“Just start making sounds and you will begin to speak through the Holy Ghost.” So I did. At first it seemed I was just making nonsense, but I definitely felt something take over and I started loudly speaking with whatever was going through me. Looking back now, I realize that something more sinister had an effect on me at that moment, and I had opened myself up to spiritual things that didn’t line up with scripture." - Max

Like many NAR victims, Max experienced something demonic. Unfortunately, his story gets worse.

Max's story is among several additional "Leaving the NAR" testimonies I've received since I wrapped up the series earlier this summer. Each is as painful to read and share as the next. 

“When I arrived in October 2008, the Meridian Vineyard was a nice and fun place to be. Very loving, lots of contemporary worship. This was also when I first heard about Bethel Church out of Redding, California. I started getting a gut check in my spirit almost immediately.” – Ben

Ben wrote to me recently to share how he had escaped the NAR movement. Here is his story in his own words:

I have received several additional “Leaving the NAR” testimonies since I wrapped up the series earlier this summer. These stories are precious to me, and serve as a painful reminder that there is hope for the dear deceived ones caught up in this insidious movement. In this series, I’ve been taking readers beyond the textbook What is the New Apostolic Reformation Movement explanation, into the personal experiences from those who have been there, and what happened when God opened their eyes to the truth.

Not all continuists are embracing this movement. (See, What is Continuationism?) Anthony is one of a few Pentecostal Christians who experienced NAR teachings and has been warning others about the NAR. And while I am not in that camp myself, I am encouraged that he is speaking out.

"The pastor travels internationally and has connections with several NAR leaders in several nations. He would name drop famous leaders in the NAR as if he were good friends with them, when the truth was he had only met a few or had done a conference or meeting with them. is a member of the ICAL (International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders) and has been in meetings with some well know NAR leadership."  - Grant

I have received several additional "Leaving the NAR" testimonies since I wrapped up the series earlier this summer. These stories are precious to me, and serve as a painful reminder that there is hope for the dear deceived ones caught up in this insidious movement.

“We were about to encounter the greatest exposure to what we know now as the New Apostolic Reformation. This church had a female as the Senior Pastor , and she quoted Bill Johnson more than ScriptureI had observed how many of the husbands in the congregation were either non-believers or spiritually "weak" men; it seemed like their wives carried the baton in this church.

There was no discipleship, and no expository preaching whatsoever. They did have “discipleship classes” that were focused on fitness and health, the prophetic, and spiritual warfare.”

After many years and hopping from church to church, Lizzy and her husband were slowly opening their eyes to the shocking heresies of the New Apostolic Reformation’s teachings and practices. (If you missed Part 1 of Lizzy’s story, you’ll want to read it here.)

What and whom did it finally take for her to finally see the truth about this hideous movement that had nearly shipwrecked her family’s faith? Lizzy’s story is the final testimony in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short.

“One time I was flat out on my back at the altar and a female prophetess stretched herself on top of me like Elijah had done in the book of Kings to the dead boy. We also headed over to Lakeland to meet and be a part of the Rodney Howard Brown meetings and would all experience visions and laughter and all the uncontrollable nonsense. It was called a Holy Ghost revival.”

Lizzy sat under some of the most famous NAR pastors and pastorixes in the nation, and by the end of this story you will see how twisted and demonic these teachers were and still are.

She has allowed me to include her story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short. Her story has so many twists and turns that we are presenting this testimony in two parts.

“Tithing was required to serve in any ministry. If you don´t regularly tithe you would not be entered into the yearly church anniversary raffle for a TV, Beats headphones or Visa gift cards. I couldn’t believe my ears, this was cause for the tables to be flipped over in disgust for the obvious disregard for God´s holy place of worship.”  

Alicia has allowed me to include her story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short. In this series, I want to take readers beyond the textbook What is the New Apostolic Reformation Movement explanation, into the personal experiences from those who have been there, and what happened when God opened their eyes to the truth.

“At our ladies group the leader would say, “let us just open our minds to Jesus and let Him love on us,” and then everyone would just sit there praying, swaying, and sighing that Jesus was “holding them.” Everyone had smiles on their faces as I just sat there not feeling a thing. Of course I was told it was me that was the problem…”  

Pam was a young, trusting seeker who now has many regrets about her long spiritual journey in the NAR-influenced churches she attended.

