A pastor’s son was emotionally abused by his father, the leader of his church, and trapped in a cult for 20 years, but he found freedom through Jesus.
Emotional abuse
For Ryan George, a safe haven turned into a traumatic, painful and harrowing ordeal. He grew up in a church where his father was the pastor. But even as a Christian family, their life was far removed from what Jesus taught his disciples. His father was abusive, even using verses from the Bible to justify his misdeeds.
700 Club Interactive. (Screenshots). (2024). Relief After Emotional Abuse, Retrieved June 11, 2024: https://youtu.be/mlYrw6wByOA
As a child, Ryan had to accept what was in front of him. While recounting his memories in his testimony, Ryan described his previous church as a cult with “oppressive teachings.” He later found out that his father had sexually abused and molested several girls and women at the church. That marked a turning point for the pastor’s son.
Finding Freedom in Truth Before God
For over 20 years, Ryan believed the theologically incorrect teachings of the Bible, but after he found out about his father’s cheating, he became convinced that something was wrong with the church’s teachings, so after he graduated from college and married his sweetheart, they started attending different churches.
700 Club Interactive. (Screenshots). (2024). Relief After Emotional Abuse, Retrieved June 11, 2024: https://youtu.be/mlYrw6wByOA
At first, Ryan felt alienated by the church culture, which was completely different from the one he grew up in. In his new church, people expressed their feelings honestly, prayed from their hearts, and cared about each other, because in his previous church, he was not allowed to express his feelings honestly. Ryan quickly found healing and freedom, and pursued a true relationship with Christ like he had never before.
Today, he serves many people through his testimony. He has told his own story of salvation through his book. “The Church Hurts and Heals” He wants to help others who have had the same experiences as him and heal from trauma in the church.
Reference | 700 Club Interactive
Header Image: 700 Club Interactive. (Screenshot). (2024). Relief After Emotional Abuse, Retrieved June 11, 2024: https://youtu.be/mlYrw6wByOA
