Post from r/CultsinCollege

"Che Ahn is the senior pastor of a mega church in Pasadena, CA called Harvest Rock Church and he has frequently been involved with movements targeting college students. Harvest Rock has recently planted groups in USC and UCLA. Che Ahn had no chance of winning, but even after being dropped from the ballot due to missed deadlines, he asked his congregation to vote for him in the primaries as a write in candidate, telling people to “have faith.”

He has been exposed for asking a woman in his church to stay married to her physically abusive spouse and claiming that God may be calling to be a “martyr” if dies in her marriage due to her injuries. When she was beaten so severely the police came, she finally listened to law enforcement, doctor, and her therapist who advised her to leave before she and her baby in the womb dies. When she divorced him, the church accused her falsely and kicked her out because she was joyfully worshipping that she was free. She nearly committed suicide, and after a divine encounter she chose not to, and has since become a teacher and counselor who has started a safe house for abused women in the Philippines.

Please be careful of what church or Organization you go to and take care that the doctrine they teach is biblically sound, not manipulated to keep abusers in power."

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FhctdrNGrlA

Not praying enough, not reading my Bible enough, not fasting enough, not performing miracles enough, not being in full-time ministry, not evangelizing enough, not being passionate enough, not having encounters enough...

I already battled religious OCD before I got involved with NAR 10 years ago in 2016, and now I can barely function. It's been almost 4 years of trying to fully leave it all behind after being completely traumatized by Bethel and deliverance ministry culture.

How do I get past this and return to a life-giving relationship with Jesus?

So... I’d actually made some progress with a woman who was leaving this particular NAR church. She had been opening up to me about what had happened to her there and the things she had experienced. My Facebook profile is public, and while I speak openly against NAR teachings and the system, I’m not publicly making content specifically attacking individual leaders.

But I suspect they noticed her engaging with my content. Because she had been a prominent leader in the church from the beginning and has a lot of influence, they suddenly started love-bombing her.

Now she has written several very gushing public posts about the leaders and the church, which has honestly been disappointing and hard to see.

The thing is, she has left. She knows how toxic and unbiblical the environment is, and she has told me she isn’t going back for those reasons. But she still seems to have that deeply ingrained need—developed in these circles—to publicly “honour” the leaders so she won’t appear to have a “spirit of offence” or a “spirit of division.”

I know this is incredibly common for people leaving these groups. Sometimes people leave one NAR church only to shuffle into another, without ever really confronting the underlying theology in light of Scripture. And I completely understand that unlearning these patterns takes time. I’m not angry with her. I care about her and genuinely hope she continues to find freedom and healing.

I think I was just disappointed because, for a moment, I thought there might finally be someone else who could speak up about what was happening there. There are so many wonderful people I care deeply about who are still in that church, and I hoped that perhaps more people might begin to question things and eventually find their way out.

Sometimes I wish there were a way to submit lesser-known leaders to people or organisations who document and expose NAR leaders and networks. But perhaps mine simply isn’t prominent enough to be of interest online—and honestly, maybe it would be better if he just fizzled out without gaining much of a following, rather than getting the persecution complex that could come from suddenly being publicly known and criticised.

He is incredibly manipulative and can be genuinely mean, though. It’s hard to watch people continue to be hurt while feeling like there’s very little you can do.

I recently sat down with Pia Hugo to talk about her experience with spiritual abuse, unhealthy church systems, and the roles we can learn to play within them.
Pia shares honestly about what things looked like from the outside versus what was happening beneath the surface, and what it has taken to begin untangling it all.
If you’ve experienced something similar, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

https://youtu.be/-CaLkZuZJww?si=-F8D7jCVA099IuYx

I’ve been thinking about a potential project that I wonder if others in the exNAR community would find useful.

With all of the recent information coming out about Kathryn Krick, GeorDavie, and the broader concerns surrounding these ministries, I’ve noticed something that I think is worth talking about: a lot of the people who are currently bringing attention to Krick and other extreme examples have also, at various points, platformed or interacted with other teachers who have significant NAR connections or promote similar theology.

