The TRUTH shall set them free!

Wow! It's been a long time since I've posted. I didn't realize that people were still coming to this site and reading and sharing. At the height of my posting on this blog, the pressure was intense. I had to take a break. Over the years, I have had numerous emails and phone calls from people I've never met wanting to share their personal experience of abuse and ask questions. If I'm being honest, it was all too much for me to hold and bear. I had to step back and focus on my family for a season. It's been a long season.

In the past 6 years, I've learned of more survivors of the abuse of Christ Church Northgate and Christ Church Kirkland. I have watched the miracle of my entire family walk out the doors of this cult and I've also seen the final closure of the doors of this "church" that abused spiritually, physically and emotionally hundreds of people who came looking for love, connection, faith and community.

There is a church still operating under a new name and by the son of one of the original "pastors" of abuse. I can't say if these people operate the same but what I can say, is this leader never stepped away from being a pastor and never took the time to grieve his part in the history of this place or question the leadership that had been imparted to him, for which he had trained and been mentored by. I would caution anyone attending to be on guard. Don't assume that abuse isn't lurking in the shadows. Generations can continue to carry forth the abuse when it hasn't been owned and repented for.

CCK closed it's doors in December 2015. Really it's a miracle. Some say this blog opened the door for people to begin to question. To start contemplating what if this is all true? To all of you who bravely shared your experience, know that it was worth it and valuable. Your bravery spared children from abuse, made a way out for those who were being abused and opened the door for others to walk out and begin to heal and live a life of authenticity.

I don't believe this is the end of the story. I had a call from someone at the Union Gospel Mission recently wanting to know about Norm Willis and voicing concern that he had been coming around wanting to be involved. Abusers are always looking for victims.

For those who were victims of the Christ Church Northgate days, I know your legal options are slim. I know that you need more current victims to come forward. I know that some of you just want to move on with your life and never look back. I've sat with detectives, I know the process is daunting. If you are a victim of sexual or physical abuse at the hands of any of the leaders or members of CCN or more recently CCK, you have options and you're not alone. If there is a group who would like to look at the legal remedies available, including more recent victims, you have options. For those who have gained your voice, you can be named in the proceedings and for those who need to remain anonymous, you can be a Jane or John doe. There is also counseling and healing waiting to help you move forward in your life. The biggest thing I need you to know is that you're not alone. Please know that you can contact me, I will help connect you with other victims if you choose and your identity will be kept confidential. You are all survivors!

"Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable. Speak out in order to judge with righteousness and to defend the needy and the poor." -Proverbs 31:8&9

In love and faithfulness
-Tina
freesitintime@gmail.com
425-248-3934

Dennis Peacocke

I must confess that I was always a fan of Dennis Peacocke. There was a time that I thought if he knew what Norm was really up to, he would intervene. I no longer believe that. His teachings and those of others like him are what created these top-down, untouchable leaders to begin with. On this link, you can hear part his "battle of the bulge"message:

http://vimeo.com/20946491

What is basically saying, is that if you are criticized by anyone, even those in the church just take it a sign that you are on the right track. Never does ask his followers to listen and prayerfully consider that they should take the time to listen to what the critics have to say. Apparently, he considers his teaching to be infallible. There is no room for humility. Not only that, but those who speak out are being used by the devil.

I remember a time when he spoke about the church as the "ekklesia"; a place where there was room for debate and discussion and disagreement, just like the first century church. That message interested me. This one make me sad.

New Development - "School of the Apostolic Church"

Christ Church Kirkland is starting it's own college and offering associate degrees in theology. The "School of the Apostolic Church" has Norm for it's president. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure he never finished college and doesn't have a BA. Interesting. Here is the link to their website: http://schooloftheapostolicchurch.com/. Check it out and share your thoughts. I have no idea what the requirements are to offer degrees in this state, but I'd love to know.

The Truth about Leaving CCK

When a couple recently decided to leave CCK, Norm told them that no one who leaves ever does so properly and no one who has left is doing well spiritually. I was surprised. Where did Norm get his crystal ball? How is it that he knows how everyone who has left is doing spiritually? My family is very involved in a church we love, but I guess we can't be doing well because it's not CCK?

As to how we left, we met with the leaders multiple times over the years to voice our concerns only to be torn apart. When it became apparent that the church was becoming increasingly controlling and manipulative, we decided to leave. At that time, we again made our concerns known, met with the pastors, and left quietly, prayerfully, and respectfully. But I guess, we could not have left correctly, because it was our decision, not rubber-stamped by Norm. The fact that he would never have approved of our leaving is irrelevant to him.

I want to hear from all of you about what happened when you left CCK. What made you decide to leave? Did you discuss it with any of the pastors or other leaders? How were you treated after you left by the people still at the church? How is your life now? Did you make the right decision?