FORMER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST LEADER SPEAKS OUT! 😳 (MUST WATCH!)

EJ was born into poverty on a remote island in Haiti and raised amid spiritual confusion and hardship. But an unexpected encounter with the love of Jesus changed everything. Though he grew up in the Seventh-day Adventist church, deep questions and emptiness led him to walk away. This is his powerful story of redemption.

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Connect with EJ:

Books on Amazon:
- Adventism Made Easy: Beliefs and Teachings of Seventh-day Adventists:

Credits:
Testimony by Elcé Junior Lauriston
Directed by Eric Villatoro
Interviewed by Eric Villatoro
Edited By Joshua Gayle
Audio Mixed by Paul Nicholas
Testimony Recorded in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Delafé Testimonies is a global evangelistic project with the mission of creating the world's largest archive of Jesus testimonies until His return. Our vision is to save souls, build community, and set people free through the testimony of Jesus.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Growing Up in Haiti
02:30 Joining My Family in the Bahamas
06:40 Embracing Hip-Hop Culture, Following the Wrong Crowd
10:00 Emptiness, Depression and Suicidal Thoughts
12:25 Making a New Friend
17:46 Going to Church, Starting to Read the Bible
22:19 Giving My Life to Jesus, Diving Deeper into the Bible
25:30 Diving into Church and Ministry
28:09 Getting Enrolled in an Adventist University in Jamaica
30:58 Becoming an Evangelist for the SDA Church
34:53 Realizing the Faulty Doctrines of the SDA Church
40:37 Seventh-day Adventism vs Christianity
50:10 Being Unsure of My Salvation as an Adventist Leader
53:18 Viewing Scripture Through Ellen White’s Writings
57:36 Leaving Everything Behind to Follow Jesus
1:03:50 Feeling the Nearness of Jesus in the Midst of Persecution
1:08:41 Why Speak Out Against Adventism
1:17:44 Seeing God’s Hand in How He Has Used My Gifts
1:19:52 Is Seventh-day Adventism Preaching a False Gospel?
1:22:37 Who is Jesus To You?
1:26:40 Prayer
1:29:55 Final Words
1:31:31 Thank You to Our Donors!

FORMER SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST LEADER SPEAKS OUT! 😳 (MUST WATCH!)
Elcé Junior Lauriston Testimony
EJ Thunder Lauriston Testimony

[jmmmmn]

Whenever we lift up our denominations MORE THAN JESUS we’ve already fallen

[chrislove]

Im a SDA and im glad i am focused on my relationship with Christ. I read the Bible for myself and dont follow anyone but God.

[ravanc.]

I listened to your entire testimony and I am sorry that you had a terrible experience in the Adventist church. I am very disheartened that you used this platform to spread false truths about the Seventh Day Adventist Church. I have outline some claims that I would like to clarify.
1. "SDA are not Christians" - False. SDA are Christians. We believe in Christ Jesus. We believe that he Jesus is a part of the Godhead (father, son, and holy ghost) He died for our sins. He is coming again to redeem those who love him. Those who died in Christ before His second coming will rise again to be with Him when He returns.
2. "SDA believe in salvation through works" - False. We believe that we are saved by grace. Nothing we do can help us buy our way to heaven. Not our pastor, our spouses, our parents, etc. In order for you to be saved, you must accept Jesus as your personal Lord and king. Even the thief on the cross who accepted Jesus was not baptized and will go to heaven because he recognized Jesus as Lord.
3. "SDA value Ellen G. White over the bible" - False. We believe that she was inspired by God. Ellen G. White's writings always use the bible as its basis. I have been in the SDA church for over 30 years. I have never heard a preacher say, "Thus said Ellen." It is always "thus said the Lord" because the SDA church teaches that salvation is personal. In order for you to build a personal relationship with God, you must read the KJV Bible for yourself.
4. "SDA believe that food or a vegan/vegetarian diet will take you to heaven." Absolutely false. We believe that your body is the temple of God so we refer to the Bible (KJV) to see what it says about foods that are beneficial for our bodies. Genesis 1:29 God intended for man to live off of plants. However, this was disrupted by sin.
5. "Being a SDA will earn you salvation." False. Being an Adventist won't earn you salvation! Again, you need to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and King, spend time with Him daily, read His word.
I hope this brings clarity to those whose only understanding of the SDA church is based solely on this testimony.

