I’ve written many times here about my family’s Northshore megachurch, Christ in a King Cake. Prior to reuniting with my youngest daughter, I made the statement frequently, I didn’t really care whether people attended this church or not, just don’t give them your money.

My position has changed and here’s why.

Now I’ve heard the horror stories of my daughter recounting the times she was told, “you can never reconcile with your mother”, while pastors and church staff were praying over her and laying hands on her as a fourteen year old girl. Extra security guards were hired so I could not attend my two children’s graduation from a christian high school, which is affiliated with said megachurch. In addition, I suspect my daughter’s activities were monitored. Case in point, my daughter was given a credit card and told to go buy what she needed for her freshman year at LSU. No one came with her. She found herself at Bed, Bath and Beyond in tears not knowing what to buy and feeling a panic attack. Heartbreaking. Suddenly, my sister, a pastor, shows up, sees the state my daughter is in, says hi and then leaves. I suspect she was checking to make sure I was not shopping with my daughter.

This is a megachurch which likes to put in their advertising for their children’s ministry and school, “where your child is safe.”  I suspect this an attempt to set themselves apart from the Catholic Church’s child abuse scandal. My youngest daughter was not safe from their spiritual abuse. To review, spiritual abuse’s impact is immense. It is like God showing up and giving His approval for all that is happening.

That my friends is uniquely spiritual abuse.

At least catholic parishioners  have recourse to report abuses to the archdiocese and even the Vatican. Non-denomination megachurches go unchecked and unchallenged with no such ruling body.

Just to connect the dots, cults have no such oversight either.

I suspect members enjoy the megachurch music and pretty lights, putting on tiaras and unicorn sparkles for special events.  I can no longer say I don’t care if people attend events and service. It has destroyed my family and I nearly lost my daughter forever to suicide.

I care because I suspect it can destroy other families as well.

If you have similar suspicions and need representation, please contact me: jodiparmley@yahoo.com