Episode 247 | Whistleblower Exposes ICC "Cult" That Ignored Abuse for Decades
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- Опубликовано: 17 май 2023
- Meet Chele Roland, the whistleblower who exposed the International Churches of Christ for decades of abuse cover-ups. After podcasting about her own abuse on WhaTheFlok podcast, Chele began getting all kinds of messages from survivors of abuse from the International Churches of Christ. The ICOC/ICC, known as "The Boston Movement," put a huge emphasis on recruiting "disciples" who were personally responsible for producing large numbers of converts to Christianity.
The rules were very strict and Chele was one of the people responsible for producing converts. Her story of sexual abuse is tied to the ICOC/ICC and her conditioning kept her silent for years. After reaching out to over sixty church leaders and not receiving a single response, Chele decided to lead the way for other survivors to seek justice and stop the abuses that are still happening.
Chele's story is one of courage and honor. We were so glad to have her share her story!
Chele's RUclips channel and podcast, WhaTheFlok:
@whatheflokcultsurvivalstor6528
www.whatheflok.com/
*Book Chele suggests for survivors of sexual abuse:
The Body Keeps Score
by Vessel Van Der Kolk MD
Free2b non profit for survivors to have access to resources and therapy, etc:
Free2b.nonprofit@gmail.com
IG: @Free2b
Jimmy’s book, The Devil Inside: How My Minister Father Molested Kids In Our Home and Church for Decades and How I Finally Stopped Him
www.amazon.com/dp/1950948617/...
Support us on Patreon:
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And Twitter:
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Intro--
Film Glitch by Snowflake (c) copyright 2017 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0) license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/snowfla... Ft: reusenoise
Outro--
I Have Often Told You Stories (guitar instrumental) by Ivan Chew (c) copyright 2013 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. dig.ccmixter.org/files/ramblin...
I left the Boston church some 20 years ago. I recently reached out to the local "family group" in New Hampshire because I wished to fellowship with local Christians. At a family group meeting, I dared to read a passage in it's entirety, in order to provide the larger context to the "target" scripture. I received a phone call a few days later from the "leader" and was told I was no longer welcome at the meetings.
Yikes! Very telling.
Wow, my husband and I were going to North River Church of Christ in Marietta Georgia. But we didn’t feel right so we stopped going and after seeing this, I am so grateful God let us out of there. I am so sorry for the victims of this church 😢
If they are such malignant narcissists they will never admit that they've done anything wrong. They're just too crazy. 😢 But don't give up. Many people have the chance to heal, which is SO valuable!
This is so eye opening. Chele your story is so devastating!! Thank you❤️🩹
Chele, I read a segment of a new intro to the book “Little Girls in Pretty Boxes”, which is about abuse in gymnastics and ice skating, specifically. One of the sentences hit hard because it described my experience with school bullies and spiritual abuse.
“Only in an environment in which abuse of all kinds is normalized could sexual abuse on this scale happen.”
The writer of that new intro was referring to the Larry Nassar case, where over 200 women said that they had been sexually abused by Nassar. I had a visceral reaction to that sentence because I was bullied for 12 years in public school and not much was done about it (early on, I was told to “ignore them” and given the impression that I would be punished by the school if I fought back), and I was also subject to five years of spiritual abuse in a church in Tallahassee, Florida. That sentence *exactly* described my reality.
I have several chronic physical/mental conditions and I think my experiences in school and church fed into them.
Jimmy is right: they are bullys and can't admit their limitations. They held you to a high standard and didn't hold themselves to the same (which I've witnessed with my own eyes in my own experience).
Their lack of compassion for me was horrific too. I have my own examples too (not to make less of your horrific experience, Chele 😢).
29:47 I love how she called them “defectors”. That’s exactly what it was! You had to escape!
