her sins in front of the congregation. My mother, a devout Christian, felt something was definitely off and she literally went into that place and rescued my sister from their demonic control over her. My mom is the bravest person and you don't want to mess with her children! Who knows where they could have taken my sister if my mom hadn't of intervened.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I think this kind of thing happens to more people than everyone realizes. I myself had an experience with one. They know how to pick their “victims “. They prey on people who are vulnerable in some way then before you know it you are in way over your head. I really look forward to hearing more about your story. I’ve not heard of this “church “ before so it’s very interesting.
Allison, You are going to reach so many people for Jesus. I believe it with all my heart, because you are not doing this for Allison. You are following the Lord’s leading. It shows! To God be the Glory. Love, big hugs & prayers from Oklahoma!
I went to a very similar church. It was SLIGHTLY less excessive. Both ICOC and the church I was in were inspired by something called the Shepherding Movement. The thing that contributes the most to the toxicity is the fact that there are people who are very type A and they thrive on the social status that succeeding in the church gives them and they like being able to flex on other people with their "spirituality." And since those people really like the church, the church can point at them and say "these people made it work, so if you don't think this place is healthy then the problem must be you."
I can so relate to a lot of what you’re talking about. I was around 15 yrs old when my parents got involved in a discipleship type church, it all started fine but became more controlling. I was young but I remember my family was assigned a “Shepherd “ and everything needed to go through this person. I remember a friend in church said my dad was in rebellion because he resisted this teaching. It wasn’t to soon after that my family left, I remember my parents saying the church was a cult. I had another experience with a church when I was 16 yrs old that did not allow you to wear pants, makeup or cut your hair. They did not want you to associate with the world. I’m sharing these experiences because I totally agree with you about not blaming God. People are not perfect and will disappoint you even in the church but God will NEVER disappoint you. Jesus is the way, the truth and the Life.
Thank you for sharing! Makes me remember a time when I was taken advantage of at a very vulnerable time in my life. Bless you on your journey and much love to your channel ❤❤❤
I can relate to this SO much. I also joined when I was young (18). I wanted to get married and have babies in the church young but there weren’t many men in my sector. I’m SO glad I didn’t get married in it. I have several livestreams on my channel about it. I even interviewed 2 people from the LA church. New sub here.
I joined the church in 1997 when I was 22. I also had religion in my background, and I wanted to really know what it was to love and serve God. The internet wasn't was it is now so it wasn't as easy to research things like it is now. I did have a lot of good experiences in the church because I did have amazing friends that I miss, but they stole my 20s from me and I failed all my college classes because they guilted and manipulate me to commit every waking minute to this church. They always assured me that God would bless my sacrifice. I did meet my husband there, and we are still married. I stayed in the church for about 12 years, and I left 14 years ago. I did try to get restored at one point, but it didn't work out. We miss our friends, but we don't miss our lives being controlled. I still talk to people in the church, and they never try to convince me to come back, and I never try to convince them to leave. They are people I still love and feel close to, but they know that I will never return to that church. Right now, I live somewhere where no one knows me, and sometimes I'm tempted to go to a local ICOC branch and pretend I want to learn about the church. I would tell them that I'm really struggling financially and need money for food and rent, so they would give me momey and I could at least recover a fraction of the money they manipulated me to give them
Wow. This sounds like an extreme version of the Church of Christ that I belonged to for 2 years. I left because I knew they were off base and I couldn't grow there. Sorry you experienced this. Glad you are free.
Thank you for sharing this, Allison. I had a similar experience, but they weren't quite as forceful. Still a cult, though because they did not teach the Bible. God called me out and I believe He called you out as well.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us Allison. I know it must not be easy. Your very brave, strong and resilient (and talented!). Thank God for you being able to see what was going on and get your family out of it. I personally know (that’s a whole long story) that these cults prey upon younger, more impressionable people and those who might be older but are in fragile states/life transitions, needing love or support, direction, guidance, seeking answers etc. So that covers basically ALL of us! People tend to think they wouldn’t “fall for such a thing”, but they are just unaware how these things work in real-life settings. I’m hoping there was no physical or s3xu@1 abu$e in this one. I know that many do, in all different ways, I won’t go into here. Looking forward to part 2. I FULLY UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT YOU in this endeavor! Thanks so much for “pioneering” and shining your light! God bless you amazing woman of God!!!
Thank you! For me there weren't any physical abuses but just recently it's come out that there was seggual abuse happening in some of the churches and there is now a lawsuit! I pray for those who had to endure that on top of the mental and spiritual abuse. Thank you for your kind comment. Blessings to you!
I was in this church in Miami, FL. I was in both the campus and singles ministry. I always felt they were trying to do interracial marriages, and if you liked someone in the same race, they would guilt trip you for liking someone who was the same race.
