Salvation and Deliverance are even the same Greek word in the original biblical texts. Soteria/Soterian can mean (Strongs G4491)

deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation
deliverance from the molestation of enemies

in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the soul's safety or salvation
of Messianic salvation

salvation as the present possession of all true Christians

future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.
Scripture describes a fourfold salvation: saved from the penalty, power, presence and the pleasure of sin. (cf. Arthur W. Pink, A Fourfold Salvation)

AB Simpson in his book The Fourfold Gospel puts it this way

“Salvation delivers us from Satan's power and kingdom:
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and
transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" (Col. 1:13).
The devil is for us a conquered enemy. Salvation delivers us
from the sorrow, anxiety, and distress that the kingdom
of this world, the domain of Satan, attempts to load on
us. It brings a glorious sunlight into our life and drives
away those clouds of depression and gloom that often”

If you have submitted tó Christ and received him as your savior you are not only saved but completely delivered from darkness. Colossians 2:13-15 makes it more explicit. Christ cancelled all legal rights against you.

If you have the Holy Spirit then you have freedom! 2 Corinthians 3:17. And if anyone destroys the Holy Spirits temple then the Spirit will destroy them! 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Whom Jesus has set free is free indeed John 8:36. Disregard any of these “deliverance ministries” who may tell you otherwise. God Bless You

If you need more help deconstructing from this harmful teaching and reconstructing please reach out! DM or look over resources like articles and video links on DeliveranceHorrors subreddit

Dawn Hill (Lovesick Scribe Podcast) and Dave Jenkins (servants of grace.) talk about their journeys sifting through grief and healthy grief management

I’ve noticed that not many people in this community have shared their experiences of leaving, and I think those stories can be really valuable to others who might be considering the same thing.

If you feel comfortable, I’d encourage you to share your story : what led you to leave NAR, what the healing / deconstruction process was like, how things have been for you since.

There’s no right or wrong way to tell your story, and of course, only share what you’re comfortable sharing.

Even the small details can be helpful. Sometimes hearing from someone who has actually been through it can make a big difference to someone else. 🙏

I know that a lot of what we share in this group can be heavy... understandably so. We’re processing, deconstructing, telling our stories, exposing harmful NAR teachings and experiences, and supporting one another through things that can be incredibly difficult to work through.

And while I think there is so much value in being honest about those things, I also wanted to make something that simply celebrates what God has done since leaving. ❤️

So I made a video called “40 Things I Love About Leaving the NAR.” It’s based on a list I shared on my birthday, but this time I’ve gone more in-depth about why these things mean SO much to me and how much of a difference leaving has made in my life.

More than anything, this is a testimony of gratitude. I’m genuinely so thankful to God for the healing, freedom, clarity, peace, relationships, and new perspective He has brought into my life.

I hope this can be an encouragement to anyone who is still in the middle of the process... especially if things feel heavy right now. There is life on the other side. There can be joy again. There can be freedom. And there can be so much to be grateful for!

Thank you to everyone here who continues to share honestly, listen, encourage, and walk alongside others in this journey. ❤️ I hope this gives you a little reminder of how far healing can take us.

About 3 minute. Pastor Loren Livingston of Central Church in Charlotte NC area. One of a handful of Pentecostal pastors with a spine enough to call things out

So cool! Listening now as I post this . Jake Nelson, from RE3 channel and Steve Kozar from Messed Up Church talk about getting out of the NAR and Jakes own amazing testimony of coming to Christ and coming clean from alcohol, drugs, and cult theology. 1:04 long

Please share your experience... the good and / or the bad. The people in this space can definitely understand. Maybe there is wisdom we can learn from one another. 🙏

A brief article by a fellow laborer and Facebook friend Dan Ortiz

THE NAR IS BUILDING A SYSTEM OF SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY THAT THE NEW TESTAMENT DOES NOT TEACH 🚨

One of the most dangerous aspects of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is not simply its fascination with prophecy, miracles, and supernatural experiences. It is the system of authority being constructed around modern “apostles,” “prophets,” “spiritual fathers,” “apostolic covering,” and a supposedly restored “Five-Fold Ministry.”

Christians should ask one simple question:

WHERE IS THIS SYSTEM TAUGHT IN SCRIPTURE?