I'm so sorry this has happened to so many people. The congregation I was a part of is not in the United States and started off outside the ICOC in 1980 by a individual minister immigrating to the country, later reconstructed by the ICOC in 1987 when the leader reached out to the ICOC. I was baptized in 1989 as a 14 year old and experienced a lot of kindness in the early years, but I look back now and know that that wasn't the reality for everyone. In the mid 1990s, that leader was booted out of the country by Kip as not performing (conversions), and replaced a few leaders that I saw made me see what harshness really was for the first time. By 2003 most of the ministry staff had left the ICOC in my area, including people I saw as really kind hearted. I left too in 2003, came back in 2009, left again in 2014. I know enough people in that Church to say confidently it's somewhat healthy, albeit with some of the same attitude and but not as legalistic as before, and that good leader is back, but I think he has to change some things, in accordance with scripture.
Some of biggest problems in the ICOC are a couple of doctrinal issues Hebrews 11:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Not realizing that leaders just can't simply tell them to do something, which is lording it over them.
1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; *** not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.***
And the greatest commandment in the ICOC and now the ICC is "drum roll" Go and make disciples of all nations
Matthew 28:19-20
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
I have said that to leaders in around 2009, they were alarmed and in a good way. Every leader in the ICOC knows the bible well so they all know at least mentally that the greatest command is to "Love your Neighbour as you love yourself" and to their credit they responded.
And the most important thing is not understanding the Gospel "Good News", Free Grace.
What unwound the twisted works based doctrine for me in me was Timothy Keller's preaching. This has really helped many ICOC and ex ICOC unwind the twisted doctrine. If your not aware of him regardless of your circumstances. Check out youtube "Gospel in Life The Centrality of the Gospel", For those who seek God it will change your life/mind. Interestingly enough it was my friends in the ICOC church that introduced me to Time Kellar, and it spread like wildfire after we started Giving away purchased Tim Keller sermons and his books.
These two scriptures really fead of each other when they are twisted. Instead of focusing on the fruit of the spirit as the harvest (Love, Peace, Patience and Kindness) and each person focusing on what they are really good at. Instead the fruit or "harvest" is conversions, whether the individual is growing or not with the true fruit of the spirit, MANY ICOC leaders are blind to because to them it doesn't matter in their works driven mindset. it matters to God though.
By the way Matthew 28:19-20 is still a commandment is still a commandment but it is not THE greatest commandment.
I'm going to say it now that most of this came from Kips McKeans sinful nature, whatever is driving it is not of God, and he's blind to it, as it is with many people who "EARN" their salvation, and can't take spiritual criticism, because in their mind they have earned their spiritual capital, instead of receiving it freely as a wicked person. So I'm shocked at the depravity, but not surprised that those in LA probably feel the brunt of it, because that's where Kip made his mark.
I have spoken up quite a few times to leaders; and there was a good cadre of spiritual leaders, in my area. I don't know what it is like in LA, but I suggest your friends that are still there, perhaps they should speak up the same way too. If not, they should pray to God to find a community where your faith can be healthy, and they should leave! Guard your hearts.
As for me, yes I went through some hurts, but I left God too, I've been studying the bible for a bit now by myself, even learning Greek, of my own volition, so I can read it in Greek. I'm contemplating going back to the ICOC church in my area, but I won't do it unless there is true repentance and following of the scriptures, otherwise I'll keep praying to be a part of a community were my faith will 1) Grow, 2) not be damaged.
Jimmy…You and your bravery to do the right thing is astounding!! Thank you for your example and everything that you do!! 🙏🏻❤️🩹
😢 Praying for the Actual Factual Church of Christ (the REAL, unseen one, that will be presented as His Bride one day)- that accountability will become natural and a VERY wanted thing, in accord with God's Will and His Holy Scriptures-
And we will finally learn to love one another FOR REALS, so that people might (finally) be shown to be His TRUE disciples- and thus MANY more of His LOST Sheep will be drawn back to the Fold.
But, I'm also beginning to realize that TRUE Love and UNITY for His Church,
and an end to ALL of the Physical, Sexual and Spiritual Abuse that's been going on for hundreds of years, since the FIRST Century, will never fully end until He returns 😢.
Praying that we can get a little further along in our Sanctification in Him,
and Actual Love in ACTION,
as brothers and sisters in the NEXT few hundred years,
before that Joyous Day finally arrives.
"Do NOT put out the Spirit's Fire.
