Why I Left the Amish [short version]

Here is a shorter version of my testimony so it is easier to share and minister with. Thanks for watching.
[e-mail]
Long version is here;
• Why I Left the Amish

[@tjimmy71]

Thanks for sharing your heart! That was quite a journey. I’m thankful you heard Charles Stanley and understood the truth of the Gospel and found a home in Idaho. Keep telling your story. You are blessing many people

[@FreyjaHighUpNorse]

Wow! Your kind of honesty takes a lot of courage! Respect! ✌🏻

[@joanrichter4718]

Your long version of your testament is extremely interesting and by no means boring. Please don’t think that. You’re doing a great job.

[@ruthhamilton4882]

I just found your channel last evening. You are making a difference in a way you would not have been able to accomplish in the Amish community. My beliefs echo yours, I also left a religion where I could never be "good enough". John 3.16.

[@joshuayoder8820]

Amish is not a religion it's a way of life

[@nasimagdam2723]

What religion was that?

[@nasimagdam2723]

and what does this mean? "You are making a difference in a way you would not have been able to accomplish in the Amish community" the fact that he never felt good enough probably had more to do with him being 1 of 11 children and feeling abandoned. maybe its the devil telling you people to leave your churches....

[@MyBelgianAzzy]

I just found your channel by accident, but I'm certain I was meant to. I'm really, really struggling... but felt the sincerity at the end of the video, when you encouraged us to find Christ. Thank you for taking the time and having the courage to get on here to share your story and your love.

[@theamishpotato]

Yes look to Christ! I will be praying for you. Thank you for watching!

[@babettethompson3820]

You are a gift from God. Thank you for your testimony, it helped me in my walk.

[@kyrieteleison3009]

What a refreshing testimony. I wish you would shoot a video to say how you ended up in the church that you are in now. Like a video on the progression of your walk with God. Thanks for being open about your life. I know that wasn't easy!!

[@theamishpotato]

I will add it to the list.

[@jamescady723]

Thank you for your testimony. I really needed to hear this today. May God continue to bless you, brother.

[@kathiemartinez4811]

Beautiful testimony. Praise the Lord for He is good All the Time!

[@katieodonnell6754]

Thank you! That was powerful.

[@terryseymour2568]

Thank you for sharing. God bless you.

[@rickgibson4641]

Thank you for sharing your testimony. I’m so happy that you found light at the end of that long struggle. I live fairly close to the part of Indiana you grew up in , about an hour away. I’ve visited there several times and always enjoyed it as an occasional day trip.

[@SantaFe19484]

Awesome testimony!

[@artwebsitebuilder9844]

What a beautiful testimony, CJ. God bless you and your family greatly!

[@SEXINUNOIT]

Wonderful Testimony! THANK YOU !

[@49685sb]

Wow! Congratulations! Well done. God bless you and your family.

[@samanthasurovec4639]

Thank you for sharing something that must have been extremely painful for you to go through. So glad you followed the path that lead to a rewarding and fulfilled life.

[@georgianative5735]

Powerful testimony! God bless you & your family

[@carolynrains75]

Thank you. It has blessed me to hear your testimony of the living Christ in you. I pray others will listen to the Holy Spirit. Happy Easter❣️🙏🏻❣️

[@1Melody1963]

Hello from North Carolina. Your testimony is very uplifting and encouraging. Thank you for being so brave and honest and sharing from your heart. And for shining God’s light. Melody B in NC

[@CrochetEveryDayWithJudy]

I just found your channel, and I'm so glad I did. Thank you for telling your salvation story. We believers in Christ are to build each other up, not tear down as those who don't believe want to do. I look forward to watching all the videos you post. 💖🤗

[@joannekerr3]

So happy you are still here with us, I have felt the same suicidal feelings and the only thing that made me cling to life was my family as well. Bless you friend 💕

[@wolfpack1222]

I just found your channel. No I'm not a Amish. I was curious about Amish life then came across your video. You open my eyes about my own life, so, Thank You. I was told by many people in the church that the KJ bible was the only way, but I couldn't understand the words. I was told never use the other translated versions. Thank You for the verification about the different books. I am also the J personality as you. I just looked that personality test up the other day and you mentioned it. To me means God had a purpose for me finding your video. Thanks again for posting your experience. God Bless you and your wife.

