Episode 198: Gothard's Girls- Charis Barker's Experience as a Survivor

As a 16 year old girl, Charis Barker had no idea that her world was about to change forever. As an obedient daughter of followers of Gothard, she dreamed of one day sitting at the feet of him. Her wish came true and, to her surprise, Gothard singled her out and called her on stage. He told her that she had "bright eyes," a term of endearment that he used to let someone know that they were "godly." He urged her later that night to leave with him to work for him back at Headquarters in Chicago.
Charis and her parents decided she would finish high school then she would go. As a 17 year old, she left home for Chicago and worked directly for Gothard. The abuse began immediately. In this episode, Charis talks about different ways Gothard abused her, how she learned of other victims, and how they banded together to expose the evils of this man.
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Intro--
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[@miltonperry9135]

When I was a young pastor, a fellow pastor invited me to a One Day Bill Gothard Pastor's seminar. It was the most bizarre set of teachings that I had ever heard. I immediately recognized it as a cult. But I will never forget the devotion of those attendees and them spending thousands of dollars on his books full of heresy. Even then, I knew it was all lies. I am so sorry for all that you had to go through at the hands of that monster,

[@nothingworksworks3511]

Interesting when it's so obvious to some, when others are "all in" w what logically appears insane & manipulative.

[@tamikafowlers6068]

I think some are predisposed to accept this.

[@smiller6925]

My name question and concern about Gothard was that he cherry picked tiny bits of the Bible

[@lightningbug276]

My husband and I were newly married . We bought into it hook, line, and sinker. It was the ruination of our marriage. Thankfully, we got out of the IBLP and our kids turned out happy and well-adjusted.

[@irisblue2332]

@@lightningbug276 If you feel comfortable sharing, I'd be interested in hearing more of your story. Do you remember what it was that you found so compelling about it? How long were you in? How did you come to leave it?

[@starlingswallow]

One of the WORST tactics abusers/manipulators use is this: We were taught as kids to respect our elders AND to be polite to others. I was taught, in a way, to be polite which meant ignoring my gut. The thought of saying to someone "that is making me uncomfortable, please stop" meant pointing out something _they_ were doing was making me uncomfortable and that made me uncomfortable because I didn't want to make anyone feel bad or embarrassed! This issue in me put me in a LOT of bad situations. I am still, at 41, learning how to be polite but still stating my boundaries. It's HARD. These people bank on YOU not sticking up for yourself out of fear of offending them. It makes me so angry and upset. 😞😣😠 I'm re-reading the book, "Boundaries"!

[@Dulcimertunes]

Excellent book

[@bethanyolinger1943]

Same! I was in compromising situations because I was taught to be polite, and that I was inferior to men. The ironic thing is, my dad didn't end up protecting me as the umbrella of authority.

[@lisak5804]

I could have written this myself. I'm 48 it's still hard not to fall into the old ways...it's a struggle every day

[@StevenMassicotte]

This comment is gold.

[@lisak5804]

Omg yes....still recovering at 48

[@dawnpijanowski8869]

I give Jill and Derek credit for standing up as it takes a lot of bravery to do that. The family and those in the IBLP lashing out against Jill and Derek don't want to look at the fact they have been indoctrinated and it scared them. Those who weren't violated by Josh or other sex offenders won't take a long hard look at the reality of the damage it causes a child. The adults of the children in the IBLP choose to ignore truth. When men or the boys are looked at like a god, it protects abusers. Exposing truth is not gossip. You can see Jill is still hurting deep within her. It wasn't and isn't easy for Jill and Derek to expose the lies the IBLP. It is sickening Jim Bob and Michelle didn't take their daughters for professional counseling. Protecting Josh is more important. The Duggar girls don't feel like they count nor matter by their parents or those within the IBLP that they were violated because women and girls are looked at as baby makers who adore their husbands and fathers in that church. I give Derek props for getting a college degree so he does what a man should do to provide for his family. Keep exposing the truth Katie Joy!

