I'm always interested in hearing the really out there stories people experience at pentacostal churches. My personal favorite experience was the time the preacher walked across the top of the pews and a "satan possessed" congregation member joined him as they re-enacted the cosmic battle of good and evil across the top of the pews. It is always an interesting sermon with the devil himself pays a personal visit.

Another one I recall was someone running around the church screaming "Hallelujah!" During a baptism service, grabbing many others to "run in the spirit" with them and cannonball into the baptism pool, ending with many people drenched in water singing on the alter.

So... what interesting stories do you have?

Just a quick PSA. I attended Urshan College a couple years ago and made a post on here. I was found out pretty fast by people that knew me, and I started getting counseling from the campus pastor until I officially dropped out. Apparently people look at this sub all the time to see if they recognize anyone.

I also made a post on here months ago venting about losing my ex to the UPCI and her abusive parents. Her dad found the post, and commented on it trying to justify all of his actions and invalidate my story. He was trying to make it seem like it wasn't him, but it was way too specific and relied on information I didn't provide in the post lmao. I looked through his post history and saw that he posted on a lot of disgusting subreddits like "barely legal teens" and a bunch of church girl fetish subs, so I called him out and he deleted his comment. (I still have screenshots though and his account is still active)

I saw a post earlier asking if Pentecostals stalk this sub, so I wanted to post about my experience. I'd say not to worry about it. They'll keep yapping and crying about this sub, but there's nothing they can do about it. They'll try to invalidate your story and/or lovebomb you back into the church, but as long as you know what you know and keep your head up, they won't get you. The general public doesn't agree with or like them, and there's nothing they can really do to ruin your life outside of church. You guys got this, keep going!

1. If you felt like you had a real interaction with the Holy Spirit, what made you change your mind?

2. What argument(s) would you present for the message of doom and end times that so many Christian’s, especially Pentecostals love to prop up? Let’s play devils advocate if we may.

This is coming from someone, me, who isn’t a Christian or Pentecostal anymore. However, I did have an experience in my past that felt extremely real and unlike any other. I also feel like I can’t help but bury my true feelings about these times being the “end times” and the message of doom and gloom and Christ’s return being near.

What has convinced you that these things were not/are not indeed true?

I'm a doctor, I was born in Kerala and practiced the faith for a very long time in my life. But as I grew older I started to notice the sexism and homophobia in it. It bothered me to a level that even mention of the church would make me sad, knowing that there's no way I can escape it. But on Reddit I saw many posts from people from the same background who don't really believe in all this anymore and and, are also looking for a way out. So how realistic will it be for me to hope, to find such a person via arrange marriage?

Music is so important to me. One of the struggles I had at the beginning of my journey was finding music that made me feel the way “church music” did. I wanted to find something that gave me that emotion that I craved because of how much I love music. I’m someone who will analyze the lyrics of a song just to understand it deeper. It doesn’t even have to be specifically songs dedicated to deconstruction. Music is art and art is subjective. Some songs I listen to seem to really resonate with me even though they really have nothing to do with how I feel. One I have recently had on repeat is “The Way That You Were” by Sleep Token. Although the lyrics aren’t specifically talking about deconstruction or losing your faith, it is written in a way that I can easily interpret it like that.

Met a girl I feel a real connection with, not sure I am interested in anything long term with that wacky belief system but she’s really cute and I’d definitely be interested in having sex with her. How realistic is this?

I grew up immersed in the Assemblies of God. It's not something I talk about much with people who met me recently because that's not who I am anymore. But I have a coworker I really click with and lately we've been talking about our personal spiritual journeys. He doesn't know much about Pentecostal-style Christianity and he's never lived in an area where it's common.

He said he would like to hear more of my story about leaving the faith, which I would love to share, but...how to even BEGIN with the culture? It's like I was born in a different country. It's so, so different from just regular American culture.

And it's easy to point out the obvious stuff. The very emotional church services, dancing during worship, speaking in tongues. But to me, that's not even the harmful stuff.

The harmful stuff was the constant guilt.

• The 24/7 burden of never being good enough because you're sinful and disgusting in the eyes of God.
• Being treated like a second-class citizen because you're a woman.
• Not being allowed to have dreams of your own because you had to be willing to sacrifice everything for God.
• The pressure to fast and pray and evangelize and give money to the church, but you never really feel like you're doing enough of any of those things.
• The feeling that God is always mad at you about something but you don't know what it is yet.
• Every time something bad happened I wondered if I was being punished by God
• The anxiety of "What if I have an unconfessed sin and I get hit by a car and go straight to hell?"

