John invites Martin and Sarah from the UK to share their story of escaping a controlling, charismatic fellowship tied to shepherding-style authority inspired by Derek Prince and the Shepherding Movement. They describe how subtle shifts — from house-church “body ministry” to centralized power — opened the door for predatory leadership to operate unchecked.<br /><br />Their journey reveals why spiritual covering doctrines, personality cults, and authoritarian structures can create the perfect environment for silence and fear. Despite deep wounds and the loss of community, Martin and Sarah share how healing, truth-telling, and faith brought post-traumatic growth — and why others suffering in similar systems deserve to be heard. <br /><br />00:00 Introduction <br />00:31 Meet Martin and Sarah: Leaving a Troubled Church in London <br />03:23 Parallels with Other Groups and the Power of Loaded Language <br />05:30 Derek Prince, Shepherding Influence, and Early UK Connections <br />08:09 How Control Structures Spread Through Charismatic Networks <br />10:21 Abuse Ignored: The Case of Harry Greenwood <br />12:04 What “Spiritual Covering” Really Means in High-Control Churches <br />14:10 Subtle Shifts: From Home Fellowship to Stage-Centered Meetings <br />17:00 Data-Mining, “Words of Knowledge,” and Manufactured Authority <br />20:12 The Role of Music and Atmosphere in Reinforcing Control <br />23:22 Stanley Hickman: Grooming, Manipulation, and False Persona <br />27:05 Behind the Scenes: Grooming Tactics and Hidden Misconduct <br />31:21 Why Public Displays of “Supernatural Insight” Create Fear <br />33:16 When Narcissistic Leaders Replace Other Narcissists <br />36:05 Confrontations, Prophetic Grandiosity, and Silencing Dissent <br />40:12 The Global Network Connected to the Abusive Leadership <br />43:02 Marriage Counseling Manipulation: The Night Before the Wedding <br />46:55 Aftermath: Turmoil, Power Plays, and Psychological Impact <br />50:01 Why Control Thrives When Leaders Aren’t Accountable <br />53:03 Attempting Reform, Getting Blamed, and the Cost of Speaking Up <br />56:22 Leaving the Fellowship and Experiencing Social Shunning <br />59:00 Hope, Healing, and Finding Courage to Tell the Story<br /><br />______________________<br />Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:<br />Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962<br />Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K<br />______________________<br />– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham<br />– Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ<br />– Visit the website: https://william-branham.org<br />– Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg <br />– Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham<br />– Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr<br />– Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books
