Values
To champion former Outreach International (OI) members by:
-Affirming them & their experiences
-Acknowledging their perspectives & feelings, recognizing they have immense value
-Honoring their vulnerability, believing the thoughts they share are insightful & important for others to hear
The motivation behind this space is rooted in empowerment and accountability. This space provides former members an opportunity to express thoughts or feelings, particularly ones they haven't felt safe or comfortable to disclose before. Others may speak because they feel a sense of responsibility, wanting to inform prospective OI members of its expansive impact. The culture and people of OI can be compelling in the most positive ways, but former members have shared experiences that tell a broader narrative. Creating an opportunity for former OI members to speak while honoring their anonymity is meant to provide a means in which their voices and perspectives can be learned.
This site is intended to inform & help others through the testimonies and resources they find here. The various thoughts from former members as well as the variety of resources shared here are meant to serve as a lighthouse.
'A lighthouse doesn't save the ships; it doesn't go out and rescue them, it's just this pillar that helps to guide them....' -Lea Michele
If you're reading this as a current member, you might notice some uncomfortable feelings arising--perhaps anxiety, guilt, or a sense that you shouldn't be here. These feelings themselves are worth paying attention to.
Maybe you have questioned leadership's teachings or practices. If you've raised your questions aloud, maybe you have been told that your questioning shows insufficient love for God. Or maybe you've seen other members who have raised questions be openly corrected in front of everyone. In healthy spiritual environments, sincere questions and feelings are not dismissed or "corrected." Having questions or seeking understanding is seen as a natural part of genuine faith relationships, not as deficiencies in devotion.
God has given every individual the capacity to think critically, weigh evidence, and make thoughtful decisions. These God-given abilities are yours to experience, know and practice. They haven't disappeared.
If the information here resonates with you, complex feelings may surface as a result. Questioning anything deeply is arduous. And to consider leaving any close community is naturally difficult and emotionally complex, regardless of the group's nature. The bonds you've formed and the life you've built matter, and those feelings are valid. Take your time processing the information you find here. There's no pressure to make a certain decision or come to any particular conclusions. Moving at your own pace, with your own thoughts and feelings as your guide, is perfectly appropriate.