A video detailing my life inside an Apostolic Pentecostal cult.

I spent the first 35 years of my life in a Pentecostal cult. Here is my story of the damage these groups can do, and how I eventually made the journey to being a freethinker.

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[Plethorality]

"we are the only ones with the truth".

Said every cult, ever.

[IFHA]

I left the church and now I have no family or friends. Manipulation is real. Good luck guys.

[SmolTrailer]

The church I went to (still sometimes visit) was on the better side of UPCI churches because it was very large. It was more accepting. That being said, it was still very strict. We were taught that people from other Christian religions would go to heaven too, but it was the personal belief of our pastor. But still, it was very exclusive, and he would also bring in this phoney faith healer over and over, and this man lied through his teeth, threw wheelchairs and canes, screamed at people, made up diagnosises, called out embarrassing things (like impotence) from the stage -- because people were less likely to deny it, and NOBODY was ever healed. I hated that man. It made me question everything.

[IntriguedIndeed]

Just left an apostolic church 2 months ago... still adjusting to my life now. My Focus is on God and what he wants for my life, not what man wants.

[Obsessedwithpurple]

The United Pentecostal church I attended for 3 years was the most abusive church I ever attended.
Even I left I almost ended my life.
I begged God everyday for weeks to let me die.
Now I’m just done with religion.

[martintrj]

heard the term “ministerial jealousy” meaning the pastor would get jealous if the “sheep” went to other churches. I also grew up in a pentecostal cult. I still struggle with the wounds related to that. I am still a christian but I want to be far and away from that type of manipulation. Thanks for your video 👍
I noticed my comment was gone, maybe I deleted it by accident…

[Jessica-kfck]

I am sorry that you had this experience. I am an Apostolic, but I don't wear skirts and I wear makeup. I also cut my hair. I always felt like I never fit in until I just stopped caring about what they thought. I always had more friends at school and I still communicate with them. Not every UPC church restricts t.v. or communication with people outside. If anyone was telling me not to socialize with someone, best believe I would set them straight in a healthy and loving way. For the most part my church is very loving. You are always going to have self righteous people in any church. The best thing to do is to avoid them and set healthy boundaries. I am incredibly sorry that this was your experience with the Charismatic church. I wish you the very best. God's love is never too far. His love is not bound by a certain church or religion.

[billiskra]

My former UPC hosts an annual Prayer Walk where they invite Christians from various local churches to pray together for their lcommunity . After the event is over, there are people from that UPC condemning the very Christians who prayed with them . That says alot about them .

[hardihoodemprise]

I'm also apostolic pentecostal.. But I want to thank you for this video. I'm going to start practicing more Godly manners. And try to break this isolation. If I get kick out of church. I will know, they are not of God ..

[scjklp]

Your experience is EXACTLY what happened to me after leaving the Church Of God (Pentecostal). EVERYONE shunned me and my parents disowned me, took me out of the will. I am so relieved but frightened that I ever spent any time around such wicked people. I could write my own book about Spiritual Abuse.

[MrsStarSpooky]

I left 13 years ago. I was in from 3-16. I am thankful that 1. My father left 4 years before me, which did make the transition easier 2. Most of my extended family was never a part of it 3. My mother, although she was and is still in the church, never disowned me and 4. My older sister left shortly before me, and was a massive amount of support.

[karenrobertson]

Thank you, I was born into the Bakersfield Pentecostal Church in California, I managed to leave at 18. However, I suffered rejection of family and friends, reminders that I was going to hell. I am now 64 and finally coming to terms with what happened to me.

[joshcarlton]

I'm going on six months being out of UPC. My dad left back in 2006. Then my brother left in 2010. My mom left in 2018, my sis in 2019 and me in 2023. My mom doesn't really go to church.

[arvidlystnur]

I'm probably classified as an agnostic or deist, as I believe God exists but I don't believe in literal interpretations of any organized religions.
I see generally value in religious beliefs supporting morals, ethics and social order, yet I choose not to belong to any church.
If hypothetically God is omnipotent, then why would he create a world with so many differing religions, ( with many good people), while only a few people, good or evil, are allowed to enter heaven after death because they specifically gave their life to Jesus, was water baptized ( under Jesus, not the Trinity), spoke in tongues and other specific rules.
I spoke with a pentacostal couple and apparently only people in THEIR church will be saved, no Catholics, Lutherans or any other Christian denomination s, or ANY other religion that doesn't believe Christ!
Why has god made things so complicated?
Does he have an ego?

[michaelwicks]

Breaking away can be hard, but everything is so much better when you get away from that toxic environment.

Once you're away, you realize there's a whole world of knowledge you didn't even know existed and learning about it all becomes exciting.

[natg_]

I got out because I was abused physically, emotionally, and mentally. But the danger still lingers since my mother got out and entered a worse doctrine or that what I believe. I really want to move out but need to get a more stable job. This experience left me severely traumatized. I had been coping with extreme episodes of panic attack sand anxiety. Thankfully at least I am out.

[nicholascisneros]

It is so difficult to give up beliefs taught as a young child. I battle it still after 50+ years. I know better but you continue to question yourself. The aftermath is so very difficult to navigate to truth vs brain washing.
Melinda Lawley

[SolSkinn]

My husband is UPCI and I'm Lutheran. Long story there, but I love him. However, he has no idea how to deal with the real world. He has no idea how to deal with women. He only knows how to deal with UPCI women. He was so very sheltered and all the women in his family are held to these wild holiness standards. I am always shocked how little they know.

[lesterrawlins]

Excellent video!!! Thanks for sharing your experiences. I was in a hardline Pentecostal cult also. The damage it did to me still affects me to this day. The best way we can heal is by communicating with each other. Thank you for having the courage to share.

[chloeeywalker]

I was in it from 5 to 18 I'm 22 and I'm glad I left I was so depressed if I stayed I wouldn't be writing this today.