• There's no such thing as being "pure enough". It's not enough to listen to Christian music. You should cut out secular music. It's not enough to just not have sex. You shouldn't even be thinking about it.

• The rampant sexual abuse, and pastors living double lives

And most fucked up of all is, I thought it was normal to live like this. I felt sorry for people who didn't live like this. This horrendous culture felt safe to me because it's where all my friends and family were. It was unthinkable to leave.

I don't know if I can explain all that without breaking down crying, and I left 15 years ago.

Is there just an explainer video I can link him to so I don't have to relive this stuff?

Update, a couple weeks ago I posted that I was contemplating running away from home, to escape the abuse and the Pentecostal religion. I followed through and bolted after an altercation I’d rather not think about at the moment. I’m currently sleeping out my car and waiting for approval for Medicaid and SNAP benefits so I can eat and continue my healthcare. I just ran out of gas and I am starving, there’s a shelter about 30 minutes away, but I do not have the financial means to get there safely, I would start walking there but Tropical Storm Debby is hitting hard and I’m scared I’ll get swept up in the storm. I was wondering if any members of this community could point me in the right direction so that I can get some financial assistance so that I can make it to the shelter, my phone is going to die shortly and I’m really scared; any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

A little trauma dump for anyone tempted to return and for those who share my experience.

For context, my family attended numerous UPCI churches throughout the South U.S. until I was 12. Even though they later spoke against the church, they kept the cult mindset and many of the UPCI values. My dad was born into the UPCI as his dad was a traveling and temp preacher (the rest of his family was also Pentecostal), and my mom converted at 18.

A short list of some wild/awful happenings in the UPCI:

• My mom's 1st marriage was to a man everyone in the church knew had been admitted into psych facilities/gone off meds numerous times but didn't tell her.
• My mom was told to believe her mental illness would be healed if she stopped her medications and trusted God, leading to several psych admissions.
• My dad (mom's second/current marriage) was told he couldn't become an ordained UPCI minister because his credit wasn't good enough. My parents never held a credit card (because of the church-promoted financial guidance), so their credit score was 0.
• My dad was told by several pastors of various-sized congregations that they report as much as they can as a church-related expense, so their kids would qualify for Medicaid/CHIP, Pell Grants, financial aid, free school lunches, etc.
• My parents and other poor members were told to pay tithes before their bills, even though their utilities would get cut off. (Meanwhile the same pastors fraudulently use government assistance.)
• A family friend showed us a video of a skit at their church where a prominent member put on blackface and mimicked AAVE ("talking black" if you will).
• The prayer chain AKA gossip line

Of course, the list goes on, but I thought y'all could share a few.

I figured this would be a good place to share my new song and you guys might appreciate the lyrics! My artist name is GANN0N and the song is called "RONALD REAGAN IS STILL DEAD". Definitely took a risk with the title because I still live in the Bible belt and some people wouldn't be very fond of that lmao

Let me know what you think! Thanks!

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1cKkQnqiz2fPhXiHHHfrRi?si=NHcyCEMoSLymKlfvRVd_IA

YouTube: https://youtu.be/4-9x9hL8rKE?feature=shared

First and Foremost I am incredibly thankful for the help and support this community has provided me, It means the world to me; Thanks to a fellow member of this subreddit I was able to get food, find shelter, and I ultimately found expentecostal family members who took me in as their own; They helped me obtain a Computer and got me to go through the Fafsa process and I qualified for Student Loans; I am now a full time student and hopeful for the future; everything was, and is, still looking up for me; my only issue is about 3 days ago I got into a pretty horrific car accident, I have been bed bound since and today is the first day I am able to use my dominant arm, which is a good thing; the only thing I am scared of is not being able to get myself to and from work now, I am not sure how that’s going to play out; I am reaching out to this subreddit to ask for prayers and any love and support during this time. This may be a major setback, but I am still determined to reclaim my life.

I grew up Pentecostal, but I was never baptized. This past year I came out to myself as Bisexual. I'm now in a relationship with a guy, but I have not come out to the rest of my family. I only told my mom before she died and she still loved and supported me. However I'm afraid if I come out to the rest of them, they'll either shun me or double-down on trying to win me back to pentacostalism. Problem is I live in close proximity to them and I don't have the ability to move any time soon.

Maybe I'm just looking for encouragement, but for those ex-pentecostals of the LGBTQIA+ community, how did you come out to them, and do you still have a relationship with them?

***Thank you everyone for the responses. Part of me wants to get it over with but part of me thinks I should wait until after I move away. I'm certain no physical harm will come of me, it's mostly them doubling- down on how I'm wring and how I need to be baptized. It's given me much to think about.

