TEDxOjaiChange - Linda Murphrey - From Cult to Courage 

I left in 2012. Best decision that I ever made. I was at the college when her father died. I remember exactly where I was when it was announced. I was in the Liberty Square cafe on the campus with a group of friends. The room suddenly got quiet and then people erupted in sorrow. I was completely silent. I was frozen and numb. After the years of racism and pure torture from church officials and members, I thought things would be different. Schaap took over and it got worst. But I stayed because it had become my life. It took a long time for me to get right on my own, but I did it.

Linda, thank you so much for having the courage to speak the truth about what the church and college and your father's work was all about. In fact, your talk has helped me, and many, many people I know, recover from some really deep and dark spiritual wounding we received while attending First Baptist Church of Hammond, and Hyles-Anderson College. Countless people I know have seen this video, and they are grateful to you. Ignore the detractors here because they are too clueless to know truth.

Hi Linda. I am so thankful for your strength and honesty. You were always such a sincere young lady. And now you have taken a very difficult stand for honesty and truth. Thank you. Please don't let anyone stop you. You are an inspiration. ~Mrs. Bell (Miss R. Stahlman)

I remember being told by that Sunday school teacher that I should attend Hyles-Anderson college, but by that time I was sure that whatever they were selling I wasn't buying. THANK GOD! The more I learn about what that church is about the more sad I feel. I have a strong belief in God and spirituality and it pains me to think that little children are being harmed and being told that its "God's will". There is a special place in hell for spiritual leaders that uses their position to abuse.

This is very touching. I lived in a home, where my father was a follower of your father. I can relate to only a small part of what your life was like. I am still trying to "deprogram." This was encouraging to watch

Just watched the video in which the leaders talked about the pastor's molestation. They talked about the grief of the leadership, the deacons, the church membership, the reputation of their god, and most of all for the victimizer and his family. Guess who they didn't mention. Go ahead, guess. it's the person who lost the most, who suffered the most trauma, the victim. Typical fundamentalists. I grew up immersed in fundamentalism (also in Indiana and was shuttled up to Hammond for the annual youth conference). This is not surprising. I saw it on more than one occasion when the youth pastor, an assistant pastor, and two teachers at my school were swept out of town and asked the family of the victim to not tell anyone, so as to not hurt the cause of christ. It's sickening. But whatever you do, don't listen to music with drums. Thank you for speaking up.

Linda, Thank's for this video, I'm a graduate in 1985, Needless to say it did unreputable damage to my thinking. My parents were always nuturing supportive and faithful to each other and children. Dr. Joseph R. Estes and Helen, were in the ministry for over 50 years, always loved each other with complete devotion.Though gone now, they still are my heroes. I went to hear Bro. Hyles in 2001, Brother Schaap 2010. I empathize with you. I'm saddened this cause hurt you and our Savior. In Love.M

I have two pastor cousins who were fans of this Jack Hyles. My two pastors cousins were terrible leaders... Truly, you will know a tree by it's fruit.

I have had experiance with this church. I have seen both Jack Hyles and Jack Schaap preach in person. It is a cult. I was young when i saw them talk but I remember afterwards how uncomfortable I felt. When I asked a question I remember one of the preachers saying that its not appropriate for me to question a preacher and my Sunday school teacher moved me. She looked embarrassed. I thought I got her in trouble so I didn't say anything for the rest of the evening. I knew something was wrong

Every time I went to a Fundamental Baptist Church it felt like I was walking in on people that were doing wrong. They were very guarded always probing to see if you were saved according to their understanding. I disagreed with an FB pastor on his opinions of Israel and he would never speak to me again - not even look at me. Looking back at it I thinks of the FB pastors as real asses.

So glad she woke up at 28. This is the age 27-35 when mind control breaks down. She learned that "secret knowledge equals power".

Closed captions would be a nice touch because this version's audio is rough. Thank you for reposting though!!

I relate to this woman SO MUCH. I was in a christian cult for 7 yrs and it left me totally damaged but led me to starting my own spiritual and personal development coaching business coaching and make videos for those in the cult. Very inspiring woman!❤

My ex-wife and her sisters were raped by their pastor father for years. Some of them were victimized by people to whom they wnet for help. Even when people believed them they didn't want to do anything about it. One deacon told the girls and their mother that what went on behind closed doors wasn't the churches business. Sad how some responses here are attacking this victim.