[@airamuriarte6357]

You have a very gentle personality. I actually feel peace as I hear you speak. Thank you for sharing. God bless you my brother.

[@lkmsl]

Wow, I could listen to you all day !!!! It looks like you made all the right decisions.

[@carolinagurl22]

Your testimony brought tears to my eyes. I’m so glad you kept searching and didn’t give up. God really does work in mysterious ways. Bless you and your family. PS: I love listening to Charles Stanley.

[@debralpateart8862]

Thank you. CJ you are a great young man and I am so thankful that God lifted you up. Congratulations on finding love and having two children, what huge blessings! God bless you all ❤️ ~Debra from Michigan.

[@sambo179]

My mother is from Kendallville, I've been through that part of the world that you're from. My grandfather wanted me to see how the Amish lived so we looked at farms, I saw buggies on highways and it was definitely not something we see in East Texas. We have farms but we love tractors and trucks. Spent a week as a kid riding around with some cousins and my grandparents visiting people and looking at stuff. Saw the Touchdown Jesus and the stadium at Notre Dame. I liked Indiana a lot. They LOVE basketball there, first time I saw a goal in a church fellowship hall and played with my cousins during some family gathering there. Cool and informative stuff man. Breaking free from some family trends is ok. You have faith and I believe that is good enough.

[@joniangelsrreal6262]

Hello Beautiful One……”Happy early Easter’… I So enjoy your raw truth… know this is the journey God wants you to tell…… perfection . Proof God had larger dreams for you… Praise Jesus you followed HIS bigger plan…!

[@darrelldowd563]

Love your testimony .... Appreciate you brother ... We have a large Amish population around us ... I have been burdened for reaching them with the word ... Again THANK you my brother

[@kathypatterson4630]

Sound is MUCh better today. Thank you!

[@TheJessiepacheco1992]

Much respect for your strength and trust in the lord from sunnyside Washington

[@theamishpotato]

Oh hi! I cruise by there every week with a truck

[@annarenfroe2943]

Wow! Thanks for sharing.

[@journeyhawk1728]

Happy Easter!

[@kathleendepietro3043]

I love your page.

[@RobinRobertson]

I too, have abandonment issues and rejection issues and have all my life. I am almost 49 yrs old and still deal with it. My mom just up & left when I was about 6 months old. I have been (subconsciously) seeking a mothers love my whole life and never finding it. Its a terrible way to feel. So i just wanted to say I so totally understand where you're coming from. I believe God was talking to you when you started wanting to be non amish. How sad is it that you mustve went through such turmoil longing for Christ and not being able to be your true authentic self. So glad you were able to break free. How freeing that must have been for you. ✌

[@catherinepulis6839]

Wow.Happy Easter.I watch your videos from Malta.I watch how Amish live and what agriculture tools they use.We are Catholic baptized when young and hear Mass on Sunday.I don't know if there do the same although I have to say that even here a small country is changing it's habits.Thanks for your videos.🇲🇹

[@Gchupp]

Incredible Incredible story. 🙏👍

[@houndherder6982]

Praise the Lord that you were able to comprehend the true gospel of Jesus Christ. We are all sinners saved only by His grace and no works could ever accomplish what He did for us on Calvary. So happy you are in the family of God!

[@sugarloaf10]

Thanks for sharing your testimony, although as a mom of twins, I definitely worry about my older child before the twins feeling abandoned. Twins are a blessing but man challenging as a parent. Thankfully I have a very involved husband with flexibility in his work schedules so he is home often. Together we do our best.

[@ozarks_onna]

Great video!

