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

What is an abusive church?

In his book, "Churches that Abuse," Ronald Enroth says:

"Sociologists looks for patterns in human behavior and in social institutions. As you read the following pages, a profile of pastoral and spiritual abuse will emerge. Abusive churches, past and present, are first and foremost characterized by strong, control-oriented leadership. These leaders use guilt, fear, and intimidation to manipulate members and keep them in line. Followers are led to think that there is no other church quite like theirs and that God has singled them out for special purposes. Other, more traditional evangelical churches are put down. Subjective experience is emphasized and dissent is discouraged. Many areas of member's lives are subject to scrutiny. Rules and legalism abound. People who don't follow rules or who threaten exposure are often dealt with harshly. Excommunication is common. For those who leave, the road back to normalcy is difficult."

Ironically, Norm Willis has been know to give a copy of "Churches that Abuse" to people who come to CCK after leaving leaving other abusive churches. Amazing that he does not see the danger in this. But then again, there's no other church quite like CCK, or and there's no other school quite like CCA!

If you are in a situation where you believe that your whole life will be turned upside down if you leave your church; if you are afraid that friends and family members won't talk to you anymore if you leave, you are not in a healthy church, but an oppressive, abusive one.

The Truth about Abusive Churches

If you have been a member of CCK, or of any abusive church and you wish to share about your experience, please join in the conversation!

You can tell us how you were affected, how you got out, how it affects you now, anything that's on your mind. (Just keep it clean :) !)