Survivor stories from ex-members of Antioch Community Church Orlando.
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“People come for the testimonies, but stay for the love.” // Hashlay
John 13:34–35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Hello, my name is Hashlay. This is my story of dealing with perverted love and perverted justice in…
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“To the measure of your vulnerability is your freedom.” Until it’s used against you. // Stephanie
Hi, my name is Stephanie, and this is my story. This is why I left Antioch Orlando. Five years ago, I was introduced to this church through an invitation to Friendsgiving. The holiday season isn’t their typical day-to-day rhythm, but it was my first glimpse. At first, it looked like game nights, bonfires with songs,…
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Applying for Manipulation: The Inappropriate Questioning on the Antioch Discipleship School Application
The Antioch Discipleship School (ADS) is a core piece of the structure of Antioch Community Church Orlando. It is now called “ADS Foundations.” Its approach has shifted through the years, following the theological bent of the church in video lectures, speakers, books, and other materials. It revolves around weekly four-hour classes on Sunday evenings, extensive…
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“If the Holy Spirit says brush your teeth, you brush your teeth!”
My time with Antioch was short-lived, defined by a mission trip to Miami in 2017 and a couple of other events. Despite my initial reservations about fitting into this church, a high school friend persuaded me to join the trip. What transpired during felt unnaturally dark. A profound unease settled deep within me, serving as…
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“You know how we do things here.” // Jason
My name is Jason and I was a congregant at Antioch Orlando from Fall 2016 – Fall 2022 I write this testimony for those I love that still attend Antioch. To let them know in full why we left and to warn others by sharing the truth. There have been numerous attempts to expose issues…
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“Welcome to big boy church.”
Prayer is one of my spiritual gifts so I asked if I could head up a prayer group at the church before service started on Sunday. The pastor gave me the green light and told me to find two right-hand men. I knew two girls who I was friends with who were also prayer warriors…
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“If you say goodbye to them it will hurt their faith.” // Jude
My original writing was taken down so I could rewrite it. Reading my own story was a challenging experience, and I realized that much of it didn’t truly belong to me; it wasn’t my story to tell. When we first give our lives to Jesus it is the most amazing feeling in the world. I…
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A Love Letter
To My Beloved Brothers And Sisters and Antioch: This is a Love Letter Please, from the bottom of my heart, I plead with you to hear this message with an open spirit, praying and trusting in the Spirit of Truth, The Holy Spirit inside of you and verifying everything I say with the word of…
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“We need to control the narrative.” // Steve
Steve: My journey with Antioch Orlando, fall 2015 to present (August 2023). Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.–Ephesians 4:15 This is a love story. This is a truth story. Love without truth is only mere…
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“When people ask why you left, we’re going to tell them you’re bitter and refused to reconcile.” // Emily
TL;DR: If your mom says you’re in a cult, you’re probably in a cult. My name is Emily and I was a congregant at Antioch Orlando from Fall 2019 – Fall 2022. For those reading this post who are at Antioch: Jason and I are not bitter, we did not leave out of offense, we…
Ezekiel 34 // Matthew 23
I Left Antioch Orlando 