[@theamishpotato]

Thank you

[@heatherclayton-callaghan4270]

Thankyou for your openess. I understand from an adults perspective what abandonment did to you. I'm so glad you came to understand the root cause of your dysfunction and are working it all through. I raised my daughter & son in a born again Christian church. My marriage was abusive. I didn't meet Jesus & repent & be born again until my daughter was a year old. God released me from that marriage when kids were 16 & 14. Skip ahead to them 27 & 25 . Daughter was married had 2 kids were following Jesus. Son went in opposite direction ...rebellion, smoking, drinking, light drugs, highs n lows, had a son @ 21 to a Gold digger, a user and abuser, socially mentally practically inept, from the ungodly side of life, they had no committed relationship it was a bed of iniquity, on & off constantly, very unstable etc etc she got pregnant to force Dave into marrying her, but we said no, then she booked an abortion, which I talked her out of. She already had a son who was 3yrs 7mths old when my grson was born(April2002). By Feb 17 2004 I spent all night talking her into not dumping the boys & running off to the big city to prostitution or suicide. I talked her into seeking help at a place she had been a few times for mental health issues. They were able to take her in for a few mths to try help sort her alcoholism and drug use and (alleged) abusive upbringing. She signed my grson into my care and the other boy to his biological dad who was in shared custody arrangements by then. Long story short there.... she was in there for 3-4ys , I raised my grson with his Dad . She fought thru the courts to have access to my grson at the mental home ... there were big problems already with this kids development that I could see. My son moved on and found a girlfriend who was also a wee bit messed up but was younger and not drugs or alcoholic. Upbringing was dysfunctional but not abusive. She adored both my son & grson. Cos of the highs n lows of my son that relationship was rocky also. At 5 my son had a major head injury ... fell at a friend's house , off a bike onto concrete, hitting head, was unconscious all the way to the hospital, had a skullcfravture and large blows clot on the brain.... now even tho God didn't take him then I believe there was damage that scared these mood swings etc as an adult and the illegal drugs made it worse. ANYWAY before midnight on Fri 5 Jan 2007 my son suicide on his house by himself by hanging. His gf had already moved back to TASSIE so my grson lost his Dad, his to be stepmum, and of course his biological mother had already ABANDONED HIM. End of story. Hence I understand abandonment issues.... fast toward to grson reached adulthood April last year and had been missing with all sorts of demonic things. He still is. He wss 18 and an adult ladt yr here in Australia but he's 19 this mth on the 16th ....19 going on 13 !!!! Into everything new age jesus religion... heart breaking as a Nan..... I pray he will come back to Jesus soon, he needs healing from his abandonment issues which I believe are the root cause of his negative choices. To make matters worse he has chosen to live with his birth mother who is a raging alcoholic now. She doesn't charge him rent , he has no job or money, and he despises her but is using her as he has no where else to live. It's devastating watching a child go down the path of temptation to the gates of hell. Thankyou for sharing your life journey here on YT, I am watching and learning & rejoicing at ypu & your cousin leaving the Amish cult and finding JESUS CHRIST as your personal Lord and Saviour, Hallelujah 👏👏👏👏it's very encouraging. And a blessing to share in your new life in Christ. 🙏💞🙏💞🙏💞🙏💞 I love that you didn't give up hope or the pursuit of finding GOD 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 I'm glad you found a wife helpmate and have children & pray you will all grow in JESUS. A question that only needs an answer if you're comfortable with giving it Was your wife ever Amish ? I'm thinking not but am unsure, I'm thinking you were both born again Christians upon meeting ??? Thankyou so very much and I pray your Easter was as blessed as mine, Amen. 🙏🙏Glory to God. He is good. 💞👏💞👏💞

[@pegg38]

Very happy for you, Amish Potato. Assurance of Salvation is a blessing from God. Galatians 5:1. I said a prayer for the VP of Jayco in Indiana. Seems like a good guy to take the time to have breakfast with you and give you good advice. A good worker too. Idaho, a good place for an Amish Potato. Romans 4:25. ……..conjunction Junction what’s your function……and raised for my acquittal. Beautiful 😍

[@denisethorbjornsen7493]

God bless you I'm glad that you know Jesus Christ and that you found forgiveness salvation and the new life but remember we're in the world but not of the world

[@markeholbrook]

Thanks for your story! subscribed! I'm Southern Baptist, I met a girl that was 17 at the time in the church. We got married in 1981. We were divorced in 1991. I had 3 sons I never remarried, or had any other female friends. Only one of my sons have children, so much destruction, the brothers hate each other, I sometimes do things with my Ex-wife, but corvid has stopped that for around 2 years. But we went to one County fair with the 2 grandkids this year. I wish I could quit stop loving her, but I need to.

