Looks like lots of people and families are still hurting from their experiences with Gracepoint. A commenter is looking for ex Gracepoint Riverside attendees. Please comment below if you are open to helping them out.
edited to add: Especially if you still live in the area.
title edited to ask for those living in the area.
edited to add: Especially if you still live in the area.
title edited to ask for those living in the area.
I would appreciate a chance to speak to any willing former members who may be in or around Riverside. You can reply here or contact me directly at amd11250@gmail.com. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI used to attend uci a2f. If anyone want to share anything about it, here's my email: quentin0111@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAre there any ex gp berkeley people who I could get help from or who know of good resources??
ReplyDeleteMany people offering to help in comments on this blog. Please look through. Thank you.
DeleteI'd be happy to contact you if you leave your email here, don't feel as comfortable leaving my own. Especially recommend seeing a CHRISTIAN counselor and the book Recovering from Churches that Abuse. There's free pdfs on the web.
DeleteIn addition, there is a lot of literature out there that would help you understand what was done to you, and help guide you in recovery, if that is what you are looking for. GP may not be a full-on cult, but it seems that the methods they use to obtain compliance and keep their members entrapped are textbook cult influence, and identical to those used by cults and other high-demand groups. Margaret Singher, Steven Hassan, Luna Lindsay are some of the authors that have written on the subject. This blog is a good place that seems to have helped many people. Did you recently leave gp? Or are still a member?
Deleteto anonymous, my email is liclaire193@gmail.com
DeleteI'm in need of any help or advice to get my sister out of gp berkeley!
Thank you!
Hi liclaire, I feel the same way as you, but my understanding is that you cannot just "get her out" of GP. Because she is entitled to make her choices as an adult, she may find your efforts intrusive. The system that entrapped her has been honed over decades to carefully curate available information to dismiss all doubts and orchestrate decisions under the illusion of free will.
DeletePerhaps what you could try is provide her with knowledge of tools and methods that abusive churches use entrap their victims, from initial love-bombing to using a combination of guilt and milieu control to tie their rules in with legitimate Christianity, until they cannot tell where the organization ends and Christianity begins.
Your only advantage over Ed & Kelly's organization is that unlike them and their chain of command, your love for your sister is real an unconditional; whereas theirs is just a large dose of manufactured affection aimed to coerce her life efforts towards growing their organization under the pretense of unique interpretation of Christianity.
Your disadvantage, of course is that GP is highly organized and the methods are well-refined, while all the families suffer separately.
We can fight back by giving our loved ones the tools to make their own decisions based not on coercive thought manipulation, but on informed consent. And by organizing.
To amd, Is there a book or article that explain the system that entrapped people in?
DeleteThe methods used are described in many books on the subject, including Steven Hassan's https://www.amazon.com/Combating-Cult-Mind-Control-Best-selling/dp/0967068827. Not saying gp is a full-on cult, just that it deploys common cult indoctrination techniques to ensnare young people and secure their lifelong commitment to the organization.
DeleteThe closest thing I found to specifically describing Gracepoint is a book written by Brian Karcher, former high-ranking member of University Bible Fellowship (UBF), where the founder of Gracepoint was trained https://www.amazon.com/Identity-Snatchers-Exposing-Korean-Campus/dp/1514761823. UBF is also discussed in https://www.amazon.com/Churches-That-Abuse-Ronald-Enroth/dp/0310532922. UBF ideology runs strong in Gracepoint.
what is it specifically about gracepoint that makes it like a cult? also, is steven hassan a christian and is he evaluating it from a biblical standpoint or is he a secular author who seems to have problems with too much zeal? as a christian, i'd be weary of labeling a church as a cult if it was the latter. in fact, using some secular definitions of a cult, jesus and his disciples and the early church would be labeled as a cult. for example, under hassan's BITE model, one of the items under "emotional control" is "Label some emotions as evil, worldly, sinful, or wrong" Problem with this is that Jesus clearly did in Mark 7:20-23.
DeleteWhat's your definition of a cult? I don't think gp is a cult. But many former members do. I'd go as far as to say that it's a high demand group that uses the cover of Christianity to isolate and coerce college kids into serving Ed Kang's objectives.
DeleteHassan was raised in Jewish faith, was converted to Christianity by the a Unification Church college ministry, remained trapped (you can call it something else) in that for years until his rescue (or, again, whatever you want to call that). He talks about God and faith, but I don’t remember if he remained a Christian or went back to Judaism. In any case, he’s not an atheist or even agnostic if that’s what worried you. You should read one of his books if you really want to understand.