Kinda ironic the ads before this vid was about how Jehovah is the only true way to be. I was 14/15 before i learnt organised religion was not a good place to be. I developed my religious beliefs from research and what made sense to me at that time, i wont bore you with what I believe is the 'right' life to lead, suffice to say I feel it is more important to be compassionate than to be right in this life. ❤
I have always been of the opinion that the way to know if a church ⛪️ is a solid biblical church is to self study and pray seeking God’s answers. If there’s any contradiction, it’s time to RUN! So sorry we didn’t meet back then, I was living in Orange County diligently studying the Bible myself. My then wife was not a believer in Christ, I pray she now is but I doubt it. All you and I went through was undoubtedly God’s plan and we are better off now because of it even if it doesn’t make sense to us then or now. I hope to meet you in person someday, but at least I know that we will eventually meet in the eternal Heaven living with Jesus. Amen. Have a wonderful week my dear sister in Christ and keep on preaching His word, our precious Holy Bible ✝️
I am so glad you saw the light so to speak. I am glad you are out of there and getting with what I assume is a. Inch better life. I am anxious for the next video to explain more.
Allison, that's crazy what happened to you! It's unfortunate how you were treated at that "church." You're such a good storyteller and I'm curious to hear what else happened. P.S. Been praying for you! 💜
I was born and raised Christian, last year I gave in and started dating one of my friends, who allegedly really liked me. Anywho hun, once we got together I found out himself and his whole family were Jehovah’s witnesses and they were so strange, everything was always oddly calm in their home, everything they did was opposite of the the Christian beliefs, there were no crosses in there home, no bible nothing, they believed they were “Jehovahs chosen people” once his Mother found out my parents were co-pastors, (yes we both are grown adult’s) he was prohibited from seeing me again, because to the JW all other religions are satanic occults 🤨 I thank God everyday I was never tricked into giving up my salvation for the blind ❤ I love your channel boo
I attended ICOC in 2001 in Jackson MI. Me and my friends were already christians and were looking for a church with diversity. They did not consider us christians until we baptised over and did church their way. They felt I was stubborn and prideful for not doing something I already did. We just wanted to attend a church. There was no musicsl instruments in tbeir worship which was weird. They dated each other a lot in rotation which was weird. No teaching of the Holy Spirit at all. They also cherry picked scriptures .
Hey look, I’m not even all the artistic but their music was 🔥 😂. I still remember some of the music fondly including that Upside Down musical. Well at least I made some lifelong friends who also left Also, I’m all the way on the other side of the country in the Midwest. It’s so wild how the experience is the same, like a factory. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing with us. I’m sorry that happened to you but I’m a firm believer that all things work together for good, so I’m sure you learned much and grew from the experience. God bless you. ❤️
My daughter got convinced into going to the same organization (Disciples of Christ) while a sophomore in college, every thing that she experienced was very, vey similar (showering you with love immediately, writing your sin list, etc.) thankfully, I research the ICOC and sounded strange some of the things she was telling me about and eventually I told her she needs to leave that church because I didn’t feel comfortable with it. She was so angry with me and thought I was just such a hateful person but after leaving the church, she came to the realization that it was a cult.
They tried getting me to move out several times from my home. They wanted to know everything about how I was spending my money. They even tried pushing me to take LOANS to give the church money and to pay for moving out.
Glad you got out. Even the regular Church of Christ in Boulder was a cult. They tried so hard to get me, but I was able to resist by going to the Lutheran church youth group, and Intervarsity Christian fellowship
I was in the International Church of Christ for a decade! I bet you were a part of my former cult. We were in every major city and named by those cities. Worldwide, too. Kinda imploded early 2000s.
I ended up in an Illuminati cult. After I left church cult. And my family narcissistic cult. There is no end to it unless you look inside yourself. I understand God, I pray every day to my ancestor s and I feel more connected to those I know by name. My passed away loved ones. They live through me and pass on their Wisdom on to me, but only if I ask for it. Amen
My neighbors were boston church of christ in the mid eightys. They tried to get us to join. I thought they were very controlling(at least of the women) seemed to control every aspect of their lives.
Yes yes, people including Christians, can have problems in themselves that hurt others…..Have Faith in God not people, we all have to grow in The Holy Spirit and wisdom, some more than others. All Good comes from God,…it’s the goodness and Love of God in us that’s makes us good! Okay enough!! Wow, you got so strong from going through all that deception!! God even uses the bad stuff when he has to. God Bless you!❤❤❤
I was in the ICOC in Atlanta back in 1997 and 1998. My brother was already in the group. He is still in the ICOC even though it changed after Kip left. One of the unbiblical practices that the current ICOC still uses are the First Principles studies. This doctrine is not biblical in the least. There is nowhere in the bible that backs up how a person becomes saved.
Sounds like SGI, Sokka Gakkai International right in Hollywood, Scientology, The Landmark Forum aka EST, Wellspring, ISHA (Sadhguru), They are all structured the same way. NLP, enrolling, witnessing, testimony and volunteering. In the 1970's my mom had to break into an office at the Scientology building at night on Franklin Street with her friends to rescue a close friend of hers because they were holding her against her will.
I was wondering how this was a cult, ah... isolation from family and former friends! 13:19 I get the idea, like keeping an addict away from stressors and bad influences, providing a safe house, but it’s all about how far they take it. God still gives us free will so we can learn from our stumbles. So glad you found your way. 🤗
Our experiences in life get us to where we are today. I’ve used common sense and what I’ve heard over the years from the Bible. I’ve never gotten a tattoo even though I’ve been in the military and around people with tattoos. I’ve always held to just because everyone else is doing stuff doesn’t mean it’s healthy, safe, or moral. The older I get the more I believe in Jesus Christ. I don’t believe in pushing anything on anyone else however. It should be based on have absolutely no hidden agenda or motives.