@pastor: You cannot tell if someone is lying by "speech patterns". Since this is Hyles own daughter, that should give her a certain amount of credibility. If what she says is true, then this lady is a victim as well and her finally speaking about it can bring her a certain amount of healing. Any one can backslide and Hyles was certainly no better then David. IFB churches need to be transparent and true, especially since we can be so critical of others.

Sick Thank You Linda for your courage. We have had some terribly damaged ppl grow up this way. The pain and repercussions has scared me for life

I was a security guard and a student in the early 80’s. I disagreed with a chapel message once and was threatened with a pummeling by another student (sheeple). I was quick witted and worked the Pastor’s hallway for awhile. Dr. Hyles liked to joke relentlessly by tearing others down. I would just throw them back at him. One night he said, “I’ll fire you.” I said, “I was looking when I found this job.” He didn’t fire me but I didn’t work his hallway anymore. God rescued me out of the cult. There were some amazing people there, but the blind loyalty was sickening.

Thanks for sharing with us, Jeremy.

In a sense, it's no different than a victim of a rape who comes forward. Once a person comes forward, many times OTHERS come forward too, only to find that the rapist was a serial rapist. Well there are many from Hammond that had their souls raped Pastor Faith. If you're a pastor, then show some compassion, and if "Faith" is your name too, then believe what was said to be the truth. With your comment, you deny this, or you just think it's bad that folks (even FAMILY?!?!) now speak out?

Linda, I am so very sorry you had to grow up this way, and, then had to live for so many years without your family. My family & I were members of this church & students at the Hyles-Anderson College. Our 3 children went to the grade schools. I am so thankful we finally left this church and this denomination in 1985. Both are an abomination unto God. May God bless you, Linda. I pray you have abundant peace & happiness the rest of your life! You are a brave & beautiful soul~ Suzanne Mathis

Thank you for sharing your story Ms Murphrey.

Thank you, Linda!

She is an amazing speaker with so much courage

I agree! I hope they do. What she is saying is so important.

What's amazing is how much she looks like him.

I knew it from my very first trip to Hammond for pastor school

The people who are disliking and disagreeing with this women are the cult members. Gotta be right, why are they disagreeing so much...

I attended this church, but moved away in 1980. Linda, you look just like your dad, except you are pretty. As college students at Hyles~Anderson we moved there for that reason. I have fond memories of Jack Hyles. I'm so sorry to hear what happened. Very sorry.

Makes me think of the verse. Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Yet not I but Christ...it's him not us. Freedom comes in who we are in Christ. Galatians 2:20-21 ..... I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Not legalism..GRACE.

Linda..thanks for being strong to tell the truth...you had to live with the man while he put on face in public..thanks for revealing the truth.

Jeremy3777: Me too. For about 35 years, I was in churches where you toed the line, worshiped their idols and demonized their devils. If you didn't buy their view of the world, they just shoved the "You need Jesus" phrase in your face. Anyone who dared question their cult of self-admiration whas just showing how unregenerate and in need of Jesus they were. I'm struggling to create a new identity for myself at age 57. There's no way I can go back to what I was all those years.

Wow! Didn't know about this until today! Sorry for all you went through Linda! I am still a current member of FBC, not faithfully though, and never really take the church and some of the ridiculous sermons seriously, but I do have morals and values. Thanks for sharing your story. In the midst of the Jack Schaap scandal, I really see what a facade this church has been. But I will NEVER be in complete submission to anybody! ;-)

This is so wonderful! I want to get every word. What a shame that the sound is so bad. Could you release it with subtitles so that we can read what she has to say? Thank you, Linda, for doing this for all of us.

They can dismiss her as being irrelevant and backslidden. Just like they do everyone else who leaves. They are truly lost.

Bless your heart. You, sir, are the exact person she was speaking to. She threw out a lifeline of truth. Please open your mind a crack and just check and see if it might help set you free. Surely the things that are unfolding show the corruption within the system. I hope you hear her... she is speaking to you.