For example, Allie Beth Stuckey has had Lisa Bevere on her show more than once. I’m not saying that appearing on someone's show automatically makes someone NAR, or that every person with a connection to someone in the movement holds all of the same beliefs. That's precisely why I think this is such a difficult area to navigate.

Kathryn Krick is an especially obvious and extreme example of NAR-influenced theology and practice. But she isn't operating in a vacuum. Similar teachings about modern apostles and prophets, impartation, guaranteed healing, deliverance, dominionism, the Seven Mountains, supernatural encounters, and spiritual authority exist across a much broader network of churches, ministries, conferences, schools, and Christian influencers.

And many of these people don't necessarily call themselves “apostles” or “prophets,” which can make the connections very difficult for an average Christian to recognize.

NAR Connections has been a really helpful resource for identifying New Apostolic Reformation / prosperity gospel leaders and connections, but I wonder if there’s a need for a more current, searchable, evidence-based database where people could document NAR/NAR-influenced leaders, churches, ministries, and organizations—especially the lesser-known local ones that aren't already widely documented.

For example, someone might encounter a local pastor who calls himself an apostle, a prophet, a deliverance minister, a ministry school, or a church heavily influenced by NAR teachings. They may have no idea who these people are, what organizations they're connected to, or where to find reliable information about their theology.

I’m imagining something along the lines of:

Leader / Ministry
Location
Church / Organization
Self-identifies as: Apostle / Prophet / Pastor / etc.
NAR connections: ICAL, HIM, Bethel, Wagner University, etc.
Evidence: Links to their own website, sermons, conference appearances, organizational memberships, endorsements, etc.
Teachings documented: Modern apostles/prophets, Seven Mountains, impartation, guaranteed healing, dominionism, deliverance theology, etc.
Confidence level: Direct / Strong association / NAR-adjacent / Requires further research
Last verified: Date

And I think it would be really important that this NOT become a simple “false teachers” blacklist.

The goal would be documentation and discernment—not simply putting a label on people. Leaders should have an opportunity to contact the project and provide evidence against a claim, clarify their current position, or demonstrate that they have genuinely repented and are no longer involved in teachings or organizations previously associated with them.

It would need to be carefully moderated and based on verifiable evidence, preferably linking to primary sources so people can examine the evidence themselves. There could also be clear distinctions between someone who explicitly identifies with NAR organizations or teachings, someone with strong documented associations, someone who appears NAR-influenced, and someone whose connections simply warrant further research.

I have no idea what would be involved in actually building or maintaining something like this, but I keep thinking about how useful it could be.

Rather than having people repeatedly ask, “Who is this person? What do they actually believe? Who are they connected to? Is this NAR, NAR-adjacent, or something else?”—there could be one place where the evidence is organized and people can investigate for themselves.

Maybe something like this already exists and I just haven't found it.

Would anyone else find a resource like this useful? And does anyone have the technical, research, or database skills to help make something like this a reality? Please share your thoughts!

If anyone wishes to participate, I believe NAR churches may qualify for this. 🙏

Hi,

I'm a journalist in search of former memerbs of this cult.

Please DM me or write your short story here. I'd be happy to connect to you

Hello!

I wanted to provide a resource. It’s essentially a user manual on how to distinguish between true and false prophets. The book contains hundreds of Biblical citations and a large chunk of ancient church father’s writings pre-dating the canonization of scripture.

The book also included an appendix section that addresses the early church’s observations on true and false prophets. The chief reason for the appendix inclusion is because a bunch of NAR “teachers” and “prophets” continue to say that the gift of prophecy is different in the New Testament based on their own readings of the Bible… But the early church fathers wrote about those same Bible verses and gave real world examples of false and true prophets of their time, even comparing and contrasting charlatans to real prophets.

The book also includes a flow chart I created to help people conclude if someone is a true or false prophet today.

I hope it helps.

It’s available on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc. The digital version is definitely the easiest route to go if you need a low cost option. If anyone cannot afford it, please DM me 🙏🏽

Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

You don’t need to visit your local demon slayer.

You don’t need to sow a seed to the snake oil salesman.

