From Ruin to Reconstruction: Words Shaping Identity in Undertow and Uncultured

Undertow by Charlene Edge and Uncultured by Daniella Mestanyek Young each document the rise and fall of a religious cult—The Way International and The Children of God, respectively—and the authors’ personal experiences with cult indoctrination. Both works discuss cult leaders’ use of psychologically manipulative language to strip members’ agency and individuality, and both works demonstrate how Edge and Young reclaimed their sense of self by processing their experiences in writing. An examination of their memoirs supplemented by selections from Emily Dickinson’s poetry reveals the power of words to destroy and create, to be used by cult leaders to obliterate the identities of their followers and by those who have emerged from a cult to painstakingly rebuild that identity

Word & Witness: A Philosophy of Ministry in Training Women to Engage God\u27s Word and Witness to His Faithfulness

Many women in the church today are seeking depth in their relationship with God. Word & Witness women’s ministry seeks to walk-alongside and spiritually guide women towards greater love for God and Scripture, bringing about deeper intimacy. This ministry will be described as a branch off of the women’s ministry at Granger Community Church, in Granger, Indiana. Word & Witness desires for women to be equipped and encouraged to engage God’s Word and witness to God’s faithfulness in their lives. As women participate in this ministry, they will learn how to be in communion with God, community with others, live out Christ-like character, and their calling as a faithful witness. These characteristics will be instilled through weekly gatherings, engaging God’s Word, writing out their testimonies, sharing their testimonies, and prayer