Hello and Praise God for this site!

Thank you so much for the starters, and maintainers of this site. God BLESS you!

I was in the GCI church for over 10 years from 1980 to 1991 and so empathize with the deep wounds you may have received from your association with this unhealthy church. They are one of too many spiritually abusive churches. But, don't let men be the final authority on whether it is an unhealthy and abusive system, let GOD'S WORD speak to you personally.

I have been out of this church, and have not been connected to it, nor supported for 20 years. I was spiritually abused by it; and it has taken many many years of counseling and time with God to heal from its misguided teachings, practices and relationships. It stole from me my pure and simple devotion to CHRIST. It wreaked havoc on the true interpretation of God's Word for me. I was robbed of living in grace and forgiveness. It damaged my self-image with self-condemnation and a general nagging feeling of "never being a good enough christian". The effects for me were long lasting. No matter whether the deception was intentionally manipulative from the top or dutifully passed on through the "under leaders", God has shown me through others and HIS WORD how it was wrong and hurtful beyond mere words. Selfish ambitious and idolatry seemed to motivate this strategy to "hyper-grow" "fruitful" christians rapidly to make a name for itself and, of course, for its original leader and founder, Jim McCotter. Perhaps, if he had been renounced and excommunicated years ago, the people left there might have had a chance to truly heal and find the TRUE Compassionate and Loving GOD in His Word for themselves.

For some reason God did use some non-leaders in this group to lead me to Christ, and for that I am thankful. He also used for good having my "mandatory' quiet time to produce a great habit of reading His Word daily to this day. Although, the understanding of many scriptures was inaccurate and deceptive.

To the many precious persons I hurt by dutifully passing on false doctrine and manipulative teachings I received from my GCI Leaders (at the time) to deceitfully pressure them to "perform" or "pretend" or simply to "stay" with "THE Church" so that I would be "fruitful" and approved by (the leaders) men, I am utterly sorry. I was so wrong.I confess a definite sinful spirit of pride and idolatry. I used people for my "spiritual" reputation to be approved by men, rather than seeking to please my Saviour. I pray you are restored completely to pure and simple FAITH in Christ alone to grow and go on with Him to a very joyful and exciting journey. "HE who began a good work in you, will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

So this is not any longer I will continue my Journey to His Healing in the "healing section". One thing I have learned over the last 20 years is that only Christ can make you grow through FAITH. Not Works, Not Rules, Not the Law, and definitely not my performance!

Pray you are encouraged by this long'Hello'