The Power of Redemption

This story is about the power of redemption. It’s my story, and the story of many members of my family. When we came to faith in Christ, the redemptive power of God set us free from the darkness of a homegrown cult. At the time, it was operating in the town where I was born and raised. It was led by a small group of power-hungry, manipulative Elders, all of whom were members of my immediate family. They were known for recruiting young people and then maintaining control of their lives by using the tactics that are common to most cults. They claimed to believe the Bible, but they distorted its teaching to validate their own hideous beliefs and practices. They used Christian terminology, but they weren’t speaking the same language as Biblical Christians. They often engaged in corporal punishment to keep their members in subjection to their authority. They encouraged their followers to cut themselves off from their family members, with the goal of gaining absolute control of their lives. They told people where to live and with whom; and they controlled where and with whom they could have sex. They were masters of manipulation and deception, routinely lying to their members. Some were especially adept at financial exploitation. They would bilk the wealthier members to finance the hedonistic lifestyle of their leader and his so-called ministry. If anyone dared question what he said or did, they were publicly mocked and humiliated. Disobedience among the children often resulted in severe beatings.