Leaving the United Pentecostal Church: My Story (Part 1)

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[mrniceguy]

My wife was sticking a needle full of meth in her arm for about three years. Her life was bouncing off the bottom. One night in her driveway, as she had finally had enough of her addictions, she cried out to the one true God, and right there she was filled with the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance. She was delivered at that moment of all her addictions.. That was in 2014. She is proud to live the life of a One God, tongue talking, no hair cutting, dress wearing, holy roller. The best question someone can ask her, based upon her appearance is, are you a Pentecostal? She will say, yes. And let me tell you what God has done for me.

[calebdesjardins]

I grew up in a UPCI church that I loved for 34 years of my life (my entire life) my wife and I left due to doctrinal issues based on what we read in the Bible. Wrote a nice letter to the pastor to tell them it wasn’t anything personal and that we love them and wish no harm, will not proselytize anyone and would love to stay brothers and sisters in Christ. Since we’ve left people that I have known my whole life have completely cut us off. My wife has had lifelong friends “break up with her”. Lots of rumors started going around lying about our marriage etc. the pastor and pastors wife and some of my best friends haven’t even called or texted. I did get someone call me and tell me a “prophecy” that I won’t share cuz it was extremely obscene. I was a church leader, musician, media tech director, and a strong member of the community and within weeks we mean absolutely nothing to them. The love they have is extremely conditional based off of if they have influence and control over you. We since have joined a healthy church and more and more is showing me just how unhealthy some of the control and manipulation was. I don’t think anyone did anything purposely malicious to me while I was there, it’s just all they know and how they were taught. What happened after I left, was extremely telling tho.

[roberteanes]

I was raised in the United Pentecostal Church and it has drastically affected my life. I wasn’t allowed to play any sports or attend any school functions. This led me to become very introverted and shy. I also suffer with low self esteem. I was fearful all the time and would call the church and hang up on when it hey answered to make sure the rapture didn’t happen if I had misbehaved. It was a horrible childhood. I have a lot of resentment in my heart that I have had to pray constantly to not be angry.

[raymondboone]

I'm with upc for 29 years, but I'm so happy my church doesn't do that. We are taught to pick up your brother, not push him down.
So if you had that in your church, then you were at the wrong church.
My wife and i visited a pentecost church in Cleveland Ohio, and someone came in late. The preacher started in on them, in front of the congregation. Me and my wife just shook our heads, and couldn't believe what we heard. Later I was telling my pastor, and he said he wouldn't of done that. He said he would of been happy they showed up.... now I have seen some upc churches that's really strict, but I just keep my mouth shut.. I go to church to praise Jesus, not to condemn..
Well I hope you find another church, just don't give up on Jesus all together 🙏

[mindymassey]

I’m apostolic 100% & we are raising my children apostolic.
Not every church is like this.
Do not think they all are like this.
This day & hour we need God, we need a good church that we’re being taught the truth!

[audry]

I am so sorry you had that experience. I love that I have the holy ghost and it has been a great comforter. People mess us up and are messed up but God came that we might have life and life more abundantly. My dad is a true minister of God and has been the most loving disciple of Christ. I don't tell people my Dad is a preacher because I don't want them to discount him because I am super flawed ACCORDING to many of the standards. I wish everyone could know people like him. However, it has not saved me from anxiety and hardships hence, I published a book, "Confessions of A Preacher's Kid." I love Jesus and he has taught me to love myself. I am far from a good example, but grateful that Jesus has kept me alive and blessed my life regardless of people's opinions.

[josemor]

GOD bless Sister Deanna! Thank you so much for sharing your life story. You’re testimony really impacted me and I agree with what you talked about. I attend an Apostolic church but have decided to no longer attend along with my wife. We also have many stories of things that happened that pushed us into leaving. I pray that if others watch your videos that have been hurt, they heal and keep on trusting in JESUS.

[akdreaming]

Wow! This hit so close to home for me. Thank you for this because I still deal with what I was told in my very large UPC church. I remember during a revival from a visiting evangelist that had revival for a couple months. He had the church close our eyes and listen to a recording of what sounded like screams and people crying with fire cracking in the background. He said we should imagine that’s what our unsaved family members will be doing in hell unless we save them. I graduated from a UPC school where I was suspended for admitting I cut my hair (even though my hair was longer than the rest of the girls…but I wouldn’t lie about it). I agree there is some good about the organization but being told I displease God by wanting to cut my hair or heaven forbid see a movie did real damage. I still have family and friends in the organization so I’m cautious about talking about the issues I had with that so it’s wonderful to see this and someone who had a similar experience.

