'It’s really tragic': Former members speak out against Columbus church

[@thomashocker2792]

They think they see peoples heart if you disagree. Say your not right with God.

[@JonCardwell-u7u]

They have threatened to make injuries they caused since 2020 worse.

[@Bb23199]

Xenos creepy as hell, OSU doesn’t give af

[@doncook3645]

💯 a cult.

[@santinojozefmiller7721]

I pass by this church on the highway to the Worthington/Lewis Center area. You can find the building and sign behind a bunch of trees.

[@thomashocker2792]

Watch out for the tree jumpers.

[@santinojozefmiller7721]

@@thomashocker2792 what you just said makes sense to me.

[@thomashocker2792]

@@santinojozefmiller7721 tree jumpers are sexual predators. I saw many at fish house, xenos. I knew them personally. Truly a sick group.

[@coastalcomedynetwork3076]

I been said this was a cult since day 1.

[@llcoolsavsmokingacenphil9175]

Bro I used to go there I used too imagine shit like this

[@Proverbspsalms]

Right ! I said that when they started sending me postcards to come. I threw them all away

[@EzekielsCall]

It's not a cult. I went there. I didn't like some of the attitudes and disagreed with a bit of the teaching and one of the leaders of a home group, but they did not abuse or control people. The mischaracterization looks like a targeted attack to me.

[@thomashocker2792]

​@@EzekielsCallbullshit

[@NiceTry469]

I knew quite a bit of people in highschool that went and still attend this church, and wouldn’t you know it, they all married within their little circle. I’ve heard tons of things about this church that are disturbing to say the least

[@JennySieck]

Finally! 👍

[@onwednesdayswewearpink2761]

The evil resides at The Very Top and filters down to the leaders who inflict the abusive control

[@EzekielsCall]

I went there for years and never experienced "abuse" or "control" It is possible that there have been leaders who did abuse their position maybe at the college level or something, but the main church was not abusing and controlling people. If you don't like the church, leave. I left because I did not agree with some of the attitudes, and some of the teaching. No one tried to stop me. No one ever told me I could not be around my own family members or discouraged me from doing that. No one ever abused me in any way. No one abused anyone I know who still attends there in any way. If you have trouble with a so called leader or ministry person, TALK TO THE PASTORS about it. SMH

[@bobbylabony4398]

Lets go! So happy to see this evil place get exposed for what it really is. Most involved are just a pawn in a chess game, but dennis is the real mastermind.

[@onwednesdayswewearpink2761]

he is chillingly evil.

[@Svnnyd999]

i was there for 10 years, i started when i was 8

[@thomashocker2792]

Me two when I was 21

[@JonSmith-zl5wc]

This is what you get with a name like that

[@azmgbbb]

This really just seemed like “salty” people trying to get revenge or lift up their own church. So far, it’s not really a news story.

[@itscharliebee2307]

It honestly goes a lot deeper than this. I will say there are definitely some situations where people are just being salty…however, I grew up in this “church” and there was so much messed up crap that happened, and still happens. They didn’t really talk much about the ministry houses but they are single family homes that sometimes only have 1-2 bathrooms that they shove 13 young adult. A lot of which are fresh out of HighSchool. Because that’s the expectation. After you graduate you are supposed to live in one of these houses otherwise people literally look down on you. Not to mention they overcharge the kids staying there. They also take up so much of your time, you have to live in their houses, go to Sunday church, home church, CT, house meetings. It’s at least 3 of your nights a week dedicated to this. And if you aren’t meeting those expectations then they tell you that you need to prioritize your life better. They told one of my friends to just stop coming because he could only make it 1-2 nights a week because of work and couldn’t live in the houses. When I was a small child my parents were both in the church as well. At one point my mom and dad were talking with a group of people at church and my mom corrected my dad on something(something completely ordinary and mundane like he said Tuesday instead of Wednesday or something) and afterwards a group of men confronted her and told her that she should never talk to her husbands like that and that she should remember the order of the household is God, your husband, your child, and you’re at the bottom. A whole bunch of crap happened while I was attending their schools as well as some horrible things they did to my father but I won’t dump it all here. I just wanted to share a bit, not looking for revenge, I will never be able to attend a church again after all I went through with Xenos. So I’m not trying to share another church either. I just hate what they do to specifically young teens and young adults and people should at least be aware going into it if they choose to attend. I wish this news piece would actually dig deeper… Sorry for how long this response was.

[@EzekielsCall]

I agree. I went to xenos, and while I know there have been problems here and there, it is not the abusive cult like place people are claiming. I do believe they should have adults running ministry houses though.. the college ministry seems to be where problems crop up more. People calling this church "evil" and creepy are over the top. I did not agree with some attitudes I came across from INDIVIDUALS , and I did not agree with the fact they relegated gifts of the Spirit to a special "servant team" meeting, and I did not agree with how they handled it when someone boasted about supporting their gay friend at a pride parade, but I never saw any cult like behaviors, abuse etc. I did not agree with some of the things they did , but this to me is a HUGE mischaracterization. I have said it multiple times here, that problems have come up and alleged scandals, usually In the college ministry. I think they need ADULTS watching over these ministry houses. But when there are problems they should be reported to the main campus Pastors.

