American Providence ex-member testimony

[sheepgate]

Hi everyone,

I noticed that there are not a lot of testimonies from American Providence ex-members. I was one of their more recent recruits, and now I am one of their most recent ex-members. The former member testimonies really helped me, so I will add my story to help those who face the decision that I faced.

A few months ago in California State University Long Beach, I was invited to a Bible study by two Providence members. I agreed, thinking it was a Christian Bible study. What they taught and some of the things they said seemed fishy at first, but once I accepted their way of interpreting the Bible, my fate was sealed. When they taught me that Jung ("SSN") was the Messiah, I had doubts, but after dismantling the foundations of Christianity with Providence logic (everything in the Bible that contradicts Jung's teachings must be reinterpreted to follow Jung's teachings), they convinced me to join Providence.

I joined right before vacation, and when I started school a month later I began the Providence lifestyle: 4 a.m. morning prayer, morning messages, soccer practice, missions, etc. I went through what most other Providence members go through: emotional highs and lows, a feeling of inadequacy, superiority over those outside Providence, stress, guilt, always feeling like I'm not working hard enough, etc. It took me about a week to realize that something was wrong. I finally ignored their warnings and visited this site, and looking through the information and testimonies, I concluded that I had spent the last five weeks in a cult following an Antichrist. I left Providence, and contrary to Jung's warning of sure damnation of my soul, I am happier than ever, and my faith in the real Savior, Jesus Christ, is even stronger than before. I can spend time with my family and hang out with my non-Providence friends. I can sleep eight hours a day and eat instant noodles once in a while.

I learned some life lessons the hard way, but I believe God has a purpose for it all. If I can help one person stay away from this group or get out, then it will have been worth it. In my opinion, Jung is wrong and he is not the Messiah, and there is more than enough information on this site to prove that. I wish the best to anyone who hears the Providence teaching and struggles to know the truth. Many have faced the same struggle, and whatever decision you make, at least now you have heard the "stupid, lying weeds'" side of the story. 

P.S. If you have any questions and would like to contact me, you can email me at sheepgate@live.com

[scarlett]

Welcome Sheepgate,

Like the name.  Glad you found this site and especially that you decided to post. I know it will help any current JMS member who decides to read it. Wow, you saw through stuff pretty quickly. Glad it was only weeks and not years as many ex-members have posted here. At any rate, all the best in your new-found freedom outside the restraints of providence.

-Scarlett

[Peter]

I'd like to express my gratitude too, sheepgate - and I like your username!

And I'm really glad you have a positive attitude and that your faith is still strong.
While I'm not religious myself, I like hearing how some leave the group with their faith both intact and perhaps stronger. My favorite Bible quotes are the "beware of wolves in sheep's clothing" ones and consiering that I think there's every reason to leave Provience with some vauable lessons learnt and perhaps a greater appreciation for God's love for everyone; not just those who worship a certain jailed Korean guy who thinks he's Jesus.

If you don't mind, I'm really curious about a few things.

Jeong was arrested last May, so he was in a Chinese jail when you joined.

Was this information provided to you when you invited to join?
Or did they try to give the impression that Jeong was a free man?
Did you watch any of Jeong's video sermons?
If so, were they presented as though they were recently recorded?
Perhaps they were dated, and PJ said at the beginning of his translation, "Wednesday Sermon for August 7, 2008" something like that that would give the impression Jeong had just recenty recorded it.

Was there ever mention of the rape charges?
Where and when did you first hear he had been accused and charged with rape?

Thank you very much, posts like your are why we keep this place going



 

[sheepgate]

Well, I'm glad that you all appreciate my post (and like my username ). I'm willing to help out however I can to reveal and spread the truth about Providence.

When I joined Providence, I was told that Jung was hiding in China from the police, who wanted to arrest him for "religious activities." I remember in January someone told me he "might" go to jail and to pray for him a lot.

I have watched several of his sermons and listened to his morning messages, which were presented as though they were recently recorded. PJ would say the "morning message for such and such date" thing before the message began.

I was told in the middle of the Bible study that there were bad people slandering Jung and promoting lies about him, saying that he raped girls. They told me not to look up Providence online and to judge only by what they say and what I experience. They say that this site is full of lies, and that the rape testimonies are all made up.

[escaped-ms]

Hey all, I just signed on to this site today, but I've been reading these forums regularly for a while. I find a lot of the news here to be very interesting and even entertaining at times. Thanks for providing a great site Peter!

