Spiritual abuse is the misuse of a position of power, leadership, or influence to further the selfish interests of someone other than the individual who needs help. Sometimes abuse arises out of a doctrinal position. At other times it occurs because of legitimate personal needs of a leader that are being met by illegitimate means. Spiritually abusive religious systems are sometimes described as legalistic, mind controlling, religiously addictive, and authoritarian.
As a healed and recovered victim of spiritual abuse I am determined to warn my fellow Christians of this silent but deadly epidemic that is sweeping through our churches, our communities and our homes. Being associated with this type of abusive ministry cost me my family, my sanity, my dignity, my self respect and it almost cost me my relationship with Christ. I felt as though my identity was attached to the church I attended and the pastor who affirmed me but at the same time crushed me. It seemed as though it was a game to him, he would build you up just to tear you down.
What is it about people in powerful positions thinking they can use that power to abuse those under their leadership? It seems that this abuse of power is prevalent in today's churches. My first real experience with spiritual abuse happened while I was stationed with the U.S. Army in Kaiserslautern, Germany and I was introduced to the God Father of spiritual abuse himself, Ronald D. Howell Sr., pastor of Holy Temple of Deliverance, aka, Life Changers International Christian Center, aka, Life Changers New Horizon. The things that happened during my time at that ministry produced good material for a Hollywood movie. I mean it had all of the things you could want; sex, lies, video tapes, abortions, affairs, baby daddy's, violence, corruption, and wanted fugitives. I know many reading this blog may be saying well that's why we go to church to rid ourselves of these vices isn't it? Well it is but when all of these vices involves the pastor my answer to you would be, "No."
While I was in the "cult" I couldn't see what it was doing to me spiritually but when I finally escaped I was able to take a step back and assess the whole picture I was shocked. So if you ask me today if I am bitter or better I would have to say better. If you were to ask me if I'm joyful or depressed I would have to say joyful. If you were to ask me today if I am wiser and I would have to say yes indeed.
The Next Blog: The Characteristics of Spiritual Abuse
woundedwarrior i feel yor pain as well as your strength to continue in Gods grace after such a wild rollercoaster ride! How do i know? Well i was right there with you my brother or my sister. To know who i am on the other side of this computer would break yor heart in pieces. i rode that ride for years! i cant believe how long ago it was! God is however still in the blessing business as well as a forgiving God! i can tell that by the website! wow look at God! there has been NO church in my life for the last ?? years..no noon day prayer, no long services no rehersals lol! sadly devorced shortly after, family gone children gone! i used to tell myself if only i stayed home that day instead of attending service that 1st time.BUT than i say "well i was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit at HTOD! Not sure wat happend after that! i guess its true what they say, you give someone that much power look out! my prayer is for ALL my (old school) HTOD family are blessed and safe..peace and love
ReplyDeleteSo lion heart, let me get this right, While you attended the church you were filled with the Holy Spirit, and married with a family, but since you left, you haven't been to church in years and are now without family. Was the issue with the church or with you, and it's been years? Why are you still writing about this? It's been years. I'm confused as to what can draw you in after attending that 1st time and yet make it to where you cant find another church home? Was your wife a christian? Is she still in church?
DeleteAnd wounded, you don't seem joyful or better you still seem bitter and depressed, you screen name for this one blog post is wounded...which tells me that you're not over this either. How can this have been a church that was not of God but so powerful that you can't move on. This has nothing to do with Apostle Howell but with your relationship with God. In 2 Cor. 3:17 it says "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." But you both still sound like you're in bondage. This isn't a because of a certain church or Pastor thing, this is way deeper than that.
In 2 Cor. 13:5 Paul says "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
If Jesus Christ were in you then you wouldn't still be dwelling in the past "behold all things have passed away and all things have become new" or "he who sets his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of heaven" If Jesus Christ where in you you'd be edifying people in your new church, you wouldn't be trying to tear down people who are trying to edify people somewhere where you couldn't stay.
As I said this is between you and God not you and Life Changers or you and Apostle. People that read this blog focus on the word, not on what an angry person says.
I'll leave with another scripture on reprobate. I can leave scriptures, unlike Lion heart and Wounded...what does that tell you...
Romans 1:28-32
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, INVENTORS OF EVIL THINGS, disobedient to parents, without understanding, COVENANTBREAKERS, without natural affection, IMPLACABLE, UNMERCIFUL. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Lion Heart, thanks for the reply. Wow it's been a minute since I've been on this blog...so long that I forgot my original password and had to create another user name LOL. Thanks for sharing your story with the world and no matter what others may say...you, I and countless others know the truth. Continue to pray for those who are still there and are blind and ignorant to the truth.