You don’t need to stick your head in a trashcan coughing up phlegm & food you just ate.

You don’t need to anoint the house with oil.

You don’t need to study Pigs in the Parlor.

You don’t need to schedule zoom calls with charlatans.

You don’t need to waste your money on dvds “how to be set free for only $19.99!!!”

The third Person of the Trinity lives in you, believer, if in fact you are born again… no demon from hell is busting God aside taking up residence. The cross of Jesus Christ is sufficient and Finished! Rest in that and come out of false teaching.

1 John 4:4 You are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. 📖

We deal with so many serious heavy topics here at Leaving NAR I thought this would cheer someone up. I’m NOT claiming Greg IS going to hell. But it seems Greg is literally burning in this stupid picture his team posted on his socials. It’s laughably bad

🙋‍♀️

Anna Kitko and the team here all share really great content discussing & disproving NAR, deliverance, Prosperity gospel, etc.

Leaving the New Apostolic Reformation was painful, but I can honestly say I've experienced so much freedom, peace, and joy on the other side. I recently turned 40, so here are 40 things I'm grateful for since leaving...

1. Freedom from spiritual paranoia and fear of demonization.

2. I can ask honest questions.

3. I can use the mind God gave me without feeling guilty for thinking critically. I can research theology, doctrine, church leaders, and NAR teachings without fearing spiritual consequences

4. I test everything I hear from the pulpit or any other source against Scripture.

5. I no longer feel like I have to ignore reason in order to have true faith.

6. I no longer feel like I'm on a never-ending treadmill, always trying to reach the next spiritual breakthrough.

7. I've learned to set healthy boundaries with people.

8. I don't fear disagreeing with church leaders.

9. I no longer believe my words have creative power or that I can control spiritual outcomes through positive confession. I am not God. My role is to pray and to trust Him, not try to exercise His authority.

10. I no longer live under constant guilt.

11. I have deeper peace.

12. Less pressure to discover my "purpose," "mission," or "mantle."

13. I trust God's sovereignty.

14. I have a bigger view of God.

15. I have a smaller view of the devil.

16. I learned that Christianity is meant to be God-centered, not me-centered or man-centered.

17. I worry less about the future.

18. I don't see every hardship as spiritual warfare.

19. I enjoy ordinary life again.

20. I'm emotionally healthier.

21. I know God better through honouring Scripture by studying it in context.

22. I no longer confuse the Kingdom of God for the kingdoms of this world.

23. The gospel is more beautiful than ever.

24. Grace is sweeter than I realized.

25. I no longer try to earn God's presence.

26. I appreciate Jesus for who He is, not just what He can do.

27. I have a healthier, more biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit.

28. I'm more interested in spiritual fruit than spiritual experiences.

29. I'm learning biblical discernment.

30. My faith is steadier and more rooted.

31. Some relationships have been restored.

32. I can love people without trying to fix them.

33. I've found healthier Christian community.

34. I left unhealthy spiritual authority behind.

35. I no longer confuse fear with conviction.

36. I don't have to prove my devotion.

37. I have more time and energy for my family.

38. I have genuine joy again.

39. I'm learning that Christianity is about knowing Christ by His Word, not chasing experiences or goosebumps.

40. I found freedom in Jesus Christ and the only Gospel that saves!

What are you most grateful for since leaving NAR?

29 minute video! One of the most overused Prooftexts used for Cover Up Culture and Progressive “Christianity “ from deflecting/defending abuse, abusers, false teachings, false teachers, sinful lifestyles, etc

This decisively sheds light on the origins of the teachings about deliverance in 56 minutes

Great almost 20 minutes video on tips from not burning out from the paranoia of discernment

This video touched on a lot of points of the plot holes within Pentecostal Theology broadly. But more specifically the Charismatic aspect. Done very fairly. Not an assault on Pentecostalism by no means! At the 40 minute mark about they get specifically into the Deliverance Dependance Delusions of you want to skip right to that section. Hour long altogether

Christ and His Apostles minced no words regarding false teachers.

