I am honored to post the first user-submitted story as the new RA. If you would like to share your story, feel free to email stories@recoveringalumni.blog.
This story does discuss the current political climate, but does so in accordance with our politics policy.
I attended at least one BattleCry event in the summer or fall of 2007 and then another in February of 2008. At the same time, Christiane Amanpour on CNN produced a special called ‘God’s Warriors’ and they covered Ron Luce and the BattleCry movement. The church I attended at the time was very right leaning and had some very anti-CNN/liberal media opinions which made me feel uncomfortable.
The lead pastor was critical of the special and preached about it. He claimed that it had a bias against Christians who were a part of BattleCry and that CNN had a very dangerous ‘liberal agenda.’ Even though I wasn’t comfortable with his rant at the time, I do remember being caught up in the whirlwind of BattleCry because I wanted to feel like i was ‘on fire for God.’ I also wanted to feel like I was making a difference in the world and make the nation better because I liked the idea of it.
I remember going to meetings at another church in Hackensack, New Jersey to partake and learn more about the program with my friends. I’m still friends with some of them and we mostly outgrew our political/religious views of that time. At this point in time, no one had twisted my arm to participate as I wanted to go of my own volition. In part, it was all because of that sense of community and wanting to belong.
As I became a bit more exposed to the BattleCry culture, it left a bad taste in my mouth. And although I originally wanted to go– I began questioning it as to whether or not it was healthy. I remember one of my friends at the time and the rant during one of the worship services he was part of. He went on a mini prayer rant against MTV. I think part of why I was uncomfortable with that mindset was because MTV showcased music videos by some of my favorite bands, which used to include Flyleaf*. On an unrelated note, I have come to terms that a lot of Flyleaf’s music was made under some false pretenses and that the band was not as honest as they portrayed themselves to be And as years past, one of the singers (Lacey Sturm) became more involved with Focus on the Family. Such a shame because I liked their music but that’s a whole other story.
Anyway– cut to the premiere of BattleCry. I remember the first night I went there it was pretty jammed packed. It was held at the Continental Airlines/IZOD Center where I used to go to for Basketball Games and other Christian music events with the church I used to attend. I don’t remember too much of the service’s first night other than Bishop TD Jakes speaking there (I remember him doing this weird SHAFT bit in between for no apparent reason) and his message about ‘Myspace Vs His Holy Space as well as a few appearances by several other bands.
I reflected and meditated on the events that night and something felt off about it. I felt as if it was a lie and an illusion. My brother warned me about some things and I was too stubborn to accept them, but now I was starting to wonder if he was right. On the 2nd night, which I was really looking forward to, Ron Luce spoke. I was excited and got riled up with the rest of the crowd as Ron was pumping us up. But as I listened to Luce’s message, I was thrown off when he started talking about “culture” and how ‘we have to take it back for Christ.’ He went on a mini rant against secular culture and that if we partake in it, we become followers of it and this was bad. At least, that was what his tone conveyed to me. I did not know what to make of it then and I am still struggling to process it today. After the event, I started to slowly drift away from the BattleCry movement; and at some point, I drifted away from both churches that I attended.
Eventually, I graduated high school and then went to Nyack College where I was inspired to write stories, draw cartoons, and watch movies/TV shows. Around this time, I grew opposed to Ron Luce and Battlecry more and eventually discovered this blog with all of the stories of mistreatment involving Ron Luce and his ministries; and I was devastated. My focus shifted to listening to the victims/survivors stories and testimonies; at the same time– a toxic hatred for Ron Luce and his ministry grew out of it. I could not blame myself at the time— I was inspired to warn people about the future BattleCry events that followed and also drew an illustration and wrote an article for my college paper at the time. I forgot if the article was published but I do know the cartoon did make it to print.
Then in 2015– the chickens came home to roost for Luce, so to speak, and his ministry ended up shutting down. Also a warrant was issued for his arrest, surprisingly. At the time, I felt like I got closure and ready to move on; however I was concerned that a dethroned Ron Luce being would create a power vacuum in the Ultra Conservative Christian Community. Next thing we know, Trump came calling and some of the tactics Ron Luce used at BattleCry were then used again by Trump and he cranked it up to 11 during his campaign.
It was unlike anything I have ever seen before but also familiar. When Trump became President, I became fearful for the country and the direction it was heading. And when Fascism and abuse showed its ugly face– I protested like our lives depended on it, both online or at BLM events. Although everything we did helped get Trump out of office during his first term– the same battle had to be fought again when Trump won reelection in 2024. Only this time, his corruption ramped up on a level we have never seen before and we are now at a Constitutional crisis. And now it is making BattleCry look like child’s play.
I now look back at all of this and reflect on how all of this connects to my experience with Ron Luce and BattleCry and his ministry– If I hadn’t gone through those experiences in 2007/2008, I do not think I would have become the person that I am now. If I hadn’t become aware of the abuses of Ron Luce or any other televangelist/TBN/right leaning Christian Evangelist– then I wouldn’t have been inspired to help fight for a better future for others and help fight the battle against Fascism. Most importantly– I wouldn’t of been inspired to create art that embodies who I am as a person; or even be on the lookout for abusers in any or all industries in a way.
What led me back to Recovering Alumni was because I genuinely want to help share this story in case others had a similar experience in how it formed who they were or what they became. I am also hoping that this story can help inspire others in some way to know the warning signs of proto-fascism so that they can be careful and know how to fight back or protest injustices and help create a better tomorrow. I believe that no matter what happens— we will face this together, as a community.