Here are a couple of quotes based on a quick search, that you may find helpful in answering your questions:
“So, in my own life of faith, I choose to believe that God did answer my mother’s prayers.”
“Truth is stronger than lies, and love is stronger than fear. If you are involved with a religious organization, keep in mind that God created us with free will, and that no truly spiritual organization would ever use deception or mind control, or take away your freedom.”
Hassan, Steven. Combating Cult Mind Control: The Guide to Protection, Rescue and Recovery from Destructive Cults.
To respond to "under hassan's BITE model, one of the items under "emotional control" is "Label some emotions as evil, worldly, sinful, or wrong" Problem with this is that Jesus clearly did in Mark 7:20-23."
DeleteI think you need to read the verses carefully. Jesus never calls certain EMOTIONS evil. In fact, one of the greatest sources of emotional abuse is guilting victims into feeling bad about certain emotions. For example anger, or feeling hurt. The emotions themselves are not sinful. This applies to all abuse, such as those in romantic relationships, not just in the church. It is important to acknowledge there is such thing as good and righteous anger, and that feeling hurt by false accusations or verbal violence is not bad and you shouldn't be ashamed about it. This makes people trapped and even more manipulatable.
So I think when Hassan asks whether certain emotions are labled as bad, you need to ask if you are being guilt-tripped into feeling bad for feeling "rebellious" or "upset" towards friends or leadership when you are actually justified. Note I said JUSTIFIED. You need to evaluate yourself before God and ask with an honest heart if you are being trapped into submission and not being allowed to defend yourself, or are being rightly rebuked.
I used to go to GracePoint back in the days when it was called Berkland. I recently met a co-worker who attends GracePoint and one co-worker who recently left GP. That prompted me to write something here. I don't live in Riverside but in response to seeking help, I really would recommend seeking a Christian counselor or therapist. In the San Francisco Bay Area, there is the San Francisco Christian Psychotherapy Services and Christian Counseling Centers San Francisco. Perhaps there is something similar in Riverside. In my Berkland experience, the experience was a highly emotionally unhealthy one in which there is a lot of condemnation and self condemnation. The counseling/therapy setting allows processing a lot of the feelings and you would be able to experience God's abundant grace and truth. I would also recommend the books
ReplyDeleteEmotionally healthy spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Boundaries by Henry Cloud
The "Boundaries" book is good if people still attend GP and find themselves being guilt-tripped. It is actually healthy to draw some boundaries. Hope it helps.
What was your impression from speaking with those coworkers re: GP?
ReplyDeleteMy impression is that the culture at GP is quite similar to what it was before. What one of my co-workers described is very similar to my own experience. I can also understand why my other co-worker really likes it there for the high level of commitment. Overall it seems the culture is similar as before. I was really hoping it is different.
DeleteCan anyone share on the UCLA GP church and the associated campus groups, Klesis, Acts2Fellowship and 4Corners? Do they operate in a similar way to Berkeley? Any info/insights would be greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteManny and Sunny as regional pastors? I would assume that they operate EXACTLY like Berkeley. They met at Berkeley at Berkland, got married there, were discipled there, had their children there, were trained as leaders there. You get the point. Stay away.
DeleteTheir agenda is to expand the Gracepoint Empire. They think that's the best way to love God.
DeleteI wouldn't say things as strongly as John does because I don't think it is ever helpful to assume another person's motives. I've never been to UCLA myself but the most recent Yelp review of Gracepoint was by someone in UCLA July 2019 (which is pretty recent) so maybe that can provide perspective?
Deletehave anyone been to the NU makenew fellowship recently, i really need fds but im also taken aback after reading all these reviews ......
ReplyDeleteHi. I am not familiar with that specific group but I attended a gracepoint church plant for 7 years. Their ministries all operate mostly the same. The culture is for everyone to believe, think, and act the same. Nothing happens without higher leader approval. I would say that 90% of what you are reading here applies to all of the gracepoint fellowships.
DeleteI would recommend trying different fellowships or join some clubs/interest groups to make friends. Good luck to you!
Looks like all of the leaders in Chicago were trained at GP Berkeley. My advice would be to stay away. Make friends in your classes, other fellowships, your apartment/housing, dorm, other student groups, etc.
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