Hi, I’m Luca. I’m a nonbinary, gay ex-member of the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG). In this blog, I share my experiences of being in a cult for a decade with untreated bipolar disorder and OCD. While a member of the WMSCOG, I had a behind-the-scenes perspective as part of the East Coast Association’s headquarters “tech team.” I was also an employee at Big Shine, the company the region’s pastor headed as CEO.

These stories are not about laying blame. I just want to provide an honest account of what I saw, heard, thought, and experienced.

Coming out of this church, I had severe anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and continued to struggle with OCD and bipolar disorder. Some of my trauma was due to mental illness and some of it was caused by the church’s teachings and leadership. Either way, I had a lot of healing to do once I got out. Healing isn’t a linear process and I may never be done, but what I know is that I’m living the life I want and I’m doing a lot better mentally than I was in the church.

This blog is a message to those currently in the church and struggling that it’s possible to get out and heal. To those who have already left, I hope to provide hope that it’s possible to reclaim your authentic self and live with the scars of the past.

And to those of you who don’t have any experience with the WMSCOG? Feel free to hang around and enjoy the ride, and check out the resources page for some background information on the church.

Find me on Instagram: @neveragain.cult
Listen on Spotify: never again: stories from a former wmscog member