Stories and Testimonies From Child Survivors
It is not how many abusive details that a survivor can recount and describe in order for their story to be considered important. It is how the individual perceived their experience to be detrimental, or even life shattering, that counts.
Telling your story turns it into a history that can eventually be left behind and frees you to some extent, making it easier to create a new life for yourself. You have developed strengths because of all you have endured, and you are a unique individual with purpose.
Names have been changed for confidentiality, unless otherwise noted. Stories are not necessarily listed in order received.
Not all stories submitted are posted and we reserve the right to refuse to post.
Also see: Testimonies and Writings by Exiters (covers a variety of subjects)
"If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain." ~ Emily Dickinson
What it Felt Like to Be Kicked Out of Worldwide Church of God
Stories About S. E. P. Experiences
Stories About Philadelphia Youth Camp (P.Y.C)
My Entire Childhood Was Sacrificed
Finally Free From the Burden of Lies
Relieved to Find That I am Not Alone
Occultic Family History Led to Recruitment into WCG
(This survivor was also in PCG)
Can't Even Describe What I Went Through
Still Working Through the Anger
Foundations of a Soul Rocked to the Core
Growing Up in WCG Caused Me To Almost Give Up on God
I Hated Growing Up in Philadelphia Church of God
WCG and Splinter Groups Are Destroyers of Mind, Body and Soul
My Memories of How Abusive Worldwide Was
What Armstrong Said Didn't Add Up!
(This child survivor had the courage to rebel against the WCG madness)
Glad I Didn't Have to Attend HWA's Cult Any Longer Than I Did!
Will I Ever Trust or Have a Real Relationship Again?
How My Life Was Forever Impacted by Both WCG and PCG
Expelled by WCG for Marrying the Man I Loved
It's Been a Long Painful Journey
Worldwide Church of God Almost Destroyed My Life
Humiliated by Spankings Starting at Age 13
I Grew Up Sick in the WCG and Suffered For it
School Memories After Parents Joined WCG
My Talent of Music Was Never Appreciated
WCG Caused Me to Pass Up Music Scholarships
Effects of Growing Up With "The Plain Truth of Child Rearing"
I Grew Up in WCG With Much Confusion
I Became Irritated and Incensed!
Christmas and Other Painful Memories
Overwhelming Sensation to Flee the WCG
Growing Up in "The Church" Was the Hardest Thing I Ever Had to Do
(Raised in WCG and later in PCG; mentions Philadelphia Youth Camp)
Struggling to Reclaim My Family
I Still Carry the Pain of Herbert Armstrong's Teachings
(Impacted by Church of God International, although father was first in WCG)
Always Assumed My Childhood Was Rougher Than Everyone Else's
Getting Kicked Out of PCG Caused Me to Start Investigating
(This survivor was raised in WCG and then in UCG & PCG)
Openly Threatened by Philadelphia Church of God Minister
Grew Up in Philadelphia Church of God and Hated It
Fifteen Lost Years Growing Up in Philadelphia Church of God
Can't Grasp That God Loves Me Unconditionally
The Emotional Impact is Still With Me
(This survivor also had confrontations with Gerald Flurry when Flurry was a minister in WCG)
Emotional Abuse Can Be Very Subtle
Abused in Every Way in Worldwide Church of God
I Still See the Branches of the Cult in My Life
In Spite of Abuse, I Learned to Wear a Smiley Face
My Dad Controlled Every Aspect of Our Lives
Took 20 years To Get Back to the Person I Was
Worldwide Church of God Was an Oppressive System
My Mom Started Her Own HWA Home-Based Bible Studies
I Was Blamed for a Very Painful Experience
Back to Children Raised in Worldwide Church of God or Offshoots