What a whirlwind couple of months! I have to start off with an apology for this newsletter being so delayed. A few problems with our Ministry computer management system backed everything up by over a month. We are in the middle of upgrading our entire, elderly system that has been only pretending to do address changes or deletions.

To top that off, a very damaging virus/worm came in through an innocent looking attachment to an e-mail. When I opened it, it ripped through my office computer and hid among some files I transferred to my home computer. Michelle’s computer picked it up from an e-mail I sent to her and so it went for a week or so. It took a trip home from college for my son, Josh to get us back on line.

The ministry has been so great, with more activity than we can keep up with. Jason, Michelle and I have been all busy with speaking, counseling, answering the volumes of mail, e-mails and calls from Mormons, Masons, concerned families, pastors, friends. The web site is being upgraded with all our audio teaching tapes and a few dozen new articles, files, and a few books.

As always, we keep you in prayer. I appreciated all the prayer requests that came in for me to pray for during the holidays. I am always ready to pray with you, believing that our God is a miracle making God! It has been my personal commitment to take time to personally pray for every prayer need that comes in. What a blessing it is to pray for you.

Please, if you can, we are in urgent need of financial help this month. The last several months, several miracle gifts came in to bring us into the black. We need to stay there and we have several major expenses to deal with.

For several months now I have been praying for God to soften my heart. I have felt that part of me was missing. After much supplication through prayer, God gave me His answer. It was in a sermon Charles Spurgeon had given. It’s entitled, ‘How God softens hearts’.

Let me share what I’ve learned and I pray that you will be able to use it in your own ministry to the lost. As I have witnessed to many Mormons, I have felt their hardness of heart toward any message of the real gospel. I’m not saying that they are cruel people, however I have seen that part of their heart is not imprinted with the seal of God.

Part of this is manifested in their angry defense when we Christians bring the doctrines they believe into question. When I was a Mormon, I was as guilty of this as they are now. They immediately go into a defensive mode of communication and exhibit a behavior which is proof that there is a hardness. Mormons and Masons often attack the friend or loved one as though they are the messenger of Satan. I have found myself, while a new creature in Christ, responding to them at times with a hardness of my own.

I prayed for the Lord to show me what needed to be softened in my heart and how to let Him do this for me. I’m not saying I don’t love the Mormons. My love for them deepens the more I grow in Christ. I think it is important to pray for all aspects of their salvation. Their salvation only comes through God working on their hearts and minds.

Spurgeon’s sermon on this topic comes from Zech. 12:10. He said that in this scripture we find the Trinity, and the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. The scripture says that they will look upon Him and weep bitterly. This makes us contrite as we actually see Him in our minds hanging on that cross. We become humble in knowing that God sacrificed His ONLY Son for you and for me. I have lost five children to death. I know the pain that entails. The grief is beyond anyone’s wildest nightmare. Can you just imagine letting your child die on purpose for people who will intentionally humiliate and hate your son? I cannot.

If we can pray for them to grasp the enormity of what God did for us, perhaps it would cause them to think of the reality of what happened on the cross. Spurgeon points that we need to lay aside our own righteousness. This is not a condescending demand from God. God is simply telling us to set our righteousness aside. We don’t have to do the work, He will.

That hardness of heart in the Mormon people comes from believing that they have to do personal works of righteousness worthy enough to earn what Christ’s gift at Calvary already has paid for. The anger comes from their feelings of failure and never being able to accomplish it.

Spurgeon said that we can lay aside the need for our own righteousness by looking in the Bible at Luke 18:13. The tax-gatherer cried out to Jesus to have mercy upon him, the sinner. To admit that there is nothing else you can do is the only way that God will be able to have mercy on you. Otherwise, you’ll never accept it. For us ‘works oriented people, it is a difficult thing, but in reality there is no other choice. Spurgeon stated two more things. –Jehovah who made us once, can make us over again—The people that have been praying for God to take away their hardness of hearts are usually the ones who love the most.

So, now I’m going to begin a series of different prayers that we can pray for those Mormons and Masons. Pray that they will see their own hardness of heart caused by not accepting God’s great mercy of grace. I’ve found some wonderful prayers in the Psalms that I thought might be appropriate. When praying for or personally ministering to the lost, we can insert their own names into the scriptures so the message becomes a personal one for them. i.e.; ‘For God so loved (Michelle) that He gave His only Son’.

