John invites Martin and Sarah from the UK to share their story of escaping a controlling, charismatic fellowship tied to shepherding-style authority inspired by Derek Prince and the Shepherding Movement. They describe how subtle shifts — from house-church “body ministry” to centralized power — opened the door for predatory leadership to operate unchecked.
Their journey reveals why spiritual covering doctrines, personality cults, and authoritarian structures can create the perfect environment for silence and fear. Despite deep wounds and the loss of community, Martin and Sarah share how healing, truth-telling, and faith brought post-traumatic growth — and why others suffering in similar systems deserve to be heard.
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Meet Martin and Sarah: Leaving a Troubled Church in London
03:23 Parallels with Other Groups and the Power of Loaded Language
05:30 Derek Prince, Shepherding Influence, and Early UK Connections
08:09 How Control Structures Spread Through Charismatic Networks
10:21 Abuse Ignored: The Case of Harry Greenwood
12:04 What “Spiritual Covering” Really Means in High-Control Churches
14:10 Subtle Shifts: From Home Fellowship to Stage-Centered Meetings
17:00 Data-Mining, “Words of Knowledge,” and Manufactured Authority
20:12 The Role of Music and Atmosphere in Reinforcing Control
23:22 Stanley Hickman: Grooming, Manipulation, and False Persona
27:05 Behind the Scenes: Grooming Tactics and Hidden Misconduct
31:21 Why Public Displays of “Supernatural Insight” Create Fear
33:16 When Narcissistic Leaders Replace Other Narcissists
36:05 Confrontations, Prophetic Grandiosity, and Silencing Dissent
40:12 The Global Network Connected to the Abusive Leadership
43:02 Marriage Counseling Manipulation: The Night Before the Wedding
46:55 Aftermath: Turmoil, Power Plays, and Psychological Impact
50:01 Why Control Thrives When Leaders Aren’t Accountable
53:03 Attempting Reform, Getting Blamed, and the Cost of Speaking Up
56:22 Leaving the Fellowship and Experiencing Social Shunning
59:00 Hope, Healing, and Finding Courage to Tell the Story
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Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K
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