"I would hear something bizarre about some “apostle” who had just been to heaven or someone else who had visited hell and I believed it all. I was hungry for spiritual experiences and there was a kind of competition in these meetings where everybody would be hoping that they would be the person picked out for a prophetic word."

Val was a Charismatic Catholic, who was deceived by the heretical NAR teachings, blended in with the New Age and Word of Faith.

"It was our Christmas Service that year, and they opened worship with Hell’s Bells by AC/DC.  Yeah, the full song with lyrics posted, and an R-rated video to go with it.   We had five guests, and four of them walked out before the song was over.  About a fourth of the audience walked out with them."

And then the pastor lied and told Robert that he was the only one who ever expressed concern. Robert has allowed me to include his story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short.

"I can tell you from my experience in the occult that contemplative/soaking prayer IS transcendental meditation.  People being "taken to the heavenlies/different places on earth" are experiencing astral projection.  The teachings and practices of the NAR is occultic in nature and is damaging the people who adhere to these teachings and practices." 

Kelsey has been on quite journey. She was raised charismatic, became a witch, and eventually attended a NAR-influenced Messianic church run by a manipulative Rabbi and his wife.

“There was so much supernatural stuff happening, people claiming to be healed, gemstones appearing on the floor, feathers floating from the ceiling, pink clouds, mist and smells such as lemon floating through the air.  I wasn’t sure what was making this all happen, but it was mesmerizing.”

Signs, wonders, wild experiences, all of these things are part and parcel of one of the biggest counterfeit movements in Christendom. Melanie has allowed me to include her story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short.

“I felt something push me down.  I stumbled up the stairs but kept falling.  It must have been the Spirit manifesting itself, I thought.  As I sat on my bed, I kept keeling over and twitching.  My brother and mother thought it was great.  In fact, my brother even videotaped it.”

Macie has allowed me to include her story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short. In this series, I want to take readers beyond the textbook What is the New Apostolic Reformation Movement explanation, into the personal experiences from those who have been there, and what happened when God opened their eyes to the truth.

“Not really knowing better, I let them do a deliverance session on me. Basically, you sit in a chair, they command the demons to come up and speak, and then they get bound and cast out.”

Morgan was immersed in a so-called “Deliverance Ministry,” in which he was introduced to the demons who dwelled within him. But demons do not dwell within regenerated Christians, as he soon discovered through Scripture.

Morgan has allowed me to include his story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short.

“My leader whom I love and respect called me critical, judgmental, and condemning. He said I was too young and inexperienced, and that I was seeing only through my bias and biblical grid that I'd received at Bible school.”

If you've ever been masterfully manipulated by narcissistic leaders, this story will upset you. Dean had become a victim of the most vile manipulation of truth. His leadership convinced him that he was disobedient to God Almighty and needed to repent for raising concerns about false teaching.

“The evangelist (Todd Bentley), preached and instructed viewers to lay hands on the TV screen for impartation to occur.  I told God I would use that anointed impartation to lay hands on and heal my sick husband…”

Kara has allowed me to include her story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short.

“There is a deep sadness in me, a sorrow over wasted years and opportunities. I get angry with myself for having been deluded and so easily led into false doctrine and practice.”

Christopher got swept up in the “Third Wave,” another term for the New Apostolic Reformation. I love how he tells of his journey out!

“How lonely and devastating it is to find out that something you believe in so strongly can be so wrong, and that cognitive dissonance disorder is very real to all of us who share this journey.”

Candice is one of many Christians who has watched helplessly as the New Apostolic Reformation infected the church and the friends she loved. 

“I would always look up to these people getting "words from God" and wished that I could have this special relationship with Him as they did. I desired it - so why wasn't God speaking to me the way He spoke to them?”

Chrissy has allowed me to include her story in this series about a movement called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR for short. In this series, I want to take readers beyond the textbook What is the New Apostolic Reformation Movement explanation, into the personal experiences from those who have been there, and what happened when God opened their eyes to the truth.

“I felt like someone was guiding me. I saw the throne of God, the houses all a jeweled, and people walking over the gold bridges while beautiful streams flowed.”

After visions of heaven, young Sadie's experience (which she thought was from God), soon devolved into horrific nightmares, depression, and attempted suicide.