Do NOT treat prophesies with contempt.
Test Everything. Hold on to the Good.
Avoid EVERY Kind of Evil.
May God Himself, the God of Peace,
Sanctify US through and through.
May our whole spirit, soul, and body,
be kept blameless at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ.
The One who calls US is Faithful and He WILL do it
Brothers and sisters, Pray for us 😢
🙏🏽🙏🙏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏾🤟🏼🤟🏾🤟🏻🙌🏽☝🏻☝🏾🙌🏻
I been in this movement in the 90's to this day I still have trouble trusting religious people
Suicides... many. I have two close friends from the icoc that killed themselves. I know of others, as well.
One friend killed himself two months after getting married. This spoke volumes. What Chele went through being forced to marry someone else’s choice happened so so so often. It happened to me, only I chose suicide over going through with the marriage. Obviously, I didn’t go through with killing myself. I’m still here to tell the story. Two of my bridesmaids were forced to marry their husbands. Leaders. One of them divorced her abusive husband and left the church. My bridesmaid that stayed married lost their son to suicide years later.
I can read a lot into why my friend killed himself two months after his wedding. I knew he wasn’t in love with this woman. I knew he was pressured to be the scapegoat to deal with her, as the church didn’t want to. ‘Just marry her off, she won’t be our problem anymore’. Well, that killed my friend. He’s now dead. He waited to be in love. He resisted his feelings for a girl not in the church... dating outside the church was not allowed. His reward for obedience was being forced to take the short stick.
This marriage ‘trafficking’ ( love this term, Chele!!!) was a proclamation by Kip McKean in 1992. He wrote an article in the ‘Upside Down’ magazine founded by him. In the article he stated single disciples fell away at a rate far greater than married disciples. So, get them married off as soon as possible!!! Leaders were held accountable for doing so! And, there ya’ go, forced marriages. Encouraged marriages, coupling off. All of it.
Wow, that's all so messed up and sad. Churches don't care that the effects of abuse last a lifetime and that so many suicides are linked directly to abuse. I hope one day these families can see some form of justice. It's all so heartbreaking.
Heartbreaking.
I left the NYCCOC shortly after the Henry Kriete letter. Why people stay is a mystery to me.
I think people stay because they can't see the forrest for the trees, and they are deceived. It was very hard for me to get out even when God did many things to help me get out. I wasn't seeing the signs.
I'm so sorry they made you feel like you don't count, Chele. They are wrong, and you DO count! YOU have value and worth, and they are malignant narcissists. 😢
I am so sorry for what happened to you. Thank you so much for sharing your story. God bless and protect you.
I was in the Greater Norfolk Church of Christ. They told us the name changed to Hampton Roads Church of Christ to be more inclusive of all the 7 cities. Yeesh. Not surprising, though.
So good, thank you for being so brave and such a strong voice for truth. ❤
So sorry, Jimmy that you and your mother suffered as you have having a father like that. 😢
Any news re. the lawsuit?
This is accurate.
Thank you
I know what you mean: I see God everywhere too now. I study metaphysics and have a RUclips channel now😊
Christ Rescued Me from the "Church of Christ" by Lee Anne Ferguson
😢 Praying for the Actual Factual Church of Christ (the REAL, unseen one, that will be presented as His Bride one day)- that accountability will become natural and a VERY wanted thing, in accord with God's Will, His Timing- and His Holy Scriptures-
And Praying that we will finally learn to love one another FOR REALS, so that people might (finally) be shown to be His TRUE disciples- and thus MANY more of His LOST Sheep will be drawn back to the Fold.
But, I'm also beginning to realize that TRUE Love and UNITY for His Church,
and an end to ALL of the Physical, Sexual and Spiritual Abuse that's been going on for hundreds of years, since the FIRST Century, will never fully happen until He returns 😢.
Praying that we can get a little further along in our Sanctification in Him,
and Actual Love in ACTION,
as brothers and sisters in the NEXT few hundred years,
before that Joyous Day finally arrives.
"Do NOT put out the Spirit's Fire.
Do NOT treat prophesies with contempt.
Test Everything. Hold on to the Good.
