Bodies Behind The Bus

Bel's Story / Sydney Anglican Diocese

Bel joins us from Australia to share her story of growing up in a church in the Sydney Anglican Diocese. When she was six, she nearly died in an accident at church. Soon after, her family moved to a new church led by a man we call Rev T. He called himself a counselor and claimed he could help people no doctor could. Bel describes a community shaped by control, fear, and the constant feeling of being watched. She shares how Rev T's counsel tore her family apart, how her sister was sent away from home and put through an exorcism, and how a private meeting in his office crossed lines no pastor should ever cross. Today, Bel is a wife, a mom, and a survivor. She shares her story in the hope of making the church a safer place.Support the show

Jane's Story / Chi Alpha / Assemblies of God

In this episode, our storyteller Jane shares her years inside Chi Alpha, the college campus ministry of the Assemblies of God (AG). What began as a warm, welcoming community slowly turned into something else. Jane describes the pressure to lead, the strict rules over her time, friendships, money, and even her food and health, and the spiritual control that kept her silent for years.She walks us through her path from new student to leader, intern, and full staff missionary. She talks about the leadership "class" she paid to take, a retreat that changed her, the support raising system that left her broke, and the moment she finally found the strength to leave. Jane also speaks to the wider abuse that has come to light in Chi Alpha and the Assemblies of God, and why she chose to break her silence now.Her story is a powerful look at high control religion, the savior complex on the mission field, and the long road to healing. Jane closes with a message of hope for current members, for survivors, and for the leaders she hopes will repent.Chi Alpha Survivor Website http://xalionsden.com/Support the show

Michelle’s Story / IN

Michelle shares her story of serving on staff at a church in Indiana, where subtle control, blurred pastoral authority, financial pressure, and spiritual manipulation slowly became clear over time. Her story names the confusion of being labeled, silenced, and pushed to question herself while navigating deep personal and family crisis. Through telling the truth, Michelle begins reclaiming the voice she was told to bury.Support the show

Katie’s Story / The Austin Stone

Katie shares her story of growing up in a highly controlled religious environment, entering a young marriage shaped by strict gender roles, and spending years overseas as a missionary. Through the pressures of ministry, isolation, and motherhood, she began to recognize patterns of emotional and spiritual harm in her life. This episode follows her journey of unraveling those beliefs, finding her voice, and taking steps toward healing and freedom. Support the show

Katherine's Story / Austin Stone Church

Katherine shares her journey from a young missionary sent overseas to confronting the realities of faith, sacrifice, and survival. Raised in the church and driven by a deep sense of purpose, she and her husband moved to the Middle East in their early twenties, navigating cultural barriers, personal risk, and the complexities of mission work. After experiencing trauma, health crises, and the unraveling of expectations, Katherine reflects on identity, belief, and what it means to rebuild life after everything changes.Support the show