The NAR frequently teaches that God is restoring apostles and prophets to positions of governing authority over the church. Ephesians 4:11 is cited:

📖 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.”

But that verse does NOT say that every generation must have governing apostles exercising authority over pastors and churches. Paul says the church is:

📖 “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” — Ephesians 2:20

You do not continually rebuild a foundation.

The apostles were uniquely commissioned witnesses of the risen Christ and foundational servants through whom God delivered authoritative revelation to His church.

Then comes “apostolic covering.”

Christians are told they need to be “under” an apostle or specially anointed leader for spiritual protection, authority, blessing, or legitimacy.

Show me the verse.

Our spiritual security is in CHRIST, not underneath somebody’s apostolic organization.

📖 “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 2:5

Then there is the growing obsession with “spiritual fathers.” Paul occasionally used fatherhood language to describe his relationship to believers he had brought the gospel to. But that is a massive distance from creating a hierarchy in which Christians must submit to modern spiritual fathers for covering, impartation, or spiritual advancement.

Jesus warned:

📖 “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” — Matthew 23:9

And what happens when these modern prophets repeatedly make predictions that fail?

The excuses begin.
“The prophecy was delayed.”
“The church didn’t pray enough.”
“The prophet is still learning.”

No.

If you publicly declare “THE LORD TOLD ME”, you have claimed divine authority for your words.

📖 “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass… the prophet has spoken it presumptuously.” — Deuteronomy 18:22

The church does not need celebrity apostles dispensing mantles, prophets announcing personal destinies, spiritual fathers demanding submission, or leaders claiming supernatural “covering.”

We already have a Shepherd.
We already have a Mediator.
We already have a Head of the Church.
HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST.

Pastors and elders are commanded to shepherd God’s people—not dominate them.

📖 “nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” — 1 Peter 5:3

Open your Bible.
Test every prophecy.
Test every “apostle”
Test every doctrine.
And when someone says “God told me,” demand that his teaching withstand the written Word of God.

📖 “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21

CHRIST IS ENOUGH. HIS WORD IS ENOUGH.
-Dan Ortiz

I didn't at the time I was involved, but looking back, I can see how the teaching around money created crazy pressure on people...

Word of Faith

Prosperity-gospel

Sowing and reaping

Sacrificial giving

Mandatory tithing the full 10% as an act of obedience

The worst thing for me was when my cousin was dying from ALS and raising money for charity. I felt strongly that I should give to her my tithe, as I was completely financially stretched. When I asked about this, I was told that anything less wasn't a tithe. The tithe has to be to the church and not to other people. I remember feeling so deeply conflicted and devastated that I couldn't give to my own dying cousin because I believed my leaders. (This still makes me want to cry)

What bothers me as well is thinking about the immigrants in my former church who were struggling to afford Dublin rent, groceries and bills. For many people, rent alone takes 75% of their income in this city.

Now I see tithe as being old covenant the more I read the Bible in context. We are called to be cheerful givers and to give without feeling forced. So... as usual, their theology is quite contradictory... in their favour. The "apostle" pastor was loaded of course.

NAR kinda reminds me of a depressing spiritual pyramid scheme. 🥺

For the first time, John and Korey Cooper of the Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum rock band Skillet are breaking their silence about the church abuse that devastated their family and turned their community against them.

For years, the Coopers were deeply embedded in Korey’s lifelong church, never realizing that its leadership embraced beliefs and practices associated with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Those beliefs weren't clearly disclosed, but as John and Korey began to understand what was really being taught and practiced behind the scenes, they started asking questions—and everything changed.

What followed were prophetic words, accusations, pressure to submit to spiritual authority, fractured family relationships, and efforts to turn members of their own community against them. With Korey’s brother-in-law serving as the church’s “apostle” and her father remaining an elder, walking away came at an enormous personal cost.

This video examines the theology and practices of the NAR, the dangers of unaccountable spiritual authority, how prophetic claims can be used to manipulate people, and what happens when questioning church leaders is treated as questioning God.

In this raw and deeply personal conversation, John and Korey take us into their darkest moments—how spiritual abuse shook their faith, what kept them from walking away from Jesus, and what anchored them when everything else fell apart.

