I watched the first two episodes today having gone to an evangelical church for several years from 2015-2020, and it was eye opening just how much of that very same Teen Mania just was transferred to the current megachurch model… the music, the egos, the charismatic and fired up lead pastor, the altar call with the white glowing cross.. it was all there. These episodes were an immediate shock to the system once again, and I thank you for your part and for shedding light on this machine. Ironically I feel you and Tim (and many others in your space) have done the work and have the stories to show there is life after the American church and I find that I have a lot more faith in Jesus now due to the radical call he offers, yet that church space was almost the antithesis of his teachings.
What’s crazy is that I grew up in an Assembly of God church in Wisconsin and never heard of this guy or teen mania. Praise God I never did and I’m glad that Jesus can help those that were abused by the program. Praying for y’all and you are loved
I binge watched all 3 episodes yesterday – I live in Switzerland 🇨🇭 but usually what‘s hot in the US comes to us with a certain delay – but later when it‘s debunked (e.g. the Columbine „martyr“ stories) that somehow drowns when trying to cross the Atlantic…
I went to Acquire the Fire once when I was in high school (in Hamilton, Ontario) but I have no memory of Teen Mania. But Christian Nationalism isn't the same here, they're just far-Right wingers.
I watched the first two episodes today having gone to an evangelical church for several years from 2015-2020, and it was eye opening just how much of that very same Teen Mania just was transferred to the current megachurch model… the music, the egos, the charismatic and fired up lead pastor, the altar call with the white glowing cross.. it was all there. These episodes were an immediate shock to the system once again, and I thank you for your part and for shedding light on this machine. Ironically I feel you and Tim (and many others in your space) have done the work and have the stories to show there is life after the American church and I find that I have a lot more faith in Jesus now due to the radical call he offers, yet that church space was almost the antithesis of his teachings.
What’s crazy is that I grew up in an Assembly of God church in Wisconsin and never heard of this guy or teen mania. Praise God I never did and I’m glad that Jesus can help those that were abused by the program. Praying for y’all and you are loved
I binge watched all 3 episodes yesterday – I live in Switzerland 🇨🇭 but usually what‘s hot in the US comes to us with a certain delay – but later when it‘s debunked (e.g. the Columbine „martyr“ stories) that somehow drowns when trying to cross the Atlantic…
I went to Acquire the Fire once when I was in high school (in Hamilton, Ontario) but I have no memory of Teen Mania. But Christian Nationalism isn't the same here, they're just far-Right wingers.
Love you April, your book, and all your hard work. Thanks for all you do!