Our Stories - Leaving the Message

John invites David to share his journey from the Assemblies of God into an international prophetic healing movement that claimed supernatural authority, modern apostleship, and end-time fulfillment. He explains how teachings about tongues, holiness, dominion theology, and five-fold ministry prepared him to accept increasingly dramatic prophetic claims. Together they examine how charismatic structures can shift into authoritarian control, how miracle culture shapes belief, and how false hope surrounding healing—especially involving autism—can deeply affect families. This discussion explores Pentecostal history, prophetic movements, and the warning signs of personality-driven ministries. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Candice explore the long-term spiritual and psychological impact of Word of Faith teaching, Christ for the Nations culture, and extreme deliverance ministry. Candice shares her journey from charismatic enthusiasm in the late 1970s through decades of performance-driven faith, idolizing "God's generals," and eventually entering a highly controlling deliverance environment that revolved around demons, witchcraft, and spiritual fear. This conversation examines how authoritarian leadership, fear-based theology, and unrealistic expectations of constant blessing can damage faith and identity. Together, they discuss trauma, spiritual manipulation, angelic visitation claims, and what recovery looks like after leaving high-control charismatic movements. It is a candid reflection on discernment, sovereignty, healing, and learning to read Scripture in context after years inside Word of Faith and NAR-influenced environments. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Hannah examine Elim's history through Ivan Spencer's story and connect recurring themes: revival-driven identity, the cost of sustaining "moves of God," and the way spiritual language can reshape expectations and community life. Hannah shares lived experience with healing culture, word-of-faith messaging, and the social pressure to appear spiritually "enough," while John maps how revival frameworks, authority structures, and network thinking can echo into modern charismatic movements and apostolic-style ecosystems. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John invites Frannie, a former member of IHOPKC and longtime participant in charismatic revival culture, to explore the psychological and spiritual toll of growing up in end-times urgency, prophetic movements, and spiritual warfare theology. From the Toronto Blessing and MorningStar to IHOPKC's night watch culture, Franny shares how emotional intensity, martyr narratives, and authoritarian leadership shaped her worldview. Together they examine spiritual paranoia, the suppression of critical thinking, the mental health consequences of demon-centered theology, and the subtle patterns of control that repeat across revival movements. Franny also describes her path toward healing through therapy, steady relationships, and reclaiming emotional regulation after years inside Charismania. Frannie's Substack & Instagram: https://notesbyfrannie.substack.com https://www.instagram.com/notesbyfrannie  ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Tim explore how modern charismatic movements can drift from Scripture into "special revelation," elite identity, and end-times fear, and why that shift often changes how believers treat outsiders and former members. They discuss how proof-texting, confirmation bias, and platform-driven incentives can create a self-reinforcing culture where experiences feel authoritative even when they collide with Jesus' teaching. They also unpack Colossians 2:18 as a diagnostic for vision-centered spirituality, and talk through practical ways to rebuild a grounded faith: returning to the core message of Christ, testing claims against Scripture, and learning to engage people beyond insulated religious subcultures with humility, compassion, and intellectual honesty. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John Collins sits down with retired Army chaplain Jim Linzey, nephew of Franklin Hall, for a detailed conversation about Hall's life, ministry, and place in Pentecostal history. The discussion explores Coffeyville, Kansas, early Pentecostal networks, P.C. Nelson, Central Bible Institute, and the wider revival culture that influenced figures connected to healing revival and later charismatic movements. The conversation also examines Hall's relationship to Latter Rain, William Branham, Oral Roberts, and other names often linked to the development of modern Pentecostalism. Along the way, John and Jim discuss stage personas, historical memory, doctrinal controversy, and why some religious figures are remembered very differently by critics, supporters, and family members. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John invites Ginger, a former member of Shiloh Chapel in Maine, to explore the modern remnants of Frank Sanford's controversial religious movement. From doomsday predictions and divine healing claims to shunning, spiritual control, and authoritarian leadership, they unpack how a 19th-century sect still influences people today. This conversation examines the psychological impact of high-control religious environments, the difference between the historic Christian gospel and performance-based religion, and the subtle warning signs that can help others avoid similar experiences. For those navigating faith after spiritual trauma, this episode offers clarity, history, and hope. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel:https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website:https://william-branham.org

