Shandoria Johnson
JoinedAs soon as I could talk my mother had left the "Body of Christ" (a former baptist) and became one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I grew up knowing nothing but JW's points of view and preached from house to house all that I knew. Early in life (13 years old) I was baptized while my mother was yet disfellowshipped for the third time. I always went after God thinking this was the only way to find him through these people. I found safety when I went to the Kingdom Halls because of all the abuse taking place in my household that the elders were aware of. I spent every moment allowed (by my mother) at other JW's houses to escape my own. I hold no bitterness nor any hatred for Jehovah's Witnesses because Christ have truly deliverd me from all the hurts and pains that God allowed me to endure. After many, many visits from Elders who would hear what was happening in our home only to do nothing but pray and give advise that never seemed to fit, shortly after leaveing and giving me a look of sorrow. Their reasonings were that because of my mothers in and out of the religion (disfellowshipping) we were suffering. My brother spent many years sexually touching me and masturbating on me, until I told him enough is enough while visiting my father (a non Jehovah's witness but always having Watchtower's and Awakes around) in Washington D.C. At the age of eleven years old I claimed my body back without their help. Although many things continued the violence and rages from my Mother towards my stepfather who always sat in the meetings silent, I became an "example" for the congreagation while in High school by Auxillary Pioneering and later to go onto Full time Pioneering after moving out at 18 years of age. I was expected to continue cleaning peoples houses and Pioneering until one day some man would find me worthy to marry. knowing that my family was not the greatest example to the congregation. Even when you move away you all know that they can call a congregation and get records to mark you. My first disfellowshipping was at 21 years old I went to the Elders and stated I wanted to leave I could not take being there any more. They explained that I had not committed any sins and that they would work with me. I left there thinking they would never leave me alone unless I committed a sin. And my Mother would always use that religion to here advantage. I went out that week to a club that people were inviting me to at work (that a JW would frequent and her congreation would alllow her and the Elder's children to get away with murder) and found a man that I got to know during the evening and asked him to sleep with me that night, he did and I went back to the elders with my report they disfellowhsipped me. This was the first time that I was disfellowshipped. We all know if you are born in this religion it is like an addiction when things go wrong in your life you run back remembering that you were taught that when "ut of the fold" nothing in your life will ever make you happy (wrong, thanky God they were wrong. It would take so much tme to explain the chain of events that would follow for more than seven more years. I left that religion and went on to many others over the course of many years. Only to find God emptying me out and callling on him for myself. I developed many illnesses (Bipolar disorder, PTSD, Diabetes, Ulcers and signed myslef into many hospitals only to finally meet the otherside of Jehovah and that is Jesus. Which leads me to where I am today, I am a student at a Bible College in Atlanta Georgia and a member of a wonderful church. I am answering the call on my life which includes the business of being a former JW's guilt free, delivered and chosen to set others free. I am saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit speaking in "Tongues" and Glorifying my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have been forgiven and God's mercy are greatly upon me. I am not "perfect" and realize I was not supposed to be. I am very happy and answering a call on my life to preach the gospel and set the captives free.I have a great calling to find those who are or have been unreachable to hear the word of God the showing them the real "truth" of God's word for their lives as individuals and not part of some occult. It has been the "call" of God for my life to go to those who even some in the "Body of Christ" (Church people) feel should not have the choice of salvation, because they are ignorant to what JW's are even about Faith is not just by works nor is it because of a confession only it is God's will that we all be saved that have not heard the gospel of Christ. Because of the fact that God knew you before you were even born God chose you and formed us all to endure such a denomination and called us out and is trying to shape us to have a great life in Christ with him expecting us to complete something on this earth. I research the Bible daily, I pray to God the Father and the Holy spirit to guide me in everything that I say and do. I judge "NO one" but merely show them what the real Bible says about God's thoughts for all of us and what he needs for each of us to do. It is not easy but with Christ in your life he will do most of the work once we surrender to his will.God Bless you all and please write me anytime with any questions, prepare for length replies as i am called to preach and teach the word of God.Shandoria