[victoriantaba]

Born and raised a Presbyterian. Since early childhood I had a deep interest in God's word and I read a lot of books, especially the Bible.
I visited a lot of churches while I was at a boarding school and SDA made a big impact on me.

Years later after a three week crusade by some Adventist college students, I made a decision to join the SDA church.

It's been over 20 years now and as time goes and I get more into God's word, I'm more convinced that it's one of my best decisions I ever made.
I put my personal relationship with Jesus above religion and all and I'm yet to see this bondage that you people are talking about.

I strive to keep God's commandments in it's entirety and the faith of Jesus. It's not a burden to me but a joy in appreciation of His grace.

These days I'm seeing more videos like these and I ask God through the Holy spirit for guidance and I'm more convinced now than ever that I should remain where I am while I keep growing in faith and relationships with Christ

The true SDA teaching is the most misunderstood and yet the most spot on

[TonderaiMudonhi]

The most powerful church you will ever attend is your bedroom, a bible, a chair for you and a chair for God. Speak to the guy yourself, He'll speak to you.

[lerrischa]

I was hesitant at first about whether I wanted to say something about this or not. And since the comments are divided, I wasn’t sure if I should speak up. First of all, I want to thank you Delafe for the video and also thank you brother for sharing your personal testimony. I’m sorry for what you have experienced and that the church has hurt you and distorted your view of Jesus. Me personally, I go to church on Saturdays because it is written in the Ten Commandments, where Jesus said we should honor the Sabbath. But that doesn’t mean that just because I go on Saturday, someone who goes on Sunday will go to hell or that I am better than them.

I am 22 years old, born into the church, but I only truly found Jesus last year. Before that, I was just going to church because of my mother, without having a real relationship with Jesus. But since last year, He has completely changed my life, and I have given Him everything. Since then, we have been inseparable—best friends. We talk, laugh, and sometimes even cry together. I can’t imagine a life without Him.

I was hurt by people in the church. But Jesus didn’t hurt me, so I had no right to be angry at Him. It makes me sad that many see the SDA church as a cult. Jesus loves me regardless of whether I wear makeup or do my nails, etc.

I also have to say that many of the „rules“ come from cultural backgrounds. We have brought our own cultures into the church and made our own rules. I don’t like how some people act self-righteous and judge others in SDA.

I don’t follow Ellen White or the other or documents/ doctrines. She was just a human being, like me. I prefer to have my own relationship with Jesus and hear from Him directly rather than relying on another person. I put my full trust in Jesus Christ alone.

Church doesn’t bring me to heaven. Good deeds don’t either. What saves me is my relationship with Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, knowing that He conquered death and took my sins upon Himself.

To everyone reading this: If you have been hurt, excluded, or rejected because someone told you that you need to do something specific to be right before God, or if they took away your relationship with Jesus, I’m sorry.

Jesus loves you so much. Have a relationship with Him—yes, just you and Him! Like I said, church doesn’t save you. Only your relationship with Jesus Christ does.

[dianawilliams-coe]

Sound like he read the BIBLE for himself and just didn't go to church listening to what the preacher said. WE must read the bible for ourselves. The holy Spirit will help you.

[peterjamieson]

I don't see how an SDA can read Galatians and still stay with that group

[Hursley-qx]

I thank you for your testimony. I'm a leader in the SDA church. I know for a fact that there are serious problems with some of what the church holds as doctrine. I'm not yet convinced that I should leave Adventism, so I'm staying until God leads me otherwise. You are still my brother in Christ, and I will never demonize you because of your positions. I wish you all things wonderful in Christ. Keep doing your work for Christ. There's a very vicious and bitter spirit amongst us as Adventists, and anyone who even as much as just question one of our teachings is labeled as Jesuits, demon possessed and a whole lot of nasty names. I pray for our church and all our members that we'll all turn away from denominationalism and turn to Christ and His righteousness. May God help us to be humble and never allow cognitive dissonance to blind us from the truth.