[@thomashocker2792]

You have no idea, the stuff I experienced their was worsening every year. Sex scandals in leadership, all.kinds of crazy. Even murder investigations by FBI.

[@wendigowithwifi8494]

I've been saying this was a cult literally day one but no people definitely didn't wanna listen til it was too late.

[@buttpaste]

It works that quickly?

[@Proverbspsalms]

Me too

[@HavingCoffieWithMrSatan]

Mr satan REEEEE , my kind of place to Worship the Dwell.

[@eckman617]

I’m apart of this “cult” but yes for sure!! Cult’s definitely ask you to leave if ur being stupid def don’t try and keep u

[@Paulpoission]

What xenos?

[@Proverbspsalms]

@@Paulpoission they aggravated me sending me those post cards. I’d never have set foot in there

[@thomashocker2792]

@@Proverbspsalms they sent me hate mail.

[@Proverbspsalms]

@@thomashocker2792 oh no. Is that place still open?

[@EzekielsCall]

@@thomashocker2792 Who EXACTLY did? Maybe an individual did, but no way I would believe the Pastors did You should have reported it to the Pastors. The fact that some individuals find their way into positions of leadership ie ministry houses, home groups etc that shouldn't be there and are not mature Christians is no reason to call a place a cult or make claims of :"emotional abuse" I have yet to hear anything specific regarding the alleged "exploitation" mentioned in the "news" Hit piece.

[@kidof70s]

Seems like a little fuss over a non story. Some folks got there feelings hurt. Who hasn't had there feelings hurt? We all know that sucks. The ministry houses that are occupied by young, inexperienced Adults are messy and too many people want to live there. Their neighbors hate them because they are inconsiderate. Nothing surprising. Some people complain because they are to strict. Some people complain because they are not strict enough. Another complaint is that there are multiple study groups each week and that demands too much time. Compared to what? Consider for a moment the demands of the average sports team. The amount of discipline and monetary investment that is expected, and no one bats an eye. But what is at stake for all that?... This weeks game?! But here you have a church group unselfishly giving their time to each other and the surrounding community and what is to be gained or lost?...Their Souls! It's a relief that none of the leadership in this investigation is being accused of sexual misconduct or financial misappropriation. That would be a real story worthy of the negative attention and be a red flag of cultist activity. This Church group is no more of a cult than your childs sport team. In fact Dwell / Xenos is probably less of a cult than your childs sports team is.

[@brittknipp]

ALL OF THIS 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@onwednesdayswewearpink2761]

no it not being mean or hurting feelings It is a planned highly controlling environment. As they guilt you into 100% of your time and try to cut you off from your support system, leaving is a very painful experience. This is not a few members... you submit your entire heart and life or are shunned

[@kidof70s]

@@onwednesdayswewearpink2761 Odds are with a group that size there may be some regulars with emotional or developmental problems. Case in point @OnWednesdays WeWearPink

[@thomashocker2792]

You're another sycophant.

[@EzekielsCall]

Multiple study groups a week for college kids who need to study for their classes is too much. I do feel bad for people living in ministry houses because that is usually where the problems and even a few scandals have come up. They need ADULTS watching over/managing ministry houses. Also, I get that they want to ensure no hanky panky goes on in the ministry house, but it is CONTROLLING when you tell people they have to be in by a certain hour. I would not live in a ministry house if you paid me. God never told us to control one another. He told us if we catch a brother in a sin, to admonish them. I have to say that very likely the "control" aspect is over the top and should not be happening. Yes, I get that a guy should not have a girl alone in their room with them, that makes sense, but the controlling what hour they come in, and forcing them to do 2 studies a week etc is over the top. Maybe the ministry house thing is a bad idea.

[@llcoolsavsmokingacenphil9175]

I went here it’s scary because I lived around the corner and shit scary when you really think abt it I left when they thought they was fin change me I grew I Christian but I was only going to hoop shit is crazy they try to peer pressure heavyyy I should make a yt video

[@EzekielsCall]

Xenos is not a cult. I don't agree with everything that has gone on there, but they are absolutely not a cult. I don't agree with all their teachings either, or how they handle things, but to call it a cult, or to act like it is "creepy" etc is over the top.

[@thomashocker2792]

It's a hyper growth cult church, they are lopsided theology, barnyard theology is what leaders are all about.

[@thomashocker2792]

Wrong, it operates just like a cult group. Scaling the language barrier a chapter in kingdom of the cults by Walter Martin explains these details. I was there for over 12 years in 80,s.