God Vindicates after Spiritual Abuse, with Charlaine Martin, Part 2
Lifted to Hope
Choosing to trust again after being wounded takes courage, yet for some, that trust is met with harm more than once. This was the painful reality for my guest, author Charlaine Martin, and her first husband, Don. After experiencing spiritual abuse in their very first church assignment, they later faced it again further along in Don’s pastoral career. The repeated betrayal left deep wounds of hurt and shame, made even heavier by the silence and inaction of denominational leaders who should have offered support and protection. In this episode, Charlaine shares how the path to healing did not...
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A Pastor’s Family Experiences Spiritual Abuse, with Charlaine Martin, Part 1
Lifted to Hope
Many who enter full-time Christian ministry expect hardship, but few anticipate the depth of disappointment, betrayal, and criticism that can come from within the church itself. For some, the wounds go even deeper, resulting in spiritual abuse by those entrusted with oversight and care. These experiences have led many faithful servants to quietly step away from ministry, carrying grief they never expected. In this week’s episode, Charlaine Martin joins me to share the first part of her story. As a pastor’s wife, Charlaine faithfully served alongside her husband in small rural churches for...
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God Heals after Spiritual Abuse, with Tanyka Abbott, LCSW, Part 2
Lifted to Hope
The miracle of God’s grace is that He is never hindered by the walls we build or the shame we carry. Even when our hearts feel locked away, He faithfully creates safe places for us to risk drawing near to Him. Through His Word and His presence, He reveals Himself as the God who heals, restores, and frees us from the burdens we were never meant to carry. This week, therapist and advocate Tanyka Abbott, LCSW, returns to the podcast to share how God gently earned her trust after the trauma of sexual and spiritual abuse. In this powerful conversation, Tanyka describes the slow, holy journey of...
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Hiding from the Trauma of Spiritual Abuse, with Tanyka Abbott, LCSW, Part 1
Lifted to Hope
My guest this week, Tanyka Abbott, LCSW, bravely shares how years of sexual and spiritual abuse drove her into hiding. After being date raped twice by a pastor, she carried the shame that never belonged to her. Those who violated her were relieved to let her hold the weight of their wrongdoing, and Tanyka convinced herself that staying silent was the only way to stay safe. In this episode, she begins opening the door to her story, revealing how secrecy shaped her life, how shame distorted her identity, and how the long road toward healing is unfolding. Her honesty is both heartbreaking and...
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Wrestling with God after Spiritual Abuse, with Josh Patterson (Part 2)
Lifted to Hope
One of the most damaging impacts of any kind of abuse, including spiritual abuse, is the belief that we somehow deserved it. We can become convinced that the mistreatment was our fault, that our past experiences justify it, and that those who harmed us must be right in their assessments. Spiritual abusers are skilled at exploiting insecurity. Their words can sound logical, even righteous, while quietly destroying confidence and identity. In this week’s episode, Josh Patterson returns to share more of his story. When he faced spiritual abuse within the church where he served, he had no one...
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When Spiritual Abuse Happens at Church, with Josh Patterson (Part 1)
Lifted to Hope
This week, I’m joined by podcaster Josh Patterson, who courageously shares the first part of his story while still in the middle of the struggle. Josh has experienced spiritual abuse twice at the hands of church leadership. The first wound came as a teenager when his family was shunned from their church. Years later, it happened again while he was serving on pastoral staff. These experiences left deep marks, and Josh is still walking the long road of recovery. I am grateful for his willingness to speak while the story is still unfolding. Nothing is tied up neatly, justice has not yet...
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Standing for Truth after Spiritual Abuse, with Ryan Mullins (Part 2)
Lifted to Hope
This week, Dr. Ryan Mullins, lecturer at the University of Lucerne, returns to share the next chapter of his story. After years of enduring deception and manipulation from his doctoral supervisor, Ryan came to recognize the spiritual abuse that had taken place. With great courage, he reported the truth to university authorities, setting in motion a difficult process filled with consequences and painful revelations. As the lies unraveled, healing slowly began. God’s faithfulness sustained Ryan through loss, uncertainty, and the long wait for full vindication. His story is both heartbreaking...
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Manipulated by a Christian College Professor with Ryan Mullins (Part 1)
Lifted to Hope
It can be deeply confusing when someone in spiritual authority—especially a person who claims to follow Christ—uses that position to lie, manipulate, and control. The betrayal cuts even deeper when that person is someone you trusted to guide your growth and development. This week, Dr. Ryan Mullins, a theologian and professor at the University of Lucerne in Switzerland, shares the first part of his story. During his doctoral studies, Ryan discovered that the supervisor assigned to mentor him was not the man of integrity he appeared to be. As manipulation and dishonesty began to shape his...
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Spiritual Abuse Creates Harm and Mistrust
Lifted to Hope
In this week’s episode, I begin a new series on spiritual abuse with a solo teaching. I talk about God’s true design for spiritual authority and how He intends leaders to serve as under-shepherds who protect, guide, and love His people with humility and integrity. When that design is distorted by pride or control, the result can be deep confusion and pain. Spiritual abuse misrepresents God and can leave lasting wounds in the hearts of those affected. I also share how we can begin to recognize spiritual abuse for what it is and take the first steps toward healing. My prayer is that this...
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Believing God for Healing After War Crimes, with Jolie Nabigondo (Part 2)
Lifted to Hope
When the trauma of life feels too heavy to bear, where else can we go but to Jesus? He alone understands the depth of our wounds and the weight of the sins committed against us. This week, Jolie Nabigondo returns to share the extraordinary story of how Christ met her in the aftermath of unthinkable suffering. After surviving the horrors of the Congolese genocide, Jolie’s faith was pushed to its breaking point, but God’s healing power proved stronger than her pain. Through surrender and forgiveness, He transformed her trauma into a testimony of freedom and redemption. Now serving in refugee...
info_outlineMaturity isn’t just about age—it’s about growth, wisdom, and transformation. But what happens when life circumstances delay that process? In this episode, I share my personal journey of emotional and spiritual maturity, from struggling to trust God to experiencing His faithfulness in ways I never expected.
If you’ve ever felt like a late bloomer in faith, you’re not alone. Join me as I reflect on the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in shaping my heart and life.
To inquire about counseling, email Louise at Louise@louisesedgwick.com.