I'll say AMEN to that Brother. It's easy to get caught up,unless you keep your eyes on Jesus.

"...he being dead yet speaketh." (Hebrews 11:4). And the cult continues today based on what he taught, and his words are still quoted in Hammond (and by pastors like you who perpetuate his philosophy). People need to be warned about false prophets. The Bible tells us about a number of them who died thousands of years ago, because the lessons are valid for us today. "By their fruits you shall know them."

Sounds like you're just out there serving Jesus Bro Chad, to which I say "AMEN"! Where is it you pastor? DId you go to bible college anywhere? What are some of the speakers you have or may have fill your pulpit? Thx bro.

Jack Hyles must face God and His judgement for the things he has done. There will be Divine retribution. Sorry, Linda, for your pain.

"Sheeple"! Love it! I will enjoy using that. I keep saying that these folks collared and leashed the sheep so they wouldn't get away. Jesus' lambs follow because we like the Shepherd. Good one, Jeremy3777.

This is so completely tragic, at every level. I need to say that my dad was also a fundamentalist Baptist preacher, and none of what Linda is describing in this video was true of his churches. Ever. And I know of hundreds like my dad who just did the work and never became famous. They were good and godly men.

The ramifications are obvious...any group...religious, political, therapeutic, familial...can fall under the sway of a manipulative, personally magnetic individual.

I remember being a part of the bus ministry as a child and remember when one of the Hyles Anderson college students molested me when I was 13. this was 2 months before the Jack Schaap Incident came out. Keep your children away from here

Your comment supports Linda's story. I pray you'll see that some day.

Success for Managers is: Respect. To be paid to think, not just to comply. To be trusted.

I believe her.

I wonder if they knew Jim Jones? he was from Indiana

You are a classic example. Watch it again. She is reaching out to you.

I was disappointed that Jesus Christ never came up. But I respect her for her courage in telling her story. She did so with grace and poise. God bless you Linda.

Good call.

Wow is this real

Realmente lamentable … estuve en varias conferencias donde este hombre levantaba muchos “amén” y alabanzas a su persona, tanto que un pastor muy reconocido en México lo llamó “el papa bautista”… el fundamentalísimo que este hombre proclamaba, ha lastimado a un sin fin de familias, de personas que ahora no quieren saber nada de iglesia” … muy lamentable… “La verdad brotará de la tierra y la justicia mirará desde los cielos”…

Jesus is the epitome of freedom and truth and courage

I know all is true cause I was a bus kid since 1970

I went to Fbc and H.A.C, I got involved in the bus ministry never did i once reverenced Jack Hyles or Jack Schaap. and saw many of folks get saved and are doing something for God now, so i would be careful with calling the work of God not Hyles or Schaap a cult.because God is in control and I'm sad and sorry for what happened to Linda and many others, that is why you must put God on a pedestal not man!!!

Jack Hyles was a wicked, wicked man. I also came from a sadistic cult.

I think Linda has had all the Jesus she's needed. I was a part of this world, and there was no shortage of Jesus, only people who did evil in his name, or the sheeple who propped up those charlatans. Making the statement, "You need Jesus," is the exact thing that this talk is exposing.

Perish the thought. The 1st was a nature vs nurture one & the 2nd was out of curiosity. (Not a justification even though I wouldn't be around to type this if it weren't for a certain 1.) [Gulf Coast Fellowship if you must know.] You know who does make apologies though? David J Stewart. Read his article titled False Accusers Against Dr. Jack Hyles & my original comment here will seem like nothing.

TED is your new religion. Congratulations.

Bottom line is Jesus is king I don't serve God for a man but for Jesus!!

See my comment to Jeremy3777.

A:How much of her grandfather's drunkeness can be blamed for the way her father turned out? B: How bad is the Jack Hyles cult compared to other 1's? My parents have been in a few-never leaders just followers.

She is crazy!!! First of all anyone involved in or knows anything about a church... knows that $$ is not the pastors! She had me questioning whether she was right... but when she started about the $$ I realized she was full of it!

It was all her desire .. i feel sorry about her. so pity😥

It's on the internet, this must be true!!!