John and Bruce examine John Wimber as a complex and deeply human figure rather than a larger-than-life symbol. They explore how early Vineyard worship, personal humility, and bridge-building gradually gave way to questions about authority, platforming prophetic voices, and the long-term effects of charismatic celebrity. Their conversation also traces the wider issues behind Wimber's legacy: revival culture, mythologizing leaders, the Kansas City prophets, checks and balances in church leadership, and the difficulty of asking honest historical questions inside restorationist movements. The result is a careful discussion about accountability, movement drift, and how sincere efforts at unity can still produce unintended consequences. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962   Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John welcomes former Gospel Assembly member Kathleen Baker for an in-depth conversation on the hidden history, doctrines, and authoritarian practices of Gospel Assembly and its founder William Sowders. Together they examine how early Pentecostal movements, end-times urgency, and claims of exclusive truth created systems of control that later echoed through the Latter Rain movement and into modern charismatic expressions. Kathleen shares firsthand experiences of spiritual abuse, fear-based authority, and the challenges faced by women inside high-control religious environments, while John connects these patterns to broader historical networks involving William Branham, the School of the Prophets, and later movements influencing today's New Apostolic Reformation. The discussion offers historical context, survivor insight, and encouragement for those questioning similar systems. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John welcomes Harold Edwards, a former member and minister within Christ's Gospel Church, to discuss his firsthand experience inside the Jeffersonville-based group and its theological roots. Together, they explore how Christ's Gospel developed as a splinter from Branhamism, examining strict legalism, control mechanisms, and the emphasis on hidden spiritual knowledge that shaped daily life and belief. The conversation traces deeper connections to Latter Rain theology, manifested sons teaching, mysticism, and authoritarian leadership structures that mirror broader patterns across Pentecostal and charismatic movements. Drawing on history, scripture, and personal experience, John and Harold unpack how spiritual language can be used to enforce conformity, suppress questioning, and elevate leaders, while offering guidance to those questioning similar environments today. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Liv unpack what it feels like to realize your spouse's faith is not just "a little different," but shaped by William Branham's prophet-claims, tape-preaching culture, and the social rules that come with it. Liv shares the moment she learned Branham was treated as a prophet, why that discovery changed everything, and what it was like facing rejection tied to second-marriage stigma and ethnicity. They also talk through the lived impact: racism that presents as "sweet gestures," women-policing women, rigid gender roles at home, fear-based spirituality, and the anxiety that can follow someone long after they leave. The conversation closes with practical wisdom for spouses: don't force the process, be patient, and let truth be discovered without pressure. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John invites Chuck Davis to share his firsthand experience growing up in and eventually leaving Faith Assembly, a faith-healing movement shaped by strict doctrine, spiritual authority, and deep emotional bonds. Chuck reflects on his early religious upbringing, his introduction to charismatic faith, and how promises of healing, certainty, and belonging gradually turned into systems of control that affected education, relationships, and personal identity. Together, John and Chuck discuss music as emotional influence, fear-based faith, spiritualized mental health struggles, and the long-term psychological impact of authoritarian religious environments. The conversation also explores what healing can look like after leaving, including counseling, rebuilding trust, and finding healthy community outside high-control religious systems. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962  Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K  ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John invites Rebeckah, a former insider, to share her story of growing up in William Branham's Message, where strict rules, fear-based teaching, and unfulfilled prophecies shaped everyday life. Raised in tape churches and surrounded by generational loyalty to Branham, she explains how control, secrecy, and distorted doctrine quietly influenced her understanding of God, identity, and faith. Together, they explore failed prophecies, Gnostic-style "secret knowledge," emotional manipulation, and the long process of unpacking belief after leaving. The conversation offers hope for those questioning high-control religious systems, showing how reading the Bible directly, asking hard questions, and encountering grace outside the Message can lead to genuine spiritual healing and freedom.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Dr. Kerry Edwards to discuss his experience in and knowledge about the Pentecostal Movement, Latter Rain, and beyond. ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham  Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast  John invites Michael Sullivant to discuss the issues faced by current and former members of cults, the problem caused by "Super Apostles" and more.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham  Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast  John invites Jack Deere's son, Stephen Deer, to discuss the International House of Prayer (IHOP), Paul Cain, Mike Bickle, the NAR, and more. Stephen Deere's Substack: https://stephendeere.substack.com  Secret Chapter of the Book: https://stephendeere.substack.com/p/jack-deere-my-desire-for-power-enabled  Stephen's Chapter on IHOPKC Aiding Abusers: https://stephendeere.substack.com/p/ihopkc-figure-aided-abusers-sought?r=vzvis&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Mark Leyba to discuss his experience joining, believing, and leaving William Branham's cult of personality ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Joshua Ahianyo to discuss his experience joining, believing, and leaving William Branham's cult of personality ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Awen Dunning to discuss the Mike Bickle allegations, International House of Prayer victims, Paul Cain, Bob Jones, and the Kansas City Prophets, and more. ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites James Rozak to discuss being a minister in the "Message" cult, realizing that it was not a movement of God, and leaving it. Morning Mercy (Website): https://morningmercy.com/ Morning Mercy (Podcast): https://www.youtube.com/@morning-mercy