Avoid EVERY Kind of Evil.
May God Himself, the God of Peace,
Sanctify US through and through.
May our whole spirit, soul, and body,
be kept blameless at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ.
The One who calls US is Faithful and He WILL do it
Brothers and sisters, Pray for us 😢
🙏🏽🙏🙏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏾🤟🏼🤟🏾🤟🏻🙌🏽☝🏻☝🏾🙌🏻
The charitable arm, HOPE was run by someone who ICOC leaders was going to hell because he was not an ICOC member, according to what they told me.
the differences of cults is the absence of Jesus Christ name and worship.
So, they lie, right? (example: they say they are independent of the church that fell from grace). Or you can say they are deceitful, right?
Suicides in the church?! 😮😢😬
Sadly, these groups are more characteristic of synagogues of satan than of churches of Christ.
Let me clarify a legal matter. If a private organization wants to expel a member of that organization there is no law that prevents it. However, if a 501(c)(3) wants to investigate another 501(c)(3) there is no law that allows it. One more thing about that SBC abuse report. There were a few inexcusable cover ups which must be brought to light so that this NEVER happens again but if you read the report most offenders were reported, tried or plead guilty and were incarcerated for their crimes so what should have happened did happen. A good number of the churches in that report were not even SBC churches so the number of offenders is inflated. Did some SBC churches and other entities behave stupidly? Boy howdy did they ever! But the picture being painted is inconsistent with the facts.
COC's doctrine puts Baptism in front of a relationship with Jesus... As a COC when did you recognize you loved Jesus? Or can you only say the date you got baptized? When did you experience the love of Jesus? Or are you just religious through baptism to keep from going to hell?
Yup.
You nail😢it here.
😢 Praying for the Actual Factual Church of Christ (the REAL, unseen one, that will be presented as His Bride one day)- that accountability will become natural and a VERY wanted thing, in accord with God's Will and His Holy Scriptures-
And we will finally learn to love one another FOR REALS, so that people might (finally) be shown to be His TRUE disciples- and thus MANY more of His LOST Sheep will be drawn back to the Fold.
But, I'm also beginning to realize that TRUE Love and UNITY for His Church,
and an end to ALL of the Physical, Sexual and Spiritual Abuse that's been going on for hundreds of years, since the FIRST Century, will never fully end until He returns 😢.
Praying that we can get a little further along in our Sanctification in Him,
and Actual Love in ACTION,
as brothers and sisters in the NEXT few hundred years,
before that Joyous Day finally arrives.
"Do NOT put out the Spirit's Fire.
Do NOT treat prophesies with contempt.
Test Everything. Hold on to the Good.
Avoid EVERY Kind of Evil.
May God Himself, the God of Peace,
Sanctify US through and through.
May our whole spirit, soul, and body,
be kept blameless at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ.
The One who calls US is Faithful and He WILL do it
Brothers and sisters, Pray for us 😢
🙏🏽🙏🙏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏾🤟🏼🤟🏾🤟🏻🙌🏽☝🏻☝🏾🙌🏻
M
So sorry you didn't get compassion after being raped. Compassion doesn't seem to be their forté. 😢
They are narcissistic pharisees
This commentary is so off base. There is no opposing opinion. Not one scripture shared.
John 8:31 if you hold to my teaching you are really my disciple
Opposing opinion would be that all the sexual assault victims are lying. There are literally thousands of them. Over several decades.
I see you’re ICC. These stories that came before you should scare you. Kip got kicked out for unrepented abuse and started another church... for the 3rd time since 1978.
1978 1992 2005
And, now being in forced ‘retirement’ for ‘faulty spirituality’, I’m sure he is planning his new ‘movement’. Proverbs 1-8 admonishes young men to seek wisdom. This is a moment for you to seek wisdom. Years and years of history of the church of Kip will tell you what you need to know. You don’t need a rebuttal for that. Just what the Holy Spirit will reveal to you to lead you to truth. And, the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
This is an account of an abuse victim and the abuse that occurred amongst others in the group. The opposing "opinion" or cover-up stories have already been shared publicly by the predators or perps.