[@shay7793]

What a brave woman. Thank you for sharing your story. My heart goes out to you and all the survivors 🙏🏼❤️‍🩹

[@cnwolford]

It is always concerning when someone views a bible “teacher” aka wolf like Gothard, as a prophet. Gothard trying to blame victims as the ones to provoke and invite the abuse is his sick and twisted way to get away with his abusive behavior. I pray for all of the victims and that Gothard get put in prison for life for his crimes!

[@Dulcimertunes]

He got that idea from Islam

[@merricat3025]

​@Dulcimertunes and Joe Smith etc.

[@RenaHobbsphotography]

The part Charis where you talk about your gut... AMEN. I had an off feeling just before something happened to me. But I ignored it. Ever since then, I have NEVER ignored that feeling. There has been a few times I have not had it confirmed. But I will never NOT listen to it.

[@johntobey1558]

Your guest is a very, very brave women . Bravo.

[@smiller6925]

We went to a few Gothard seminars. So grateful to have remained on the fringes and then drifted away.

[@darrenlawson4909]

That gut feeling is so accurate because it's your subconscious picking up on subtle clues and behaviors that you might not be able to admit to yourselves openly. Always trust it.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Thank you for sharing your story. I remember reading the article responding to IBLPs statement and it was 100% on point. The more they continue to deny the more it will be exposed that they are frauds. -Dee

[@farfromhomeDotnet]

Thank you Charis for sharing your story. I am sorry for the pain and suffering you went through at the hands of this NOT man of God. Your strength and courage are evident and most of all your dependance on God is so evident. May God continue to bring deep healing and growth in your spirit.

[@nowyouknowrealestate5703]

“This makes insanity look sane”!!! Yes, yes it does.

[@shopsshire9282]

I've seen a picture on several KZbin videos and online . It is a picture of Bill gothard sitting in a wicker chair with one of those tall backs like a throne and there is half-circle of young girls arranged around the share like they are girls in Gothard's harem.

[@markrenton1093]

I have seen that too it looked bizarre.

[@fraukeschmidt8364]

Thanks for exposing the darkness of this man. Sadly, for others it didn't come in time, e.g. Zachariah whatshisame. He died and then it all came out. I really liked to listen to him. 😢

[@AlexKomnenos]

I think you mean Ravi Zacharias. Yeah you’re right. It’s a tragic thing that he led such a double life

[@brambleberryhollow7065]

Thank you for sharing your experience and the lessons of wisdom.

[@scottwatkins2671]

Peace be with you, my friend. ❤️

[@cj2507]

Thank you. Psalm 146.

[@Tj-TrustJESUS]

I am TRULY sorry for your physical & spiritual abuse from this Occult. The layers upon layers of lies. As the LORD leads continue to share as you never know who you are reaching!! May you continue on your healing journey!

[@matthewturner4719]

I remember you, Charis. I also remember your brother and sister when we were all in ATI.

[@laurafleming6938]

Thank you Charis.

[@fleetsma5119]

What a great interview. So thankful Charis was able to get out. I'm curious, as I didn't hear it spoken about, but is she still in touch with her parents?

[@jnbmd]

I sovereignly "stumbled" across this interview and am sharing it with others. I was influenced by Gothardism for many years. Thankyou for your program and for brave young woman like Charis who are willing to share their story.

[@Dulcimertunes]

What these women suffered was definitely persecution and God will reward them accordingly ✝️

[@fredmckinney8933]

I too don't think Billy-Bob Gothard is saved. I do hope and pray he repents before it's everlasting too late.

[@RenaHobbsphotography]

He is WAY WAY WAY past the point of no return.

[@fredmckinney8933]

@@RenaHobbsphotography Sadly, I would have to likely agree. At the rate he's going, it would suck more than anything else that has ever sucked to be him when he meets the Lord.