Wow sheepgate... just like scarlett said, you are very fortunate to get out as quickly as you did. Nice job keeping your faith too! 
It took me several years to get outa there.  Life is definitely better in the real world. Just like you, I love getting a full nights sleep, and its nice to eat whatever I want without someone "reporting" me to the leaders. Of course its more commonly known as ratting or taddle-tailing. I don't really like instant noodles, but while I was an MS, I did prefer to keep my own diet the way I liked it. Am I going to hell for that? I don't think so!  There were tons of other little things that bugged me over time while I was in Providence and eventually added up to my leaving... The silly rituals, childish activities, numerous mandatory missions, sleep deprivation, controlled diet, meaningless rebuke, guilt trips, poor leadership, and meetings after meetings after meetings. Oh yeah, and the whole false messiah thing got ridiculous. The voice/video messages got redundant. Being told to wave at the video screen as if he could actually see us. Watching SSN dressed in an all white suit try to conduct the music (which was prerecorded anyways) and then pretending we're so impressed with his skills as he waves his conductor's wand around like a jackass.  So much valuable time was wasted. 

I knew about the rape charges but choose to believe the propaganda they filled me with. "Its part of the trials and tribulations of Providence" etc.. and I was told people who leave on news like that are "weak spirited" or "weeds". I was just looking to find some spirituality in life. When I first joined, I was in college searching for a way to 'better myself' and looking for a modern church with people my own age. When I got invited, I was initially attracted by how everyone was so nice and happy, and how they were all so complimenting and seemed interested in me. I felt accepted. The Bible study lessons were interesting and it also didn't hurt that there were lots of cute Asian chicks. But once I was brainwashed it all changed. I became a tool. I was used for every little job they could think up.

I thank God to have my life back now. I'm doing WAY better now than if I stayed with the group.  I can't help but wonder how some of the people I knew in there are doing nowadays, especially the ones who had the arranged marriages (aka: blessing ceremonies)  I can't imagine being told who I can or can't marry by some Korean man I've never met in person, yet when I was taught about the blessing ceremonies it all made perfect sense, along with so many other warped teachings they had.  Let it be known that nobody in the church is really a 'bad person' - its just a bad place to be. There are so many unfortunate circumstances and rules to abide by as an MS. I used to say that I'd rather die than leave the church. I'm out now, but I still love God with all my heart. That never changed. Something to think about.

An interesting personal lesson that I learned as I left was the meaning of TRUE FRIENDSHIP. A true friend will stand by you non-conditionally, even in hard times and regardless of what church you go to, if any.  During the long process of removing myself from the weekly services and slowly making myself disappear from Providence, there was quite a few times when they tried to counsel me into coming back, but once I was definitely gone the change was instant. I was surprised to see how quickly the people who I thought were my close friends wrote me off. No doubt they were instructed by the church leader to let me go or else I might try to pull them out with me. I recall watching other people leave while I was a strong MS and being instructed not to chase after them or try talking to them, but to pray for their return.  I'm lucky to still have REAL friends on the outside who stand by me no matter what I do, and a nice family who always welcomes me with open arms.

To anyone who is still in Providence and reading this, please be safe and careful... and get yourself OUT!!!

  I have plenty more stories I'd be happy to share in detail later.

[rb]

Thanks escaped! Nice to hear your story.

[sheepgate]

Hi escaped-ms,

Thanks for posting your testimony. It's great to hear you got out and hopefully former and current members of Providence will be helped by your testimony. It's good to see that other American Providence members do check this site out. It would be interesting to hear your stories from your time in Providence.

I'm surprised by what I read about other groups of Providence. The group I was in is less strict and explicitly controlling. (For example, I asked the older members about marriage and they said they can marry whoever they want.) Then again, it is still pretty strict and controlling. Also, although I don't hang out with them much anymore, they're still friendly to me when I see them around campus.

It's great to see that you still have your faith and love for God. Enjoy your freedom and your sleep!

[WasNotWas]

The group I was in is less strict and explicitly controlling. (For example, I asked the older members about marriage and they said they can marry whoever they want.) Then again, it is still pretty strict and controlling. Also, although I don't hang out with them much anymore, they're still friendly to me when I see them around campus.

I imagine quite a lot of the controlling is introduced softly-softly. I've known members who were lied to for months and months about the marriage thing, told exactly the same line as you. They wouldn't tell you anything that you might not be 'ready' to hear. I don't know very much about the proscribed foods, and maybe that isn't such a central thing, but there's no way they would ever compromise on the arranged marriage. Good to hear from you escaped. Do post more of your stories when you get a chance

[sheepgate]

Well, I've noticed that several Providence members have blogs, in which they promote and defend Jung and their teachings (and in some cases insult members on this board). So here's a blog for the other point of view on Providence:

http://providencetruth.blogspot.com/

I plan on examining Providence doctrine, refuting the 30 lessons, answering those providencetrial.com articles, etc. Hopefully in time it can become a useful resource to reveal the theological and doctrinal flaws of Jung's teachings. With the rape conviction now a fact, perhaps current members trying to make sense of things will also benefit.

[rb]

looks good  I look forward to future posts!

[Peter]

Good luck from me too and I'll too be looking forward to your insights and experiences.
I'll post a link to it on the homepage here.

And it's important to note you encountered JMS in America.
Published news reports often ignore the fact that JMS operates outside of Asia.