Here is the first of the prayers- Psalm 82-

No, the Mormons do not understand, they walk in the darkness. They strive to become gods. Now they say that they will become "like" God. Take a look at Genesis 3. The serpent told Eve that she could become like God too. It is the oldest lie in the Bible. I meet with missionaries on an almost weekly basis in my community. Each one of them tells me that they think they will become "like" God. Like God - being a God, either way it spells destruction. Pray and pray again for these beautiful, lost people.

In an explosion of emotion a former cultist suddenly burst out: "If I had known what I was going to go through in adjusting to Christianity, I never would have left the Mormon Church!"

Her statement should come as no surprise. Over and over again, ex-cultists express the same distress. Whether they are ex-Mormons, ex-Moonies, or ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses, it makes no difference—all former ex-cultists experience the same difficulties. Plagued with intense anxieties and bewildering disorientation, they find themselves hurled into an unexpected world of pain for up to 3 to 8 years after they come to Christ.

To those who have never been in a cult, the problematic transition into Christianity is impossible to comprehend. Why, after they have come to Christ, should ex-cultists have problems at all?

Surprisingly, the former cultist is not the one to ask. This is because while in the midst of their trauma they have no idea why. In a feeble way they can describe their symptoms, but that’s all. Some researchers report that all ex-cultists can do is make such statements as "I never knew such bewilderment, pain, and feeling on the brink of insanity," or "I cried all the time." As they suffer through untold stress for months, even years, after they come to Christ, many former cultists feel they are "cracking up."

New converts grapple with disorientation, religious culture shock; suicidal tendencies; and are tormented with the idea that their cult’s success proves a divine origin. In addition, they are plagued with "what if" questions ("What if Rev. Moon is really the Messiah? . . . What if the Book of Mormon is really true?"), all of which convinces them they should return to the cult.

In addition, they suffer numerous losses such as, the cult’s extra-biblical revelation, their leader’s claim to supernatural contact with God; friendships; community; cult goals; absolute answers; sacred myths, elite status; all of which convinced them they belonged to God’s only true church.

More problematic, they enter a Christian church expecting the pastor to be a substitute for the cult leader and hope to find in the church what they had in the cult. These unforeseen losses effect a critical sense of tragedy as new believers undergo one psychological crisis after another.

Further, they experience anxiety attacks; must deal with the misconceptions of Christians who believe ex-cultists’ problems occur before conversion, not after; hide problems from those working with them, thinking they will be criticized for not overcoming problems sooner; float in and out of altered states; have recurrent nightmares; fear cult retaliation; wonder if it was a mistake to leave the cult; and lay awake at night agonizing over the emotional tug-of-war between their desire to harbor cult beliefs yet embrace Christianity.

They also go through the seven stages of grief, similar to a widow(er) losing a spouse. Hurled into a state of bereavement, they suffer the death of their cult identity, self-image, basic needs, securities, cult leader as father/mother, strong causes, heavenly rewards, and living prophets—all in one fell swoop. It is an intense, turbulent, and critical time.

To add to all this, ex-cultists must, in the midst of their trauma, develop graciousness towards family and friends who do not understand their personal crisis; struggle with an inability to identify their own problems; acquire tolerance for Christians who belittle their former cult membership; persevere in the face of emotional struggles; show bravery in stepping forth into a strange new culture; and continue in the Christian walk when no one seems to understand—not even other believers.

The seriousness of their situation is that until their problems are identified and resolved, they are unable to devote themselves fully to God or their church. If they don’t receive the help and support they need, they will do one of four things:

Perceive the trauma associated with departure from a cult. Acquire a special sensitivity which recognizes that the cultist’s first defecting step causes a severe crisis. The sympathetic Christian can then say to the new convert, "I realize you have given up everything you once held near and dear and you’re going through a difficult trial. But I also recognize that God has led you here. He won’t let you down—neither will I. I’m here for you, and we’ll get through it together."

Remember, the new believer does not understand his own problems. He needs someone to identify and define them for him, and explain why he is going through them.
Don’t leave the new believer to fend for himself. He or she needs a dedicated Christian to stick with him before, as well as after, his conversion. Say to them, "My home is open to you any time of the day or night." This is because problems often become magnified in the dark, and new converts wake up many nights in desperate fear. They need someone they can call upon.

Explain to former cultists that emotional turmoil is normal and that certain stages are necessary for all converts from cults to work through. It takes a long time to give up old beliefs and it won’t happen overnight. Affirm that as traumatic as these various stages are, they will pass, and the truth will eventually set them free.