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Simon Laumer to discuss leaving Ewald Frank's Freie Volksmission (Free People's Mission) in Krefeld, Germany. Simon's Website: https://www.gottes-gnade-verstehen.com/uebersicht We discuss: * Frustration with Doctrines * Discovering Martin Luther * Leaving the Message * Debunking the Halo of Fire * The "Message" Fantasy World * Importance of Critical Thinking * Leaving the Free People’s Mission * Techniques of Cults * Repetitive Sermons and Breaking the Flow

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Michal and Fay Prascsak to discuss leaving William Branham's cult of personality. We discuss: * Abuse in the cult following of William Branham * Cult further victimizing abuse victims * Lack of support when needed most * Hate mail from the cult during the most traumatic experience * Shunning * Finding true Christianity ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Veronica Passage to discuss leaving William Branham's cult of personality. We discuss: * Relationship issues in the Message * Feeling trapped * Emotional trauma of a cult * Finding a new church and support group * Freedom of Bible studies and the security they bring * Lack of outreach in the cult

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Nathan Kutz to discuss leaving William Branham's cult of personality. We discuss: * Deconstructing the cult identity * Rebuilding authentic self * Reconstructing Nathan's YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@bluecollarbiblemanspeaker/videos

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Nathan Kutz to discuss leaving William Branham's cult of personality. We discuss: * Leaving the Message * Revictimization (rejoining the Message) * The process of leaving for good Nathan's YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@bluecollarbiblemanspeaker/videos

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Katie Holder to discuss leaving William Branham's cult of personality. We discuss: * Church splits * Sexual misconduct * Indoctrination * Mental baggage after leaving * Healing

John invites researcher and author John McKinnon to discuss his experience investigating and leaving the "Message" cult following of William Branham. In part 2, Collins and McKinnon discuss the theological issues with the "Message". John McKinnon's books: Defending the Truth (Includes a free copy of The Desperate Prophet): Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZPW8WKP  eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/275958105120  The Persuasive Preacher, The Gifted Prophet, and the Noble Politician: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578372401

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites researcher and author John McKinnon to discuss his experience investigating and leaving the "Message" cult following of William Branham. John McKinnon's books: Defending the Truth (Includes a free copy of The Desperate Prophet): Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZPW8WKP  eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/275958105120  The Persuasive Preacher, The Gifted Prophet, and the Noble Politician: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578372401  ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Melissa Ray to discuss leaving William Branham's cult of personality. We discuss: * Misogyny in the cult * Abuse and victim blaming * Lack of leadership, lack of accountability * Open relationships and response by ministers

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Kara Younce and Sarah Kiser to discuss leaving William Branham's cult of personality. We discuss: * Body shaming * Extreme clothing requirements ... and inspections * Hardships faced by women in the cult * Hellfire and brimstone * Recruitment, bondage, and escape

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Leslie Wells to discuss leaving William Branham's cult of personality. We discuss: * Logical fallacies found in William Branham's doctrinal teaching * Abuse in the "Message" * Hardships faced by women in the cult * Recruitment, bondage, and escape

John invites Joseph Bair to discuss leaving William Branham's cult of personality. We discuss: * The sudden and unexpected character assassination * The church's reaction to his soothing jazz music, the punishment enacted upon this family * The dark place this abuse of power led him to * Recovery, personal growth, spirituality, and more. Newspaper Article for Jazz Band: https://www.register-herald.com/news/life/hep-cats-four-shady-tigers-deliver-jazz-to-the-masses/article_cd94f667-a814-54bc-9f72-cbd3b5ac8e34.html Gowns: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYyl5eb8fQsP_ilqe10NR9A Castles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XdJB8fEhQM Spotify (Gowns): https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fC90doSewXmqatgc99ZhY?si=sbSnUWcSQUKL5YcOM7RO8Q Apple (hillbilly_chic): https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gowns/1502461117 Spotify (hillbilly_chic): https://open.spotify.com/artist/65s6tOIr5DSq39KdN8Trpk?si=GRpoirJ6QKSGSxs3Jr6Sog Apple (hillbilly_chic): https://music.apple.com/us/artist/hillbilly-chic/1677647749 ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham  – Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ  – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org  – Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg  – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham  – Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr  – Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/branham Available on Spotify, Google, and Apple Podcasts: https://william-branham.org/podcast John invites Gail Batke on the podcast to discuss her experience in Christ Gospel Church, a splinter group of William Branham's "Message" cult of personality also headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana. We discuss: * Berniece Hicks' ministry with William Branham in the Branham Tabernacle * The early formation of Christ Gospel Church * Similarities between the splinter group and the main sect * Spiritual abuse * Abuse of power