[@theamishpotato]

It must be hard. Don’t let covid stop you from potentially getting back with your wife.

[@denisethorbjornsen7493]

It's hard when you choose to have your own life outside of your community but I'm sure you found other people of the Christian faith who are now your community but the pain you feel of disappointing your parents will subside eventually it just takes time

[@irene3940]

We all fall short of the glory of God , only God is the Judge of everyone, God knows everyone heart, The truth does set us free, to repentance ,

[@StCausesARuckus]

11 siblings 😳 There were five of us (all girls), I was the youngest and it was rough! Unfortunately for my father, we only had one bathroom. He had to wake up for work at 2:30 a.m just to get in the bathroom. I can't imagine having to deal with 6 more!

[@theamishpotato]

Your poor dad😋. We had 2 bathrooms and the girls spread out in a 25 year span.

[@joewengerd7263]

I'm almost at the 84 86 split,headed west. I'll wave when I pass thru..)

[@theamishpotato]

Safe driving! I waved back, but youre probably past Boise already and didn’t see it. 😋

[@theamishpotato]

Driving truck?

[@joewengerd7263]

Sorry ,I just saw your reply. Yea In a truck. Lol,I waved by twin falls tho. I live in western mt, there is a small amish group there from middlebury/ship area. The yoders and hochstettlers.

[@theamishpotato]

@@joewengerd7263 I’ve heard of them. I drive truck as well. From here to Portland to Seattle and home. 3 days a week. Maybe we have passed by each other.

[@joewengerd7263]

I imagined you were a potato farmer😀 I just had supper with a trucker brother of mine at the stage stop,this is camp spot for tonight. Safe travels for you,God bless

[@pkmetzger]

Amen.

[@MadebyMe3]

♥️♥️♥️

[@denisesnyder6241]

Are you the only child that has left the Amish from your family? Thanks for sharing..very interesting. Do you keep in contact with your family?

[@theamishpotato]

I have one other brother who has left.

[@jenniferrock1585]

again he is brave & comes from a brood/ pack of wolves. difficult. I have?experienced that insecurity due to lack of enough attention. a?lifelong challemge

[@ginasantos1219]

Me likey

[@randyd9805]

Are all Amish pretty much legalistic in their view of salvation? I've listened to a few others who have left the Amish and they give similar stories. So far the Mennonites have given what I think are clear testimonies of genuine salvation and don't rely on their good works or human righteousness for their salvation. This is the second video of yours that I've listened to and will listen to more. I'm so glad you got out of the Amish and got truly converted to salvation that is only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He alone did for us on the cross. For anyone reading this, you can NEVER be good enough to deserve the free gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ. God will only save you because of what Christ did for us on the cross in the shedding of His innocent and sinless blood for our sins. You cannot save yourself by your good works nor do your good works help to save you whatsoever. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." If you want to absolutely guarantee a place in hell, try your very best to work your way to heaven! Salvation is a gift to be received by grace through faith, not a reward we earn by our good works. See Ephesians 2:8,9 and Titus 3:5,6 To "call upon the name of the Lord" means that you are asking God to forgive your sins and give you eternal life on the sole basis of what His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ did for you on the cross. God will never forgive even a single sin for any other reason. It is either ALL of grace or you don't get eternal life at all.

[@theamishpotato]

Yes all Amish are legalistic in there view of salvation that I’m aware of. Expect for a group in Montana but they don’t look Amish anymore. Check out one of their channels called Montana Haven. Very well written salvation message!

[@rjthomasindyusa]

As a Christian looking in from the outside it seems like the Amish have tapped into something that typical Christian denominations are lacking such as community, healthcare and the benefits of being a farming community. It seams like a preppers dream. lol What do you miss about the Amish Church? What attributes of the Amish would you like to see your local church community take on? Thanks!