Lol

I know people who grew up in ifb churches who never got saved - they walked the aisle as a child because they knew it was expected of them or whatever and they were often "good kids", even over achievers and it was easy to assume they were actually saved but they were just playing a role and as they got older they kind of kept the "good kid" status even though they were often just over coddled punks who knew they could get away with anything - then as they moved out on their own and there was no local church to impress they simply blended into an unsaved, worldly sociiety. Their childhood of fakery is quite embarrassing and to cover they create this story of abuse, unrealistic expectations, psychological manipulation etc...

Wow. You are wounded. Check your ankles. I think your shackles are still on.

Her mother still disagrees with her stories by the way.

Con-Artist

Jack Hyles was the best Christian and man I ever came across. I went to Hyles-Anderson College just to be under him. He died right before I graduated. My diploma year was the last ones he signed. He did say Linda turned against him and after hearing this he speaks from the grave

What's the point of talking about the flaws of your father when you have not even spoken about freedom that can only be found in Christ? Men are prone to commit sin but ww will all stand at the judgement someday.

....and what flavor is that kool-aid you're drinking?

She mad he died and don't get any money

Boy I’d hate to be her on Judgement day.

Damn you Linda

She's lying

When you tell a story for illustration your speech pattern changes, when you tell a story from personal experience your speech pattern is natural. Listen when she speaks about her brother there is a difference in her pattern compared to when she speaks about her father. She speaks naturally about her brother but constricted and controlled as though remembering exact details. Just observations.

Linda Murphrey Why I reject YOUR WITNESS: (1) Linda's short hair the Bible says 1 Cor 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. This is a sign of a possibly rebellious spirit. (2) Rather than carfully covering herself she has a shirt that exposed her from her neck to her shoulder. By itself possibly not big but it is a witness to her lack of concern for modesty as she must have known she would be speaking in front of people. (3) Linda appealed to a worldly authority rather than the Bible to define a cult. (4) Linda accused her brother of affairs and gave numbers that she should not know. She also said her family wouldn't speak to her. If her brother has gotten right (as I understand) then she is whispering and backbiting as her brothers past sins are between her brother and God. You can give her this one if you want. (5) Linda said she has “values you don't get from a book” which is a fairly clear rejection of the Bible. (6) Linda emphasized “freedom to explore” her “own interests” instead of a desire to honour God. This shows a rebellious spirit. (7) Linda used the terms “strict rules” and “loyalty” as defining a cult instead of giving a biblical definition. The demonization of those words also shows her rebellious nature. (8) Linda used the number 50000 for his church and then implied they all tithe. This is a lie. The auditorium doesn't seat 50000 and they didn't have to use the auditorium for the other service. There were kids in other buildings … but this should give you an idea of how much she blew things out of proportion … I don't think the auditorium had more than 7000 on a typical Sunday (but even if I'm way off … 50000 is a ridiculous exaggeration). This shows her willingness to blow things out of proportion and be misleading. (9) Linda said “the secret to freedom is courage” instead of freedom is in Jesus Christ. (10) Linda said “you know what I value … talking about ME” instead of talking about Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was significantly missing from Linda Murphrey's TedTalk. (11) Following the name and city of Linda Murphrey's therapist we see that Linda's therapist is from an extremely liberal church (check their doctrinal statement).

Dr. Hyles has been dead ten years and people still feel the need to dance on his grave. What a shame. I see a young lady who has turned her view of her life into a manipulative career. This is such juvenile, puerile, foolishness. If you want to dance on a dead man's grave go dance on a murders grave instead of someone who was accused of many things that were never proven and now when he cannot defend himself everyone want's to say see we were right what bunk, get real.

Nonsense

What if the true , and real cult is something that she has been involved in for many years now ? What is the real cult is what causes her to turn from her family , and make up fibs ? , Not saying it is , but .....

I did not deify Dr. Hyles nor did identify with him. You assume too much. Your vile hatred blinds you to reason which causes you to be puerile and infantile in your response. You do not address any of the genuine issues I raise rather you are so self centered you just want to talk about yourself. I have found that most who are in your condition are very accusatory and self identifying. Thank-you for the response though.

whaaa! whaaa! I want to talk about ME! ME! ME! THIS LADY HAS MENTAL PROBLEMS!