To me there's absolutely no denominational group on the face of the earth that has absolute truth, SDA included. Christ ALONE IS TRUTH.

Brother E. J. may God bless you and your family. Pray for me and my family, as I pray for you and yours. 🙏

[k.m.]

I've never been an Adventist. I can only say that around age 7 my Mom began to study with a brother that was an Adventist who would come by the house, teach and drop off literature. Now to the meat of why I'm sharing this: The literature and illustrations were instrumental in me turning and not burning. I'm still grateful to that brother for taking time out to share truth with us.

Also thank you for your testimony sir.

[toyawedd]

Proud SDA, God has done so much in my life, I believe I'm a part of the right but the church won't save you. We will be saved through our relationship with Christ.

[Janettherealtor]

I am a born Adventist, and I believed with all my heart our church was the only true church. Then I began studying the bible for myself and coupled with that the church I attended broke away for the conference and I wasn't going to stay but God had it that I stayed with the church that was out of the conference. I have learned everything this brother is saying. When I stayed with the non-conference church, I was told that I was an apostate. I had people just looked and said I was crazy. Trust me brother, I know what you went through. I'm from a West Indian background by way of Barbados and I keenly understand what you went through. When I first left the "umbrella of safety", I felt like the bottom had fallen and I was so scared. I went back and still attend the Seventh-Day church, but I have risen above all the guess work of my salvation. I believe what the bible says. My conclusion, there is not one denomination that has all truth, because truth is not defined by scriptural interpretation, but truth is Christ. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

[dremelrocket]

I am not SDA but i visit their church and they are awesome brothers and sisters. They actually read the word from the pulpit, great worship from the heart, strong understanding of the word.

[deloresfrancis]

I have been a SDA all my life and I have never been told that tithe savings will save you, that eating meat or cheese will cost you to be lost. I’m curious to know which church you think teaches the truth from the Bible. I have always been taught that it’s one personal relationship with God that will guarantee me being saved. Don’t seems that all these great preachers like CD Brooks etc. are all hypocrites. The church does not teach salvation by works. I really don’t understand how is it that I went to the same institution and was never taught that if I do not eat a vegetarian diet I will be lost. Anyhow God bless you my brother.

[jesusislord]

Sad truth: People who are in cults never realize they’re in a cult until they leave…

[simzbrown]

The building is not the church, I see people saying they are proud SDA, be a proud follower of Jesus Christ, no denomination is not getting you in heaven ( ABC) Accept - Believe and confess Jesus and have faith. Get into reading the Bible and very important have a personal relationship with Him. Be blessed

[kazkayode]

Fellow Adventists, do not be distracted.Time is short. The truth will prevail in due course! The Bible told us it's going to get real hot near the end, so buckle up it's going to be a bumpy ride! Let us admit we have housekeeping to do in our church, but most of all, let us focus on developing a deep relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ who is the author and perfector of our faith.

[andrealogan]

I can relate to his testimony. I grew up Baptist. I experienced Adventism (through marriage) and always felt criticized for wearing pants, earrings, etc. I was trying to belong and draw closer to Jesus, but I was so lost by their doctrine. All I used to hear about Ellen G. White and how the food you eat was a sin. I felt condemned and confused. The people are really nice, but I wanted Jesus more than religion. PLEASE read the WORD for YOURSELF. I thank the Lord for setting me free. I am saved by grace, not my works! Glory to God!

[gloriasandy]

He whom the Son sets free, is free indeed! 🙏🙌💯👏🙂💕

[BrittanyMelville-efph]

Former Adventist! When I finally had a choice, I choose Christ! & my life has been so peaceful. This denomination isn’t for everyone, but I encourage anyone to seek Christ more than you seek a religion. Religion shouldn’t pull you away or make you feel better than anyone.

Today I can say I’m a Christian ❤