DeleteAs for Mr. or Ms. frustrated statements...I am neither depressed nor bitter. I have the freedom to say what ever I like...you can't though. You can only say what Howell tells you to say. Let me guess you read him this blog post during one of your 1 a.m. meetings and he began to rant out his response to the post and you tried frantically to write down everything he said because God forbid you forget some of his key statements. You can quote all of the scriptures you like but that doesn't make you a Christian just like sitting in a garage don't make you a car. I'm praying for you and praying that God will open your eyes to the truth. Contrary to what Howell is telling you, other churches are preaching the truth and you won't be cursed if you leave that ministry.
Mathew 15:11
ReplyDeleteIt is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
Well your pastor Mr. Ronald D. Howell is defiled to the core.
DeleteWounded warrior and Lion heart after reading this you know what really amazes me, is the names you have chosen. Warrior and lion heart, if you where truly a warrior and if you truly had a heart of a Lion you would not be anonymous. I don’t know who all will continue to read what you are writing but if they have any since they would say that the both of you need to choose different names because you are cowards who are not of God, it’s more work like your wayward brother the devil. God is not of fear and fear lets you make statements and be anonymous. Well I will tell you this I’m not perfect nor I’m I fearful because I believe in my God and I believe in the profit that God blessed me with, so saying all that I stand behind him and my name is Victor D. Jones
ReplyDelete3. You can call me a coward it's your right...just like I can be anonymous because it's my choice. I will reveal who I am when he decides to leave you and your wife in Germany with the $2 million dollar debt he owes the Bank of Kaiserslautern. When he lands on American soil I will be revealing my story with my face and my name but at this time your manipulation tactic will not work...So sorry Vic. Funny how you called him your "profit" not your prophet...God is still speaking to you...are you listening Vic?
DeleteWounded warrior and Lion heart You should repent before it is to late. 1 Chronicles 16:22 Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm. when you go against A Man of God you go against God.
ReplyDeleteYou should make sure you use that scripture in the right context but at any rate remember that God was telling David not to touch Saul (the man whom He had already rejected) so are you admitting that your pastor has been rejected by God but still trying to wear the crown? Wow it's amazing how God will speak to you when you least expect it!! Listen to God...He's trying to help you Vic.
DeleteNo Vic...Mr. Howell should repent. Your supposedly a bishop in his church don't you have a voice to tell your leader he must repent? He is doing wrong and yet you turn your head. Why? because your finally "somebody?" I'm praying for you because I know your not happy with your current situation. I know your frustrated but you will never admit it but like I said I'm praying for you and your wife.
DeleteYou're right, I feel bad but back then I was so hurt. I know that it was my own fault, but I let my anger get the best of me. I know now that that's wrong, but somehow I allowed my emotions to write things that I knew weren't true. All Apostle Howell ever did was try to make me better. But in the end I repaid him with these hateful words. If anybody out there is reading this please forgive what I have said.
ReplyDeleteLet’s get things straight and clear Mr. Jones, before you try and manipulate my (old) profile and pretend to be me and post fake comments, once again warrior has 2-r’s. This is so sad that you would go thru these great lengths to protect this man. I got to admit you thought you were clever but not clever enough. You used the same picture but misspelled the profile name…hmmmm. What are you trying to hide? You know what he is doing but you still turn your head to it….let me guess he tells you that cockamamie story about him being a human with flaws right?…well wait, he only says that to the women he sleeps with, never mind. I remember when you first came to the church, you were really searching for love and validation but he rejected you, I mean really rejected you behind your back. You were the joke at all the meetings after service especially when you asked permission to date one of the ladies in the church. But I guess you are validated now huh? Your somebody now huh because Howell said your somebody? Sad, sad, sad. LOL.
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ReplyDeleteBelieve what you are hearing about Mr. Howell. There are over 60 pages of stories to support wounded warrior’s claim. Visit the site below and see for yourself.Just copy and paste the below address into your web browser:
ReplyDeletehttp://abcpreachers.ning.com/forum/topics/apotsle-ronald-d-howell?id=916966%3ATopic%3A2922873&page=59#comments
Lame warrior and Kitty cat heart. I am a saint from Life Changers. I have experienced some gut wrenching things throughout my life and it was Apostle Howell, NOT YOU! Who walked me through those unbearable times. The Word of God validates Apostle by the healings, manifested prophesies, imparting of the Holy Spirit, and casting out devils that he's done NOT YOU! It is obvious that the Bible means nothing to you because you are violating a principle that even the Arch angel refused to violate when disputing over the body of Moses. Nevertheless, you and your misconduct were prophesied long ago. Read the entire book of Jude and you will find that it is written, "The Lord rebukes you!"
ReplyDeleteIt is almost comicable how fools set out to destroy a man by bringing out railing accusations against them, but why won't you tell us a little about yourself? Tell us YOUR flaws... Tell us where you struggle in YOUR walk... Tell us YOUR short comings.... What sins are you still carrying around? Of course you wouldn't because then your creditablility would hold no value, so you HAVE TO remain anonymous!
But it is sad how your words may cause a person, unequipped with the Truth, to lose their soul. May their blood be on your hands!