Working with ex-cultists requires perseverance, dedication, and patience. The emotional problems of these new believers can become so severe that Christian workers may feel like giving up. Paul’s counsel is, therefore, imperative: "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Col. 3:12). This is exactly what it will take when working with former cultists.

If these attributes can be maintained, it will provide a window into the collapsing world of the new believer as he or she struggles to undo cult baggage and overcome personal losses. It will aid in gaining a deeper comprehension into the pain of what it means to be a former cultist and provide insight on how to respond to deeply felt needs.

When Christians can educate themselves about ex-cultists’ post-conversion problems and become committed to this kind of ministry, new converts will gain confidence, acquire stability, and move toward full maturity.

Janis Hutchinson is author of Out of the Cults and Into the Church: Understanding and encouraging ex-cultists). Also, The Mormon Missionaries: An inside look at their real message and methods. Her e-mail is: jhutchinson@juno.com

Jude

I wanted to let you know how grateful I am for you and the ministry of Saints Alive. My life is radically different today because of your faithfulness to serve God in this way.

Almost a year and half ago, I was struggling to find a purpose and peace in my life. In my desperate search for true love and understanding I found myself surrounded by the nicest people- the Mormons. They took me in and they made me feel a part of their family. I almost joined the LDS Church because of this. I even had a baptism date set. But there was something missing…..something I couldn’t figure out because I didn’t know what it was. Psalms 139 says He knows my thoughts from afar off. Even though I didn’t know Him, the Lord knew me and He knew what I needed. The truth of the real Gospel- that Jesus loves me.

Through a series of divine appointments, I somehow miraculously heard about your ministry so I wrote a letter and mailed it not really sure what to expect. A week later, someone from your office called and began to introduce me to the REAL Jesus Christ. He was that missing part of my life. I have never been the same since. Jesus not only saved me, but He healed my broken heart, restored my life but He gave me a love, a peace and a joy that has forever changed who I am.

Not only has your ministry brought me to Jesus, but I also want to thank you for helping me get find my Church and my Pastor – real people where I live. They have shown me His love and helped me to become solid in my faith and to discover that I have a purpose and destiny in Christ.

I am sure that each day brings challenges and struggles and I wanted you to know that I pray for you, your family and your ministry every day. Every time I pray, God speaks to me about you and Saints Alive and I wanted to tell you. I believe that you and your ministry have a special place in His heart and that even though things may be tough sometimes, God is faithful. He has shown me that He has already provided for your needs and that He is sending people who share this vision to help you do what He has called you to do. Be Blessed - Jodie

I found what I was looking for on your website on the subject of Freemasonry. I am almost an ex-Mason and the only reason that I am not yet is that I am an officer in the lodge and have some responsibility for certain monies and have to rid myself of the responsibility first. I will be an ex-Mason within the next 7 to 10 days. Praise the name of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Jim R.

Mr. Decker, Thank you for creating your web site. I am a stay at home mom who believes if someone knocks at my door seeking to share their beliefs with me, it is only right that I invite them in and share the true gospel with them. I spent 18 months witnessing to a JW in KS before our family moved to Kent, WA. Now I have new people at the door, Mormons. I knew little about them, but realize now that I am learning much.

Since I have only met with the Mormons two times, it is my hope that I have not started down the wrong path. I have not allowed them to pray out loud in my home—I do not plan to pray with them until they are truly Christians. I also try to stick to the Bible, and refer them to it often. I show them verses on the Bible as the final authority (God’s word) and verses that state man cannot trust his own heart.

I fear (after witnessing to a JW) that I have a style that is a little forceful rather than loving. (I had to tell the JW that she could no longer say Jesus was Michael in my home—I stated it bluntly—and now sometimes state other things bluntly rather than allowing the person to think for themselves).

I need some witnessing tips and maybe some idea of where to go with these young men. They allow me to say everything I want and have not really even gotten into the book of Mormon. I just had them read verses in the Bible out loud and discussed them. I told them that I cannot accept the book of Mormon as an authority, I do not see Joseph Smith as a true prophet of God. I asked them to prove to me their beliefs. It is possible to prove many things in the Bible (archeology, science, etc.).

What do you think about my style and what I have done so far? Where to go from here? How can I be more loving? Thank you, Dawn

Dear Dawn, I think you are doing just fine. Read Michelle’s article on a Hardness of Heart and go to the website for some of the articles on being an effective witness. Remember that prayer and steady intercession will open doors and break down walls like nothing else and remember too, that these people are victims who must also feel the love of Christ in your ministry to them. Ed

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edecker@nwlink.com