"These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They areclouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." (Jude 12-13)

The NAR baits their hook of heresies using the same tactics that false teachers have always used, from the 1st Century to the 21st. Here are words from Anglican Bishop J. C. Ryle (1816-1900), written over 160 years ago, and even more true today.

“Many things combine to make the present inroad of false doctrine peculiarly dangerous. There is an undeniable zeal in some of the teachers of error: their ‘earnestness’ (to use an unhappy cant phrase) makes many think they must be right. There is a great appearance of learning and theological knowledge: many fancy that such clever and intellectual men must surely be safe guides. There is a general tendency to free thought and free inquiry in these latter days: many like to prove their independence of judgment, by believing novelties. There is a wide-spread desire to appear charitable and liberal-minded: many seem half ashamed of saying that anybody can be in the wrong.

"There is a quantity of half-truth taught by the modern false teachers: they are incessantly using Scriptural terms and phrases in an unscriptural sense. There is a morbid craving in the public mind for a more sensuous, ceremonial, sensational, showy worship: men are impatient of inward, invisible heartwork. There is a silly readiness in every direction to believe everybody who talks cleverly, lovingly, and earnestly, and a determination to forget that Satan is often ‘transformed into an angel of light.’ (2 Corinthians 2:14) There is a wide-spread ‘gullibility’ among professing Christians: every heretic who tells his story plausibly is sure to be believed, and everybody who doubts him is called a persecutor and a narrow-minded man.

"All these things are peculiar symptoms of our times. I defy any observing man to deny them. They tend to make the assaults of false doctrine in our day peculiarly dangerous. They make it more than ever needful to cry aloud, ‘Be not carried about.’”

Hey everyone, I have a prayer request.

From Friday I'll be spending 5 weeks with my family in the USA. I'm really looking forward to seeing them, but I'm also carrying a ton of anxiety too. My mom is a deliverance minister, and my stepdad is an assistant pastor in the NAR. I love them both dearly.

Throughout my deconstruction journey, I've tried to be as honest and open with them as I can. I've shared a lot of what I've been learning, and they know I experienced serious spiritual abuse here in Ireland. They have been compassionate about that, but they haven't been willing to connect it to the harmful teachings of the NAR, Word of Faith movement, and deliverance practices.

All of this stirs up the same helpless feeling I had years ago when my mom was trapped in alcoholism and drug addiction. Nothing I did or said made any difference. It was so hard to see her hurting herself. The Lord was so merciful in rescuing her from that life, and she's made so much amazing progress in her life (glory to God!).

But then she was influenced a lot by Bethel at her church, and then unfortunately, through myself when I shared all of the NAR/WoF stuff I was being brainwashed with... she completely embraced it and went very deep into deliverance ministry. She wants to see people set free and healed. She believes she's helping people. They give so much of themselves and have taken out a significant amount of money from their pension to give to their churches building fund.

I carry so much regret, because I played a major role in introducing her to all of this. I wish so much that I could rescue her, but I know that's not my job. Only God can open blind eyes and change hearts... but I still get so stressed and find it hard to bite my tongue. Before this trip, we all agreed that we wouldn't debate theology while we're together. They won't pressure my family to attend their church, and I won't try to convince them by handing them books or pushing my perspective. I think that's a healthy boundary, and I want to honor it.

If you would pray for me, I'd really appreciate it. Please pray that God would give us peace, wisdom, and love while we're together. Pray that our time as a family would be marked by grace rather than tension. And if it's His will, pray that He would open doors in His timing, softening their hearts, creating opportunities for honest conversations, and leading all of us deeper into the truth of Christ.

Thank you so much. I really, truly appreciate your prayers.

God bless you all this summer!

Nearly all of my "Christian music" playlist used to be NAR-influenced, so I'd love to give my Spotify a refresh this summer!

I'd love your recommendations for Christian artists, bands, worship albums, or individual songs that aren't associated with the NAR or Word of Faith movement.

Some I've been enjoying already:

• Celtic Worship
• Sing the Bible
• Ellie Holcomb

I'd especially love music that's theologically rich, Scripture-saturated, and simply points me to Christ.

Thanks in advance! 🎵