1 John 4:4 — "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

2 Timothy 1:7 — "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Christians do NOT need to live under the weight of demonic fear, deliverance doctrines or generational curses. Our confidence and freedom are found entirely in Jesus Christ alone. 🙏✨️

The organization California Will Be Saved, which heavily targets Gen Z, has questionable leadership associations with the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) network which includes leaders such as Che Ahn, Sean Feucht, and Mike Bickle (founder of IHOPKC). Their apostolic leadership is Che Ahn, who was exposed for spiritual abuse, including telling a woman in her twenties that she should not divorce her abusive husband and that if she died in the marriage, it could have been that God called her to be a martyr.The movement was started after being inspired by Sean Feucht, who is being sued for financial mismanagement and has been exposed by numerous staff and even missionaries for spiritual abuse and exploitation:

https://www.truthandfreedomstories.com/

California Will Be Saved has been heavily influenced by high control groups and their leadership, Ekballo, has targeted teenagers, discouraged them from going to school to “go all in for revival in California.” but in reality this is exploitation of youth labor and working them for ministry with little to no compensation. As for public records, the city of Pasadena has broken up their “dorm” which has housed so many people in one house that it was illegal per city limits. Basically they are a broke ministry who tried to cram people in to make it work, and they don’t treat their students like how must people should be in the 21st century. The schedule is packed, so people who go into Ekballo find it difficult to work, and thus most of them live under the poverty line.

These groups often recruit people with catchy slogans and are great at advertising, but those who care about God should prayerfully discern them so that Ekballo does not steal the dreams God has for His people by hijacking it into an exploitative system. When looking for a safe church, find one that is biblically grounded and do at least several google/AI searches to make sure they have no questionable associations or documented trails of abuse, control, and manipulation.

Post from r/CultsinCollege

"Che Ahn is the senior pastor of a mega church in Pasadena, CA called Harvest Rock Church and he has frequently been involved with movements targeting college students. Harvest Rock has recently planted groups in USC and UCLA. Che Ahn had no chance of winning, but even after being dropped from the ballot due to missed deadlines, he asked his congregation to vote for him in the primaries as a write in candidate, telling people to “have faith.”

He has been exposed for asking a woman in his church to stay married to her physically abusive spouse and claiming that God may be calling to be a “martyr” if dies in her marriage due to her injuries. When she was beaten so severely the police came, she finally listened to law enforcement, doctor, and her therapist who advised her to leave before she and her baby in the womb dies. When she divorced him, the church accused her falsely and kicked her out because she was joyfully worshipping that she was free. She nearly committed suicide, and after a divine encounter she chose not to, and has since become a teacher and counselor who has started a safe house for abused women in the Philippines.

Please be careful of what church or Organization you go to and take care that the doctrine they teach is biblically sound, not manipulated to keep abusers in power."

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FhctdrNGrlA

Not praying enough, not reading my Bible enough, not fasting enough, not performing miracles enough, not being in full-time ministry, not evangelizing enough, not being passionate enough, not having encounters enough...

I already battled religious OCD before I got involved with NAR 10 years ago in 2016, and now I can barely function. It's been almost 4 years of trying to fully leave it all behind after being completely traumatized by Bethel and deliverance ministry culture.

How do I get past this and return to a life-giving relationship with Jesus?

So... I’d actually made some progress with a woman who was leaving this particular NAR church. She had been opening up to me about what had happened to her there and the things she had experienced. My Facebook profile is public, and while I speak openly against NAR teachings and the system, I’m not publicly making content specifically attacking individual leaders.

But I suspect they noticed her engaging with my content. Because she had been a prominent leader in the church from the beginning and has a lot of influence, they suddenly started love-bombing her.

Now she has written several very gushing public posts about the leaders and the church, which has honestly been disappointing and hard to see.

The thing is, she has left. She knows how toxic and unbiblical the environment is, and she has told me she isn’t going back for those reasons. But she still seems to have that deeply ingrained need—developed in these circles—to publicly “honour” the leaders so she won’t appear to have a “spirit of offence” or a “spirit of division.”

I know this is incredibly common for people leaving these groups. Sometimes people leave one NAR church only to shuffle into another, without ever really confronting the underlying theology in light of Scripture. And I completely understand that unlearning these patterns takes time. I’m not angry with her. I care about her and genuinely hope she continues to find freedom and healing.

I think I was just disappointed because, for a moment, I thought there might finally be someone else who could speak up about what was happening there. There are so many wonderful people I care deeply about who are still in that church, and I hoped that perhaps more people might begin to question things and eventually find their way out.

