this cult-like atmosphereI look online from time to time to see if there is anyone like me out there. Anyone who struggles with all the mind control, and releasing it. I grew up in a small church started by John Osteen, Joel's dad. I even went to the Christian School.After my parents divorced, my mother thought God was speaking to her to move to Dallas TX. We did. We attended Robert Tilton's church and faithfully attended every Believer's convention held by Kenneth Copeland in Fort Worth.My mother is a graduate of Rhema Bible Training College, Kenneth Hagin's school.When I was 14 I was raped by a home bible fellowship leader in Word of Faith. The associate pastor at that time, Al Brice, and the assistant pastors, Bill Federer, Donnie Haynes, and ____________ (he was not there, only my youth pastor), all have their own Faith movement churches. Bill Federer is in politics and has asked my forgiveness, Al Brice, denies as does Donnie Haynes. They were all there, in that room where the demon of lust was cast out of me, and I was scared into silence, after being blamed.I have forgiven and although my life abruptly changed,(I became a runaway) God delivered me from this cult like atmosphere into His hands.I attended Calvary Chapel of Albuquerque and received counseling. Although I still struggle. I make a commitment every day to pray and listen to sound doctrine. My mother thinks I am going to hell for abandoning my "faith," but I have the Real faith now, and know my salvation is eternal.I am 33 now, and the mother of 3 precious children who are raised in sound doctrine. I don't know why I am writing you, except to say thanks for your information. I believe God will use me also to help people. Jim Bakker's book was intregal in my becoming free, so thanks for that piece! I love his example of humility, grace, forgiveness and love.Again, thanks and if I can helpThanks for writing me back. Sometimes, I feel stupid sharing. What kept me there was my parents. What I always wondered about was why every service, the pastors wife would speak in tongues and the pastor would interpret, like it was planned on the way to church.I also lived such a sad life of abuse and torment att he hands of my mother, I wondered who this "God" was that allowed a little girl to be hated so much, and if I truly could have whatever I wanted, well, I wanted to die and I decided at a young age to "put God in a box" and claim myself dead. This was before the move. What I know now, well, to God be all the glory, I know there is a soveriegn Lord who is in control, not the power of my words, or even satan himself, but my Heavely Father.I know I must submit to His will, not my own. I know Jesus did not go to Hell for 3 days, I know God does not have a plan for all to be Healed and Wealthy!!!! HOw to get others out - I am not sure. I am working on a plan, a scriptual, sound-based plan to submit to my mother and father, knowing it would end our relationship. God's timing.It is mind control. It consumes you. It becomes you, and the guilt if you question is amazing. I think scriptually is always best, but these people have truly been brainwashed.I feel like I am relearning the entire bible. So, scriptually, but having an answer for their answer, such as Romans 8:28, my mother totally dismisses that verse saying it is used out of context, yet, in context, it means exactly what it says!She claims it is talking of the spirit world, so to have an answer for the answer they have been fed, is vital. I truly would love God to use me to help others. Thank you for this opportunity. Yes, you have my permission, but please do not use my first name, just initial. Something wrong and laughable at even an early age, which made me not even believe in a God, was, the growing of legs!! Oh my!! This happened ALL THE TIME!!! My sister and I would even play this at home, sitting on a chair and pulling the leg out so it looked as if it grew!My mother won't let a negative confession out of her mouth, although she is very poor, she gives money, seed-faith, all the time, she would give her last dime to them, Copeland.She has never seen my sister's child, and never even communicates with my sister because of her lifestyle.This is truly sad. I do, even after everything, love my mother and want to see her have eternal salvation, yet, at this point, I doubt the validity of her salvation. She elevates herself up to Jesus' level, writing petitions, telling God what His word says and demanding the results, which she doesn't get, yet, she doesn't see that. Thank you again, for letting me share. It's nice to have people who understand.
