My Cult Life Time Line

1998-2000–Lived in Phoenix, Arizona. Attended Phoenix First Assembly of God, Pastor Tommy Barnett, as a church member. First year student in Master’s Commission USA, under Pastor Lloyd Zeigler. I worked on the Master’s Commission International Network Conference with Eric and Raquel Hunsberger.

2000-2003–Lived in Austin, Texas. Attended Glad Tidings Assembly of God, Pastor Vic Schober, as a church member and Reverend. Second year student and staff member in Master’s Commission Austin, under Pastor Edwin Ennis (Vice President of the Master’s Commission International Network). During these years, I became Pastor Edwin Ennis’ Executive Assistant and the nanny to his three children (at the time). Around 2003, Pastor Edwin Ennis moved many of his staff and students in Master’s Commission to Our Savior’s Church in Broussard, Louisiana to start a new Master’s Commission at his mentor, Jacob Aranza’s church. I moved with him.

2003-2005–Lived in Broussard, Louisiana (a small town outside Lafayette and about 2 hours outside New Orleans). Attended Our Savior’s Church, Pastor Jacob Aranza, as a church member. Staff member in Master’s Commission Industries, under Edwin Ennis and then later, Chris Lerma. I then became the Personal Assistant to Pastor Jacob Aranza’s wife, Michelle Aranza. I worked with the Women’s Ministries of the church and nannied her three younger children.

  • http://outofthesilverchair.blogspot.com/ Julie

    Thanks for linking The Cult Next Door! I just discovered your site and cannot wait to read more! Thanks for being a voice for those who cannot speak out…

    • admin

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy I found your site and I hope it will help out other readers like it helped me.

  • Sleepwalker

    I remember the day my wife and I drove to Glad Tidings to take my daughter out of this cult. I sat in a room with my daughter,wife,Vic Schober and his wife, Edwin Ennis and his wife. My daughter did not know we were coming because I did not want to warn them about what we were doing. During the meeting my daughter shook and sobbed with no control. She told me later she was certain Edwin would convice me that I should not take her with me. I told every one in that room,fear,intimidation and humiliation were not proper ways to spread the gospel. I fought every impulse I had to lash out at Edwin for what he had done to my daughter and focused on getting her out that door. Today I regrett not fixing that sob right then. You can think what you will of me but don’t dare try to tell me Edwin Ennis knows anything about who God is, or that this was not a cult. Most days this never even crosses my mind but when it does the anger I feel is just the same as it was all those years ago. That group took our money and never kept one promise about what they would do for my daughter. My father told me two months before I went to get her that I needed to get her out of that group before something bad happened, I should be whipped for not lisening to him and getting her that day.

  • A mom

    Lisa,
    Were you at MCA when two people were convicted of trying to molest an 11 year old boy? That was promptly covered up by the church. These boys were held in high esteem by Edwin while my child was in the program.

    • http://www.mycultlife.com admin

      A mom,
      I came a year afterward, I believe. I heard rumors of it, but it wasn’t spoken about openly. I always treaded delicately on the subject, because I know relatives of the boys and did Master’s with them.

      Unfortunately, I don’t know much about the case, but I know it wasn’t talked about by the church.
      Lisa

      • A mom

        The boys are registered sex offenders and so I am not pointing out anything that is not in the public domain. I brought this up as an example of secrecy and Edwin’s lack of discernment. I do feel for the relatives of the boys but secrets, as we know, can hurt many.

        • http://www.mycultlife.com admin

          A mom,
          No, I completely agree with you. I don’t even know what happened–that’s how “hush-hush” it was.

          I think this type of situation is definitely something that would make me concerned. Why would the church keep this secret and why would Edwin keep them in the high esteem, or perhaps even keep them in the program? I’m not sure what happened…did they get asked to leave the program or stay?

  • A mom

    I did not attend GT. All I know is what appeared on the local news at the time and the information on the Texas Sex Offender Database. I do not know if there were other victims or if they stayed in the program or left but it was definitely kept quiet.

    Keep up the good work, Lisa! You are doing an amazing job and I am very thankful for you and this website.

    • http://www.mycultlife.com admin

      Wow. It’s definitely something to consider. It’s not the first time, nor the last time someone will be sexually molested in a church setting, unfortunately. My only hope is that the victims will continue to speak up, so those who are guilty can be prosecuted.

  • MrsParrish

    I literally just stumbled upon this site — i don’t know if its a good thing or a bad thing for me personally. it’s been almost 10 years since i have been in MC (in Lafayette, LA) and in just reading i have been swarmed with memories and emotions that i tend to suppress. Either way — I have to agree with you on most points i’ve read so far. so many  young people hurt and mislead with this ‘ministry’. i appreciate the unedited truth that is not accompanied with malice. Or at least i don’t get that vibe. Blessing to you!