[@theamishpotato]

That. Community, helping each other, the support. I miss that the most. I’ve been hoping to get that stronger in our church but everybody just kind gives me the blank stare😂.

[@joshuayoder8820]

So how long were you actually a member of the Amish church

[@theamishpotato]

Only about 8 months.

[@annaskele628]

Are Hutterites same as Amish?

[@theamishpotato]

They are not but they are both from the anabaptist movement.

[@apollo_45s21]

So what denomination are you now?

[@theamishpotato]

Non denomination

[@jimbosvidbits6166]

I think the Amish are sort of ok and cool and respect their way of life and living even tho there are differences between the Amish communities around the country but I think they are too controlling in a lot of ways and I really think they need to keep up with the ways of modern times and progress. They seem to me to be living in hardship backward backwoods ways distressing themselves when they should be striving to better themselves and freedom of choices.

[@FacelessJanus]

Maybe, you can explain something in context of the Amish. You married a woman, who had 3 children already. So, as you have not explained, I am assuming a lot and hope you are not offended by it, your wife must have been divorced. How do the Amish in general look at that. You marrying a divorced woman with 3 children ?? (I am not judging you here, just trying to figure out how the Amish look to that, or see that.) Imho, as far as I can tell you are happy, and your wife and children are Christian, just like you are. And I think it is Hannah, who is sometimes on your channel with the Q&A, she clearly shows, that you are a loved step-dad. So it to me it seems you are a happy family, which I think is great. Sorry if I am too curious, and in all truth it is absolutely none of my business.

[@theamishpotato]

Haha you’re fine. It’s funny you ask. My wife was actually never married. She definitely lived a hard life before we met, in and out of abusive relationships. Amish think it is very wrong to get married to someone else after divorce or to marry someone who has been divorced. It’s one of those sins that will probably send you to hell. Pretty much everybody in my community thinks I married a divorced women. They just assume she was previously married and definitely look down on me for that. I have repeatedly told some family and friends that she was never married but they think I’m lieing🤷🏻‍♂️. It used to hurt that they judge me so easily but I have come to the point where I just smile on the inside because they are getting it very wrong. God knows the truth. It is all that matters.

[@jenniferrock1585]

pss his eyes look a bit sad

[@brianmaxei8898]

Hello I'm Brian from St Louis Missouri I'm listening to you brother and almost hearing something I'm very familiar with sometimes in life you think ok this is it and it's not you can't change who you are but it sounds like you might be gay and are having trouble facing it or embracing it you lived with a dude for 8 years look at that you can't forge what isn't thire do some soul searching you won't find peace until you find yourself brother the church ain't the answer if you want to talk hit me back brother thanks Brian maxey from St Louis Missouri

[@gilbertringer-ck2my]

Does any body notice the patern of these half ass religens the twisted abouse,god is enough my hart goes out to the ones lost or loosing their inosence

[@joshuayoder8820]

Then you left so tell them truth

[@theamishpotato]

Not sure what you mean. I did share the truth.

[@freightshayker]

Friend. You don't come to faith in Lord Jesus by joining the Amish "church." You come to Lord Jesus by joining His church. There are no denominations so-to-speak in God's church. There is simply the way of holiness. And we who are born again of water and Spirit are grafted into the Jewish faith if you will. Because Lord Jesus, the Son of God was and is a Jew Who said: Follow Me. The Holy Bible has Jews and Gentiles. And even Gentiles aka strangers were grafted into Abraham's promise if ... IF ... If those Gentiles were obedient. Anyways. You are confused. You do not have complete understanding of what it means to follow Lord Jesus. Go to a man of God who knows the difference between titles baptism and baptism in the name of Lord Jesus Christ

[@joshuayoder8820]

The reason you left you had a girlfriend that broke up with you while you were joining church you went on got babtiized

[@theamishpotato]

Not sure if this is a question but yes I continued joining after she broke up with me.

[@alanazargushasb8557]

Amish potato I sent you a letter to your email, I hope you read it . It is titled "Good News! Everyone will enter into the kingdom of God! Jesus saved everyone on that cross 2000 years ago. Biblical Proof inside". If you do read it please let me know.