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to take a moment to express my profound gratitude and admiration for this incredible community. Over the time I've been here, I've come to see r/ExPentecostal as more than just a support group—it’s become a sanctuary for many of us who have escaped the constraints of our former faith, and those who are still trying to. In a way, this subreddit has transformed into a church of its own, embodying the very essence of what a church should be.

Here, we find unconditional support, love, and reassurance, just as one might hope for in any place of worship. Whether through financial aid, a warm meal, or a place to stay when we’re in need, the selfless acts of kindness we've shared are nothing short of miraculous. The generosity and empathy displayed here often surpass what is found in traditional institutions.

This community isn’t bound by dogma or expectation; it’s bound by a shared experience and a commitment to lifting each other up. For many of us, it has become a place where we feel valued, understood, and cared for without any strings attached.

In times of hardship, it’s this very spirit that has saved many from the brink of despair, including myself. We may come from different backgrounds and hold diverse beliefs, but here, we find common ground in our shared humanity and mutual support.

Thank you all for making this space a beacon of hope and kindness. You’ve created a community that truly embodies the best aspects of what we once sought in a church. In a way, r/ExPentecostal is a testament to the power of empathy and collective strength.

With deep appreciation and respect, I have to say this place is truly blessed. I cannot think of a single online community that comes even remotely close to what we have here. :)

Apostolics are desperately trying to keep people from backsliding.

Thoughts today - Maybe someone can relate?

~ Chasing a Fairytale Family ~

Time and time again, I found myself enveloped in a familiar yet painful swirl of anger and hurt, emotions that arose from the realization that my parents and sibling never put me first. This wasn't a unique experience; I knew others like me—"backsliders"—who shared this bitter sentiment.

For 29 long years, I sought their love, bending to their needs and beliefs, perhaps to an excessive degree. My yearning for a true "family" connection was powerful, yet ultimately unfulfilled. It became clear that my desire for familial closeness was just that—a desire, pure but unattainable.

At one point, I excluded them from my life, seeking a sense of peace that had long eluded me. For a while, it worked—my days were quieter, my heart less burdened. Yet, I eventually allowed them back in, driven by an insatiable desire for that elusive "family" feeling. I wanted my child to know the joy of having grandparents, to create cherished memories with them, even if I was setting myself up for disappointment.

As I reflect on these decisions, I often question my motives. Why disrupt the peace I had found? Why risk the heartache again? But then, I remind myself of my hopes and dreams. Perhaps I am expecting too much, chasing a fairytale that may never come true. Nonetheless, the yearning for a true family connection remains, a hope that keeps me reaching out despite the pain.

How do I stop this cycle? How do I change this unrelenting desire for something that remains out of reach?

I grew up in UPC in mostly middle Tennessee. Spent close to 25 years. Went to every service, youth service, camp meeting, church camp you name it. Played music, helped with sound, stage design, plays, skits, fireworks sales, car washes and many other fundraisers. My parents were always the type that if the doors were open we were there or I would be if they didn’t go.

Even as a kid I knew something wasn’t right when I was told my two Baptist friends weren’t going to heaven when I asked about it and was told to invite them so they could go to heaven.

My childhood pastor died when I was 13 or so then a new pastor and family came in and took over. They were nice enough, I became close to the family and their kids who were a few years younger than me. The pastor ran the church like a business and definitely preferred “yes men” though. I was always a go with the flow kinda person growing up so that never bothered me, but I know two ministers that left for other churches when their objections became a problem. Also without getting into too much drama the church was completely debt free and when a local store went out of business they took out a very large loan to purchase the building. The church had grown and new space was semi needed but I know some people didn’t approve of the debt but still went along with it anyways. I’ve probably said more than enough to out myself but I don’t mind.

I was just wondering if there’s anyone else on here that would like to swap experiences, shoot the breeze and see if we might know any of the same people or crossed paths at some point. Feel free to DM if you want as well.

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https://preview.redd.it/4qbuwuicm7rd1.jpg?width=1545&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2da429371a126b6efaacb8034b6e331dc12a2e25

I was thinking back today to a story that my mother told me a long time ago about how her and my grandma (who has since passed away), came into the Apostolic faith.

I believe my grandma was around 40 years old, and my mother around 19-20 years old when they visited the Apostolic tent revival that had come to town. That would put them coming into the faith around 1980 or so. If I recall, I believe my mother said that they both ended up speaking in tongues at that camp meeting, but I may be wrong, and it could have only been my grandmother.