[ronniegreen]

As a young man, I married a UPC girl. I was very moral and Christian, but not the UPC style of Christian. That was 40 years ago, I don't know anyone who grew up in that Church that isn't wacked. I hate to see the Gospel of love and forgiveness turned into a backbiting, just plain hateful group of people. Still I believe that there are many in that Church who are redeemed, but I wouldn't want anybody to have to grow up that way.

[markchandler]

“I don’t know how you could not believe in anything” That is a great line!
Thanks for sharing your at tomes heartbreaking story in your folksy often humorous style.
Great video as usual! You are giving many others courage!
The truth is slowly coming to the surface.

[jeffrehbein]

Holiness is obeying God from what He tells you, Legalism is telling other people how to behave.

[courtney]

I can't believe the amount of comments in here bashing you for this. They are a prime example of how toxic this religion is. Thank you for telling your story so others (like me) don't feel so alone.

I was raised in the UPC and left as soon as I could at 17. I'm now 28 and still traumatized from my childhood. I have not stepped foot in a church for 11 years and haven't put on a skirt either.

I remember when I was in middle school I asked my mom if I could cut my hair. She told me no but I was upset because she cut, dyed and permed her hair. But she did it to "hide the gray hair". How hypocritical. That's just one example.

Kudos to you for being so brave and sharing!

[elizebeths.]

This makes me more confident to share my story. Thank you so much for not just sharing, but making a safe channel for others to share.

[ashlieleavelle]

I am a Baptist Pastor's wife. I am sorry you were so hurt in your church.
Thank you for sharing your story and God bless.

[calebross]

I feel bad that you experienced all this. I’m upc and have dealt with some very undesirable people in the upc. I’d love to hear more stories, because more and more young people are silently struggling from abuse they have endured.

[robertberrios]

The sign of a cult is that when God moves you out, you’re ostracized by the holy of holies. I don’t care if you’re baptized in Jesus Name 1000 times, if you don’t have the heart of God and enjoy being judgmental, you may not be saved.

[ashleypatterson]

I had a very similar experience with the pastor of the church I had attended since birth. It was an independent Apostolic church. After he spoke about me from the pulpit, I left and never went back. My parents and a few other family members followed suit. I started attending a UPCI church in a town about 30 minutes away. It is the most loving church and I am so thankful to be a part of it. I completely understand the "pillars & lepers" saying. If I had gave up on church and God completely after that one bad experience, I would have never found the loving church that I attend today. There is good and bad in all things in life- churches included. The independent church definitely had some huge double standards. Today I thank the Lord for what happened because it got to me to where I am today.

[TheOverlapLifewithTimBarber]

Man, some of the comments in this video are shocking. I think that this sanctimonious religious pride on display in the people attacking you is the clearest indication possible that I'm never again going to get deeply involved in an institutional church.

For me "the church" is not a 501(c)(3) non profit or a building or any of that. I am considering "the church" to be all those following Jesus and living as though He really is king. And I just trust the Spirit to bring me across the paths of the people with whom He wants me to relate.

[jenniferwright]

Thank you so sharing your experience. I can relate to most of this including the being sick at a young age. Very sick and lost alot of weight and I was already too skinny. This was very touching.

[davidrowe]

WOW I know those fears myself. being between 5 and 11 laying in bed scared to death I was also going to hell, and just one night coming to terms with my own mortality and losing my fear of life and death which no one at such a young age should ever have to face. as for speaking in tongues and dancing in the gift of the holy ghost again at such a young age and feeling obligated I admit I faked it just to get passed the stigma of not having in a sense or the reality coming into the sacred fold. now as I am older having found a new life path I love my grand memories, and many a day I miss the good times, the pot luck gatherings, the friends, the camp meetings, and just the feeling of family that were such an amazing part of making the man I am today, and a foundation to build on, but I also have no regrets my decision to walk away from the church and the faith.