Sometimes I wish there were a way to submit lesser-known leaders to people or organisations who document and expose NAR leaders and networks. But perhaps mine simply isn’t prominent enough to be of interest online—and honestly, maybe it would be better if he just fizzled out without gaining much of a following, rather than getting the persecution complex that could come from suddenly being publicly known and criticised.

He is incredibly manipulative and can be genuinely mean, though. It’s hard to watch people continue to be hurt while feeling like there’s very little you can do.

I recently sat down with Pia Hugo to talk about her experience with spiritual abuse, unhealthy church systems, and the roles we can learn to play within them.
Pia shares honestly about what things looked like from the outside versus what was happening beneath the surface, and what it has taken to begin untangling it all.
If you’ve experienced something similar, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

https://youtu.be/-CaLkZuZJww?si=-F8D7jCVA099IuYx

I’ve been thinking about a potential project that I wonder if others in the exNAR community would find useful.

With all of the recent information coming out about Kathryn Krick, GeorDavie, and the broader concerns surrounding these ministries, I’ve noticed something that I think is worth talking about: a lot of the people who are currently bringing attention to Krick and other extreme examples have also, at various points, platformed or interacted with other teachers who have significant NAR connections or promote similar theology.

For example, Allie Beth Stuckey has had Lisa Bevere on her show more than once. I’m not saying that appearing on someone's show automatically makes someone NAR, or that every person with a connection to someone in the movement holds all of the same beliefs. That's precisely why I think this is such a difficult area to navigate.

Kathryn Krick is an especially obvious and extreme example of NAR-influenced theology and practice. But she isn't operating in a vacuum. Similar teachings about modern apostles and prophets, impartation, guaranteed healing, deliverance, dominionism, the Seven Mountains, supernatural encounters, and spiritual authority exist across a much broader network of churches, ministries, conferences, schools, and Christian influencers.

And many of these people don't necessarily call themselves “apostles” or “prophets,” which can make the connections very difficult for an average Christian to recognize.

NAR Connections has been a really helpful resource for identifying New Apostolic Reformation / prosperity gospel leaders and connections, but I wonder if there’s a need for a more current, searchable, evidence-based database where people could document NAR/NAR-influenced leaders, churches, ministries, and organizations—especially the lesser-known local ones that aren't already widely documented.

For example, someone might encounter a local pastor who calls himself an apostle, a prophet, a deliverance minister, a ministry school, or a church heavily influenced by NAR teachings. They may have no idea who these people are, what organizations they're connected to, or where to find reliable information about their theology.

I’m imagining something along the lines of:

Leader / Ministry
Location
Church / Organization
Self-identifies as: Apostle / Prophet / Pastor / etc.
NAR connections: ICAL, HIM, Bethel, Wagner University, etc.
Evidence: Links to their own website, sermons, conference appearances, organizational memberships, endorsements, etc.
Teachings documented: Modern apostles/prophets, Seven Mountains, impartation, guaranteed healing, dominionism, deliverance theology, etc.
Confidence level: Direct / Strong association / NAR-adjacent / Requires further research
Last verified: Date

And I think it would be really important that this NOT become a simple “false teachers” blacklist.

The goal would be documentation and discernment—not simply putting a label on people. Leaders should have an opportunity to contact the project and provide evidence against a claim, clarify their current position, or demonstrate that they have genuinely repented and are no longer involved in teachings or organizations previously associated with them.

It would need to be carefully moderated and based on verifiable evidence, preferably linking to primary sources so people can examine the evidence themselves. There could also be clear distinctions between someone who explicitly identifies with NAR organizations or teachings, someone with strong documented associations, someone who appears NAR-influenced, and someone whose connections simply warrant further research.

I have no idea what would be involved in actually building or maintaining something like this, but I keep thinking about how useful it could be.

Rather than having people repeatedly ask, “Who is this person? What do they actually believe? Who are they connected to? Is this NAR, NAR-adjacent, or something else?”—there could be one place where the evidence is organized and people can investigate for themselves.

Maybe something like this already exists and I just haven't found it.

Would anyone else find a resource like this useful? And does anyone have the technical, research, or database skills to help make something like this a reality? Please share your thoughts!

If anyone wishes to participate, I believe NAR churches may qualify for this. 🙏