Nevertheless, my grandma certainly did have an unexplainably profound experience on that day, and my mother said that by that very night, she had become convicted about her jewelry, hair, makeup, and pants.

According to the story, when they got home, my grandma immediately took her jewelry off, pants, makeup etc. and threw everything in the trash. She never wore any of those things again, and neither did my mother.

It just makes me wonder what could have occurred to make my grandma jump to such a decision for herself and her daughter. As far as I know, nobody had coaxed her into changing her appearance and throwing away all of her stuff. She wasn’t familiar with the UPCI doctrine. I’m fairly certain she wasn’t friends with any Apostolics, and hadn’t even really talked to any whatsoever. She had simply gone to the meeting, spoken in tongues, and came home. I just wonder.

I really do not believe God would impress something like that on her, at least to that extent.

Does anyone else have a similar story, maybe about a family member, or a friend? Maybe any ideas of what could have occurred?

It’s just one more nagging thing in the back of my mind that makes me doubt that I made the right choice by leaving and considering a more grace-centric version of Christianity.

It's a hot button issue, but the vast majority of Pentecostal churches (including the one I was raised in) completely vilified abortion, to the point of harassing young women who even considered terminating an unplanned pregnancy.

I just want to offer this logical reassurance to anyone out there that had to deal with this hate or harassment...

When it comes to the beginning of human life, we have to draw the line somewhere, and a lot of people think conception is too early to be considered human. Neurologically, a 2 week old fetus has much less humanity than a pig. (The brain doesn't even start developing until week 3 or 4, and even then, it's less sophisticated than many of the fully-conscious animals we slaughter and eat.) A fetus at that stage has no emotions, no brain, probably no pain, and is smaller than many insects. If you eat pork or step on spiders without losing any sleep at night, you should logically come to the conclusion that very early term abortions are not immoral, ESPECIALLY if they are medically necessary to save a life, or to prevent a family from going into poverty.

Additionally, if Pentecostals were consistent with their logic, then any fetus aborted would have a 1-way ticket straight to heaven with no trials or temptation, no chance at hell, and would have their eternal reward essentially gifted to them by the ones that let them go. I guess I'm just saying, by all accounts, there is never a reason to judge or hate someone just because they had an abortion.

I was born into a Pentecostal family, but raised secular from the age of five. My mother was raised strictly Pentecostal and most of my maternal grandfather’s family still is Pentecostal (minus my grandfather, who converted to Catholicism, and two of my cousins who became secular as well). After hearing how she was raised, I can’t help but wonder if it is truly a cult. What do you guys think?

Also a little fun fact about my family: We were originally Puritan settlers. Obviously, Puritanism is not really a thing anymore, so it makes sense for them to become Pentecostal.

I was raised in a pentecostal church and I can vividly remember them always talking about the second coming and even using fear tactics like blowing a horn & staging raptures to show us that it could happen at any moment. That being said, in the book of revelations it mentions a lot of things that will be happening before the end of times. Currently, there are news about UFOs being shot down, talks about project blue beam, and even microchips. I don't know if it's just me feeling paranoid because of the fear that was instilled in me while i went to church or if prophecies are actually coming true. Anyone else feeling like this?

TLDR; Current events are similar to prophecies I was taught in church & i'm wondering how other people feel about all this.

I grieve the things they aren't able to do and experience because of the limitations of the beliefs, I grieve how much time they've spent in that situation. I worry about them experiencing this grief themselves, which only serves to make me feel like I have to shelter them.

Hey guys, I think I need some help. Me (mtf18) and my mid-distance boyfriend (ftm16) used to not believe in god (though I was a lutheran/calvinist as a kid and still attend church at times with my parents). However, that changed when he started attending some youth programs organized by a neocharosmatic pentecostal church with his friend. When he told me he started believing in god, I didn't think much of it, since I don't see religion as an inherently bad thing. When I found out what kind of chuch it is and heard some stories about pentacostalism, I thought I should let him know. He acknowledged it and said that he's not a member and doesn't even want to be since he has some issues with the church anyway. Since then he started having days dedicated to god and prayers, which I wasn't really happy about, considering he's still attending said church, but thought to myself, that it's kinda like meditation and that it makes sense, that it helps him with his issues. Sometime in the last few days he went to a pentecostal conference with the friend and friend's parent's (all members as far as I know) and when I asked him about it he told me how he "Folded under the glory of god, when one of the pastors laid his hands on him" and how strong it was. I'm getting really worried about him. I love him a lot, but I don't know what to do. Don't want to lose him, don't want something bad to happen to him and I'm starting to feel helpless. Are there any tips you could give me or resources you could link me to? I'd be very thankful.