“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 a divine warning that I’ve since learned to heed in the face of danger.

I’ll keep this brief, as revisiting it stirs anger.

Firstly, the pastor’s wife publicly humiliated me, intentionally broadcasting my confessed sins near the men’s bedrooms, claiming to ‘break chains’ or something similar.

Secondly, a young man on my outreach team harshly judged my discernment in reaching out to a seemingly lost man, revealing a troubling sense of spiritual arrogance.

The entire church exuded an air of spiritual superiority, reminiscent of a Christian version of ‘Harry Potter,’ delving into what felt like ‘Christian Sorcery.’ While I believe in God’s communication with us, all the members really embraced prophecy, giving the impression that they considered themselves more special than other believers.

From the outset, I sensed an unsettling atmosphere as I was prohibited from wearing leggings on an extremely uncomfortable mission trip with an extended bus ride to scorching Miami weather. This rule fostered a dynamic where women appeared objectified in the eyes of the men in the group who belonged to the church.

I perceived that an underlying reason was to remind us that we were under strict control, a sentiment vividly expressed by the pastor’s wife.

I distinctly remember her angrily and loudly telling me personally that I was not in control of myself with the line, ‘If the Holy Spirit says brush your teeth, you brush your teeth!’