[@Disciple-ofChrist]

​@@RenaHobbsphotography Maybe, but that isn't for us to decide. We don't know if he has the capability to truly repent.

[@merricat3025]

Most of the televangelist, follow me type are nothing but con artists; probably sociopaths.

[@itsemeinin]

Omg she’s talking about honor killings! The sentiment is the same even if they only “prayed” for her sister’s death.

[@Docante1]

So why has Gothard himself never married and had no children?

[@marydlutes1792]

Cuz he's a Freak.

[@merricat3025]

Because marrying 17 year old wouldn't look good, plus if he married young woman, they don't stay that young forever

[@katonnawolfe7231]

Nothing like someone not married and childless to make a whole "curriculum" on marriage and parenting🙄

[@rubyfretwell7080]

The women who "showed up" prayed for these women. They prayed mister!

[@user-db5rd4fb6z]

You newer had rebellion as teenager, you got it now.🙂

[@savannahcarty6568]

Horribly evil that they'd pray for the death of someone.

[@lindageorge8209]

Eek! 23 minutes is all I can do... but that's okay.

[@Boonemyster]

Why isn’t this bastard in prison?

[@stevenfromer3816]

How horribly creepy very un-Godly

[@bemoguy]

Wow! He was almost "subliminally gas lighting ", you, by playing footsie with you!! Can you say, "foot fetish"? "Yuck! 🤮🤮🤮😢

[@darrellmortensen9805]

We used to know a family in our neighboehood who followed this cult. The husband had a porn addiction. The wife n husband had the filthiest rented home ive ever seen. She seened to always be pregnant. She kept having so called miscarriages almost 10 times a year. I always thought she was secretly on the pill from him. They had 6 boys. 3 with downs syndrom. He wouldnt work. Even before they had kids. Relied on their extended family for everything. Eventually the family got covid. They all where very heavy n diabetic except for the wife. She was just chubby. During covid the husband n 2 boys with downs all adult now died. Their parents all died off within the last 5 years of older people health stuff. Two semi normal kids had moved out n married. Had a child per year. The adult kids wouldnt work either. No education beyind high school. No job skills. Shes now lost the rental home. The adult with downs now in a adult foster care home. The moms now homeless n refuses to work. She was a wife n a mom with grNdkids now. People owe her because shes a widow who had zero life insurance. She bounces every month from one family members couch to another. Sad. Very sad. Were christian and theyd taunt us when wed walk the neighborhood because my wife worked part time and is a college graduate. I finally told him to man up. Those who dont work dont eat. He laugh n laugh in a creepy way. Their parents where flat broke when they died leaving them nothing.

[@darrenlawson4909]

People come to the realization much easier when it's someone living in their own time twisting the context of scriptures but a much harder truth to come to is that these twisting has gone on over and over again throughout the centuries and the original text itself is so altered and flawed that even if it started as God's true word which is a ridiculous concept from the start,but even if it did, it's been so twisted by now that trying to live the Bible to please God is a silly,non realistic concept.

[@Possum770]

Yes go to work , drop the kiddie's off at day care and let a stranger raise them . Good job Christian mom . Gothard was and is right on . If its not for you if you don't like it. Simple wall away . But don't go on the you tube and give a testimony how bad a Gody Man Bill Gothard is. Shame on you .

[@kimalonzo3363]

Do you know that 30+ women have accused him of sexual abuse? Is that godly?

[@Dulcimertunes]

Denial is not a River in Egypt🙄

[@Possum770]

@@kimalonzo3363 yes I know More than you. It's true , but was it true no . Look at the court records. Under oath they dropped like flies . Some even admitting it was made up . Know what you are talking about before you accuse a good man .

[@echeagle992]

He was sexually abusive! It's not just "not for her," he is clearly a hypocrite and false teacher.

[@LaurenHofferber]

Sir, I pray your eyes become open.